But that is exactly what makes an international experience so enriching. To help you better understand the work culture in Barcelona, here are three major differences between France and Spain that you will quickly notice during your internship.

To make it more concrete, we have also included a few anecdotes shared by students who completed their internships abroad with Stud&Globe.

🤝 A much more natural use of first names

The first difference that often surprises French students concerns the use of formal language at work.

In France, using formal language with your manager or colleagues is still very common. It creates a certain professional distance and reflects respect for hierarchy.

In Spain, and especially in Barcelona, things are quite different. Using informal language is very common, even with people you have just met.

It is not unusual to quickly address your manager, colleagues, or even professional partners in an informal way. This style of communication helps create a more relaxed and horizontal working environment. Hierarchy still exists, of course, but it is often less formal.

For many international students, this makes it easier to integrate into the team and creates a more friendly workplace atmosphere.

Cultural anecdote

You might also hear expressions such as:

“¿Qué tal, cariño?”
(How are you, dear?)

Spanish people tend to communicate in a warmer and more expressive way than what French people are sometimes used to. They are also more spontaneous and tactile. Friendly greetings and cheek kisses can happen quite quickly, even in a professional context.

At first, this can feel surprising. But most students adapt very quickly to this warmer social culture.

🕦 Later working hours

The second major difference is the rhythm of the day.

France and Spain share the same time zone. However, the Spanish lifestyle is noticeably later, and this is reflected in the workplace.

In many companies in Barcelona, the working day may look like this:

• Start of the day around 9 AM
• Coffee or breakfast break around 10 AM
• Back to work around 11 AM
• Lunch around 2 PM
• Back to work around 3 PM
• End of the day around 6 PM

These schedules may vary depending on the company, but the general idea remains the same: breaks and meals happen later than in France. For a French student, this can require a short adjustment period.

However, this rhythm is part of a Mediterranean lifestyle where social moments and breaks are highly valued.

Daily life anecdote

If you are used to having dinner around 7:30 or 8 PM in France, get ready to change your habits. In Spain, it is common to have dinner around 9:30 PM or even 10 PM.

At first, your stomach may complain a little. But you will quickly adapt to the local rhythm.

Another advantage: in Barcelona, shops close later. Many stores remain open until 9 or 9:30 PM, and some supermarkets stay open until midnight or even 24 hours a day.

🧀 Savory breakfast: a Spanish tradition

In France, breakfast is usually sweet: coffee, croissants, toast, and jam. In Spain, it is quite different.

During your morning break with colleagues, you will often hear people order:

• Pan con tomate
• Bocadillo
• Almuerzo

Pan con tomate is a very popular specialty in Catalonia. It is simply bread rubbed with fresh tomato, often served with olive oil and sometimes garlic. Simple, but delicious.

The bocadillo is a typical Spanish sandwich.

The almuerzo is a more substantial break, usually involving a large sandwich filled with different ingredients.

For someone used to a French coffee-and-croissant breakfast, this savory morning meal may be surprising. However, it is an important part of Spanish food culture.

Food anecdote

If you want to make a good impression on your colleagues during an internship in Barcelona, avoid bringing croissants.

Instead, bring pan con tomate. Guaranteed success.

And if you cannot live without your sweet breakfast, do not worry: Barcelona is full of international bakeries and cafés.

🇪🇸 Why doing an internship in Barcelona is a unique experience

Beyond these cultural differences, working in Barcelona helps you develop highly valued skills:

• Adaptability in an international environment
• Intercultural communication
• Autonomy and open-mindedness
• Foreign language skills

These experiences are highly valued by recruiters. An internship abroad does not only help you develop professional skills. It also contributes to significant personal growth.

Discovering different ways of working, communicating, and collaborating helps you gain perspective on your own cultural habits. That is precisely what makes international mobility so enriching.

Find an internship in Barcelona with Stud&Globe

Are you planning to do your internship in Barcelona?

At Stud&Globe, we support many students every year in their international professional experience.

We help you:

• Find a company that matches your profile
• Organize your internship abroad
• Prepare your arrival
• Integrate into your new professional environment

Our goal is simple: to help you enjoy a safe and enriching international experience.