Business in Barcelona - Summer
Joint Study Center Program with the Learning Abroad CenterProgram Dates:
Summer 2025:
Application opens: August 1, 2024
Application deadline: February 1, 2025*
Arrive in Barcelona: May 21, 2025**
Depart Barcelona: July 26, 2025**
*applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
**Dates are subject to change. Students should NOT book flights until instructed to by CGI.
Summer 2026:
This program has been paused and will not be running for the Summer 2026 term. Please reach out to the Carlson Global Institute to discuss alternative options with an advisor.
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.
Participants in the Business in Barcelona program live in shared apartments with other students on the program. Between 5 and 8 students share apartments, which include single or double bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry. Meals are not included, but each apartment has a full kitchen. Apartments are located throughout the city of Barcelona. Students may request specific roommates, but we cannot guarantee that requests will be fulfilled.
- BCLA 3375: Global Internship course
- 3 or 6 UMN credits
- beginning Summer 2025, UMN students will no longer be able to participate in the 6-credit internship option
- BCLA 3002: Global Marketing
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for a MTKG elective, ENTRE elective, IB foundations or breadth
- BCLA 3003: Intercultural Management
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for HRIR elective, Strategic MGMT minor additional elective, IB foundations or breadth
- BCLA 3004: Advertising & Society
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for MKTG 4051
- BCLA 3017: The Business of Social Media
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for MKTG 4076, IDSC 4455, & IB Depths
- BCLA 3078: Transportation & Logistics Management
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for SCO 3048
- BCLA 4061: Marketing & Distribution Channels
- 3 UMN credits
- approved for MKTG 4061
- BCLA 4622W: 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.
- 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.
The Business in Barcelona program is offered in partnership with CEA CAPA Education Abroad. Students participating in this program attend classes at the CEA 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.
CEA CAPA staff provide housing, classrooms, study areas, an orientation, excursions, Metro de Barcelona passes, and social and cultural events.
Courses:
Business Courses:
Liberal Education Courses:
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
Academic Considerations:
- Sophomore, junior, or senior status (including students participating in the program between freshman and sophomore year)
- Minimum GPA 2.5
- Spanish language experience is NOT required
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, CEA CAPA. CEA 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
Students opt into the internship program directly with CEA CAPA. Students work with a CEA CAPA Internship Specialist to discuss career interests, experience, and goals. During this process, students will complete pre-departure career coaching and online modules to prepare you for a successful internship abroad. Internship placements are sent to students about two weeks prior to departure. Read more about the CEA CAPA internship placement process here.
Internship Eligibility Requirements
Academic Credit
Alongside the internship, students will be partake in a 3 UMN credit internship course. The syllabus for the course can be found here.
Internship Placements
Visit the CEA CAPA website here to learn more about possible internship fields.
No Spanish language required
Minimum 2.5 GPA
Students with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.5 see additional information below
Sophomore, junior, or senior status
Students wanting to participate in the summer after their first year at UMN should reach out to the CGI directly.
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.
Optional Internship: Strict minimum 2.5 GPA
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)
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)
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 CEA 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?
Students must use their UMN email address when creating their application account. 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.
Part of the application requires submission of an essay addressing the following questions. The total essay cannot exceed 500 words in total.
Carlson School students interested in this program must apply through the Business in Barcelona program. They may not apply through the Learning Abroad Center’s Study & Intern in Barcelona program.
Financial Aid:
Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad. Please visit our Financial Aid webpage for more information. Business in Barcelona students also have access to the Bridging Loan, which is a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the upfront program deposit and flight costs.
Scholarships:
Students on this program may apply for Carlson Global Institute scholarships, as well as scholarships the Learning Abroad Center.
CEA CAPA, our onsite logistics partner in Barcelona, also offers scholarships. More information about CEA CAPA scholarships can be found here.
Cost
Carlson Students on this program are billed through their University of Minnesota student account by the Learning Abroad Center.
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.
Carlson School: Business in Barcelona: Study CenterApartment 1—Shared ApartmentSummer 2025 |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costs | $6,738 |
| International health insurance | $138 |
| Housing and/or mealsRent & utilities. No meals included. | $1,874 |
| Transportation (if required and included in program fee) | $0 |
| Total Program Fee | $9,150 |
| Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable | $0 |
| Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable | $9,150 |
Estimated Additional Expenses
|
|
| Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad. | |
| Transportation to and from program siteEstimated cost of round-trip flight to/from MSP-Barcelona | $2,000 |
| Passport/photos | $175 |
| Visa/required documentsRequired ETIAS for US travelers to Europe starting in 2025 - €7 per traveler | $10 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
| Housing deposit | $0 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $2,185 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $300 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program feeEstimated cost of additional meals | $1,200 |
| Essential daily living expensesIncludes the cost of required cell phone | $1,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $2,500 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $13,835 |
| Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation | $1,000 |
| Additional Notes & Information | |
| * Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage. | |