Physical Therapy Internships: Intern abroad in Barcelona, Spain
Take your first step into the world of physical therapy. During this internship, you’ll shadow expert therapists, assist with treatments, and explore a variety of rehabilitation specialties. Learn how personalized therapy plans help patients recover from injury, surgery, and illness, gaining a deep appreciation for the transformative power of movement and care.
What to expect from your Physical Therapy internship:
- Learn about modern physiotherapy practices and specialties.
- Experience diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of injuries.
- Practice Spanish language to build cross-cultural communication skills.
Your internship abroad host organization:
- Non-profit health centers
- Private clinics
- Wellness centers
- Local sports teams / athletic clinics
- Gyms with physiotherapy and wellness services
- Rehab clinics
- Physiotherapy clinics
Internship details
If you’re seeking relevant clinical experience, come to Barcelona for your Physical Therapy internship! Placements are provided across a diverse range of treatment and rehabilitation centers, offering practical learning opportunities for students and young professionals at a range of levels. Build skills and confidence, while observing treatments that make a difference.
This is an in-country internship, with accommodation included. Explore remote internships, if you’re looking for an internship that you can undertake from home.
Physical Therapy internships offer an authentic look into the daily work of therapists, equipping you with a pragmatic understanding of the role. Gain mentorship from professionals who can share their experience related to treatment techniques, customer satisfaction, and industry best practices.
Interns are welcome to express their placement preferences. Depending on your placement, you may be based in non-profit health centers supporting people with disabilities, private rehabilitation clinics, fitness and wellness facilities, or working alongside sports teams to help athletes recover and perform at their best. There are broad learning opportunities available, for students and recent graduates of diverse levels and abilities. All expressed preferences are subject to availability.
Do I need to speak Spanish for this internship?
Spanish or other foreign languages are not a requirement to join. However, interns should expect that a language barrier can still be encountered to a certain extent. Come prepared and willing to surmount a language barrier (and ask for help when needed), as opposed to being intimidated by it.
What can a Physical Therapy intern expect?
Interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, to build an understanding of what you can develop, learn, and contribute. Interns are encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback, so that your supervisor(s) understands how you’re progressing and can assist to develop your internship accordingly.
Physical Therapy internships in Barcelona may be primarily observational, where you bridge the gap between theory and practice, in a supervised, structured environment. Support patient assessments, treatment planning, and rehabilitation sessions, while learning how techniques are adapted according to diverse patients and their goals.
This experience offers an excellent platform to strengthen your practical understanding of physiotherapy, while building greater cultural awareness, independence, and confidence.
Typical Schedule
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Monday to Friday, up to 8 hours per day.
What are the career benefits of interning abroad as a Physical Therapy Intern?
Physical Therapy interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Assisting, observing and shadowing licensed physical therapists.
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Diagnosing and treating injuries.
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Planning rehabilitation schedules and exercises.
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Contributing to treatment research.
Professional development opportunities:
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Gain a practical understanding into the exact day-to-day duties of therapists.
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Observe therapy treatments in a foreign environment.
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Learn how to build communication and manage patient relationships.
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Enhance interpersonal communication, empathy, and motivation skills.
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Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum.
Are you eligible for this internship?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Spain photo gallery
Academic credit available for all internships
Get course credit from your college or university while completing your internship abroad or a remote internship program. It's a great way to meet your academic requirements and gain valuable experience at the same time.
Learn about course creditProgram fees
Applying for our Physical Therapy Internship is completely free! The support package covers the assistance we provide in finding your internship and arranging your living accommodations in your host country, ensuring you thrive during your program.
Please note that a deposit of US$499 is required to confirm your place. The remaining balance (minus your initial US$499 deposit) is due at least 60 days before your internship start date.
Duration |
Program Fee |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks | $3,800 Equivalent to $135 /day |
| 5 weeks | $4,190 Equivalent to $119 /day |
| 6 weeks | $4,595 Equivalent to $109 /day |
| 8 weeks | $5,288 Equivalent to $94 /day |
| 10 weeks | $6,104 Equivalent to $87 /day |
| 12 weeks | $6,800 Equivalent to $80 /day |
- Airport pick-up
- Five introductory Spanish lessons (online)
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- Program orientation
- Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
- In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
- Sourcing and securing your internship placement
- Personalization of your internship plan
- Coaching from your supervisor
- Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
- Academic credit facilitation
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- Meals
- All in-country transportation
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- €200 refundable accommodation security bond
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Barcelona
Take your internship to the next level with Intern Abroad HQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Barcelona! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto an internship program.
Learn the fiery rhythms and mesmerizing movements of the traditional Flamenco dance
Sit back and enjoy a traditional Flamenco show
Sit back and enjoy a traditional Flamenco show followed by a traditional Spanish dinner
Spanish lessons
Fluency in Spanish is not a requirement; however, basic Spanish skills are strongly recommended. Your program fees include five introductory Spanish language lessons which are provided in order to boost confidence and assist with social and cultural integration. Any additional Spanish language lessons must be coordinated and paid for separately.
We encourage all interns to take advantage of the opportunity to learn some Spanish skills during their program (or develop their existing vocabulary) to maximize the impact of the internship experience. The language lessons are tailored to each interns current level of Spanish, run from Monday to Friday and can be accommodated around your internship schedule. Classes are run in small groups by certified native speaking Spanish teachers.
Weekends and travel
During the internship schedule, interns have weekends available for free time. It’s almost impossible not to fall in love with a city like Barcelona. With its unique architecture inspired by world renowned artist Antonio Gaudi, vibrant culture, colorful art scene, delicious food and excellent football, interns will be spoilt for choice as to how best to spend their weekends and free time.
Discover the hidden alleyways of the Gothic Quarter, marvel at the Sagrada Família, sit and enjoy live music, savor the flavors on offer at the Boqueria Market or hire a boat and discover the wonders of the Mediterranean coastline. There are endless things to see and do!
- Sagrada Familia: The life’s work of Catalonia’s most famous architect, Antoni Gaud, you’ll be awestruck by the contrasting façades, sculpted details and stained glass.
- Picasso Museum: Enjoy over 4,000 works by the famous artist himself.
- Dos Pebrots: Eat like a Catalan and try a range of delicious traditional dishes at this popular restaurant famous for its Mediterranean cuisine.
- Gaudí’s Park Güell: Gardens, color, sculpture, there is no better place to enjoy the sunshine than basking in the wacky architecture of Gaudi.
- Barcelona’s beaches: With 4.5 km of coastline, you can’t miss a chance to relax and unwind with a cool drink and a good book alongside blue ocean waters.
- La Boqueria Market: Enjoy fresh produce, local dishes, delicious smells and the taste of Spain in Barcelona’s best known market.
Arrival and Orientation
When are internships in Barcelona, Spain available?
Internships in Barcelona, Spain, begin every Monday of the year. Exceptions to this schedule may be made when start dates are shifted to avoid public holiday disruptions, or closed when the program has already reached capacity. Interns may choose to spend a minimum of 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
When do you need to arrive and check-in?
Airport pick up and accommodation is included in the Program Fee. Accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before Monday start dates - interns are required to arrive no later than the Sunday before their Monday start date, as orientations are held on the Monday.
The typical port of entry is the Aeroport de Barcelona-El Prat (BCN). If you are planning to spend time independently in Spain prior to the internship and will not require an airport pick up, we can discuss alternative arrival logistics. Upon arrival, interns will be met, greeted, and transferred to their accommodation.
The last night of the accommodation is the Friday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Saturday. Extra nights of accommodation can be arranged in advance, if requested, and are subject to availability.
Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.
What does the orientation cover?
Orientation covers important details for your internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, language lessons, cultural excursions, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow the general orientation, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.
Your internship program fee includes five introductory online Spanish language lessons which are provided as a way of boosting confidence and assisting with social and cultural integration prior to arrival. Any additional Spanish language lessons must be coordinated and paid for separately.
Check what's required to visit Spain
Check out the widget below to learn about the visa requirements for the Physical Therapy internship in Spain, based on your country of residence.
Accommodation and WiFi
What kind of accommodation is provided for interns in Barcelona?
Interns in Barcelona are accommodated in clean and comfortable, fully furnished apartments or selected hotel / hostel rooms. Bedding and furnishings are provided, as well as common areas such as lounge, kitchen and laundry facilities. Standard amenities include whiteware (i.e. washing machine, stovetop, fridge, microwave) and clean linen (i.e. bed sheets, pillows, towels). Accommodation includes internet / WiFi access.
Please note that an accommodation bond / security deposit is required of guests, to ensure that rooms are maintained in good condition. The amount is €200. When your accommodation has been assigned for the internship, and the details are provided to you in advance, you will be provided with an online link to complete the security deposit (and you will receive a receipt). This transaction will be fully refunded to you, after accommodation check-out and inspection, provided that no damages or losses to the property have been incurred by you.
The accommodation pictured in the photo gallery of this webpage is provided as an example. Since we work with more than one apartment, the exact accommodation that you’re assigned may differ from the photos. Room features and sizes vary.
Any requests to exclude the accommodation service from your internship experience, in order for you to make independent arrangements, must be discussed and confirmed in advance.
Is the accommodation shared?
Yes, it is intended to be shared accommodation. In most cases, between four to six guests can be accommodated per apartment, or selected hotel / hostel room. Participants should be prepared to share common living spaces, such as shared kitchen, living, dining, and bathroom areas. Please note that shared apartments may be mixed-gender. However, every guest has a private bedroom within the accommodation, with either a single or double bed.
Requests to intern alongside friends and stay with them, in the same accommodation, are always welcome. Likewise, requests for any exceptional accommodation arrangements are subject to availability and must be communicated in advance of the internship start date.
Where in Barcelona is the intern accommodation located?
Our accommodation options in Barcelona are typically located in suburban areas of the city, with convenient access to public transportation routes. Your internship placement will always be arranged first and your accommodation plans will be made secondarily. This ensures that your assigned accommodation takes into consideration the location of your internship.
What is required for commuting between the accommodation and internship placement?
Due to the layout of Barcelona’s urban and residential areas, it is normal to expect a commute, via public transport (Metro and bus lines), to and from your internship placement. If a commute is required (from your accommodation to your internship placement) then the travel time can be up to 60 to 90 minutes. There are ample public transportation options to utilize such as buses, metro, trams, and taxis. Transportation apps can be downloaded onto your phone at the program orientation. These can make it very easy to plan your commutes.
Meals
Internships in Barcelona do not include meals, as kitchen facilities are provided within all of the accommodations and supermarkets are easily accessible.
In Barcelona, breakfast is usually a light meal, consisting of coffee and a pastry. You can find offers for this around the city for less than €5. Prepare to pay twice as much, or more, if you want more of an international “brunch” style of breakfast instead. After a light breakfast, it’s common to have a midday snack and you can get fresh fruits from the markets for this.
There are many excellent restaurants to choose from in Barcelona and they typically offer special lunch menus in the afternoon, the “menú del día”, which ranges from €10–€15 (this is what the locals will eat). The menú del día normally includes two to three courses, bread, a drink and some water. Lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain, so you might opt for a lighter dinner in the evening.
If you’re eating out for dinner, expect that it will be late. Simple tapas can cost about €4 - €6 each (depending on where you are choosing to dine).
A budget of approx. €35 or €40 per person, per day, (approx. US$40) is probably sufficient for buying every meal and enjoying great food. However, depending on your own spending habits and lifestyle choices, personal budgets can vary enormously. If you eat out at restaurants and buy beverages frequently, this will cost a lot more than just purchasing food from supermarkets and preparing your own meals within the accommodation’s kitchen facilities.
Essential country information
| Capital | Madrid |
| Population | 46.5 million |
| Languages | Spanish (official), Catalan, Galician, Basque, Occitan (co-official languages) |
| Currency | Euro (€ - EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 |
Weather and climate:
Spain has a very varied climate, according to the geographical situation of different regions. Most of the country is considered to be within a Mediterranean zone, which is characterized by warm/hot and dry summers. However, areas with relatively high rainfall are considered to be oceanic climatic regions, rather than Mediterranean. The northern quarter of Spain, which is within the Atlantic region, falls within this oceanic climate category, where winter and summer temperatures are influenced by the ocean. The southeastern quarter of Spain has a semi-arid climate, where the dry season can extend beyond the typical summer season.
In Barcelona, it is dry year round. The summers are warm, muggy, and mostly clear. The hot summer season runs from June through September, with an average daily high temperature above 91°F (33°C). The winter months, from November through March, are cold, windy, and partly cloudy. During this time, the average daily high temperature is below 58°F (15°C).
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