CEA CAPA Internships in Barcelona, Spain

If you're thinking about doing this program, DO IT! I am so thrilled with my choice to come to Barcelona, especially after learning Spanish in my undergraduate program. It was as beautiful and historic as I imagined. The fellow students in the program made the experience even better; I've truly made best friends for a lifetime. Barcelona SAE is special. Everyone who works in the program wants the best for you. My internship placement was exactly what I had hoped for, a combination of my writing major and minors in theatre and Spanish. I received so much help and support from pre-arrival until after arriving back home. My mentor, Vivian, was always ecstatic to hear from me and get coffee with me, encouraging all I did there. They truly want you to see the best places in Barcelona and across Spain. I would recommend this program a hundred times over.

Barcelona SAE truly made my dreams a reality, and I was extremely lucky to have been placed in the heart of Gracia. Accessible to nearby public transportation, local markets and supermarkets, convenience stores, clothing stores, and lots of food, I was able to acclimate to Barcelona quickly. I've always dreamed of living in Europe, and Barcelona was always just a dream I never thought I would be able to live. Participating in this program was truly a life-changing experience—one that exceeded every expectation and made my dreams come true. From the very beginning, the team at Barcelona SAE made me feel supported, welcomed, and excited for what was to come. The living placement was absolutely perfect—comfortable, safe, and ideally located to explore the beauty of Barcelona. It felt like home almost instantly, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to live during my time abroad. My internship placement was equally incredible. It not only aligned perfectly with my career goals but also challenged me to grow professionally and personally. I was able to gain real-world experience in an international setting, all while being surrounded by inspiring people who were eager to share their knowledge and culture. The memories I made during this program will stay with me forever. From weekend trips and cultural excursions to spontaneous adventures with new friends, every moment added something special to my journey. The experience opened my mind, expanded my horizons, and gave me a new perspective on both life and career. Barcelona SAE gave me so much more than just an internship or study abroad opportunity—it gave me confidence, unforgettable memories, and a second home across the world. I will always be grateful for this experience and everything it brought into my life.

My study abroad experience in Barcelona was life-changing and truly the best summer of my life. The Barcelona SAE staff and mentors were incredibly supportive, making me feel welcomed and guided every step of the way. I will forever cherish the memories, friendships, and incredible experiences I gained during this summer! I would highly recommend to anyone considering doing the program!!

I think this program provided the perfect mix for work, fun, and cultural learning! I worked 29 hours a week and had the rest of time to explore. They provided a lot of cultural activities that we could do, and they were all fun

I had the best experience studying abroad in Barcelona. The program is so thoughtfully designed and it encouraged me to truly engage with the city. The cultural excursions were not only fun, but also gave me the chance to try new things and gain a deeper understanding of local life. Most importantly, I felt incredibly supported by everyone at Barcelona SAE. The staff are warm, helpful, and genuinely invested in making sure we got the most out of our time here.

Participating in the Barcelona SAE program and interning at the Global LegalTech Hub in Barcelona has genuinely been one of the best decisions I've made. Not only have I grown professionally in an incredibly innovative legaltech field, but I've also experienced personal growth that comes only from stepping outside your comfort zone. Barcelona itself has been an incredible place to live. The work culture is vibrant and forward-thinking, and the city’s energy is contagious. I’ve made amazing friends through the program and feel lucky to have roommates I genuinely get along with. We’ve become a little family abroad. Beyond the internship, this summer has been filled with new experiences, with weekend getaways to Porto, Rome, and Amsterdam that have opened my eyes to different cultures, histories, and perspectives. Whether it’s sharing tapas in a crowded Barcelona plaza, biking through Amsterdam’s canals, or watching the sunset on a Roman rooftop, every moment has felt like something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. This experience has taught me how to navigate new environments, connect with people from different backgrounds, and embrace both spontaneity and independence. I couldn’t recommend it more as it’s been enriching in every sense.

My experience with the Barcelona SAE Internship Program was amazing and incredibly valuable — both professionally and personally. The housing at The Social Hub Hotel was amazing. It was comfortable, modern, and perfectly located, which made it easy to explore the city and connect with other students in the program. One of the highlights was our day trip to L’Escala — amazing views, the beach, and the chance to explore a smaller town in Spain made it a memorable part of the summer. I also really enjoyed attending a Flamenco dance class, which gave me a deeper appreciation for Spanish culture and was very fun. The Barcelona SAE staff was always helpful, friendly, and supportive. From orientation to check-ins and events, they made sure we felt comfortable and prepared. The intern events were fun, informative, and helped me meet a lot of new friends in the program from across the U.S. I interned at Harmony Serviced Residences, a luxury apartment building, where I gained hands-on experience in tourism, hospitality, and customer service — all while improving my Spanish and learning about business principles as well. This opportunity helped me build real-world skills and gave me insight into what I might want to pursue in the future. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in exploring a new city, culture, and gaining new experiences.

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!

Barcelona SAE placed me with a company that I was unsure about at the beginning, but it turned out to be better than I could've asked for. Throughout the program, I learned so much about excelling at things outside of my comfort zone and I was given the support to succeed thanks to the SAE program. My mentors, the orientation staff, and even other SAE students were very encouraging and pushed me beyond what I believed I was capable of. In my internship, I established valuable connections, learned about international business and European work culture, and gained experience to further my career in Marketing and Communications. I went into this experience with an open-mind and sought out many of the endless opportunities available. If you are wanting to grow both academically and personally, this is the program for you.

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.

Overall, I had the most wonderful experience in Barcelona taking classes through SAE's own School of International Studies (SIS) and interning abroad. I was enrolled in three classes at SIS and did the supplemental internship seminar for an additional three credits. My internship placement was for a non-profit thinktank organization that aligned very well with my vague career goals. Even with little information about what exactly I wanted to pursue a career in, the internships placement team worked hard to find a placement for me that appealed to my broad interests within my majors. The internships coordinator was very helpful in acclimating me to a new work environment and scheduled regular one-on-one check-ins with me outside of the internship seminar, which were very useful and enriched the overall experience. In general, my classes were interesting, taught by great professors, and deepened my understanding and appreciation for the Spanish culture, history, language, and food. The strongest element of the program was the support from staff. Each staff member went above and beyond to remember everyone's names and were very friendly and always available to help the students. Most information was communicated clearly by both the on-site team and off-site team from before arrival up until the last week before departure. If you are considering studying and interning in Barcelona through Barcelona SAE, do it! I could not recommend this program enough.

Growing up, I received National Geographic kids's magazines monthly via subscription. I vividly remember keeping a collection of them in my closet and spending my days reading about the various locations around the world and the animals that make up these ecosystems. From the luscious prairies of Africa to the jungles of South America, and even Antarctica; the places of the world began to feel wider than the community I was accustomed to. These early memories catalyzed my passion for international travel and sparked my desire to not only explore my city, but the world at large. Coming from Los Angeles, I got to meet individuals from all over the world, hear their stories and perspectives, and increase my desire to see the world. It created a fantasy for me in getting to see the world, and as I grew up, my global perspective began to shift with the times. When the opportunity offered itself to study Intern in Barcelona, I knew I had to jump onto the opportunity, as it would be a culmination of the love story that has been developing over the last decade for me and the world. I knew I owed it to both my younger self, but also my future self to step out of my comfort zone and venture to Espana. For that, I am eternally grateful for the aid and guidance Barcelona SAE provided during my time there. Both the coursework to the nuggets of information and activities that immersed myself and others in the Barcelona way of life. I will never forget my time in Barcelona, and that is due to Barcelona SAE.

I found the program through UC Berkeley's Summer Global Internships program so my application process was very easy to submit. Once accepted I began working with the program coordinators both in the US and in Spain to begin internship selection. The mandatory class offered as a supplement to our internship was very fun and interesting and an easy A+ if you're willing to interact and ask questions in lectures, which is an easy task since our professor was super personable. My internship placement was spot on. I'm a media studies/Communications student interested in a career in social media marketing and I was placed in a dance studio to help run their social media. For my placement, the internship team reached out to me to schedule a 15-minute short interview that allowed me to speak about what I wanted from the internship. After my interview notes and resume were received by the prospective companies/organizations was I then contacted by another team and the company recruiters for the interview. The interview was simple and to the point, asking me questions about myself the level of Spanish I know (not mandatory to know), and what I was to expect from working there. I filled out a questionnaire after the interview was over which notified the placement team of my interest in the company. Something I noticed, however, is that if you are interested in a specific field or position, you must cater your resume to the position you want. Make sure to include skills and experience you have that are relevant to your dream internship. The apartment was very nice, I was luckily placed in a not-so-touristy area which I loved, it was near the Barcelona Sants station and Estacio metro stop so it was super close to transit. The rooms were clean when we arrived and came furnished with everything we needed; sheets, towels, tv, couches, pans, and pots. There luckily was AC in my unit which was a nice plus. Upon my arrival in Barcelona, I booked a taxi to the Barcelona SAE center for my quick orientation then later was sent off in a taxi to my apartment courtesy of the program. Upon arriving, there was a team member who led me up to the apartment and showed me to my room. The programming was very fun and interactive. I usually only hung out with people from my university as that's who was in my class. however, BSAE held many fun dance classes, cooking classes, walking tours, etc. that allowed me to meet new people from different universities. I also really appreciated our farewell tapas night, held on a rooftop with a view of the Sagrada Familia. The food was amazing and everyone (Berkeley students) was given a picture and a magnet to remember the experience. Move-out was smooth, everyone was made to clear out their space, clean up, and leave their keys in the apartment. The programming was fun, and worth the money spent. In all honestly the programming was VERY expensive compared to other study abroad programs, and as a low-income student who is usually covered 100% by financial aid, it was difficult to pay the 2k my financial aid was not able to cover. While it was expensive I do believe my tuition money was well spent, my program paid for our metro passes, fun dance classes, food during some of our classes, a nice apartment, and charter buses for field trips. I do love that Barcelona SAE does offer some scholarships. Depending on your program, you can apply for different scholarships that range from $200 to half your tuition so APPLY! Overall, I had a lot of fun and made a lot of friends. Barcelona SAE has really set the standard when it comes to study abroad programming and I definitely recommend them if you are interested in a fun experience in one of the greatest cities in the world.

I had so much fun with Barcelona SAE! They truly made it a priority for us to feel as comfortable as possible during our internships. They were always available for questions and concerns, and gave us emergency contact cards if we ever needed help. The staff were always kind and welcoming — I was always so excited to walk into the Barcelona SAE office and be greeted with smiles and laughs. Would definitely recommend :)

My experience with the Barcelona SAE has been amazing. My summer program with Barcelona SAE included a Mediterranean Foods and Culture class and an internship. The class was small and the professor was very engaging and I enjoyed the fieldwork we had as part of the class. My internship helped me improve my skills and also learn new software. I learned a lot about my field of study and had an insight into how it might look. The teams in Barcelona SAE did an amazing job organizing the program for students to get the best experience.  I lived in a homestay with 2 other girls and our host family made our experience in Barcelona even better. They gave us advice, and recommendations, and let us know of any local events happening in Barcelona. We all bonded together and never run out of topics to talk about which makes dinner really enjoyable. I appreciated that the homestay was in a less touristy region, which allowed me to get a more authentic local experience. I recommend the Barcelona SAE program because they have so many activities, such as cooking classes, and they provide personalized support. The staff are an amazing resource and easy to reach out to.

I had the best experience in Barcelone while working for Hesperia Presidente hotel. I got the opportunity to learn and rotate through the different areas in the hotel. I could not be more grateful to CEA CAPA for the accommodations and amazing job opportunity.

If you are looking for an abroad program that not only gives you the opportunity to grow professionally and culturally but also allows you to create experiences that cultivate memories and relationships that last beyond your time abroad, then Barcelona SAE is the perfect program for you. I did the internship program with Barcelona SAE just about a year ago now and I still talk about my experiences every day. I originally was supposed to go to Barcelona to study and do an internship back in the summer of 2020 when I was a sophomore in college, but I was delayed due to COVID. After I graduated college, I was unsure of what I wanted to do, so I decided to reach out and see if I would be allowed to just do the internship abroad since I did not need course credit anymore. Luckily, they allowed me to which led me to an internship in Barcelona with Sustainability Worldwide Center 2050. Barcelona SAE helped me get placed in this internship by getting to understand what my degree was in, what my professional goals were, and what I was good at. At Sustainability Worldwide Center 2050, I worked as a research support intern where I would assist in researching relevant information for important sustainability projects for clients. My internship was the best fit for me; my boss and co-workers were very welcoming to me and allowed me to do work that fostered my skills. I was also able to expand my knowledge about how European countries prioritized sustainability and was able to apply that to political knowledge back home for how we could make improvements. Another thing that I liked about my internship was that all my co-workers that I worked with daily, were the same age as me and they were students at the local university. This allowed me to connect with them as we had many things in common and even allowed me to create friendships with them. Aside from the internship directly, the Barcelona SAE program gave me the amazing opportunity to gain a lot of cultural experiences. While I was in Spain, I lived in the student housing in Poble-sec. Poble-sec is an amazing neighborhood to live in as someone who is abroad because it is filled with a lot of families which allows you to immerse yourself in the culture. When we first got to Barcelona and were all settled in our rooms, we were given a personal tour by Barcelona SAE of the neighborhood so that we could get an understanding of the layout, how the metros worked, and where things were like the grocery store. Living so closely with locals allowed me to not only become a local but also allowed me to better develop my cultural knowledge and Spanish language skills. The program also lets you sign up for many different events that allow you to more fully immerse yourself in the culture in Barcelona. Some of the events included things like a guided tour of the Gothic Quarter, a bus trip to Sitges, winery tours, and much more. These events gave me even more of an opportunity to explore the different aspects of Spanish culture which allowed me to connect even more to Barcelona and the people. One of the most important parts of the Barcelona SAE program for me, looking back now, was the fact that it gave me the chance to create relationships and build bonds with the other people in the program. As I mentioned before, I lived in the student housing in Poble-sec where I was placed on the sixth floor with other people from the program. Unlike all the other floors, the sixth floor had nine rooms and only one communal kitchen; it was the smallest floor of the building as other floors had more rooms and typically two kitchens. All nine rooms on the sixth floor were other people from the program, including myself, who I ended up enjoying living with as we all got along well. We would have sixth-floor dinner nights where we would each cook something up, we would watch the World Cup together in the kitchen, and we would just generally hang out together whenever we weren’t busy doing work or going somewhere. On top of that, I met some of my closest friends in the program just by participating in the events that they would have. On our weekend trip to the Basque Country, coordinated by the program, I ended up meeting and connecting with my close friends as we spent all weekend exploring together. After that trip, we hung out all the time in Barcelona meeting up for dinner, going out for some tapas and drinks, and even just going shopping. These friends I made even ended up being the ones that I traveled to six different countries with on our weekend trips. From traveling all over Europe together, we all became close, and we have stayed in touch ever since our time abroad was over. In fact, we all met up just this past summer in Miami for a small vacation! These relationships I built while living in Barcelona are invaluable to me and they were an essential part of the experience and memories that I have from traveling abroad. Overall, I highly recommend the Barcelona SAE program to anyone who wants to go abroad and gain some important life experiences. I wish I could have been in the program longer, or that I could go back in time so that I can experience it all again. This was an amazing opportunity for me, and I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed it. I am planning a trip back to Barcelona for the summer of 2024 that I am just so excited for because I can’t wait to be back where I was a year ago even if just for a little bit. I can’t thank everyone in the program enough for everything that they did and I hope that more people get the chance to experience this amazing program.

Barcelona SAE provided me a study abroad experience that exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed my roommates and lived in a great neighborhood where I felt safe and felt that locations were quite accesible. I also was matched with an internship that aligned with my goals very well. I learned many things from my supervisor and about the work dynamic of Spain. I felt very immersed into the local Spanish culture and improved my Spanish skills greatly as well. The program gave helpful information about traveling outside of Barcelona. They offered many day trips and even an immersive weekend to Morocco. They provided tools for weekend trips which was encouraging and made the semester even better. I was able to travel to many different places such as London, Amsterdam, Belgium, Lisbon and more. I had the time of my life while feeling safe, supported, and encouraged by the program. I feel this program has changed me in many positive ways, professionally and personally.

I had a wonderful time in Barcelona for a semester-long internship in the fall of 2022 with Barcelona SAE! I was placed in an internship with an organization focused on my exact areas of study and was able to learn so much over the course of my program. I had a wonderful host mom, and I was able to build connections with many people both in program activities and on my own.