Engineering Internships: Intern abroad in Barcelona, Spain
Gain practical experience in your career field, while supporting global sustainable development on an Engineering internship in Barcelona. Assist experienced supervisors and design teams with ongoing projects, strengthen your resume through practical engineering experience and contribute meaningful growth to the city’s ever growing urbanization.
What to expect from your Engineering internship:
- Gain practical insight and experience with the day-to-day running of engineering projects.
- Contribute to real world business, engineering and construction projects.
- Enhance teamwork, research, project development, and collaboration skills.
Your internship abroad host organization:
- Engineering consulting firms
- Energy firms
- Construction firms
- Architecture studios
- Start up businesses
- Tech companies
Internship details
Barcelona has shown a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, continually working towards a greener and more resilient urban environment. The city has set ambitious goals to reduce CO2 emissions, promote green technology, and integrate sustainable practices into daily operations and planning. As an engineering intern, you’ll experience these plans in motion, supporting field professionals in their daily work, gaining exposure to real-world engineering projects that make Barcelona a leading destination to live in.
This is an in-country internship which includes accommodation. You can explore remote Engineering internships, if you are looking for an internship program that you can undertake from home.
Engineering interns in Barcelona have scope to forge a career within a fast-evolving industry, as the increasing demands for urban development create broad opportunities for learning and innovation. Gain highly relevant skills on projects that suit your interests as you support field professionals, technical and design teams develop and implement engineering projects, plans and strategies.
Interns are welcome to state preferences. These will be taken into consideration but placement/activity preferences are subject to availability. Internship placement is determined according to a number of factors, such as level of Spanish speaking proficiency, prior experience, study background, and chosen internship dates.
Spanish language proficiency is not a requirement to join internships in Barcelona. However, interns should expect that a language barrier can still be encountered to a certain extent. With the exception of fluent or native Spanish language speakers, all interns are required to participate in 5 (complimentary) remote Spanish language lessons, prior to their start date or within the first 2 weeks of their internship. Any additional Spanish language lessons are optional and must be coordinated and paid for separately.
In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.
What are the career benefits of interning abroad as a Engineering Intern?
Engineering interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Researching and developing tech solutions to deliver on various business objectives.
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Assisting with testing, developing and analyzing.
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Supporting technical and design teams with plans and strategies.
Professional development opportunities:
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Grow your network and learn from experienced Spanish engineers.
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Increase your problem solving skills and adaptability.
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Collaborate directly with qualified, experienced and educated engineers.
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Experience engineering standards and procedures in a new environment.
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Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from RISEWAY’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Are you eligible for this internship?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
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Academic credit available for all internships
Get course credit from your college or university while completing your internship abroad or a remote internship program. It's a great way to meet your academic requirements and gain valuable experience at the same time.
Learn about course creditProgram fees
Applying for our Engineering Internship is completely free! The support package covers the assistance we provide in finding your internship and arranging your living accommodations in your host country, ensuring you thrive during your program.
Please note that a deposit of US$499 is required to confirm your place. The remaining balance (minus your initial US$499 deposit) is due at least 60 days before your internship start date.
Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks | $3,668 Equivalent to $131 /day |
| 5 weeks | $4,040 Equivalent to $115 /day |
| 6 weeks | $4,427 Equivalent to $105 /day |
| 8 weeks | $5,084 Equivalent to $90 /day |
| 10 weeks | $5,864 Equivalent to $83 /day |
| 12 weeks | $6,524 Equivalent to $77 /day |
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- Program orientation
- Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
- In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
- Sourcing and securing your internship placement
- Personalization of your internship plan
- Coaching from your supervisor
- Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
- Academic credit facilitation
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- All in-country transportation
- Meals
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.
- A deposit of $499 (approximately 499) is required to secure your internship
- European students who wish to receive Erasmus funding for their internship in Spain are encouraged to apply and outline their specific requirements.
- Balance of your Program Fee is due 70 days before your internship start date. The Program Fee payment can also be completed in installments through our Zero-Fee Payment Plan. Learn more.
- All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
- Terms and Conditions apply.
Spanish lessons
Fluency in Spanish is not a requirement; however, basic Spanish skills are strongly recommended. Your program fees include five introductory Spanish language lessons which are provided in order to boost confidence and assist with social and cultural integration. Any additional Spanish language lessons must be coordinated and paid for separately.
We encourage all interns to take advantage of the opportunity to learn some Spanish skills during their program (or develop their existing vocabulary) to maximize the impact of the internship experience. The language lessons are tailored to each interns current level of Spanish, run from Monday to Friday and can be accommodated around your internship schedule. Classes are run in small groups by certified native speaking Spanish teachers.
Weekends and travel
During the internship schedule, interns have weekends available for free time. It’s almost impossible not to fall in love with a city like Barcelona. With its unique architecture inspired by world renowned artist Antonio Gaudi, vibrant culture, colorful art scene, delicious food and excellent football, interns will be spoilt for choice as to how best to spend their weekends and free time.
Discover the hidden alleyways of the Gothic Quarter, marvel at the Sagrada Família, sit and enjoy live music, savor the flavors on offer at the Boqueria Market or hire a boat and discover the wonders of the Mediterranean coastline. There are endless things to see and do!
- Sagrada Familia: The life’s work of Catalonia’s most famous architect, Antoni Gaud, you’ll be awestruck by the contrasting façades, sculpted details and stained glass.
- Picasso Museum: Enjoy over 4,000 works by the famous artist himself.
- Dos Pebrots: Eat like a Catalan and try a range of delicious traditional dishes at this popular restaurant famous for its Mediterranean cuisine.
- Gaudí’s Park Güell: Gardens, color, sculpture, there is no better place to enjoy the sunshine than basking in the wacky architecture of Gaudi.
- Barcelona’s beaches: With 4.5 km of coastline, you can’t miss a chance to relax and unwind with a cool drink and a good book alongside blue ocean waters.
- La Boqueria Market: Enjoy fresh produce, local dishes, delicious smells and the taste of Spain in Barcelona’s best known market.
Arrival and Orientation
Internships in Barcelona begin on the first and third Monday of each month. Exceptions may be made to this when start dates are shifted to avoid public holiday disruptions or closed when the program has already reached capacity.
Airport pick up and accommodation is included in the Program Fee. Accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before Monday start dates - interns are required to arrive no later than the Sunday before their Monday start date, as orientations are held on the Monday.
The typical port of entry is the Aeroport de Barcelona-El Prat (BCN). If you are planning to spend time independently in Spain prior to the internship and will not require an airport pick up, we can discuss alternative arrival logistics.
Upon arrival, interns will be met, greeted, and transferred to their accommodation. The last night of the accommodation is the Friday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Saturday. Extra nights of accommodation can be arranged in advance, if requested, and are subject to availability.
Orientation covers important details for your internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, language lessons, cultural excursions, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow the general orientation, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.
Your internship program fee includes five introductory online Spanish language lessons which are provided as a way of boosting confidence and assisting with social and cultural integration prior to arrival. Any additional Spanish language lessons must be coordinated and paid for separately.
Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.
Check what's required to visit Spain
Check out the widget below to learn about the visa requirements for the Engineering internship in Spain, based on your country of residence.
Accommodation and WiFi
Interns in Barcelona are accommodated in clean and comfortable, fully furnished apartments or selected hotel / hostel rooms. Final accommodation bookings are always dependent on availability. If a commute is required (from your accommodation to your internship placement) then the travel time is usually between 45 to 60 minutes, maximum. There are ample public transportation options to utilize such as buses, metro, trams, and taxis.
Bedding and furnishings are provided, as well as common areas such as lounge, kitchen and laundry facilities. Standard amenities include whiteware (i.e. washing machine, stovetop, fridge, microwave) and clean linen (i.e. bed sheets, pillows, towels). Accommodation includes internet / WiFi access.
In most cases, between four to six guests can be accommodated per apartment, or selected hotel / hostel room, so participants should be prepared to share living arrangements. Please note that shared apartments may be mixed-gender. However, every guest has a private room within the accommodation, with either a single or double bed.
Please note that an accommodation bond / security deposit is required of guests, to ensure that rooms are maintained in good condition. The amount is €200. When your accommodation has been assigned for the internship, and the details are provided to you in advance, you will be provided with an online link to complete the security deposit (and you will receive a receipt). This transaction will be fully refunded to you, after accommodation check-out and inspection, provided that no damages or losses to the property have been incurred by you.
Upon the confirmation of specific internship details, accommodation arrangements are made, taking into consideration the location of internship placements, to ensure that any commute time is as convenient as possible.
Meals
Internships in Barcelona do not include meals, as kitchen facilities are provided within all of the accommodations and supermarkets are easily accessible.
In Barcelona, breakfast is usually a light meal, consisting of coffee and a pastry. You can find offers for this around the city for less than €5. Prepare to pay twice as much, or more, if you want more of an international “brunch” style of breakfast instead. After a light breakfast, it’s common to have a midday snack and you can get fresh fruits from the markets for this.
There are many excellent restaurants to choose from in Barcelona and they typically offer special lunch menus in the afternoon, the “menú del día”, which ranges from €10–€15 (this is what the locals will eat). The menú del día normally includes two to three courses, bread, a drink and some water. Lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain, so you might opt for a lighter dinner in the evening.
If you’re eating out for dinner, expect that it will be late. Simple tapas can cost about €4 - €6 each (depending on where you are choosing to dine).
A budget of approx. €35 or €40 per person, per day, (approx. US$40) is probably sufficient for buying every meal and enjoying great food. However, depending on your own spending habits and lifestyle choices, personal budgets can vary enormously. If you eat out at restaurants and buy beverages frequently, this will cost a lot more than just purchasing food from supermarkets and preparing your own meals within the accommodation’s kitchen facilities.
Essential country information
| Capital | Madrid |
| Population | 46.5 million |
| Languages | Spanish (official), Catalan, Galician, Basque, Occitan (co-official languages) |
| Currency | Euro (€ - EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 |
Weather and climate:
Spain has a very varied climate, according to the geographical situation of different regions. Most of the country is considered to be within a Mediterranean zone, which is characterized by warm/hot and dry summers. However, areas with relatively high rainfall are considered to be oceanic climatic regions, rather than Mediterranean. The northern quarter of Spain, which is within the Atlantic region, falls within this oceanic climate category, where winter and summer temperatures are influenced by the ocean. The southeastern quarter of Spain has a semi-arid climate, where the dry season can extend beyond the typical summer season.
In Barcelona, it is dry year round. The summers are warm, muggy, and mostly clear. The hot summer season runs from June through September, with an average daily high temperature above 91°F (33°C). The winter months, from November through March, are cold, windy, and partly cloudy. During this time, the average daily high temperature is below 58°F (15°C).
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