University of Oklahoma student Anna wanted practical skills to strengthen her resume and prepare for a career in international business. So she traveled to Barcelona, Spain, for a 4-week Business Development internship. She paired it with Intern Abroad HQ’s academic credit program and earned credit on a transcript issued by the University of Montana.
Read on to find out how she earned academic credit abroad while gaining real-world experience to complement her studies in International Business and Supply Chain Management.
Hi Anna! Tell us, what were your first impressions of Spain?
One of the biggest surprises was how much Barcelona reminded me of New York City. Although I grew up in Oklahoma City, I had spent a lot of time visiting family in New York and was already familiar with relying on public transportation and walking to get around. I adapted quickly to Barcelona’s metro system and loved having restaurants and shops within walking distance.
The main difference I noticed was that Barcelona’s atmosphere felt much calmer and less hectic than New York, and walking through the city quickly became one of my favorite parts of the experience.
In what ways did you adapt to the local Spanish culture during your internship?
I adapted in several ways throughout my internship. Professionally, I adjusted my communication style by using more formal, precise language when preparing documents for government and institutional audiences. I also learned to embrace Barcelona’s slower, relationship-focused business culture and became more patient with different approaches to collaboration and decision-making.
I paid close attention to workplace norms, such as dress expectations, meeting etiquette and how supervisors and colleagues interacted, learning through observation rather than formal instruction. Outside my internship, I also became comfortable with local greeting customs and the extra warmth people often show during introductions.
What techniques did you use to overcome the Spanish language barrier?
I focused on communicating as clearly as possible by using simple, direct language and avoiding idioms or expressions that might not translate well across cultures.
I also paid close attention to body language and non-verbal communication, recognizing that these often conveyed as much meaning as spoken words. Rather than assuming I had understood correctly, I regularly confirmed information by restating key points or asking follow-up questions. Most importantly, I approached communication with patience. Good cross-cultural conversations take effort and understanding from everyone involved.
What tasks were you involved in during your Business Development internship?
During my internship, I drafted and revised government-facing briefings and presentation materials. I helped plan and deliver a large international industry event through event coordination and stakeholder communications. I also contributed research and proposal writing for collaborative projects with partners from across Europe.
On top of that, I assisted with innovation studies, strategic reports and projects connecting private companies, universities, research centers and public organizations. I also explored Barcelona’s innovation sector through site visits and industry events, which showed me how the city’s startup scene runs.
How did this internship help you achieve your long-term career goals?
As an International Business and Supply Chain Management major, this internship aligned closely with my long-term career goals by giving me practical exposure to international business in a real-world setting.
I contributed to projects that brought together private companies, government organizations and international stakeholders, which gave me insight into how cross-border business relationships are managed. Preparing reports and briefing materials also strengthened my ability to adapt communication for different professional and cultural audiences.
The experience broadened my understanding of how governments, businesses and research organizations collaborate on innovation and international projects. It also strengthened skills that matter in supply chain management, including managing stakeholder feedback, adapting to different priorities and keeping complex, multi-stage processes on track. I’ll carry those communication and problem-solving skills into whatever role comes next.
What was the most challenging part of your internship abroad?
The most challenging part was adapting to the daily rhythm in Spain. Although I knew about the country’s more relaxed lifestyle before arriving, it still took time to adjust after living such a fast-paced life in the United States.
Even while attending my internship five days a week and taking a course, I found myself with much more free time than I was used to. The slower pace initially contributed to some homesickness, and the time difference also made it difficult to stay connected with family and friends back home.
What advice would you give to future interns?
My biggest piece of advice would be to assume that most of the confusion or frustration you experience during your first few weeks will be cultural rather than personal.
When processes move more slowly, communication feels different or workplace norms are unfamiliar, it is easy to interpret those differences as problems. Instead, I learned to see them as opportunities to better understand another culture. Observing before trying to change things helped me appreciate that many workplace practices exist for reasons that may not be immediately obvious.
Finally, I realized that adapting to another culture does not mean losing your own identity. The goal is to expand your perspective and become comfortable moving between different ways of thinking while staying true to yourself. That ability to read and adapt to another culture is one of the most valuable skills an international internship can give you.
FAQs
Tasks depend on your host organization. Interns typically support business growth strategy, market research, data analysis and report writing. Some also help with content creation or translations. Anna drafted government briefings and helped plan a large international industry event.
Yes. You can pair your internship with Intern Abroad HQ’s academic credit program. Credit is issued by an accredited US institution, such as the University of Montana, and every 40 internship hours earns one credit. Your home university makes the final decision on whether the credit transfers, so check with your academic advisor before you enroll.
Expect to build the skills employers look for in business graduates: professional writing, business research, stakeholder management and cross-cultural communication. Anna also learned to adapt her writing for government audiences and keep projects moving when priorities shifted.
Barcelona is known for its startup and innovation scene, so business interns get close to companies, universities and public organizations partnering on new projects. Outside your internship, the city is easy to get around on foot and by metro, and you’ll build an international network along the way.
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