http://www.umn.edu/
612-625-5000
Study & Intern in Barcelona —
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Program Details
Live and intern on the Mediterranean. Participate in an internship in almost any field. Integrate with Spanish people and Catalan culture, relax in beautiful city parks, cheer on FC Barcelona, and delight in Gaudí's and Dalí's art and architecture.
Location Barcelona, Spain Term Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer Session Housing Apartment, Homestay Credit Type Resident Credit Sponsor Learning Abroad Center Program Eligibility
GPA 2.5 (2.8 minimum required for internships) Student Type UofM Students, Non UofM Students Student Year Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors Language No Language Prerequisite -
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About Study & Intern in Barcelona
Live and study in the international city of Barcelona. Explore Catalan and Spanish working life through an English-speaking internship. 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 artRelax 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 Study & Intern in Barcelona program offers courses that deepen your understanding of Spanish and Catalan culture. The strength of the program is the internship experience, which allows you to integrate with Spanish people, experience the culture firsthand, and gain professional work experience.
Housing & Meals
Apartment
Between 5 and 7 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.
Excursions
Guided academic activities and tours in and near Barcelona, as well as networking events with European and other international students, are included in the program fee.
Students can also take advantage of MyEducation events, a calendar of events centered around key themes that provides students a tool to help personalize their experience in Barcelona.
Flight
The Learning Abroad Center works with Village Travel, a local travel agency, to arrange a coordinated flight for program participants. The flight is optional, and is arranged for those who want to fly with other program participants. Group flight information is typically available by the program application deadline, if not before.Learning Outcomes
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Deepen cross-cultural understanding through interaction with local community via internships and community engagement
- Increase independence and self-reliance by learning to successfully navigate Spanish society
- Gain Spanish and international perspectives on academic disciplines
- Develop awareness of and challenge assumptions about Spanish and Catalan cultures, your own culture, and how your culture is viewed by others
- Gain knowledge and insight into a professional career through internships or community engagement
Faculty & Staff
The Centres for Academic Programmes Abroad (CAPA) provides housing, program classrooms and study areas. CAPA also arranges on-site orientation and program excursions, as well as social and cultural events. Classes are taught by Spanish and European faculty who are specialists in their academic field and in the field of teaching foreign students.
About the Learning Abroad Center
Learning Abroad Center programs are:
- Affordable: our programs are cost effective.
- Academically strong: many programs have strong University of Minnesota departmental support and offer pre-approved courses for many majors.
- Culturally rich: regardless of the program you choose, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture.
- Expertly managed: our staff in Minnesota and abroad are trained professionals and are always available to answer your questions from extensive pre-departure advising and online orientations to reentry programming. Your safety and well-being are paramount, and we work hard to ensure you have a rewarding and safe experience abroad.
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Program Structure
Program Type Study Abroad Center Program Level Upper-division coursework on Spanish and European Area studies, art history, literature, marketing, finance, economics, political science, and many more Courseload 12–18 credits for fall or spring semester, 6 credits for summer session
Courses are with other American college students and are held at the CAPA Barcelona Center located in the Gothic quarter of downtown Barcelona.
Students gain professional work experience by participating in an unpaid internship or community engagement placement and taking courses in art history, business, political science, marketing, finance, and more. Semester and summer study abroad options include courses with local visits, internships and community engagement, and special lectures related to your study abroad experience: all designed to engage you in critical thinking and challenge you to pursue subjects through academic and field research.
This program appeals to students who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Spanish culture, need to fulfill liberal arts requirements, and want to participate in an internship related to their field of study.
Coursework
Located in the heart of the city, this program offers courses in a wide variety of topics, complemented by tours in and around the city. Further immerse yourself in Catalan and Spanish life through an internship. On-site staff provide housing, classrooms, study areas, an orientation, excursions, Metro de Barcelona passes, and social and cultural events.
Check the course list for more information and syllabi.
All students participating in an internship will enroll in the Global Internship Program course and work 20 hours per week. The 6-credit internship will require additional projects, assignments and activities that make up the additional contact and work hours spent on the course. Students participating in the 6-credit internship are eligible for a 12 credit reduced course-load due to the time commitment required for the internship. Students have the option of participating in a 3-credit internship, but the preference is for students to complete the 6-credit internship. Students participating in the 3-credit option are not eligible for the 12-credit reduced course load. If you anticipate taking 12 credits, rather than 13 or more, the Learning Abroad Center recommends that you submit a “13 Credit Exemption Request” to your college advising office. This form can be found on the One Stop Student Services website.
The reduced credit load approval does not alter standards of eligibility established for financial aid awards (loans, grants, scholarships), student-athletics, visa status, or any other agency requiring enrollment of 13 or more credits. It is your responsibility to consult with the appropriate office to ensure that a reduced credit load will not adversely affect your eligibility or student status. Your college will review your 13-credit exemption request and will ultimately determine if your request is approved.
Internships
Learn more about the internships on this program on the Internship tab. All internships are for resident credit and are unpaid.
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Course Enrollment Instructions
Fall or Spring Semester
- If you are doing an internship and courses, select BCLA 3XXX: Global Internship Program for 3 or 6 credits and 2–4 additional courses.
- If you are not doing an internship, select 4–5 courses.
- If you plan to take Global Identity, list optional Global Identity course for 1 credit
- Enrollment should total 13 to 16 credits (12-16 if you do a 6 credit internship)
Summer
- If you are doing an internship and a course, select BCLA 3XXX: Global Internship Program for 3 credits and 1 additional course.
- If you are doing an internship for 6 credits, select BCLA 3XXX: Global Internship Program for 6 credits
- If you are not doing an internship, select 2 courses.
- Total registration should equal 6 credits.
Course Planning Links
- Academic Planning Form (PDF)
Courses
Business Courses
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Global MarketingBCLA 3002Fall, Spring, & Summer3 Credits
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This course provides an exploration of basic knowledge of global marketing, focusing on the impact of environment on the strategies used by firms, and the understanding of consumer behavior management as it relates to the development and implementation of global marketing strategies. Worldwide business represents real opportunities for a firm but also creates difficulties, challenges and new ways of implementing marketing. Global marketing is a specific kind of marketing applied to international firms in order to implement the same strategy within the entire market taking into account cultural, economic, social, political, etc., specifics for each area.
This course will provide the basic knowledge of global marketing focusing on the impact of environment on the firm strategy, the development and implementation of a global marketing strategy and the understanding of consumer behavior management in a global strategy. Case studies applied to worldwide business contexts as well as more specific European contexts will provide concrete illustrations for the students.
Equivalent to RM 4217 International Retail Markets
Approved for Global Perspectives LE
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Intercultural ManagementBCLA 3003Fall, Spring, & Summer3 Credits
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This course is designed to introduce students to concepts and fundamentals of international management. The course will consider aspects of management within an international and culturally complex environment, while considering the business influences within the global workplace. Students with or without prior international management knowledge will benefit from the course. Organizational effectiveness demands that personnel do the right things efficiently. Therefore, the role of management is to strive for and maintain the goals of the organization. Being an effective manager is not just telling others what to do. It is also about effective leadership, training, and communication. Having effective managers can be a cost saving tool for all organizations of all sizes. Corporation executives, supervisors, and managers are aware of the importance of and difficulty in finding and retaining highly skilled employees (a time-consuming role of management).
Today’s managers need a systems-view of the organization. This course will help you think of the organization as a system rather than as a work unit where tasks are performed. Most of you will, after graduating, become supervisors and managers and be required to provide training and leadership for your personnel. In just about any organization, you will be working with people who will have a different cultural background that your own, you may be working as an expatriate in a different country or you may experience any of a number of multicultural challenges. This course will help you prepare for these eventualities.
Satisifes the Retail major's required elective area
Approved for Global Perspectives LE
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International FinanceBCLA 4622WFall, Spring, & Summer3 Credits
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The International Finance module provides an understanding of finance in the international context. In a globally integrated world, it has become imperative to trade, invest, and conduct business operations internationally. This course exposes students to the opportunities and risks associated with international finance. As the world has become more integrated due to deregulation of financial markets, product innovation, and technology, capital markets have kept pace with this integration. Building upon the understanding of theoretical concepts of finance and their adaptation to the international context, the study of international finance has become essential. The course coverage includes historical perspectives and foundations of international finance, the foreign exchange markets and exchange rate determination, exposure management, and financial management of the multinational firm. The course also helps students examine the current economic landscape through discussions of current economic and political development and their impact on international finance.
With its global presence, CAPA offers students the opportunity to enrich their academic experience by exposing and exploring the localized context of the CAPA Barcelona Centre. Barcelona is a member of the Eurozone (countries using the Euro currency), and it has deep economic and financial links with other European countries.
Equivalent of FINA 4622
Approved for Writing Intensive and Global Perspectives LE
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Marketing & Distribution ChannelsBCLA 4061Fall, Spring, & Summer3 Credits
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Marketing channels are sets of interdependent organizations involved in the process of making a product or service available for use or consumption. Marketing and distribution channels management is an essential aspect of commercial activities. In today’s ever-more complex and challenging competitive scenario, it is necessary for organizations to know how to effectively select and manage marketing channels so that they can create partnerships that are capable of generating value and trust and avoiding conflicts.
As Peter Drucker has said, “The greatest change will be in distribution channels, not in new methods of production or consumption.” Choosing the right channels, convincing them to carry your merchandise, and getting them to work as partners is a major challenge. Too many companies see themselves as selling to distributors instead of selling through them.
This course will help students learn how to develop marketing channel plans, which enable an organization to increase sales, margins, and levels of collaboration with channel partners.
Equivalent of MKTG 4060
Satisfies the Retail major's Marketing course core requirement (MKTG 3001) or the course can count towards the Retail Merchandising major required elective area
Approved for Global Perspectives LE
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Transportation and Logistics Management/Global Supply ChainBCLA 3048Spring3 Credits
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In today’s global supply chains, manufactured products often travel across multiple countries and multiple states, using multiple modes of transportation, before reaching final customers. Along the way, these products are processed at a variety of inventory transfer points, and reconfigured and combined with other products with the goal of arriving intact at the right place and right time. Effectively managing these flows requires understanding the underlying economics of weight, volume, distance, and velocity. It requires taking an end-to-end view of the logistics and transportation network to understand how changes in one link impact others. It also requires openness to change, including adopting new network designs and other innovations that promise to improve processes in fundamental ways.
This course uses a combination of lectures, case discussions, interactive classroom activities, and guest speakers. Students are expected to have read any assigned readings and cases before the corresponding class session so they are prepared to actively take part in class discussion.
Equivalent of SCO 3048
Satisfies the Retail major's required elective area
Syllabus for Transportation and Logistics Management/Global Supply Chain
Other Courses
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Analyzing and Exploring the Global City: BarcelonaBCLA 3XXXFall, Spring, & Summer3 Credits
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Cities around the world are striving to be “global,” and Barcelona, the capital of Catalunya, is one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in Spain. It is globally renowned for its art and architecture, possessing no fewer than nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, and has become a major destination for global tourism. This interdisciplinary course examines the emergence of this elegant, creative city as Spain’s gateway to the Mediterranean, and analyzes its history and evolution since its foundation by the Romans. Students will explore the role of population dynamics, industrial change, and globalization in shaping the city and the lives of its inhabitants, examining the ways in which the interplay of urbanism, politics, and society has addressed challenges of social, political, and technological change in the past and today. The course also traces the changing nature of Barcelona’s relationship with the rest of Spain, Europe, and the wider world. Topics will include ancient and Medieval Barcelona; nationalism and innovations in art and architecture; the role of the 1992 Olympics as a catalyst for urban regeneration; the impacts of gentrification, tourism, and the recent economic crisis on the city and its inhabitants; and future scenarios of urban change.
Syllabus for Analyzing and Exploring the Global City: Barcelona
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Architectural History of SpainBCLA 3XXXSpring3 Credits
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This course will look at the history of architecture and urban design in Spain. Beginning with a brief introduction to the ancient styles (from the first civilization of the Iberian Peninsula), it will focus upon developments in architecture and urban planning in Spain from the 1st Century AD to the present. Special attention will be paid to the 19th and 20th Centuries in Barcelona, and several relevant field visits will be made.
Equivalent to a 3xxx level AHST course
Approved for Historical Perspective and Global Perspectives LE
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Media and ConflictBCLA 3009Spring3 Credits
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The course will provide a structured approach to address different media systems. It will explore the dynamics of news, politics, conflicts and freedom of the press. Focusing on ongoing, international crises of global importance, we will examine how various international media report on topics including armed conflicts, human rights abuses. study the dynamics governing news media environment and structures. We will try to understand why different audiences from different cultural spheres perceive the same news in sometimes a diametrically opposed way. We will examine the rich arsenal of repression tools used by authoritarian and even democratic regimes to suppress press freedom or spin news to their advantage. We will look at the ways and means by which courageous journalists try to circumvent these obstacles.
Equivalent to JOUR 4801
Approved for Social Sciences, Civic Life and Ethics, and Global Perspectives LE
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Advertising and SocietyBCLA 3XXXSpring3 Credits
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This course introduces students to the linkages between advertising and society. It is premised on the belief that advertising helps shape human attitudes and behaviors, just as the latter two in turn help direct and shape advertising. However, the emphasis in this course is firmly on advertising as a shaping agent—how it influences individuals and societies, the dynamic nature of the relationship, and the impacts (both positive and negative) that advertising may have on individuals and societies. It takes a critical and dispassionate view of advertising rather than a managerial or practitioner’s view. Various criticisms of advertising are flagged, and these are used as a basis for further coverage and discussion of the criticisms and issues raised.
Satisies the Retail major elective area
Approved for Civic Life and Ethics and Global Perspectives LE
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Capturing Barcelona through PhotographyBCLA 3XXXSpring3 Credits
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This course will explore digital photography as a tool to view different aspect of Spanish society (and ourselves within that society) through various photographic exercises and assignments. At the end of the course the students will produce a portfolio of the work done. Lectures will cover the History of Photography, with a special attention to photo-reportage, Italian photographers, technical aspects related to photography production. The course introduces technical process of digital photography, from camera operation and the essential techniques of image capture with camera, image management with imaging related software. Classroom discussions and assigned readings will help student develop the critical skills used to understand how photographs function aesthetically and conceptually as how they are used in contemporary society and culture.
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The Birth of Modern Art: Matisse, Picasso, & DaliBCLA 3011Spring3 Credits
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The work of these three international artists with distinct cultural roots is explored on an individual basis within the wider framework of European art movements. In each case, we will study the acceptance and/or rejection of tradition, the interaction with French art and artists, and personal experience. We will also pay attention to the role of both outside stimuli (war, relationships) and inner forces (memory, imagination). The course will include course related excursions to the Picasso Museum, the MNAC (Catalan National Museum of Art) as well as a Friday trip to the Dalí Theatre Museum in Figueres.
Equivalent to a 3xxx level AHST course
Approved for Arts and Humanities and Global Perspectives LE
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Nationalism in Comparative PerspectiveBCLA 3001Fall, Spring, & Summer3 Credits
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This course studies the relationship between states and nations in both a theoretical and comparative perspective with a particular focus on the Catalan, Basque and Spanish experiences. It analyzes state building processes and the development of nationalism, as well as the social, economic and technological conditions behind its emergence, transformation and contrasting discourse. The course aims at providing a solid theoretical background on the subject of nationalism as well as introducing the students into the social and political reality that permeates in Spain's daily life and shapes Spaniards' political mind-frames and identities.
Social Sciences, Civic Life and Ethics, and Global Perspectives LE
Equivalent to a 3xxx level topics course in POLS
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Spain as Seen Through its MoviesBCLA 3014Fall, Spring, & Summer3 Credits
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This course will investigate the ways in which “Spanish” films participate in the creation of contemporary identities through cinematic form. So much film production in the 21st century is the result of inter and intra-national collaboration of funds, actors, talent. The course will address the following general questions: a) what it means to speak of a "national cinema;" b) how cinema constructs and/or contests of his or her-story; c) cinema's impact on shifting notions of what constitutes the human condition; d) how the formal qualities of cinematic narrative shape on-screen stories; f) where and how issues of gender, sexuality, class, and ethnicity surface in cinematic articulations of the relationship between national identity, global trends and personal history.
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Global Internship CourseBCLA 3XXXFall, Spring, & Summer3 or 6 Credits
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The Global Internship Course (GIC) provides a unique and innovative opportunity for students to engage in an internship (and living abroad experience) while supported by academic in-class and online educational sessions to further develop their personal and professional skills while earing academic credit. GIC students also partake in out-of-class guided and self-guided activities and excursions that have been devised to enable them become more comfortable with, and knowledgeable of, their internship locations/neighbourhoods. Furthermore, a day-long field trip illustrates how socio-political and economic factors, such as effects of housing costs in global cities, necessitate commuting and changing work practices such as flexible working hours and working remotely that embody best practice in well-being.
Syllabus for Global Internship Course - 3 credits
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Writing the CityBCLA 3013WFall, Spring, & Summer3 Credits
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The course explores the craft of creative writing in relation to the city and investigates the particular challenges of writing about place. Students will examine different aspects of the city in relation to Barcelona narratives, including the old city, travel, urban spaces, solitude, politics, ethnicity, particular boroughs, and characters (both fictional and real), as well as making use of practical exercises and fieldwork.
Equivalent to a 3xxx level topics course in Creative Writing Minor
Approved for LIterature, Writing Intensive, and Global Perspectives LE
Spanish Language Courses
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Beginning Spanish IBCLA 1001Fall, Spring, & Summer4 Credits
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This course is designed to provide students the vocabulary and grammar necessary for basic expression in Spanish using a communicative approach. In this course, students will learn to introduce themselves, talk about daily routine and plans, discuss past events, use vocabulary related to food, family, and everyday life and activities, negate, and use other expressions necessary for basic communication such as greetings, ordering at a restaurant, or asking for directions.
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Beginning Spanish IIBCLA 1002Fall, Spring, & Summer4 Credits
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After completing this course, the student will understand phrases and expressions of frequent use related to areas of experience that are especially relevant to him (basic information about himself and his family, purchases, places of interest, occupations, etc.). Will be able to communicate when carrying out simple and daily tasks that do not require more than simple and direct exchanges of information on issues that are known or usual. Can describe in simple terms aspects of their past and their environment as well as issues related to their immediate needs.
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Intermediate Spanish IBCLA 1003Fall, Spring, & Summer4 Credits
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This course is designed to improve a student’s ability to communicate in Spanish. Building on knowledge from previous courses, this course will introduce students to grammatical topics such as the subjunctive mood, the imperative mood, the pluperfect of the indicative, and expressions regarding the passage of time. This class is based on the communicative approach and stresses the use of these grammatical structures in real and relevant communication.
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Intermediate Spanish IIBCLA 1004Fall, Spring, & Summer4 Credits
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After completing this course, the student will understand extended speech and lectures (TV, movies, newspapers,...). Will be able to communicate with a degree of fluency that will let students interact with locals with spontaneity. The information presented will be precise when talking in a field of interest and quite clear when writing or speaking in other range of subjects.
Optional Online Course
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Global IdentityOLPD 3330Online1 credit
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Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.
This course is offered at no additional cost on programs six weeks or longer. The Learning Abroad Center will email out registration instructions, or you may contact a program team member.
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Internships
Internship placements are available in almost any field and in three languages: English, Catalan, and Spanish. For internship applicants, second-semester sophomore, junior, or senior status with a minimum 2.8 GPA is required. You will earn 3 summer or 6 semester credits through the internship combined with the Learning through Internships course.
All students find out their internship placement about 2 weeks prior to departure. Students are required to submit additional application materials in order to apply for the internship. These material can be found under the Apply tab. Note that internships are not open to Freshmen.
Academic Credit
All students participating in an internship will enroll in the Global Internship Program course and work 20 hours per week. The 6-credit internship will require additional projects, assignments and activities that make up the additional contact and work hours spent on the course. Students have the option of participating in a 3-credit internship, but the preference is for students to complete the 6-credit internship.
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 3 areas of interests for potential placements. Students are encouraged to speak to CAPA directly or work with their academic advisers to determine their 3 choices. CAPA uses this information to find a placement. Students are informed of their placement 2 weeks prior to departure.
Internship Placements
See sample internship placements and information about the internship process. 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 at the Learning Abroad Center about the possibility of doing an internship in that field.
- Administration
- Advocacy
- Arts and Museums
- Architecture
- Beauty and cosmetics
- Business
- Communications
- Community Engagement
- Charities
- Environmental
- Event Management
- Engineering
- Fashion
- Fundraising
- Finance (General)
- Hospitality
- HR
- Human Rights
- Healthcare
- IT
- Language and Translation
- Leisure and Recreation
- Marketing
- Music
- Non-Profit
- PR
- Publishing
- Recruitment
- Retail
- Real Estate
- Social work
- Social Media
- Sales
- Sports and Fitness
- Theatre
- Tourism and Travel
- TV and Film
Review the CAPA Internship Handbook for additional information about the internship process and expectations.
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Dates & Deadlines
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:Term Program Dates Application Deadline Spring 2020 Jan 19, 2020 – May 2, 2020 Oct 15, 2019 Summer 2020 Jun 4, 2020 – Jul 18, 2020 Mar 1, 2020 Fall 2020 TBD Apr 15, 2020 *Applications after this deadline may be considered. Contact Amy Garwood-Diáz at garw0005@umn.edu to inquire.
*Program dates are subject to change. Contact the LAC for verification of dates before purchasing your airfare.
**If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.Orientation Dates & Locations
Orientation will be conducted in 2 parts: an online orientation, which is mandatory for all students, and an in-person, program-specific session. You will receive more information about the online orientation via email. Failure to complete the online orientation will impact your ability to go abroad.See below for tentative dates and times for your in-person session. You will be notified of the official date and time via email. Participants will receive applicable orientation materials via email approximately 1 week prior to the in-person session.
Term Abroad Date/Time Location Spring 2020 November 7th, 3:00-5:00pm Carlson L-110 -
Fees for Study & Intern in Barcelona
University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.Spring 2020
Spring 2020 Cost of Participation
Spring 2020 students are eligible for the student evaluator discount. Read more about it here.
Summer 2020
Fall 2020
Fall 2020 Homestay coming soon
Fall 2020 Apartment coming soon
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.Bridging Loan
Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the upfront deposit and flights costs, is available for this program for eligible students.Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling. -
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.Be aware: All programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.
To complete the online application for this program, you will need to select or provide the following information on the online application:
Center Name TC Learning Abroad Ctr Education Abroad Term See Dates page for term options Program Name Study & Intern in Barcelona Country Spain Submit
University of Minnesota Student—apply
Use your University of Minnesota internet ID and password to log into the Education Abroad application system. Your student account will be charged a $50 application fee.
Non-University of Minnesota Student—apply
Once you submit your application, Learning Abroad Center staff will create a University of Minnesota student internet account for you. You will use this account to access the Education Abroad Application System, and other University of Minnesota services. You will be charged a $50 application fee for this program.
Our staff will contact you within 2–3 business days with your internet account information, and additional application instructions.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
- Application Essay
- CAPA Online Application
If you do not meet the GPA requirement for this program, submit two additional application items—the Low GPA Essay and Special Circumstances Recommendation. Both items will be added to your checklist after you start your application, and you will be notified once the items are added.
If you are interested in participating in an internship, contact Amy Garwood-Diaz before submitting your Low GPA materials.
Applicants participating in the Internship must also submit the following items through CAPA's online application:
- Academic Recommendation
- Professional Recommendation
- Cover Letter and Resume
- Unofficial Transcript
- Digital Passport Style Photo (photo of your face against a white background)
- Police Background Check
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
After your application checklist is complete, your application is reviewed by our program team. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist, which you will complete to confirm your participation in the program. If you decide not to continue with the application process, log into the online application system and submit a Cancel Request.
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Passport
You must obtain a passport to enter Spain. Your passport must be valid for at least seven months after your return to the US. US citizens spending fewer than 90 days in Europe will only need a passport. A Spanish tourist visa, which is valid for 90 days, is automatically issued to all US citizens who enter Spain. If you have not already obtained your passport, see Passports for more information.
Visa
US citizens participating on the Study & Intern in Barcelona program for a semester or year, or US citizens staying in Spain for more than 90 days, must obtain a student visa. US citizens participating in the Summer session do not need a visa. Non-US citizens should check with the Spanish embassy to determine any special regulations pertaining entry into Spain at any time.
Remember to read all information that you receive regarding student visas carefully. Requirements could change at any time and vary from consulate to consulate.
University of Minnesota Visa Service
The Spanish consulate in Chicago has graciously granted the University of Minnesota the ability to both drop off Spanish student visa applications and pick up the completed student visas on behalf of students studying abroad in Barcelona.
This is an optional service, and is only available to students on the Barcelona program. Each student MUST inform the Learning Abroad Center of their plans for obtaining the student visa whether they chose to use this service or not.
Using the Visa Service
- If you use the visa service, a $75 fee will be assessed to your University of Minnesota account. This fee will not be listed separately on your student account. It will be added to the overall program fee.
- The deadline to use this service is either slightly before or after the application deadline. To use the service, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities students must attend an appointment with the Spanish visa adviser to drop of visa application materials before the deadline.
- If you live outside of the Twin Cities area, you must set up a phone meeting with Amy Garwood-Díaz or the student visa specialist prior to sending in your visa application materials via FedEx.
- Only complete visa applications will be accepted. If you fail to include one or more of the necessary pieces to receive your visa when you present your visa application to the Learning Abroad Center, you will have to return at a later time with your complete visa application.
- If you live outside of the state of Minnesota, completed visas can be returned to the student via Fed Ex once picked up from the Chicago Spanish Consulate by the UofM.
Not Using the Visa Service
- CAPA will provide instructions for applying for the National Visa once you are accepted to the program. You will need to apply for the visa *in-person* at the Consulate in your jurisdiction. The in-person consulate appointment is required no earlier than 90 days and no later than 4 weeks prior to program start date. Student’s are *ONLY* eligible to apply to the consulate with jurisdiction over the state where they are from or the state in which their school is located. Click here to find your Consulate. Each consulate will require slightly different supporting documents. Students should refer to the consulate’s website. Visa Application Procedure:
Visa Application Requirements
To date, the following items are required to apply for a student visa through the Chicago consulate. If you are applying through a different consulate, requirements may differ.
- Two copies of signed and completed National application—the Step-by-Step Instructions will assist you in completing the visa application
- Original, signed passport
- Money Order for $160 payable to the Consulate of Spain. This can be purchased at a Post Office or bank. You must pay with a debit card or cash. More information can be found at USPS—Money Orders.
- Two photocopies of the information and photo page of your passport
- Two photocopies of US driver's license, US state ID or voter registration card
- Two US passport-style photos, white background, 2x2", glued to the upper right hand corner of the National application and copy
- Letter of acceptance—this serves as proof of admission, medical insurance, & financial means (Provided by the Learning Abroad Center to all students, regardless if you are using our visa service or not.)
- Acknowledgement Letter - (Provided by the Learning Abroad Center to all students)
- If you are using the Learning Abroad Center visa service, you will also need a notarized letter granting the University of Minnesota permission to pick up and drop off your visa materials (use template provided). Do NOT sign the letter before meeting with the notary public.
Academic Year students (students going for more than one semester) must also provide the following:
- Medical Statement: A doctor’s recent statement, on doctor's or medical center's letterhead, indicating that the student has been examined and found to be free of communicable diseases and in good physical and mental health to travel and study abroad (make your appointment early.)
- Background Check
- The Spanish consualte allows students to obtain State background checks, which are generally easier to obtain. Students from Minnesota can obtain their background check from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. In addition to this background check, students will have to obtain an Apostille from the Secretary of State's office to verify its authenticity.
- Students can obtain an FBI background check, though it is not recommended because it may take between 3 to 8 weeks to receive.
Step-by-Step Instructions to complete the Application for a National Visa
- Last name.
- If you have changed your last name (through marriage for example), former last name.
- First and middle names.
- Date of birth (day-month-year).
- Place of birth.
- Country where you were born.
- Your nationality. (If you were born in the US, put US). If you have not always been a US citizen indicate your nationality at birth.
- Gender.
- Marital status.
- This section is not applicable. Leave blank.
- This section is not applicable. Leave blank.
- Type of travel document. Check 'Ordinary Passport'.
- Passport number.
- Date your passport was issued (day-month-year). This date is listed in your passport.
- Date that your passport expires as listed in your passport (day-month-year). This date must be at least one year from the date the visa application will be submitted to the consulate.
- Enter US Department of State or the passport agency that issued your passport (NOT where you applied).
- Write your permanent address, email address, and phone number.
- Check 'No'. Check 'Yes' if you are not from the US but reside in the US.
- STUDENT.
- Main purpose of the journey: Check 'Studies'.
- Provide your intended date of arrival in Spain (day-month-year). You may estimate your arrival date if you have not purchased a flight at the time of application for the visa.
- Check 'More Than Two'.
- Address and contact in Barcelona coming soon
- Complete only if you have previously received a Spanish student visa.
- Complete only if you have previously received a Spanish student visa.
- This section is not applicable. Leave blank.
- This section is not applicable. Leave blank.
- Data of the educational establishment or research centre in case of applying for a student or research visa
- Name of the educational establishment or research centre~ Address and contact in Barcelona coming soon
- Postal address of educational establishment or research centre~ Address and contact in Barcelona coming soon
- Telephone number of educational establishment or research centre~ Address and contact in Barcelona coming soon
- Email of educational establishment or research centre~ Address and contact in Barcelona coming soon
- Intended starting date for studies or research~ provide the start date of the Barcelona program (day-month-year)
- Intended finishing date for studies or research~ provide the end date of the Barcelona program (day-month-year)
- The remainder of this section is not applicable to you.
- Current address and today's date (day-month-year).
- Your signature.
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Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Amy Garwood-Diaz or call at 612.624.1537.
