{"id":21217,"date":"2019-04-03T09:41:01","date_gmt":"2019-04-03T08:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/top-3-des-differences-de-travail\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T17:00:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T16:00:57","slug":"top-3-differences-barcelona-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/blog\/top-3-differences-barcelona-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 3 differences in workplace culture between Barcelona and France"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Top 3 differences in workplace culture between Barcelona and France<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n
Doing an internship in Barcelona<\/strong> is a unique experience: a new city, a new culture, and new professional habits.If you come from France, some things will probably surprise you in your workplace environment in Spain. Professional relationships, schedules, and even break times do not work exactly the same way.<\/p>\n

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

To make it more concrete, we have also included a few anecdotes shared by students who completed their internships abroad<\/strong> with Stud&Globe.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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\ud83c\udf0e APPLY NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/header>\n
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\ud83e\udd1d A much more natural use of first names<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first difference that often surprises French students concerns the use of formal language at work.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

For many international students, this makes it easier to integrate into the team and creates a more friendly workplace atmosphere.<\/p>\n

Cultural anecdote<\/h3>\n

You might also hear expressions such as:<\/p>\n

\u201c\u00bfQu\u00e9 tal, cari\u00f1o?\u201d<\/strong>
\n(How are you, dear?)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

At first, this can feel surprising. But most students adapt very quickly to this warmer social culture.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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\ud83d\udd66 Later working hours<\/span><\/h2>\n

The second major difference is the rhythm of the day.<\/p>\n

France and Spain share the same time zone. However, the Spanish lifestyle is noticeably later, and this is reflected in the workplace.<\/p>\n

In many companies in Barcelona, the working day may look like this:<\/p>\n