IFSA Barcelona Universities Program: UAB

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Build your own curriculum with a combination of four to five Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) classes for a total of 12–15 U.S. semester credit hours. You may choose the IFSA International Internship Seminar as one of your electives.

IFSA CLASS

International Internship Seminar
Language of Instruction: English
All internships include participation in the International Internship Seminar, which covers 15 hours of online asynchronous Canvas modules to provide structured opportunities to reflect on the practical experience of the internship, learn more about your host country’s business culture, and further develop the professional skills needed for a successful transition from undergraduate coursework into a career or graduate school. Plus, you will engage with an online global cohort of IFSA internship participants, gaining exposure to business cultures around the world.  (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

UNIVERSITAT AUTÒNOMA DE BARCELONA CLASSES

Classes at UAB are available in art and architecture, business, communication, economics and politics, Mediterranean studies, and Spanish language. Most classes are taught in English, while some classes can be taken in Spanish for students with level B2 language proficiency. See the UAB class catalog for up-to-date offerings. Most classes are worth 3 U.S. semester credit hours each.

UAB FEATURED CLASSES

• Cultures Without State: the Case of Catalonia
• Digital Photography
• Doing Business in Emerging Markets
• E-Commerce and Online Businesses
• Human Resources Management
• Inequality, Poverty, and Globalization
• Lengua Española
• Mediterranean Politics
• Modernisme: Art Nouveau Architecture
• New Tendencies in Spanish Contemporary Art
• Spanish Civilization and Culture
• Spanish History and Politics: 1936 to the Present
• Strategic Behaviour in Business and Economics
• The Creative Economy
• The Image of Barcelona in Literature

Can I take my classes in Spanish?
To enroll in Spanish-taught classes at this program, you must have a specific language level. Please visit our Language Requirements page for more details. If you have questions about whether you qualify, contact your IFSA Enrollment Counselor.

INTERNSHIPS
IFSA internships include real-world work experience, along with developing intercultural skills and experiences that are key to personal, academic, and professional success. Expect to devote a total of 120 hours working with your host organization, with supervision from your seminar instructor, coordinated by on-site IFSA team members. In addition, interns complete the International Internship Seminar for 3 U.S. semester credit hours. Internships are not remunerated.

There are nearly 10,000 multinational companies operating in Catalonia with Barcelona being the hub and capital city.  The leading industries include chemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive, electronics, and appliance manufacturing.  Barcelona is the second most popular startup hub in the European Union. Among our internship partners are local start-ups in Barcelona.

With IFSA, your goals are carefully considered, tailoring the placement process to ensure the best possible fit. Keep in mind that final placements depend on your skills, prior experience, and availability. Although every effort is made to match your placement with your preferred field or area of business, it can’t be guaranteed. Most internships are conducted in English. If you have had at least four semesters of Spanish language instruction, ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor about opportunities to conduct your internship in Spanish.

Application. After you submit your application, resume, and IFSA Internship Interest Form, an IFSA Enrollment Counselor and an on-site IFSA Team member will work with you to identify your professional strengths, review your goals, and refine your internship interests to establish a match. From there, you’ll have an interview with your potential internship host. You will be provided with tips and resources to prepare for your interview. Note: Multinational or global organizations often require a formal internal internship application process that is very competitive, in addition to the IFSA process.

Sample Placements. The following are examples of internship areas and types of roles available for IFSA students in Barcelona. Placement options vary from term to term.

• Arts: Administration, Market Research, Social Media Development/Marketing, Web Design/Content
• Education: Administration, Policy Making/Processes, Social Media Development/Marketing, Web Design/Content Writing
• Healthtech: Business Development Planning, Client Outreach, Database Development, Market Research, Social Media Marketing, Trade Show Support, Web Design/Content
• Human Resources Management: Administration (Interviews/Postings/Contracts), Application Review/Hiring Process Support, Database Design/Maintenance, Document Filing, Policy/Procedure Process/Improvements/Communications, Social Media Marketing, Support Design of Individual Development/Teamwork Activities/Events
• Marketing: Brand Management/Design, Content Writing, CRM Analysis, Event Management, Market Research, Public Relations, SEO, Social Media
• Non-Profit Organizations: Administration Support, Competitive Market Basket Research, Data Analysis/Reporting, Economic Analysis, Fundraising Campaigns, Human Resources, Social Media Development/Marketing, Web Design/Content Management
• Sustainable Energy: Data Analysis/Statistical Analysis for Business Decision Making, Market Research, Project Development/Management, Social Media Marketing, Web Resources
• Tourism and Hospitality: Business Management, Client Advisor, Customer Service, Events Assistance, Public Relations, Social Media Marketing, Sustainability Strategies, Web Design/Content

New country, new way of learning!

Here’s what to expect at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona:

• UAB prioritizes interaction and engagement, even in lecture-based classes. Maximum class size is 30 students.
• In most classes, 20% of your overall grade comes from participation. (And of course, taking part in class and completing assignments also advances your understanding of the subject.) To determine the remaining 80%, expect at least two larger, weighted grades—a mid-term assessment and a final assessment. These could be papers, tests, individual or group presentations, case studies, journal entries, blog entries, projects, or exams.
• Professors do not hold formal office hours but are available for support before and after class, or by appointment. Some also offer virtual academic support.
• Art classes include many hands-on activities and field trips. Classes like Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, Managerial Skills for International Business or E-commerce and Online Business are project-based and student-led, and might include activities outside the classroom.
• UAB strives to replicate all academic accommodations offered by your home university. Present official documentation within the first two weeks of the program.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
• You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
• You must have completed at least two (2) full-time years of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
• Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.

Recommendation Letter
Not required. An internship site may request a reference letter before placement is finalized.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.