IES Barcelona Internships

Location

Not sure where Barcelona is? See Barcelona on a map!

Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya, the region in northeastern Spain characterized by its distinctive Catalan history, culture, and language. Set between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is a leading tourist, economic, cultural, and entertainment hub with a population of 1.7 million - topping over 5 million in the larger metropolitan area. Barcelona blends past with present, with 2,000 years of history visible in its streets and plazas. 

Barcelona has a modern transportation system, making it easy to move around the city, and benefits from high-speed train access to other Spanish and European cities. 

Cost of living varies widely by location. Be sure to consult a variety of resources when researching the cost of living.

Housing

UW-Madison students are required to live in IES-provided housing for the duration of their program. IES will provide detailed housing information for participants during the pre-departure process, including the types of housing available and the timeline and process for submitting the IES Barcelona housing placement form. 

Please note the commuting time to the IES Abroad center listed below. Commutes to internship placements will vary. Students should be prepared for commutes of up to 30-60 minutes each way. 

Students will choose from the following IES-provided housing options: Apartment, Residence Hall or Homestay.

City Apartment:  You live with up to 7 other IES Abroad students in single or double rooms in a typical Barcelona-style apartment. These apartments are located in residential areas throughout the city. Apartments have fully equipped kitchens, Wi-Fi is included, and meals are not provided. Washing machines are available for free, but dryers will not be, as they are not commonly used in Spain. An additional fee applies for this housing option. This is not student housing, so there will be no on-site staff. This option is recommended for students who are more independent and outgoing. Commute to IES Abroad Center: 20-45 min

Residence Hall: Rooms in the residence hall option are single occupancy with an ensuite bathroom and include Wi-Fi, bed linens, towels, and cleaning service provided once a month. Meal plans are not included but are optional to purchase once you arrive on-site. Laundry facilities in residence halls are coin-operated. There are a variety of residence halls available; amenities vary between each site, including common lounge areas and gym facilities. Not all residence halls have kitchen access. IES will provide details regarding the residence halls available before the housing placement process. An additional fee applies to this housing option. Commute to the IES Abroad Center: 20-30 min

Homestay: Normally, two or three IES Abroad students live in a homestay with local residents. You should be prepared to share a double room, but you may have a single room. You are provided two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) while the program is in session. Homestay students have a shared bathroom. Bed linen and towels are provided, in addition to a linen change, laundry, and a cleaning service once per week. This option is recommended for students who want to focus on their Spanish language learning. Commute to the IES Abroad Center: 20-45 min

Note: You may only request roommates for the apartment option. 

Program Considerations

In a physical sense, the on-site experience may be very different from life on the UW campus. You may walk or take public transportation more than you are used to in Madison. The physical activity level will vary by program, but in general you should be prepared for extended periods of time walking, potentially on uneven terrain.

For many students, discovering and experiencing new foods is a part of the experience. It is important to consider any dietary restrictions, whether they are due to health conditions, religious beliefs, or individual needs, and look into whether you can get the foods you need locally.

How you identify yourself in Madison may differ from how people will view you on-site. Consider exploring our Identity Resources to reflect on how your identities may impact your experience. Students with disabilities should keep in mind that attitudes and laws related to disabilities vary by country, and these differences may impact the level of accommodation available in a particular location. More details are available on our page on Study Abroad for Students with Disabilities.

We encourage you to contact your Study Abroad Advisor and share your accommodation needs with us as early as possible. This will allow us to help you explore your options in advance.

Excursions and Activities

IES Abroad arranges several field trips and excursions each term. Field trips vary from year to year. There is one required field trip which is included in your program fee, while other excursions are optional and carry an additional fee if you choose to participate. Past field trips have included Tarragona, Girona, and the Costa Brava. 

On-Site Support

The IES Barcelona center director and staff provide on-site support for all program participants.  The center's on-site internships team will provide individualized support to interns before, during, and after their program experience. 

Orientation

IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.

Visa

Semester:
A student visa is required for students participating on the semester internship program. US citizens must have a US passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. IES will provide you with detailed visa information upon acceptance to the program. 

You are advised NOT to leave the U.S. for any international travel up to three months before the program begins, as your passport must be turned over to the consulate for visa processing. If you must be out of the country prior to the program start date, there is no guarantee that the consulate will process the visa in time for your departure.

Student visas cannot be obtained or extended in Spain. Spain is enforcing visa stays more strictly. As a result, students must leave Spain and the Schengen Zone within 15 calendar days after their visa ends.

Summer:
US citizens will not need a student visa for the summer internship program. US citizens must have a US passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. Non US- passport holders may have different visa requirements. Ask your Study Abroad Advisor if you have any questions.

However, summer intern students are required to obtain a Spanish Foreigner Identification Number (NIE) prior to departure. IES will provide detailed information upon acceptance regarding the process to obtain a NIE. Students, or an approved legal representative, will need to present the required documents in person at the Spanish consulate in Chicago. Processing of the NIE takes approximately 2-4 weeks and carries a small fee (~$12).

Students who are studying abroad in the Schengen Area in the term prior to their summer internship (ex. spring semester before a summer internship) should consult an Intern Abroad Advisor regarding visa options before applying. 

Note on Personal Travel to the UK:
US citizens will need to get an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for travel to the UK. If you are planning on personal travel to the UK, we encourage you to get your ETA before leaving the US.  It can take up to 30 days to process your application.  The ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whatever comes first.  If you are not a US citizen, check the ETA travel authorization web page to determine if ETA or another visa is required

Getting to Your Program

You are responsible for arranging round-trip transportation to the program site. IES will provide detailed guidance during the pre-departure process. 

Insurance

You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.

If you are a citizen of a country other than the United States and will remain/study in, or travel to your country of record (the location of your permanent residence), the insurance provided for you is the same as the “study away” insurance provided to U.S. citizens studying on domestic U.S. programs. You may want to explore alternative or additional international health and medical insurance that will cover your needs both while in and during any period of transit to/from your country of record. This may include participation in a national healthcare plan or coverage provided under a personal healthcare plan in your country of record.  If you have questions about the coverage of the “study away” plan, please speak with your Study Abroad Advisor.

All other students participating on an international program will automatically be enrolled in Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI), the university's international health, medical and repatriation insurance policy.

Program cost information includes program fees, as well as out-of-pocket expenses with notes to help explain costs. Program fees are estimated and can be adjusted at any time. Once accepted, you will receive a cost sheet that includes confirmed program fees and additional out-of-pocket expenses. "The IAP Program Fee" and all processes and policies stated on this cost sheet apply to all participants on programs managed by International Academic Programs (IAP) and in partnership with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the College of Engineering, and Wisconsin School of Business.  All students participating on approved programs are all eligible to apply for scholarships administered through IAP when they meet the scholarship eligibility and selection criteria.

Spring 2026-27 Cost Details Summer 2027 - [Summer Internship] Cost Details Summer 2027 - [Summer Internship and Spanish Language Course] Cost Details

Financial Aid

UW–Madison students can typically use their financial aid on UW–Madison study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programs. You need to complete a FAFSA if you want to be eligible to receive federal and state financial aid.

Beginning in 2026-27, the Office of Student Financial Aid will require all incoming undergraduate students to submit a CSS profile.

Review our financial aid and funding your experiences pages for more information.

Scholarships

Check out our scholarships page to find:

• A scholarship chart listing internal and external opportunities, with descriptions, deadlines, and amounts.
• Timelines of when UW-Madison study abroad scholarship applications open and close.
• Tips for writing scholarship essays.

Returned Student Network

View the Returned Student Network to contact a returned student

Student Quotes

Photos

Program photo album

How to Apply

First, make sure you have reviewed the information for Prospective Students on the IAP website.

There is also specific Academic Planning information that you should review.

Next login to the IAP Online Application.

Wondering when applications will open for this program?

View our application schedule.

After the Deadline

IAP completes a review of all applications to determine if students meet minimum eligibility requirements.

Disclosure

Students Requiring Accommodations: Consult and register with the McBurney Disability Resource Center McBurney Services if you will need academic, housing, and/or other disability-related accommodations or services abroad.

International Students: Talk with International Student Services about your visa status and study abroad.

Military-Connected Students with Veteran’s Benefits: Talk with University Veteran Services about how your benefits can be used for study abroad.

This program is offered by International Academic Programs.  We have a team that works with each program.  Each member of this program team is able to help students with different kinds of questions. Visit the advising webpage to learn how to schedule an appointment.

Enrollment Manager

For questions on application advising, program eligibility, course equivalency request process, grade processing.

Emma Hetzel (Make an appointment with Emma Hetzel, or email emma.hetzel@wisc.edu)

Study Abroad Advisor

For questions on program experience, academics, housing, visa, health safety, student identity, funding and scholarships, returned student resources.

Kimberly Harn (Make an appointment with Kimberly Harn, or email kimberly.harn@wisc.edu)

Financial Specialist

For questions on billing, funding and scholarships, financial policies.

Michaela Konrad (mkonrad@wisc.edu)