Four months of siestas, paella and nightlife are what might come to mind when thinking about a semester abroad in Barcelona.
The Spanish metropolis has a lot to offer for Elon students, from business internships and service to a variety of cultural experiences.
Senior Tessa Gebhardt spent the fall semester of her junior year in Barcelona and said that it is a city like no other.
“It is such a lively city where there is always something going on and something new to experience,” Gebhardt said.
Students studying abroad in Barcelona take most of their classes alongside other American students through the Council on International Educational Exchange. They are also required to take at least one class at either Escola Superior de Comerç Internacional or Universitat de Vic, where they are in the classroom with students from all over the world.
Elon offers four programs in Barcelona: Business and Culture, Business and Economics, Language and Culture and Language and Arts.
Students participating in the Business and Culture or Economics and Culture programs have the opportunity to complete an Elon Learning Requirement through an internship.
Gebhardt participated in the Business and Culture program and was able to secure an internship at the corporate finance company TeamOn.
“It’s so different how they do business there, so that was interesting to be able to get an insight on how business is run there,” Gebheardt said.
The big-city feel is what GEC representative Shanna Van Beek said she believes attracts many Elon students to pick Barcelona for their semester abroad.
“Barcelona is like no city in the United States, so it really allows students to have a completely new experience culturally” Beek said.