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Barcelona – Full-Time Semester Internship
We want you to feel at home in Barcelona, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From your placement to housing to cultural activities, our job is to make sure you have the best internship experience possible.
If your work schedule allows, join IES Abroad-organized cultural events and field trips to experience the Spanish culture and learn more about your host country and its people. On the weekends, tour the city to taste the delicious cuisine, explore the fantastic art scene, or take in a concert at one of Barcelona’s live music venues.
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
Before you go, we work with you to fine-tune your résumé, perfect your cover letter, and hone your communication and interview skills as we prepare you for working in a new cultural environment. You’ll be guaranteed a placement at a local business or organization that fits your professional interests.
Academic Seminar
While working in Barcelona, you’ll also enroll in a required 3-credit internship seminar with other IES interns, where you’ll gain context for your internship placement by examining cultural issues in and outside the workplace.
Topics covered include:
- Understanding workplace culture
- Improving communication
- Strengthening work attitude and aptitude
- Navigating issues, challenges, and opportunities so you can succeed on the job in Barcelona and when you return home
Personalized Placements
Your internship coordinator will work with you to find a placement in the field of your choice. We’ve placed past interns at companies and organizations in the following fields.
- Business
- Education/Language Instruction
- Health (non-clinical)*
- International Business
- International Relations*
- IT
- Journalism
- Law*
- Marketing
- Media & Communications
- Not-for-Profit Organizations*
- Psychology (non-clinical)*
- Tourism
Don’t see your field listed? Just talk to your IES Internships Advisor. We are always finding new opportunities.
*Some fields might require an advanced knowledge of Spanish.
Courses
All full-time interns will enroll in one of the following courses:
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ED/IN 395 - Internship Seminar: Education | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ED/IN 395 - Internship Seminar: Education | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IN 395A - Internship Seminar | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IN 395B - Internship Seminar | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| SO/IN 395 - Internship Seminar: Social Action | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/IN 395 - Internship Seminar: Social Action | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
Field Trips & Events
Even though your adventure starts in Barcelona, our field trips during fall and spring semesters take you outside the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country and beyond. As part of orientation, you’ll participate in a study journey, which is included in your program cost. Additional field trips are partially subsidized by IES Abroad.
The Basque Country & Navarre
4 days | Fall & Spring
Discover the unique gastronomy of the Basque Country, learn from artisans who elaborate local delicacies, and attempt to create (with your own hands) the meals that make up this rich culinary tradition.
Costa Brava
3 days | Fall & Spring
Visit Roman ruins, the medieval city of Girona, and the “dreamland” of Salvador Dalí between Barcelona and the French border.
Madrid
3 days | Fall & Spring
Discover the vibrant capital of Spain! See the works of El Greco, Goya, and Velázquez firsthand in the world-famous Prado Museum.
South of France
3 days | Spring
Visit Carcassonne to learn about its rich history, and enjoy a boat ride nearby. Next, head to Lastours to see castles and the Fontfroide Abbey. The last stop is Perpignan, where you will have the chance to compare the difference between the Spanish Catalan and French Catalan cultures.
Valencia
3 days | Spring
Enjoy a guided tour around the city and make paella, the most famous dish in Spain. Then visit the nearby town of Peñíscola to see the Papa Luna’s Castle, a medieval building constructed by Templar knights that was home to the Pope during the 13th century.
Montserrat
1 day | Fall & Spring
Spend the day hiking the mountain of Montserrat and visit the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability, and participation may be contingent upon your internship work schedule.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Barcelona is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
Orientation
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to help you prepare for your IES Abroad experience. Our orientation introduces you to the IES Abroad Barcelona staff, your fellow students, and the city of Barcelona. Orientation continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
A required study journey is included as an integral part of orientation. In previous study journeys, students have visited Tarragona where they walked in the footsteps of the Ancient Romans. This two-day study journey will allow you to meet your fellow classmates and IES Abroad staff.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Barcelona, it will feel like home.
Homestays – Normally, two or three IES Abroad students live in a home with local residents and students share a double room. You are provided two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) while the program is in session. Laundry and WiFi are included.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Take advantage of the cultural events we organize in Barcelona, such as:
- Walking Tours
- Flamenco Workshops
- Soccer Games
- Cooking Workshops
DiscoverIES
DiscoverIES are a unique blend of course-related and cultural field trips. With this hybrid experience, you have the ability to understand the culture in the context of your coursework.
With 60+ DiscoverIES per semester, you have the exciting opportunity to familiarize yourself with Barcelona through cultural activities led by IES Abroad Barcelona professors. Visit the city’s many influential buildings, learn about its one-of-a-kind history, and become part of the Spanish and Catalan culture.
DiscoverIES are also a great way to meet and spend time with other students on your program, as well as IES Abroad Barcelona staff and professors. These optional activities are either free or highly subsidized.
Some past examples of DiscoverIES may include:
- Discovering the Quadrat d’Or, or Golden Square, in a guided tour in the Eixample District, an exceptional area that focuses on Barcelona’s Modernist style (Art Noveau) at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century.
- Enjoying a Flamenco workshop, where you’ll learn a few basic dance steps, the history behind the dance and attire, and taste traditional Andalucían fare.
- Hiking Tibidabo, the tallest mountain in Serra de Collserola, tour the Modernist and Neo-Gothic Sagrat Cor Temple, and visiting the oldest amusement park in Spain.
- Visiting an organic farm and learning about sustainability with an IES Abroad professor.
- Visiting the aquarium at Delta de L’Ebre, the coastal lagoons on the southern shore (Encanyissada and Tancada), Trabucador Beach and Alfacs Bay, and the fishing harbor at Sant Carles de la Ràpita.
Get to Know Your New City
Have Fun in the Sun
Spend time strolling and swimming under the sun along Barcelona's four miles of sandy beaches.
Hike Montjuïc
A climb up this hill offers spectacular views of the city. From here, you can also explore several great museums and the beautiful buildings from the 1992 Olympic Games.
Check Out Some Live Music
From huge festivals to hole-in-the-wall venues, playing everything from electronica to punk, there’s more to Barcelona’s music scene than its iconic Rumba Catalana.
Appreciate the Art
Home to numerous works by Pablo Picasso, the surreal sculptures of Joan Miró, and the fantastic, dreamlike architecture of Gaudi, there’s plenty of art—indoors and out—to inspire you.
Eat, Drink, and Eat Some More!
Catalan cuisine consists of savory stews, fresh seafood, delicious jamón, spicy potatoes, olives, and so much more. Wash it down with a cold orxata (a refreshing drink made from the tiger nut plant).
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Scholarships & Aid
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
Located in the heart of beautiful Barcelona, the IES Abroad Center is located just off of the Plaza Catalunya, home to a number of shops and cafes, and within walking distance of many other Barcelona landmarks. Features include:
- High-speed and wireless internet access
- Multimedia classrooms
- Study lounges with printers
- Large outdoor terrace
Our Staff
Cèsar Alegre Alsina, Ph.D.
Center Director & AVP for Program Development
Dr. Cèsar Alegre Alsina has been the Director of our Barcelona programs since 2008. He is originally from Barcelona and speaks Spanish, Catalan, and English fluently. He brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education to IES Abroad, including a noteworthy teaching career in the United States, experience in student services, and a strong research portfolio. Before coming to IES Abroad, Dr. Alegre Alsina taught Spanish language, as well as Spanish and Hispanic Culture and Literature at Amherst College for 16 years. He is the author of a book on Hispanic Americans (Scholastic), and has contributed to the Encyclopedia of Hispanic Americans (BRG Oxford) and numerous articles and reviews in American and international journals. Dr. Alegre Alsina received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University, his Master’s degree in Hispanic Literature at Auburn University, and his doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
IES Abroad Barcelona Staff
Alex Walker
Assitant Director and Dean of Faculty
Jane Ewart
Head of Registration
Ana Tarife
Head of Internship, Service Learning, and Volunteering
Olga Sánchez
Senior Director of Student Affairs
Salvador Ortiz
Head of Administration and Human Resources
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
Fall 2021
We all know that Fall 2021 is going to look a bit different from other study abroad terms, but that doesn’t mean it still won’t be the most incredible semester of your life!
We’re working hard to keep you safe and well, so you can focus on what you came to do—live and learn abroad (and have some fun along the way!). Below is a summary of the main tweaks to the program this semester, which may be updated as more details become known. You can learn even more about our measures for all programs on our Fall 2021 Health & Safety page.
Academics
From courses taught by world-class IES Abroad faculty at our Center to internship placements in your chosen field, know that you’ll be learning from the best of the best this fall. Explore all the options you can choose from on the “Program Details” tab.
Health & Safety Protocols
We’re making sure that your learning experience is a safe one so you can focus on the topic at hand. So, to enhance effective social/physical distancing, IES Abroad is taking proactive measures in the classroom, including:
- limiting class enrollment sizes
- adjusting space layout and room choice
- and promoting student/faculty use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Learn more about our health and safety measures for Fall 2021.
Housing
You’ll stay in a clean, comfortable apartment or residence hall where we’ve taken the utmost safety measures, including single occupancy rooms. At this time, homestays will not be offered through IES Abroad programs this fall. Learn more about the overarching housing policies for Fall 2021.
Field Trips
Across all IES Abroad programs, field trips will stay local and regional this fall. Your fields trips will all take place in Spain, which means you’ll get fully immersed in the culture(s) you came for! Possible trips include:
- Tarragona
- Figueres - Dalí Museum
- Besalu
- Montserrat
- Delta del Ebro
Our Center
Our Center in Barcelona is your go-to spot for classes, student services, and information. Serving as your campus away from campus, you can feel safe going to class or checking in with an IES Abroad staff member because, at a minimum, IES Abroad Centers will undergo daily cleaning and disinfection by professional cleaning services.
Cost
Cost details for Fall 2021 can be found on the Cost tab. Be sure to click through the linked total to view a thorough cost breakdown PDF. Consider those prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Go Ahead & Get Started…With a Refund Policy that has your Back
As a mission-driven, not-for-profit, we are guided by two priorities as we navigate Fall 2021: to leave the door open for your opportunity to study abroad, and to strive to keep you safe and healthy. So, what’s our advice? Give yourself the chance to have an incredible adventure—even if it’s a bit different than planned!—and know we’re right alongside you as the details unfold.
And thanks to our Fall 2021 Refund Policy, there’s no commitment just yet. What’s more, once you start an application, you’ll be in the loop and hear directly from us if any changes are made to your program.
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