Business in Barcelona - Summer
Joint Study Center Program with the Learning Abroad CenterProgram Dates:
Summer 2023:
Application Opens: August 1, 2022
Application Deadline: March 1, 2023
Arrive in Barcelona: May 25, 2023
Depart Barcelona: July 8, 2023
Offered in partnership with the Learning Abroad Center, this program gives you the opportunity to enroll in business and non-business courses in addition to an optional credit-bearing internship experience while living in Barcelona.
Program Details
Live and study in the international city of Barcelona. Explore Catalan and Spanish working life through an English-speaking internship while also taking a mix of business and non-business courses. Begin the day with a papaya smoothie in Barcelona’s biggest food market, La Boqueria. Climb to the top of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia. Delight in Gaudí's art. Relax in a beautiful city park. Cheer on FC Barcelona among 100,000 screaming fútbol fans. Gaze into the glistening Mediterranean Sea. Get ready to live like a barcelonés.
The Business in Barcelona program offers courses that deepen your understanding of Spanish and Catalan culture. A key feature of the program is the optional internship experience, which allows you to integrate with Spanish people, experience the culture firsthand, and gain professional work experience.
Apartment
Between 5 and 8 students usually share apartments, which include single or double bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry. Meals are not included, but each apartment has a full kitchen.
Homestay
If you choose the homestay option, you will have your own room. Breakfast and dinner are included during the week; you are responsible for lunch and meals on weekends. Homestays are not an option for Summer 2023.
- BCLA 3347/3348: Global Internship course
- 3 or 6 UMN credits
- BCLA 3373: International Finance
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for FINA 4622, IB Foundations course, & Writing Intensive
- Students who have already taken FINA 4622 but are needing a writing intensive should consider the other writing intensive course options offered on the program.
- BCLA 3375: Marketing & Distribution Channels
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for MKTG 4061
- BCLA 3377: Transportation & Logistics Management
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for SCO 3048
- BCLA 3372: Global Marketing
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for a MTKG elective & IB Foundations course
- BCLA 3370: Intercultural Management
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for IB Foundations course
- BCLA 3389: Business of Social Media
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for MKTG 4076, IDSC 4455, & IB Depths
- Students must enroll in at least 6 credits total for the summer session. Students may enroll in 9 credits if not participating in the internship.
- Students should not take courses abroad that they have already taken a direct equivalent to at the UMN-TC campus.
- All grades will come back A/F on the official UMN transcript.
- To see a full list of courses (including non-business courses, and courses approved for liberal education requirements) see the Learning Abroad Center "Study & Intern in Barcelona" website
The Business in Barcelona program is offered in partnership with CAPA: The Global Education Network. Students participating in this program attend classes at the CAPA Study Center, located in the heart of Barcelona. This program offers courses in a wide variety of course topics, complemented by tours in and around the city. Classes are taught in English by Spanish and international faculty, and are designed specifically for US students. Fellow classmates will be other students on the program.
CAPA staff provide housing, classrooms, study areas, an orientation, excursions, Metro de Barcelona passes, and social and cultural events.
COURSES:
Business Courses:
CONSIDERATIONS:
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Second-semester sophomore, junior, or senior status
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Spanish language experience is NOT required
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3 UMN credit internship: students will work 20 hours per week at their internship site and enroll in the Global Internship Program course for 3 UMN credits (30 contact hours).
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6 UMN credit internship: students will work 28-32 hours per week at their internship site and enroll in the Global Internship Program course for 6 UMN credits (45 contact hours). Students will have additional projects, assignments and activities in the course.
- Administration
- Advocacy
- Business
- Communications
- Community Engagement
- Charities
- Environment
- Fashion
- Fundraising
- Finance (General)
- HR
- IT
- Language and Translation
- Marketing
- Non-Profit
- Public Relations
- Recruitment
- Retail
- Real Estate
- Social Media
- Sales
Students participating in the study center program have the option to participate in a credit-bearing internship experience. An internship abroad is a great way to not only gain professional experience, but to experience workplace culture from an international perspective. It’s also a great opportunity to meet locals!
Internship placements are available in a variety of fields and in three languages: English, Catalan, and Spanish. Rather than applying for particular internship openings abroad, students on this program submit additional internship application materials to our partner, CAPA. CAPA then works with local organizations and companies to find a suitable placement. Students are notified of their internship placements prior to departure.
Applying for an Internship
Within the CAPA application, students will indicate that they would like to participate in an internship. Students will provide CAPA with the required application materials and give them their top three areas of interest for potential placements. Students are encouraged to speak to CAPA directly or work with their academic advisers to determine their three choices. CAPA uses this information to find a placement. Students are informed of their placement two weeks prior to departure. Utilize CAPA’s internship application guide.
Internship Eligibility Requirements
Academic Credit
Students can choose to participate in a 3 or 6 UMN credit internship experience.
Internship Placements
See sample internship placements for an idea of what you might expect for a placement. Past internships have been in the fields listed below, but this is not a complete list. If you do not see the field you are interested in, inquire with your program advisor about the possibility of doing an internship in that field.
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No Spanish language required
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Minimum 2.5 GPA
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Students with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.5 see additional information below
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Sophomore, junior, or senior status
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Students wanting to participate in the summer after their first year at UMN should reach out to the CGI directly.
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Students must meet prerequisites for the courses they want to take. Students should plan closely with their academic advisers prior to participating in a semester or summer abroad program to best prepare for remaining major(s) and graduation requirements.
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All UMN students are required to notify us of their vaccination or exemption status as part of the confirmation process. As of May 2023, CAPA is strongly recommending all participants to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccination and recommended booster doses prior to going abroad, but there is no COVID-19 vaccination requirement in place. The Carlson Global Institute recommends that all students are fully vaccinated and boosted (if eligible) to participate in education abroad programs.
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Optional Internship: Strict requirement of at least sophomore status.
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Personal Statement addressing their GPA, any extenuating circumstance surrounding it, and why they feel that they are nonetheless equipped for academic success on the program (REQUIRED)
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UMN transcript that offers greater detail on the trajectory of the student’s grades and the subject areas that might have posed greater challenges to the student (REQUIRED)
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Recommendation from an academic or other advisor who support that’s students application and their ability to succeed on the program (RECOMMENDED)
Supplemental materials to be submitted to CAPA if below GPA requirement: 2.0 - 2.5 GPA
Students must have a valid passport in order to participate in this program. US citizens do not need a visa to stay in Spain for less than 90 days. If you are a non-US citizen, please check with our local consulate about visa requirements.
- Why did you select this particular program and how does it suit your academic, career, and personal goals?
- What do you think you might find challenging about studying abroad and how do you think you will meet those challenges?
- Link to the CAPA application will be provided once you application is open
- If interested in an internship, supplemental materials will need to be submitted to your CAPA application:
- Professional and academic letters of recommendation
- Cover letter and resume
- Police background check
APPLY HERE. Students applying for the Business in Barcelona summer program should select "Business in Barcelona - Study Center"
Students will be charged a $50 application fee. Applications will be reviewed and students will be informed of their status within two weeks of completing their application.
Applications will only be reviewed once the following are complete:
1.) Application essay addressing the following questions. The total essay may not exceed 500 words in total.
2.) Completed CAPA application.
Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad, though may be limited in the summer term. University of Minnesota students are eligible for education abroad scholarships through the Carlson Global Institute as well as the Learning Abroad Center. Please visit "Financial Aid" and "Scholarships" for more information.
Business in Barcelona students have access to the Bridging Loan which is a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the upfront deposit and flight costs.
CAPA, our onsite logistics partner in Barcelona, also offers scholarships. More information about CAPA scholarships can be found here.
Cost Estimate (Summary)
Summer 2023 - Business in Barcelona Cost of Participation
Cancellation Policy:
Participants on this program are held to the Learning Abroad Center cancellation policy, as outlined under "Learning Abroad Center and Affiliate Programs 30 days or more in length" here.