Barcelona SAE: Academic Center (SIS) + Internship Semester

Barcelona SAE was very accommodating with everything, with placing me in an internship with my major and my interests, as well as providing day trips for us to go on and learn about the history of Barcelona

I had a wonderful experience with Barcelona SAE during the Spring 2025 SIS + Internship program! The staff were incredible, friendly, supportive, and clearly passionate about what they do. It was easy to approach anyone from the activities, marketing, or internship teams, and they genuinely made the experience smoother and more enjoyable. I stayed in a shared student apartment, which was clean and well-located. It’s a great option if you want a common living space and to meet people. That said, I realized I personally prefer more privacy and might have enjoyed a residence hall more. My apartment-mates were already friends from the same university, which made it harder to connect socially at first. Socially, it was a bit tricky to branch out since many students came with friends from one of two universities. Still, I had a great time, just be ready to put yourself out there! Don’t be afraid to start conversations, and if you can, consider joining with a friend. Academically, I loved the classes, especially because of the field studies that took us around the city. One of my favorites was Savoring Spain, where we learned about Spanish cuisine and got to taste it too! I also highly recommend doing the internship component. It was a great way to experience Spanish work culture and build professional skills. It might affect your schedule a bit, but with good communication, you can still travel and make the most of your weekends. Overall, Barcelona SAE created an amazing environment to learn, grow, and explore. I’d recommend this program to anyone looking for a mix of academics, culture, and hands-on experience abroad!

One of my most challenging moments during my study abroad internship in Spain were also the most rewarding. When I arrived, my Spanish was limited, but I was determined to learn to communicate better with my supervisor and coworkers at the vet clinic. After observing several surgeries, I was told I would be the next surgical technician, handing instruments to the doctor. I knew many of the instruments but struggled with their Spanish pronunciations. I had never scrubbed in on a surgery before, and I was nervous about breaking the sterile field. Over the next week, I practiced the names of instruments, asking for help with the ones I struggled with. The night before the surgery, I watched videos on how to properly put on sterile gear and observed surgeries in Spanish. Despite my nerves, I successfully put on my gloves and gown and organized the instruments. The surgery went smoothly, and I could anticipate the doctor’s needs and understood his instructions. The doctor was proud of my progress and even took a picture to show my parents. The challenge was immense, but the effort made it one of the most rewarding experiences of my internship abroad.