International Engineering Program
Spanish
One of the most widely spoken languages in the world, fluency in Spanish is a necessity for many global engineering careers. The demand for culturally sophisticated bilingual professionals capable of functioning in our diverse global marketplace is expected to increase in the coming years, especially as the economies of Europe and Latin America expand. Even here in the United States, Spanish is spoken widely at engineering firms.
Spanish IEP students study abroad in Spain at one of our Spanish partner universities: the University of Navarra, University of Cantabria, or University of Zaragoza. After their semester at a partner university, students complete six-month internships – some of them paid either by the company or a scholarship – in Spain or in Latin America. Students have interned at companies such as: Boston Scientific, Epic Power, GeoCiclos, Vidal Vademecum, Opel, Ennera, 3PBio, Baird & Associates, Codelco, Tecnalia, Era7 and SEAT, among others, or at one of the top research labs at our partner institutions.
Partner Universities
Browse descriptions of each institution in URIAbroad, our study abroad database.
Partner Corporations
Canary Islands
ECOS Canarias S.L. (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)
Subseamechatronics (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)
ULPGC (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)
Chile
Alakaluf (Punta Arenas)
Baird & Associates (Santiago)
BASF (Ludwigshafen, Santiago)
Codelco (Santiago)
GeoCiclos (Viña del Mar)
Geotecnia Ambiental (Valparaíso)
Novacare (Concepción)
Núcleo Biotecnología Curauma (NBC) (Curauma)
Puerto Ventanas (Puchuncavi)
Costa Rica
Boston Scientific (Coyol)
Ecuador
Ennera (Ibarra)
Ibaia Energía (Beasain, Ibarra)
Mexico
Texas Instruments (Aguascalientes)
ZF (various locations in Germany, Spain, France, USA, Mexico, China, Italy)
Puerto Rico
Bard Shannon, Ltd. (Humacao)
Spain
3P Biopharmaceuticals (Noáin)
Abengoa (Sevilla)
Air Nostrum (Valencia)
Apia XXI (Santander)
Arup (Madrid)
Astilleros de Santander A.S (Santander)
B&J Adaptaciones (Barcelona)
CEIT (San Sebastián)
CiBA (Zaragoza)
CIRCE (Zaragoza)
Communication Technologies Research Grp (Zaragoza)
Controls Engineering Group (UNICAN – Santander)
CREG Catalysis, Molecular Separations & Reactor
Engineering Group (Zaragoza)
Departamento de Ciencias y Técnicas del Agua y del Medio Ambiente Lab (UNICAN – Santander)
Ennera (Zaragoza)
Epic Power (Zaragoza)
Era7 (Granada)
Everis (Barcelona)
Fatronik (San Sebastián)
Gamesa S.A (Bilbao)
General Motors (Zaragoza)
GKN Driveline (Zumaia)
Grupo de Biomateriales (GBM) (Zaragoza)
Grupo de Ingeniería Oceanográfica y de Costas Universidad de Cantabria (Santander)
Grupo GIST (Santander)
Hexagon (various locations in Germany, Spain, France, USA, China, Italy and Japan)
Hilti (Kaufering, Schaan, Madrid)
Hope Global (León)
Ibaia Energía (Beasain, Ibarra)
IDOM (Bilbao, Zaragoza)
IH Cantabria (Santander)
Indaber Ibiza (Ibiza)
Ingenieria Geotécnica y Geoambiental (UNICAN – Santander)
Ingeniería Informática y Electrónica (UNICAN – Santander)
Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental (Cantabria)
IQE (Zaragoza)
King Marine (Valencia)
Kolbenschmidt Pierburg (Neckarsulm, Abadiano)
Lemförder AG (SC, Spain, Germany)
Lur Geroa (Irurtzun)
Mechanical Engineering Lab (TECNUN – San Sebastián)
Opel (Zaragoza)
Pedelta (Barcelona)
Praxair (Spain)
Puerto Santander (Santander)
Robotiker (Zamudio)
SAMTACK (Barcelona)
SEAT S.A. (Barcelona, Martotell)
Tecnalia (Derio, San Sebastián)
Thermochemical Processes Research Grp (Zaragoza)
ZF (various locations in Germany, Spain, France, USA, Mexico, China, Italy)
Vidal Vademecum (Madrid)
Additional language opportunities
Spanish IEP Sustainability Project and Study Tour
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso (PUCV), Valparaiso, Chile
URI J-Term, January, over winter break)
This intensive program, taking place in the engineering laboratories of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso (PUCV), gives participants the chance to work as part of an international team on an engineering service-learning project. Under the guidance of engineering faculty from both URI and PUCV, students will study anaerobic energy systems, create portable anaerobic models, and share them with people in rural communities. Outside the lab, students will have the opportunity to enjoy the summer weather in Valparaiso, visit important sites of cultural and technological interest and enjoy local recreational activities. During the program, students will earn 1 – 4 URI credits. Visit the URI Faculty-Led Programs page for additional information and current offerings.
Universidad de Zaragoza
Universidad de Zaragoza (Zaragoza, Spain and Jaca, Spain)
Take Your Spanish Skills to the Next Level in Jaca, Spain. This program, open to all, is offered throughout the year in Zaragoza; and during the month of August in Jaca. Summer programs offer two- and four-week options and the application deadline is March. Visit the program’s website for additional information, and be sure to let your Spanish IEP Director know that you plan on applying/participating.
Universidad de Cantabria
Universidad de Cantabria (Santander, Spain)
This program, open to everyone, is offered every year in summer and also during academic year. Tuition is free for IEP students during their exchange year abroad. Visit the program’s website for additional information.