Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Freshman or Above
Location: Europe, Spain
GPA: 2.75

Program Overview

Location Overview:

In Barcelona, you’ll find a bustling city filled with art, unique Gaudi architecture, affordable tapas bars, and urban parks — all nestled along the warm and inviting Mediterranean Sea. The Spanish people are friendly, outgoing, and very social, so even with minimal knowledge of the Spanish language, students will be sure to find a community in no time. 

Spanish people are also very proud, especially those from Catalan, the region where Barcelona is located. Social movements for independence occur alongside economic growth and innovation. While the primary driver of employment in the city is in the tourism industry, financial investment, manufacturing, and international trade also maintain a significant place in Barcelona’s economic landscape.

What is GlobalWorks?

GlobalWorks internships are personalized internship programs that bring you out of the country, and into the workplace. We connect academic study with real-world experiences by providing full-time international internship opportunities to UO students in various career fields. Working with local professional internship providers in locations around the world, we provide individualized placements for UO students. Students earn UO credits and life-changing work experience in a different culture. Immerse yourself in a new city, earn UO course credits, and gain professional experience with a GlobalWorks internship.

Location Note: 

Programs in select GlobalWorks locations such as this one have a rolling admission application process. Due to a high volume of applications and limited spaces, GEO staff will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Students are encouraged to identify alternate locations that they would feel comfortable interning in, or note if you are only interested in interning at this site. There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early. A waitlist will be created, but students should be aware that being on the waitlist does not guarantee acceptance into a location.

Internship Career Fields:

  • Art + Design
  • Business + Accounting
  • Computer Science and Information Technology
  • Education
  • Environment + Sustainability
  • Journalism + Communications
  • NGO + Nonprofit
  • Social Science
  • STEM + Healthcare

Dates and Deadlines

TermYearDeadlineArrival DateDeparture Date
Fall202405/15/202409/20/202411/14/2024
Winter202509/01/202401/03/202502/27/2025
Spring202512/01/202403/28/202505/28/2025
Summer202501/15/202507/04/202508/28/2025

Apply to the UO GlobalWorks program by completing the online application. You can open an application to view all the materials you’ll need before you submit. Late applications may be accepted based on position availability, but note that for some terms and locations, the program can be very competitive. After provisional acceptance by the University, students will need to interview with our third-party provider for final acceptance.

This program is less than 90 days. Students with a US passport will be traveling to Spain and do not require a travel visa for this program, and GlobalWorks is unable to assist U.S. citizens in obtaining a visa.

If you are not a US Citizen: Notify your GlobalWorks Advisor. Students who are not US citizens should contact the consulate in their country of residence about visa requirements, no matter the duration of the program of study.

Applying for a GlobalWorks International Internship is pretty simple if you follow these steps. Once you are accepted, GlobalWorks typically guarantees placement in your preferred location and career field(s). The approval and interview process takes roughly 3-4 months from when you apply to when you are notified of your internship placement.

1. UO APPLICATION

Apply to the UO GlobalWorks program by completing the online application. You can open an application to view all the materials you’ll need before you submit. Late applications may be accepted based on position availability.

What You’ll Need:

  • Online application form
  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Contact info for one reference (for scholarship applicants)

2. INTERVIEW + ACCEPTANCE

Once you’ve applied, you will receive an email from a GlobalWorks program coordinator at the UO if you have submitted all application materials. You will typically meet or interview with our third-party provider for your location. The goal of the interview with the provider is for them to ensure they can accept you, and to give them a sense of your interests and career goals so they can place you with the company that will provide the best fit. If offered acceptance, you will then confirm your acceptance by signing a deposit agreement form after carefully reading through the cancellation policy. Although we can typically guarantee placement in students’ preferred location and career field, students don’t know their specific placement when they sign the deposit and cancellation agreement.

3. PRE-DEPARTURE 

Once you’ve been accepted, you will complete onboarding documentation and forms within the GEO portal and will attend a UO pre-departure orientation. Your site-specific provider may also have a portal or onboarding documents. If you do not already have a passport, make sure to apply for one ASAP. Some locations may require a visa, please check with your program coordinator if you are unsure.

You may also need to schedule health evaluation appointments. You can now make travel arrangements as well.

You don’t need to register for the two required courses (we will register you).

4. INTERNSHIP INTERVIEWS

Your internship provider will work to match you with businesses or organizations within your career field. You will then interview with host companies that the provider has matched you with. You usually don’t get to choose a company from multiple choices; you will interview with one at a time. The majority of students will have one to three interviews before being placed.

5. INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT

You will be notified of your final internship placement! Students are typically placed with their internship a month or two before departure, individual timelines may vary.

Hear from Our Students

College-aged woman smiling in front of the University of Oregon's Knight Library. She is wearing a Spain flag graduation stole.

A Summer of Growth in Barcelona


Studying abroad in Barcelona was the best decision I have ever made! I participated in the GlobalWorks Internship program and spent the summer working as a wedding planning intern. Working in such a… read more
A young man stands in front of Lillis business complex

I feel like a different person


I accomplished a lot during these months at Transvision. I can honestly say now that this experience has ended that I feel like I am a different person than when it began. I learned so much about… read more
A young man stands by the city skyline

The highlight of my adventure in Barcelona


Spending a term living, working, and experiencing Barcelona was incredible. I was placed with a fashion brand called AMEOS Eyewear. They offer unique, luxury sunglasses in flashy colors and fun… read more

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.