Business, Design & Innovation
Fall 2024 Semester Barcelona

About the Program

Harness your entrepreneurial spirit in a city that is home to numerous start-up companies, is identified as the main tech city in southern Europe, and ranks among the top 10 European cities for digital entrepreneurship – Barcelona. Through curriculum at CEA CAPA, you will gain many of the skills and concepts needed to become a successful entrepreneur – design thinking, business planning, financial planning, negotiation, marketing, leadership, ethics and more. More importantly, CEA CAPA courses provide you with hands-on opportunities to interact with and learn from the local business community, particularly those leading local and global start-ups. If you’re feeling extra motivated, you can add a professional internship with an entrepreneurial-focused placement. Courses are taught in English, but Spanish language courses are available for every level of ability.

Program Structure

Enroll in 1 CEA CAPA core course focused on language or cultural studies, 2-3 CEA CAPA courses and 1-2 UVic-UCC courses. You can also opt for an internship with an entrepreneurship-focused placement (see below for further details regarding the internship).

Courses meet for 45 contact hours/3 credits per semester. Courses meet twice per week, Monday-Thursday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled for Fridays. Overall, you may earn a total of 12-16 credits (up to 240 contact hours).

Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses and take an online language placement exam. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. If you choose to take a Spanish language or elective course, to ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home university pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Spain. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.

If you selected the internship option, you will take the Global Internship Course alongside your internship placement. This professional development course is designed to accompany your placement so you can make the most of your internship abroad. You will learn how to understand and articulate the value of your internship through the lens of NACE Career Readiness Competencies that employers crave, which will help you stand out to future employers and graduate schools. You will also engage in live cultural discussions that will enhance your global perspective and intercultural awareness between your program location and the U.S. The course comprises of reading, writing, and verbal assignments, including building an e-portfolio, completing mock interviews, developing your online professional presence, giving a final presentation, conducting industry field research work, and more. You can also take advantage of additional CEA CAPA mentoring and career preparation workshops to complement what you learn in the course.

Internship Placement Duration and Hours:
You will intern at your host organization for a total of 12 weeks, not including any agreed upon break-week periods. Throughout your program, you will work 20 hours per week (240 hours total) and will likely intern during standard business hours Mondays-Fridays. Your placement may include in-person, remote, and hybrid work depending on the needs of your host organization.

Internship Credit
You will receive academic credit for your internship abroad via the Global Internship Course and your performance at your internship placement. You can enroll in the course for 3 or 6 credits based on your unique needs and preferences. Whether you enroll in 3 or 6 credits, you will complete 20 hours per week (240 hours total) at your internship placement. The differentiation in the number of credits you choose will come from the amount of coursework and contact hours in the Global Internship Course. Unlike the 3-credit course, for the 6-credit course you will complete an additional robust industry field research project. 

• 3 credits: minimum 240 placement hours (20 hours per week) + Global Internship Course (1.5 hours every other week in class)
• 6 credits: minimum 240 placement hours (20 hours per week) + Global Internship Course (1.5 hours every week in class)

You will choose the number of credits you would like to enroll in for the Global Internship Course during the Internship Placement Process. 

NACE-Certified Career Coaching & Internship Placement Process
Once you’ve submitted your application and required documents for your internship program, your career development adventure will begin! You will be assigned your very own NACE-Certified Career Coach, who will work with you one-on-one throughout pre-departure to guide you through the steps and deadlines of our Internship Placement Process. Your Coach will be your main point of contact for your internship prior to your departure. They will be happy to answer any questions you might have, and will also provide you with personalized career coaching, as needed, so you are set up for success for your internship abroad.

In addition to working with your Career Coach, during the Internship Placement Process you will engage with your In-Country International Internship Coordinator in your location and your potential host site supervisor. Your International Internship Coordinator will draw from your application materials to source and match you with a personalized internship placement that best aligns with your unique experience, skills, career interests, and goals for your internship abroad. Please also note, your host site supervisor will retain the final decision on the finalization of your placement, so it’s important to approach your interview with your host site supervisor with maturity, adaptability, curiosity, and commitment to both your career interests and the host organization.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs*. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

Girona & Besalú

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The charming walled town of Girona is one of Spain's most prosperous and enticing cities. Explore historical remnants of the diverse cultures that have influenced the city through the ages, walk along the steep alleyways of the Jewish quarter, visit one of many art museums, and enjoy beautiful views of the Onyar River. Nearby Besalú is a stunning medieval town designated as a historical national property. You’ll travel in time just by wandering its streets.

Madrid

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As Spain’s capital and largest cosmopolitan city, lively Madrid is known for its friendly locals and innovative art and culture. Visit the Prado Museum, which houses Spanish and European paintings from the 12th to 18th century, and view modern art at the acclaimed Reina Sofia National Art Centre. Stroll around Madrid’s most famous arcaded square, the Plaza Mayor. Visit the Royal Palace and beautiful Park El Retiro. Madrid’s cultural diversity and world-famous art museums are guaranteed to offer something for everyone’s taste.

Penedès Wine Country

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Explore the birthplace of the famous Cava (Catalan champagne) while exploring the vineyards and underground cellars of the Penedès wineries, learning about the wine-making process, and enjoying a wine tasting. Finish the day with a typical Catalan lunch, where you can try favorites like pa amb tomàquet.

Pyrenees and Romanesque Art

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At the northeastern edge of the Pyrenees, Vall de Boí is known for its scenic landscape and for its nine tiny Romanesque churches, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the amazing architecture and paintings before completing your excursion with a hike in the stunning Aigüestortes National Park.