AIFS Abroad Internships in Barcelona, Spain

Name: AIFS Abroad Internships in Barcelona, Spain
Brand: AIFS Abroad
SKU: 20212
Rating: 4.99 (70 reviews)

Read 70 reviews

4.99 Rating

Leave a Review

Location

Spain
- Barcelona

Length

8 to 12 weeks

Industry

Accounting Advertising Anthropology Architecture Art History Arts Biology Business Communications Computer Science Culinary Arts Design Economics Education Engineering Film Finance International Business International Relations Journalism Marketing Media Relations Music Sports Science Tourism +15

General grants/scholarships, BIPOC funding

Health & Safety

Learn More

View Other Details

Program Details

Compensation

Non-Monetary Benefits

Timeframe

Fall Spring Spring Break Summer

Housing

Apartment

Language

English

Weekly Hours

Age Min.

Pricing

Price Details

Program fee includes: guaranteed internship placement, award winning career development with one-on-one coaching, social events & excursions, Spanish language courses, centralized housing, local support from staff, personalized career development and pre-departure, and medical/travel insurance.

What's Included

Accommodation Some Activities

What's Not Included

Airfare Meals

Last Updated: Feb 21, 2024

Last Reviewed: Aug 04, 2022

Wish List

89 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Barcelona is home to miles of sandy beaches, one of the world's most well-known soccer teams, and an endless number of experiences to have. The economic center of Catalonia offers a wide range of internships in nearly every career field. As an international intern, you’ll have the chance to immerse in everything about Spanish culture.

You’ll have the opportunity to work in your approved career field all while enjoying everything Barcelona has to offer. We do our best to tailor your internship to match your background and future goals. We’ll support you every step of the way to make sure your Barcelona internship is an experience you’ll never forget.

Included in the cost of your tuition is a guaranteed internship, housing, social events, our career development program, and more.

Visit Site

Apply Now

Video and Photos

View All Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

At AIFS Abroad, we want to support all participants in their study/internship abroad journey, inclusive of gender, race, religion, age, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Everyone has a complex identity, and faith, spirituality, and religion are important factors when deciding on a program location.

Learn More

LGBTQIA+ Support

Learn More

Accessibility Support

Everyone’s experience is unique. We recognize the location you choose can have an impact on your sense of belonging. We encourage you to use the information below as you review your options to select the program and location that will be the best choice for you. If you do not hold the identities that are amplified here, this information is still a great resource for you as well. It will give you a better understanding of those who have this identity.

Learn More

Impact

Sustainability

In response to the overwhelming global climate crisis, AIFS Abroad is pleased to make Sustainability a key priority when considering organizational, operational, and programming decisions. We understand that the only way to effectively combat this crisis and mitigate the effects of climate change is to drastically reduce our environmental impact. Therefore, AIFS Abroad has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by the year 2025. AIFS Abroad is proud to announce we have signed the CANIE Accord, becoming the first US provider to make this commitment.

Learn More

Program Highlights

Guaranteed Internship: As part of the AIFS Abroad program you are guaranteed an internship in your host city. We do our best to tailor your internship to match your background and future goals.
Personalized Attention: We want this experience to be as fulfilling as possible. From the first phone call, we support you and give you all the resources you need to make sure your internship is a success.
Centralized Housing: You’ll be living in accommodations centrally located in Barcelona with other AIFS Abroad interns. Your housing will have access to public transportation, ensuring it is easy to get to and from your internship.
Professional Development: Through one-on-one coaching and webinars, we assist you in improving your professional documents, prepare you for an interview with potential employers, establish internship goals, and discuss your strengths.
Local Staff and Social Events: Our Location Coordinator lives in Barcelona year-round and provides interns with an insider's glimpse of the city. The LC is there to provide 24/7 emergency support and takes all the interns on a range of social events.

Popular Programs

Business Internships

Experiencing and understanding business in a global context is essential for long-term career success. An international business internship is the best way to expand your horizons and learn necessary professional skills. Our business internships abroad are tailored to your prior experience, education, and future goals.

Economics/Finance Internships

Your dream career in the world of finance and economics is within your reach with an international internship through AIFS Abroad. Our interns are placed in firms where they gain invaluable career experience in a competitive industry. Finance internships can include everything from projects in asset management, investment banking, financial services, and private equity.

PR & Marketing Internships

AIFS Abroad provides opportunities for students and young professionals looking for internship experience in the competitive career fields of marketing, public relations, sales marketing, and advertising. Interns are matched through our one-on-one placement process with employers around the globe who are excited to give you hands on experience.

Program Reviews

4.99 Rating

based on 70 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Intern

5 rating 98.57%
4 rating 1.43%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 4.9
Support 4.95
Fun 4.95
Housing 4.85
Safety 4.95

Good for Students, Building your resume, Photographers

Showing 57 - 64 of 70 reviews

Global Experiences was FANTASTIC! The staff was awesome throughout the entire process from professional development to getting me an internship to the support while I was actually in Barcelona. Inma was the best program director that you could ask for, always willing to help and looking for fun things to do for you and your friends. I met people that I am sure I will be friends with for a lifetime. I wish that I could stay for longer than 2 months but I know I will be coming back soon enough. It was my first time over seas and Global Experiences made it an experience that I will absolutely never forget!

I had the most amazing 3 months during my Global Experiences internship. Right from the start the team works hard for you to have the preparation to make sure your GE experience is the best it can be. My placement was a perfect match, my housing was too good to be true and the group activities were always really fun! I grew so much as a young professional through my internship and had opportunities to take on more responsibility and gain skills I never thought I would. My contact in Barcelona, Inma, made sure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves throughout the whole internship and really made it a point to build relationships with all of us in the program. I was lucky to have her as a mentor and friend - as well as a great reference for us foodies!!

I fell in love with Barcelona during my short 3 months there and I am already planning on going back to continue my adventures. I would highly recommend the Global Experiences program to anyone hesitating on taking the leap. They give you the support and skills you need to have an amazing experience working abroad. I'm so glad I heard about GE from a friend by word of mouth, I can't wait to continue to spread the word in hopes that others follow my lead in taking the jump into Global Experiences.

What would you improve about this program?

I really had a 10/10 experience with Global Experiences. The only thing I wish I did prior to leaving was take an intensive Spanish course at my university, it definitely would have helped in every aspect - in the workplace as well as around the city. It is something I will be working on this time before returning to sunny Barcelona!

Amazing!!! One of the best experiences and trip. The time that I was at work, I got to know some people plus got new experience in my field. This type of opportunity only come once in your life, and now that I got this chance I got to see what I really want to do and work in the future. This is the time to do anything you want and to get to know what you want to do in your field. Try something new and get something out of it. I had one of the best time, now is your turn.

This was one of the most amazing experiences I've had up to this point in my life. I have never been in Europe before and Global Experience gave me the greatest experience I could've asked for. Inma Lopez was an amazing advisor and planned so many different activities to get us out and about to see the extraordinary features that Barcelona has to offer. We had an activity almost every week that involved seeing historic sites, art, and also travel to a city outside of Barcelona! I highly recommend Global Experience as they gave me an unforgettable trip which I will cherish the memories of forever!

Couldn't be happier with my decision to choose Barcelona as my host country. My internship with the architecture firm Wortmann Architects definitely met my expectations, I had a full time internship while enjoying all that Barcelona has to offer. It gave me the perfect opportunity to work in a field I am interested in and I definitely feel like it will help me land my dream job in the future.
Our Program coordinator Inma was wonderful! She was extremely knowledgeable and planned fun and educating excursions every week.
I would highly recommend Global experiences Barcelona Program to anybody looking to gain solid work experience, while at the same time enjoy the beauty of traveling abroad.

What would you improve about this program?

The housing was a little below par, but housing standards are lower in Barcelona than they are in America.

I've tried to get abroad for years, but things kept falling through with my school. It's been a dream to live abroad and Global Experiences finally allowed that to happen for me! This summer was incredible. I saw so many amazing places that were so easy to travel to from Barcelona, and the city itself had so much going on. From incredible street performers to some of the best food I've tasted...I didn't want to leave! It's going to be impossible to beat this summer, and the cherry on top of it all was the loving and amazing Location Coordinator, Inma. She helped make sure this was the best summer ever!

There is a vast amount of different places and people in the world, and being able to see some of the many cultures I did in my time in Europe allowed me to see many different lifestyles and customs and was able to immerse myself in areas I was not used to. Our world is so incomprehensibly huge, and how many people have lived on this planet, how many buildings, pieces of art, stories, scientific discoveries, etc have been contributed. I finally saw this first hand, and found a greater appreciation for other cultures as well as my own. It is very easy to get stuck in a bubble living our day to day lives, but being abroad teaches you there is so much more out there. I find that my perspective is much more open in all areas because of this experience. No matter where you go in this world there will always be people that you meet that turn into friends and acquaintances. This process may be difficult abroad but in the long run the people you meet abroad can change you forever. From small talks in a coffee shop with a stranger, a late night drink with a group of Australians in a Hostel in Italy to co-workers, and groups of girls from France in a nightclub, and so forth. You learn about culture, cool spots you never heard of, stories, and new perspectives of things you otherwise would have never known on your own because you all come from a different background and are headed a different direction but when you cross paths it is a truly amazing thing to hear how they got to where they are and where they are going and everything in between etc. Being in this program is an investment for your future. The things you learn and grow by doing this internship abroad are priceless as well as the marketable skills of a job and internship experience.

What would you improve about this program?

I did not have any major things I would have changed about this program, they include social activities which makes getting accustomed to the area easier so they could include more maybe but hey already do a significant amount

I had a fantastic experience this Summer working as an intern for a public relations firm in Barcelona. Global Experiences took care of all of the networking for me and helped match me with the perfect employer long before going abroad, and also found me housing in a great spot in the city. I doubt I would've been able to get an internship like this and had such a great experience without a very legit agency, and Global Experiences gave me everything I could've asked for!

What would you improve about this program?

Present the option to live alongside natives of the country, to be able to give full language and cultural immersion to those who really want it.

Questions & Answers

How old do you have to be?

Answer this question

Do you meet the people on facebook or anything before you go?

When you enroll in the program, you are added to a private Facebook group for your specific program location and session. This means that you have a way to communicate to other interns in the group before your departures, and for some locations you can even arrange to meet up in the airport and take a taxi to your housing together. Hope this helps!

By Global Experiences on June 5, 2019

is it a paid internship?

Hi Alyssa! As with many internships, the vast majority of our internship placements are unpaid. We look for opportunities that allow our interns to gain the best possible experience while adhering to local laws and visa restrictions. If an employer offers you a stipend or other form of compensation you are welcome to accept it. We hope that this helps! - Lydia T. | Student Experience & Marketing...

By Global Experiences on June 4, 2019

See all 2 answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Tell us a little about your experience working with Global Experiences.

I am currently an Account Manager at Go Overseas. Recently, I was able to shadow the Global Experiences program in Barcelona. This interview is a reflection of my experiences during the site visit.

I’ve worked with Global Experiences for the past three years and have met a lot of their stellar employees at various conferences, over Skype calls, etc. The majority of the time, I liaise with the marketing team as my role at Go Overseas encompasses partner success.

Being able to visit Global Experiences in Barcelona provided an excellent opportunity to learn more about their day-to-day programming (an area I’ve been very intrigued to know more about!). I learned a lot from their Barcelona staff -- as their areas of expertise are completely different from my own. There is so much to know within the areas of student development and program operations.

What stood out to you about this program specifically?

Being able to step away from my desk and see what it’s like to manage and nurture interns while they’re abroad opened my eyes a lot. As I’m in touch with hundreds of organizations (dozens of intern abroad companies alone) I had a hunch that there was an immense amount of heart (and sweat!) that went into these programs -- from the initial interview, to the placement, all the way through to job references in the future. I had no idea just how much, though.

What stood out to me about Global Experience’s program in Barcelona was the amount of care and concern that their team pours into their participants. Even well beyond their internship abroad -- these students are supported and have a lifelong network to reference.

View Entire Interview

What were your observations about the current interns in Barcelona?

To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect meeting the current interns. Would they be mature? Hardworkers? Travel-savvy students? Or the opposite? One of the many takeaways that I learned from the GE Barcelona Director was how much work goes into their intern selection process prior to even interviewing for the internships.

When an intern is selected for the program, the GE team works incredibly hard to find an internship placement in the student’s field of interest AND matches the type of work that they want to do day-to-day. On top of that, they’re vetting organizations that will provide a nurturing and positive experience for their interns.

GE doesn’t want to partner with an organization in Barcelona that gives their interns “busy work” or doesn’t foster a learning environment to further their students’ professional development skills. The Barcelona Director consistently takes advantage of local networking opportunities and events to find great organizations for her interns to be placed in.

To further this -- if the intern doesn’t have any Spanish skills, Global Experiences seeks to find a supervisor whom the student can effectively communicate with.

Once an intern is placed in a company, the GE Barcelona team checks in on the student's and supervisor’s progress and assists where they can, while fostering the intern’s independence and professional development skills.

Throughout the internship, the GE students have opportunities to participate in several cultural events around Barcelona. I had the privilege to experience Gaudí's famous Park Güell with the current cohort.

Needless to say, the GE team works very hard to meet all their participant, placement and program criteria. Thus, the type of student that this program attracts is typically driven, culturally-sensitive and mature. I personally experienced this with the cohort that I met.

Any advice for future interns based on your site visit?

Learn a little Spanish! Even better, if you’re able to hone basic conversation skills ahead of applying for the Global Experiences program -- the internship placement opportunities will be even greater. Spanish is not a requirement for this program by any means, but I wanted to mention this as advice I’d want to know so I could maximize my planning process and my time abroad.

Not to mention, getting around Barcelona and traveling throughout Spain is a lot more fun when you can talk to the locals in Spanish. It’s a great ice-breaker and being bilingual is a very advantageous skill to acquire (or hone) regardless.

Alexandra Grund

2014 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Brian Brinkman

Program

AIFS Abroad Internships in Barcelona, Spain

Job Title

Internship Program Consultant

After living in South Korea for a number of years, along with extensive travels through SE Asia and Western Europe, Brian returned to the States with a goal to "pay it forward." Travel is one of his favorite things in the world, and he feels incredibly fortunate to help college students discover the benefits of travel. In his free time, Brian can be found sampling the local cuisine in whatever city he's currently living in, training for the nextmarathon, and seeing as much live music as possible.

What position do you hold at Global Experiences? What has been your career path so far?

Brian Brinkman

I am a Program Consultant at Global Experiences. I work with students who are interested in our internships to ensure we can provide them with the experience they're seeking. I get to chat with students from all over the world, and help them to achieve their own personal and career-based goals! It's incredibly rewarding.

My career path has been unique. Upon graduating college, my number one goal was to travel. I held a lot of odd-jobs in various locations around the Pacific Northwest, where I learned how to cook in a seasonal/farm-to-table restaurant, and then spent two years teaching English in South Korea.

After completing a five-month backpacking trip through SE Asia, India, and the US, my wife and I decided to settle down. I came to work at Global Experiences because I know how fortunate I was to have the opportunity to travel and follow my passions. It's my hope to help today's college students gain the skills needed to follow their own dreams, while also experiencing everything our big ole' world has to offer!

What country have you always wanted to visit?

It's impossible for me to pick just ONE country, so these are my top 3 :)

Boating

1. Iran: I was an Islamic Studies minor in college, and had the great benefit of learning about the fascinating and misunderstood history of Iran. From its megalomaniac Persian past, to its cosmopolitan east-meets-west mid-60s & 70s, to today's fractured state, Iran is one of the most mysterious places on Earth, and one I feel I have to see to really understand.

2. Russia: I was born at the tail-end of the Cold War. Russia has always been this ominous no-man's land my whole life. It's vast and beautiful and so similar to America, and yet so different all at once. Another one I have to see to really grasp and understand.

3. Myanmar: After spending three months in SE Asia last Spring (2014), my itinerary forced me onward to India. Myanmar, having just opened its borders, is the last untouched gem of SE Asia. More similar to Laos and Cambodia than it's more popular neighbors, Thailand and Vietnam, Myanmar will surely explode with tourism before long. I have to see it before that happens!

Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?

I grew up in a small suburban town just SW of Chicago. It was as white-bred middle class as a place could be. While I was thankful for the safety and security as a child, as I grew up I began to resent coming from such a place that increasingly felt sterile and boring.

Camel Safari

Cultural immersion showed me how different, yet, at the same time, how similar the rest of the world was. It showed me how many different ways one could live in this world. It showed me the varying definitions of success. It showed me how critical love and understanding and acceptance is. It showed me how much could be overcome simply through conversation and listening. It also showed me the true benefits of community and family.

Upon returning from my travels, I always feel even more fortunate for the family I have, the love I've been surrounded by, and rich with understanding for the interconnected human community we're all apart of.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

Here are two key qualities I see here at Global Experiences that make us an effective and special organization.

First and foremost, we are a group of experienced travelers. At every level of our company, we are staffed with people who have lived and worked abroad.

This kind of experience gives us a first-hand understanding of both the benefits of international travel, and the importance of overcoming the challenges that inherently come with international travel.

Boating

Moreover, we all love the revelations and learning opportunities that come from travel. That's something that can reach our interns and the larger community within International Education.

Secondly, we are dedicated to innovation which has shaped and defined us since our inception. We are the original international internship provider, and we continue to redefine this aspect of our larger field.

Our office is a constant incubator and laboratory for what is possible within International Internships. This dedication to constantly making the experience of International Education better and more effective, is one that will have far-reaching implications on this generation of college students!

Location

Location:

Barcelona

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

61 F / 41 F

Apr-Jun

77 F / 48 F

Jul-Sep

84 F / 57 F

Oct-Dec

72 F / 43 F

Airports:

Barcelona–El Prat

( BCN )

Whether you prefer beaches, buildings, or history, Barcelona is the place to be. Spend your time admiring Gaudi's work at La Sagrada Familia, walking down the Mar Bella beach, or learning about the history in Catalonia.

About AIFS Abroad

AIFS Abroad is a leading provider of study abroad programs. Since 1964, more than 1.5 million students have traveled abroad with AIFS Abroad. Comprehensive program fees make it convenient for students to study abroad and intern abroad to experience all that the world has to offer. Celebrating 60 years of service in 2024, AIFS Abroad has the...

Program Details

Pricing

Program Highlights

Business Internships 

Economics/Finance Internships 

PR & Marketing Internships 

Alumni Interviews

Anna Morris

Tell us a little about your experience working with Global Experiences.

What stood out to you about this program specifically?

What were your observations about the current interns in Barcelona?

Any advice for future interns based on your site visit?

Staff Interviews

Brian Brinkman

What position do you hold at Global Experiences? What has been your career path so far?

What country have you always wanted to visit?

Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?

What unique qualities does your company possess?

Business Internships

Economics/Finance Internships

PR & Marketing Internships