SAI’s 8 week, 3 credit internship program invites participants to experience the professional working environment in Barcelona, while building tangible skills in their chosen field. Completing an international internship also gives participants a competitive advantage in the global workforce by demonstrating cross-cultural competencies. Internships are available in a wide variety of areas, including Finance/Accounting, Communications, Fine Arts, Hospitality, and many more. While Spanish language proficiency is not required, it may open up more internship options.
Application open until: March 1, 2025
Apps accepted on a rolling basis, and after closing as space permits
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Supplemental SAI internship application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Professional cover letter (see App Reqs)
Resume (see App Reqs)
2 letters of rec (see App Reqs)
Official transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
EU privacy consent form
Highlights
- High quality internships available in a wide range of fields, from Business to Fine Arts.
- Experience the professional energy and vitality of Barcelona, one of Europe’s most vibrant commercial hubs.
- Take advantage of professional connections made in the workplace, while enjoying the support of SAI’s on-site team.
Program Dates
Late May 2025 – Late July 2025
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Sophomore or above (at least 2 completed semesters at application).
*contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Cumulative GPA:* 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
Spanish Language: Spanish language is not required, but it is helpful for expanding options.
Below please find more detail on the application requirements for this program:
Professional cover letter: The professional cover letter should include a self-introduction, as well as information about your professional sector of interest, and any reference contacts you wish to provide (recommended).
Resume: The resume should include a comprehensive description of your academic and professional experience to date. Feel free to include information about any special skills you possess.
Letters of recommendation: Please provide two (2) letters of recommendation. They may be from professors, university staff, or former workplace supervisors. Please do not provide recommendations from family members or social acquaintances; these recommendations should be academic or professional in nature.
Interview: Once your application is complete, you SAI Admissions Counselor will schedule a time for an online interview. This interview is an opportunity to discuss your goals for the internship, as well as a chance for you to ask any questions you may have about the internship placement process. A Spanish language assessment may also be conducted during this interview, if applicable.
Students will be informed of their internship placement no later than 30 days prior to the program start and, in most cases, considerably earlier than that.
The SAI internship program in Barcelona is unpaid and awards 3 US academic credits. Students also have the option to complete the program as non-credit, at a reduced cost. Please contact your SAI Admissions Counselor for more information.
The 8 week internship program consists of approximately 150 total hours of on-site professional experience (about 20 hours per week). Weekly totals may vary slightly, depending upon the needs of the organization where the student is placed. This intensive internship program is designed for college students and young professionals who wish to compress significant professional experience into a relatively short period of time.
Internships are available in a wide variety of fields, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Accounting
- Architecture
- Art, Graphic Design & Animation
- Business, International Business & Entrepreneurship
- Communications, Journalism & Public Relations
- Culinary Arts
- Education
- Engineering
- Event Planning
- Government & Politics
- Health & Fitness
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Photography
- Theatre & Dance
To ensure maximum benefit from the internships, participants will reflect on their experiences throughout the term. Such guided reflection will consist of various assignments and self-evaluation exercises, bi-weekly in-person meetings with the SAI Internship Mentor, and the keeping of a “work journal” throughout the course of the term. A detailed syllabus is available upon request.
Want to get a sense of what an internship is like? Watch Alex’s video about her business marketing internship.
NIE and Spanish Social Security
In accordance with Spanish law, all international internship students must apply through the Spanish government for an “NIE” (ID number) and for a Spanish Social Security number. Once students are formally accepted into the program and have confirmed their attendance, SAI’s team in Barcelona will make the necessary arrangements for students to receive these documents. During the first few days of the program, a member of SAI’s on-site team assists students with the necessary administrative steps to obtain their NIE and Spanish Social Security number.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| March 1 2025 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Enrollment Deposit (non-refundable, applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| Upon placement acceptance |
Placement Confirmation Deposit Due $500 deposit (non-refundable, applied toward program fee) to signal the student’s acceptance of the internship placement offered. |
| Coming soon |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. 50% of the Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| March 15 2025 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| Coming soon |
Financial Aid Agreement & Financial Aid Program Deposit Deadline Students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment must complete the Financial Aid Agreement form and submit the Financial Aid Program Deposit by this date. Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 days after the deposit. |
| March 15 2025 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| Coming soon |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification form to SAI by this date. |
| Coming soon |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due (For students utilizing SAI financial aid payment deferment, any balance not covered by aid is due) |
| On-site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| Coming soon |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at El Prat Barcelona (BCN) airport. SAI airport pickup is provided between 10:00am and 3:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
| Coming soon |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation is held at the SAI Barcelona office and introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
| Coming soon |
Internship Begins |
| Coming soon |
Internship Ends |
| Coming soon |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
| Program Fee: 3 credits Includes internship placement, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What's Included). |
Coming soon |
| Program Fee: non-credit Includes internship placement, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What's Included). |
Coming soon |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
Coming soon |
| Optional Homestay Housing Supplement Family homestay in a private bedroom, breakfast and dinner included. |
Coming soon |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend a SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Barcelona |
$950 | $1,200 |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$700 / month | $1,000 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $300 / month | $350 / month |
| Transportation within Barcelona Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$100 / month | $150 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!
- Internship placement for 150 hours over eight weeks
- Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
- Airport pickup on arrival day
- Welcome reception and events
- Orientation to the host city and school
- On-site staff who foster a welcoming community for you and provide assistance when needed
- SAI Viva Experience: cultural engagement, excursions & wellness activities
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
- Farewell event
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- Knowledgeable Admissions Counselor dedicated to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Parent & family resources
- Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
- Student visa advising
- Assistance with financial aid processing
- Need-based SAI scholarships
- Alumni Ambassador Program, with paid internship opportunities
- SAI alumni network
SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.
Welcome Lunch & Walking Tour
Students are welcomed to their new city over a traditional 3 course Spanish lunch to mingle and get to know each other. Following lunch, students take a walking tour to visit several of Barcelona’s most famous Modernism buildings.
Volunteering in a Primary School
Students visit a local primary school to participate in English classroom activities with children between the ages of 3 and 12. This enriching activity is available for students to continue throughout their term if they wish.
Sitges Beach Day
Students visit the town of Sitges, which is a paradise of sun, sea and mild temperatures year-round, and a venue for international film and music festivals. Beautiful views and long beaches make Sitges a wonderful day trip.
Discovering Barcelona: Born walking tour and Picasso Museum
Students enjoy a walk through the old Born neighborhood, going back to the old Medieval times in Barcelona, and discover one of the jewels of the city: Santa Maria del Mar church, in pure 14th century Catalan Gothic style. The group finishes the tour at the famous Picasso Museum.
Spanish Cooking Lesson
Students take a cooking lesson designed to teach typical Spanish (mostly Catalan) dishes that are easy to make again independently. Dishes are prepared according to the season and include appetizer, main course and dessert.
Standard Housing: Student apartment
SAI student apartments are convenient and well equipped, with shared occupancy bedrooms (option to upgrade to private bedroom, if available). Typical residences house 2 – 8 students and contain a combination of private and shared bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens and towels are provided. All apartments are equipped with wireless Internet. Housing configurations are designated as female, male, and in some locations, gender-inclusive. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any maintenance needs that may arise.
Optional Housing: Family homestay (additional fee applies)
SAI homestay families are thoroughly screened and are accustomed to welcoming visiting students into their homes. Homestays provide a private occupancy bedroom in the family home with basic furnishings. Daily breakfast and dinner are included, as is weekly laundry. Mostly Spanish is spoken in the home, granting students an excellent opportunity to practice their language skills. Please note that some homestays may be outside of the city center.
Passports
Passports should be valid for 4 months after planned return from Spain.
Student Visas
In accordance with Spanish law, U.S. students studying in Spain for 90 days or less are not required to obtain a student visa. Therefore all U.S. students do not require a student visa for this program. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.