Does interning abroad in an international city with stunning architecture, rich Spanish culture, beautiful beaches, and thriving industries interest you? Then you’ll want to hear from Alexandria, an accounting major from Appalachian State University who spent her spring semester interning abroad in Barcelona.
Discover how Alexandria’s internship in Barcelona with AIFS Abroad helped her develop professional skills and gain more confidence!
Choosing an Intern Abroad Program
If you’d like to study or intern abroad, it can be hard to know where to begin. A good first step is to do some research on program providers—whether you’ve heard of us before or not, AIFS Abroad is the perfect launching point (so if you’re reading this, you’re on the right track!). Alexandria first learned about us on her university’s website:
“I chose to go with AIFS because of the internship abroad opportunities they offered! I had not heard about AIFS before looking at study abroad programs on my university’s page.”
AIFS Abroad offers international internshipprograms in a wide range of career fields and countries around the world. So, you should ask yourself: where in the world do you want to intern abroad? If you’re having trouble deciding, browse our website or reach out to our team—we’re here to help! If you’re like Alexandria and you already have a destination in mind, you can start your search there:
“I chose Barcelona, Spain, because I know it is such a beautiful city with lots of history, beautiful architecture, and gorgeous culture. I also wanted to practice my Spanish. I would recommend this program to a student who is not afraid to try new things, step out of their comfort zone, and learn something new!”
Internship Experience
Doing an internship abroad is one of the best ways for college students and recent grads to get professional experience in their field of choice, while also gaining opportunities to travel, discover a new culture, and develop cross-cultural communication skills.
After you submit your application to us, the AIFS Abroad team will work with you to find a vetted internship in your program destination that fits your professional goals—so you can build the career skills you need and enjoy the cultural immersion you dream of.
Alexandria did an accounting internship at a sustainable interior design and materials company in Barcelona. She discovered that the internship afforded her plenty of time to explore during her free time:
“I [interned] Monday – Friday, with Thursday as a remote day, [for about] 32 hours a week. I was able to work during the week and explore on the weekends.”
During her accounting internship, Alexandria gained hands-on experience through a wide range of responsibilities related to her major and career goals:
“I reconciled bank statements, assisted with inventory tracking, and supported internal financial reporting. I also got the opportunity to create financial analysis reports, which strengthened my technical accounting skills and helped me understand how financial data supports real business decisions.”
Professional Growth
As Alexandria learned, her internship abroad was about more than just gaining professional experience—it also helped her pursue her desired career path with more confidence:
“The experience strengthened my resume and confirmed my interest in international business and accounting. My biggest takeaway was seeing how accounting systems operate in a global context and understanding how financial reporting supports strategic decisions.”
Plus, she was able to build a range of hard and soft skills, which will help Alexandria when it comes time to apply for jobs. Some of the skills she highlighted include: “Technical accounting, cross-cultural communication, and professional confidence.”
Work Culture
While it can vary from company to company and city to city, every country has its own distinct work culture. The Spanish workforce is generally known as being more laidback than the fast-paced work culture common in the U.S.—a difference Alexandria noticed right away:
“The culture felt more relationship-driven and way less rushed than U.S. workplaces. There was much more of a work-life balance.”
Alexandria also found that her office environment and her colleagues really made it easy for her to thrive in her new role:
“The biggest perk was having a positive office environment where the team can openly share ideas and collaborate without fear. My supervisor and team were amazing. They were supportive and detail-oriented. They gave me responsibility but took the time to explain processes clearly. This helped me grow quickly and feel confident in my work.”
Language Learning
While many AIFS Abroad internship programs do not require foreign language fluency, Alexandria interned at a company that required a certain level of Spanish proficiency. She found that being able to speak the language and practice her Spanish was helpful both in and outside her internship:
“I felt completely immersed in the culture because I was able to communicate with locals and really get to know people there. I needed to know Spanish for the company I worked with. My Spanish skills improved drastically, [because] I got to practice every day. My advice is to practice without being scared! Everyone feels scared or embarrassed at first when learning a new language, but that’s how you learn.
Social Events & Trips
AIFS Abroad programs include trips and excursions, as well as social and cultural activities that help participants further immerse themselves in the local culture while also forming bonds with fellow interns. Below, Alexandria lists a few of her favorites:
“I attended most of the events, my favorites being the cooking class, mosaic class, and Tarragona trip. These were so memorable because it was a great way to make friends with others from the program and immerse yourself in the culture.”
When you’re not at your internship, attending AIFS Abroad events, or exploring your host city on your own, you’re welcome to travel as much as you like. Alexandria made the most of her weekends by taking trips to several European countries:
“I went on lots of weekend trips! I traveled to Italy, France, Portugal, and Switzerland! My favorite destination was when I went to France because my mom came to visit me, and we went to Paris. We had so much fun talking and drinking French wine every day while exploring the city.”
AIFS Abroad Support
Living in a completely new country across the world can be a bit nerve-wracking for some people—even if it’s just for a semester or a shorter-term program. But worry not! Wherever you go with AIFS Abroad, you’ll have dedicated on-site staff who are there to assist you, help you adjust to your new location, and answer any and all questions you may have. Alexandria found that her AIFS Abroad staff members were always there for her, no matter what:
“The on-site AIFS staff were incredibly supportive! They helped with logistics, check-ins, and were always available if we needed anything. They made me feel like I always had someone in my corner. Special shoutout to Inma, Pili, Angela, Natalia, and everyone in the Barcelona office.”
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the impact of her internship program with AIFS Abroad, Alexandria leaves you with these final thoughts:
“Interning abroad with AIFS in Spain was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. It strengthened my accounting skills, broadened my global perspective, and gave me confidence that I can succeed anywhere.”
Are you ready to take the leap and intern abroad like Alexandria did in Barcelona with AIFS Abroad? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students and recent graduates intern abroad. Our programs come with many valuable inclusions that are designed to enrich your experience abroad and ease the transition. From coordinating your housing to providing things like integrated career readiness, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and cultural and social activities and excursions, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.
