Internships in Barcelona, Spain

I spent my Spring Break in Barcelona through the EPICS at ASU Global Intensive Experience, and it was easily one of the most valuable things I've done in college. The program brought 34 of us together to work on real community-based engineering projects alongside partners like Tarpuna SCCL, BIT Habitat, and CARNET, with additional connections to Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and ESERP Business & Law School. This was not a sightseeing trip with a class attached. We were in intensive group work sessions applying what we'd learned in the classroom to actual problems facing a global city. The academic side was genuinely challenging in the best way. A Smart City tour with Guiding Architects showed us how urban architecture and engineering solutions come together at scale, and working directly with local organizations forced us to think about design in a cultural context we'd never encountered before. We also put sustainability into practice with a beach cleanup at Barceloneta, which grounded the whole experience in real action rather than just discussion. The cultural immersion was just as intentional as the coursework. We explored the Sagrada Família, took in the views from Montjuïc, visited Park Güell, learned Flamenco with a local dance studio, and ended one evening watching the sunset from a jazz catamaran. The tapas alone would have been worth the flight. The program leaders, including Dr. Tami Coronella, Jennifer Wong, Claire Lien Luong, and Bastien Kahn, were supportive and organized throughout. They struck a real balance between pushing us academically and making sure we experienced Catalonia beyond the classroom. If you're an engineering student considering a short-term global program, I can't recommend this one enough. You come home with more than photos. You come home understanding that engineering really is a universal language for change.

My internship as a market and financial analyst was an excellent opportunity for me to gain professional experience dealing with real business needs and personnel. The submersion taught me many technical skills and built my confidence, which I am sure have helped prepare me for my future positions.

The entire internship abroad experience was great! The Beyond Academy coordinators did a great job organizing activities that allowed us to experience the must-see parts of Barcelona, while also providing great recommendations for places to eat, explore, and navigate the city. I also really appreciated the wide variety of internship fields available. Overall, it was a great way to gain international work experience while experiencing life in Barcelona!

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for the lovely review, Kiera! We’re so glad to hear that you had such a positive experience in Barcelona and were able to combine gaining international work experience with making the most of everything the city has to offer. It’s especially great to hear how much you enjoyed the activities organized by our Barcelona Community Team, as well as all of their local recommendations along the way. We always want our interns to feel like they’re really experiencing life in their program city, rather than simply living and working there for a few weeks. We loved having you as part of our Barcelona community and hope you’re leaving with some amazing memories, new skills and experiences that you can take forward into your future career. Wishing you all the best with whatever comes next!

Emails were clear and easy to follow. I had the absolute best experience I could have ever asked for because of my host mother. She took such good care of me and any students to get her as a host are super lucky! I enjoyed getting to know a new culture and traveling around Spain. I think it helped me mature a little bit by being alone in a different country and just further added to my self dependence which will help me in my career and life.

The internship experience in Barcelona was absolutely amazing both in the office and out of the office. Our local host Isabel was amazing when getting us acclimated to the city, as well as providing reccomendations and ensuring our safety. On top of that, her community events that she planned for our group were so much fun whether it was a day trip to the beach, going to dinner, or attractions like park guell. The internship on the other hand was a great work experience, and I learned so much about working abroad.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for the amazing review, Bryce! We’re so glad to hear that you had such a positive experience both inside and outside of your internship during your time in Barcelona. It’s especially lovely to hear how much you appreciated Isabel and all of the support, recommendations and activities she provided throughout your program. From beach days and dinners to exploring some of Barcelona’s must-see spots, it sounds like you really made the most of your time in the city! We’re also so happy to hear that your internship gave you valuable professional experience and the opportunity to learn more about working abroad. We loved having you as part of our Barcelona community and hope you’re leaving with plenty of new skills, friendships and amazing memories from your summer!

Since completing the Psychology internship in Cape Town, I've been more empowered in several key ways. I've developed greater cultural competence within my field, along with a stronger understanding of how to draw on other professionals and networks to bring together resources that genuinely support a community or individual. I also feel more confident in the value of my informal counselling skills, and a renewed appreciation for the value of my psychology degree and what it equips me to offer. My experience co-facilitating the DBT session for clients with BPD has genuinely inspired me to consider this as a potential area of future specialisation, and I'd like to continue building my knowledge and skills in this space. I enjoyed staying in the big intern house with the other interns and exploring Cape Town together. The cultural insight from the local coordinator and internship was very insightful and has allowed me to personally and professionally appreciate and develop my cross-cultural competence.

My time in Spain was surprising, to say the least. When I first got to my company, there were only two people on site. This was mainly because of the difference in starting times depending on the employee. My coworkers were very culturally diverse. Some coming from the Netherlands, some from various parts of Latin America, and a Filipina woman who was raised in Spain. All very lovely people. But the work culture surprised me as it was very lax and the coworkers were very kind. I was able to make friends with my absolute peers and go out around the city exploring the culture and practicing our Spanish. Barcelona was beautiful but surprising in the way of how the pride the people feel for their home reminds me of Puerto Rico.

I had an amazing experience with Absolute Internship! From the beginning, the program made the process of interning abroad feel organized and supported, which allowed me to really focus on making the most of my time in Barcelona. Through Absolute Internship, I was placed with Atlex Legal, where I gained hands-on experience in immigration law, worked directly with clients, participated in client calls, and contributed to meaningful projects, including developing an immigrant integration business plan. The internship gave me responsibilities that challenged me professionally and helped me become more confident, independent, and comfortable working in an international environment. What I appreciated most was that the experience went far beyond simply having an internship abroad. I was able to experience living and working in Barcelona, meet people from different backgrounds, and grow both personally and professionally. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and would highly recommend Absolute Internship to students who want international work experience while also stepping outside of their comfort zone and experiencing life in a new country.

The Marketing & Communications internship in Sydney gave me the real life experience which I can tie closely to my studies, and this has helped me understand different topics more easily. The internship also gave me the practical experience I needed to help boost my CV (resume) for my later career, and better prepare me for my future. I enjoyed meeting many people from different cultures a lot. My host family accommodation was amazing; I couldn’t have asked for better.

The program itself was amazing. I had a great placement. Work life is very fun and chill, but also enough work where I was learning a great amount. The program has a ton of opportunities to get together and do cool trips, but it also gives you the free freedom to travel. The two coordinators were awesome. Honestly made us feel so comfortable being in Barcelona.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for the lovely review, Campbell! We’re so glad to hear that you had such an amazing experience with both your internship and the wider Barcelona program. It’s especially great to hear how much you enjoyed the activities and the time spent with our Barcelona Community Team. We always try to plan a mix of experiences that help you discover parts of the city and local culture that you might not necessarily seek out on your own, so hearing that some of your best memories in Barcelona came from those experiences means a lot to us. We loved having you as part of our Barcelona community and are so happy that Beyond Academy helped make your summer abroad such a memorable one. Wishing you all the best with whatever comes next!

I couldn’t have asked for a better program to join. Everyone was so amazing and our program leaders were the absolute best and the events were extremely fun. I was placed in the best internship I could have asked for.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for the amazing review, Collin! We’re so glad to hear that you had such a positive experience in Barcelona and that your internship was such a great fit. Getting to work inside Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium alongside other international interns sounds like a pretty memorable way to spend a summer! We also love hearing how much you enjoyed being part of the smaller Barcelona community and, of course, your time with Isabel. Our events are all about giving everyone the opportunity to experience the city together and build genuine friendships, so it’s great to hear that they became something you looked forward to each week! We absolutely loved having you as part of our Barcelona community and hope you’re leaving with some amazing memories, friendships and professional experience to take forward with you. Wishing you all the best with whatever comes next!

I had such a wonderful experience working at a Whiskey Distillery in Dublin. The staff were all so genuinely nice and made me feel right at home. Rotating through the cafe, reception, and the back bar allowed me to understand all the different phases of a working distillery, and meeting the bosses was a great addition to the program. Dublin attracts so much tourism, I really enjoyed meeting so many different people from all over the world at my work. It felt like a true mix of diversity, which allowed me to learn so many unique things from everyone I encountered. I was also incredibly glad to use my Mandarin skills to help out. On my days off, I had the best time exploring Dublin, traveling around Ireland, and adventuring into other European countries. It was a beautiful journey both professionally and personally!

My experience with Absolute Internship in Barcelona was truly unforgettable. I absolutely fell in love with Spain, from the culture and people to the lifestyle and beautiful city of Barcelona. Having Barcelona as my home base made the experience feel like I was truly living abroad rather than just visiting. I had a favorite supermarket where they knew and recognized me, and we would smile and wave everytime I passed by, a favorite pizza place, etc. Being able to go on weekend trips to other countries and come back to a home was amazing, rather than moving from hotel to hotel for 2 months. The public transportation made it so easy to explore the city and travel to other places throughout Barcelona, and we got a metro card so we didn't have to pay every time we wanted to move around. One of my favorite parts of the program was the people I met. I made some of my best friends through Absolute, and the memories we had are something I will never forget. I also loved my host company and coworkers, who made me feel welcomed, supported, and excited to go to work each day. The program coordinators were incredibly helpful and made the entire experience feel comfortable and enjoyable. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I also made friends who are locals, and I'm planning to go back and visit them.

interned at the a private hospital in the operating room, where I observed the anesthesiologists and surgeons. This experience helped me gain a lot of insight in the healthcare system is like in a different country. I spent two months in Buenos Aires and it was wonderful with weekly events on the weekends coordinated by Brenda and Maru. Thanks to Connect-123 I was able to strengthen education and gain real life experience that will help me with my future profession.

Completing an international internship in Barcelona gave me the opportunity to grow professionally, personally, and culturally while gaining valuable experience in a global work environment. During my internship, I worked with the European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC), where I developed skills in communication, marketing, content creation, project management, and collaboration with an international team. I was able to contribute to meaningful projects while learning how organizations operate across different cultures. Beyond the professional experience, living abroad helped me become more independent, adaptable, and confident. I was able to explore a new country, connect with people from different backgrounds, and step outside of my comfort zone. The support provided by Absolute Internship made the transition into an international experience much smoother. I would highly recommend Absolute Internship to any student looking to gain career experience, expand their global perspective, and create lifelong memories. This program is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to develop professionally while experiencing a new culture.

My six-week internship in Barcelona with Absolute Internship was a life changing experience. Working at a dynamic firm, I stepped out of my comfort zone to process operational invoices directly through Spanish accounting software, which sharpened my financial skills and adaptability in an international workplace. Beyond the office, the program provided rich cultural immersion, including incredible weekend trips like exploring Madrid. Navigating a new city alongside a cohort of ambitious peers expanded my global perspective, built my confidence as an emerging finance professional, and showed me the value of professional experience abroad. Absolute Internship didn't just offer an internship, it also gave me an unforgettable summer that fundamentally shaped my career direction.

Connect-123 did an amazing job connecting me with an internship company that was similar to my interests. During my remote internship that was based out of Cape Town, I felt valued and that I played an important role in helping and shaping my clients and my company's future. My supervisor and his personal assistant were super kind, understanding, positive, and respectful towards me, and I felt very appreciated by them. Connect-123 did an amazing job of offering career-readiness tips and advice, including having three Zoom call sessions about developing different career-development skills that were very interactive and engaging. Carla, my program and internship coordinator, did an outstanding job communicating and helping me find an internship company that combined my values, interests, and career goals, as it was a very smooth process and transition. During my two-month internship, she would check in with me often, offer me advice, and be very supportive and encouraging to me. I highly recommend Connect-123 to anyone who is looking for an organization that will help set them up for career success.

I have had an amazing experience interning abroad in Barcelona. It was wonderful to see how passionate those at the non-profit I worked in were in regards to giving kids at the Casal a summer full of fun memories and connections. I got to learn so much from the kids I worked with and got to learn more about myself. Additionally, everyone from my host site to those in connect-123 were always really supportive throughout my time here, so not once did I feel afraid of being in another country so far from home for the first time!!

This experience gave me a greater understanding of how organisations can work across borders to support communities. One of the most meaningful parts of my internship was learning about healthcare initiatives supporting refugee communities and international partnerships providing medical care to people affected by conflict and displacement. Seeing how resources can be used to improve the lives of both citizens and non-citizens showed me the impact that advocacy, collaboration, and compassion can have. I left Valencia feeling more motivated to pursue a career where I can contribute to positive change.

My internship at the University of Cape Town in South Africa was an eye opener to both research and a new culture. At my internship I gained new skills including RNA Isolation, PBMC Isolation, ELISA, MDM Generation, Graphpad Prism and much more. I was also able to shadow an endocrinologist at the Groote Schuur hospital which introduced me to healthcare outside of the U.S. Shadowing in a public hospital opened my eyes to what being a doctor really is. It was chaotic, stressful, busy, but it also showed me that people of the same community suffer from common conditions that are uncommon in the U.S. Outside of the lab and clinic, and I was also able to attend and assist at a research foundation conference here in Cape Town. Though this conference was focused on sustainability, I was honored to attend and learn more about how research expands around the world, bringing together different continents and countries for one purpose. Overall, this internship experience allowed me to gain a better understanding of what research is, but also what healthcare is like in a different country. If anyone is thinking about coming to Cape Town, I recommend seeing the “not so pretty” side and learning about the history behind the mother city. It really opens your eyes to something you might not have known before.