Program Reviews

1️⃣ Break out of your bubble—use Meetup! I joined language exchanges and food tours through the app, connecting with folks from Spain, Brazil, Japan… you name it. It’s not just about Barcelona; it’s a global vibe. You’ll learn slang, hidden spots, and maybe even salsa steps!
2️⃣ Turn “abroad” into a launchpad. I applied for a school library grant to research second-gen Chinese Spaniards’ identity here. Interviewing families, diving into Chinatown’s history—it wasn’t just “academic.” It clicked for me: Chinese-Spanish culture is Catalan culture. Their stories are part of Barcelona’s heartbeat.
3️⃣ Skip shipping from home—trust Barcelona (and the planet!). Unless it’s urgent, don’t haul stuff overseas. Shipping costs a fortune, cranks up your carbon footprint, and honestly? The diaspora here (like the Chinese-Spanish community) has everything. Needing toothpaste? Hit a farmacia. Craving chili oil? Check out shops in El Raval. Hunting for substitutes led me to quirky local tiendas—think olive soap, recycled notebooks, or paprika-spiced chocolate. Bonus: you’ll learn the Catalan word for “aisle”!

Living here taught me: Say “yes” to the weird onions, download that app, chase opportunities that scare you, and trust the local hustle. You’ll taste, learn, and belong in ways you never expected. 🥳 (And yes, always lick the romesco sauce off your fingers… and save the shipping boxes for souvenirs.)

There were so many people involved to make this experience great and I really appreciate everyone who helped me along the way! The city offered endless cultural experiences from tapas to the Castellers . Courses like Intercultural Communications deepened my global perspective. Living in such an active environment taught me independence, adaptability, and the joy of slowing down to embrace life’s moments. The friendships I built and the rich Catalan culture made this experience unforgettable, Barcelona truly has something for everyone! (Especially if you're in to any form of art)

I do not have enough positive things to say about the BSAE team and the experience I had as a student during the Spring 2024 semester. I took 3 classes at SIS (the School for International Studies) and an internship. The professors at SIS are extremely qualified and experienced in their field, and the classes are small and are enriched with different field studies and assignments. I am for sure going to miss my professors. The internship team is amazing, and they work hard to make sure students get the best experience possible.
I also lived in a homestay, and I loved it, I could not imagine my Barcelona experience without my host family. I feel like my host mom is my soulmate, we have so much in common! The amount of personalized support you get from BSAE is unmatched, I just can not imagine studying abroad with another provider that is not BSAE. If you are seeking a true barce-local experience, you MUST consider BSAE. The amount of support they provide to students such as the Barcelona Bucket list, the weekly newsletter, chances to meet staff members for coffee, and even small details such as providing snacks during midterms and finals, shows just how much they care for students. I am so glad I studied abroad with BSAE, I would not have done it any other way.

My experience with the SAE Barcelona study abroad program was nothing short of amazing. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warmth and enthusiasm that set the tone for the entire journey.

The classes at SAE Barcelona were not only informative but also incredibly engaging. The professors were experts in their fields, and their passion for teaching was evident in every lecture. Whether we were diving into the intricacies of sound engineering or exploring the world of digital filmmaking, I always felt supported and encouraged to push myself to new heights.

As for my accommodation at Londres 35, it exceeded my expectations in every way. The apartment was cozy and well-equipped, providing a comfortable retreat after busy days of classes and exploration. Its central location made it easy to explore all that Barcelona has to offer, from its historic landmarks to its vibrant neighborhoods.

Speaking of Barcelona, what a city! There was never a shortage of things to see and do. From admiring Gaudí's masterpieces to indulging in delicious tapas at local eateries, every day brought new adventures and discoveries. And let's not forget about the people - the locals were friendly and welcoming, making me feel right at home from the very beginning.

But perhaps the most memorable aspect of my experience was the sense of community fostered by SAE Barcelona. Whether it was collaborating on projects with classmates or attending events organized by the program, I formed bonds that will last a lifetime. It's incredible how a shared passion for creativity can bring people together from all corners of the globe.

I would say that I really came away with not only new skills and knowledge but also cherished memories and lifelong friendships. If you're considering studying abroad, I can't recommend SAE Barcelona highly enough. It's an experience you won't soon forget.

I have done a study abroad program with SAE during June 2023. The program was organized in partnership with my university, USF (University of South Florida). I took a class taught by my university professor and also an internship that was organized by SAE. Besides that, SAE also organized some activities for us, such as a day trip to Sitges, a visit to Estrela Damm, and a flamenco concert at Palau de Musica. During my month at Spain, I stayed at a homestay organized by SAE. My host mom was Maribel and she is one of the best cooks I've ever met!

Overall, I loved my experience! Barcelona is one of the most beautiful and fun cities I've ever been to and I would honestly live here one day. The city is great in transport, weather, food, night life, parks, stores, whatever you want!

SAE has always been by my side during this process, and I could notice how much the staff cared about my experience. Even though the program wasn't perfect, SAE staff were always so nice and caring to me that nothing made my experience less enjoyable! I would definitely recommend this study abroad program - I specifically came here to study advertising but I am sure any field of study would find its place in Barcelona!

Studying in Barcelona had always been a dream of mine since I was in high school, and Barcelona SAE not only helped me make it come true but it also did it exceeding any expectations I had about it. During my time abroad I was surrounded by a caring and welcoming staff always willing to help make the experience the best one possible, I was paired with the sweetest host mom who made me feel at home all the time, introduced me to local recipes and traditions, and helped me learned more about the city as a local. The almost weekly activities and day trips were one of my favorite parts of the program since they gave us the chance to experience local traditions that otherwise we would have most likely not had the chance to.
In addition, we were offered the opportunity to visit Morocco through a program partnership and it was my favorite weekend trip out of Spain.
If you are looking to get to experience Barcelona as a local during your time abroad, Barcelona SAE is definitely your best option to do so.

My experience with Barcelona SAE during the fall 2022 semester was amazing. Between the awesome activities and the interesting classes I took at UAB, I had one of the most unique experiences of my life. Choosing classes was easy and pretty straightforward, so that eliminated a lot of stress. Meanwhile, the Barcelona SAE staff was always very helpful and a great resource that improved my stay in Barcelona. As I explored the wonderful city, the cultural agendas carefully crafted for each week made me feel like I got the chance to dive deeper into the magic of BCN and experience the city like a local. I attended local festivals and tried local Catalan traditions such as Castellaers, which enriched my stay and understanding of the culture.
The housing I was placed in was in a nice neighborhood, and I felt comfortable walking around at all times. I lived in a student hotel in Poble Sec. The neighborhood was lively because of all the nearby restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, and the metro stops were within a 5 min distance, making transportation easy and comfortable.
I stayed in Barcelona for four months, and of course, there were ups and downs, but overall I am very satisfied because I met a lot of amazing people, and I was part of a program that ensured we got the most out of the city and felt at home away from home. I would recommend this program!

I stayed in a home stay for the 8 week program for the months of June and July. The staff at Barcelona SAE made me feel extremely supported, and I knew I could contact them if I ever had any issues. They did an amazing job at making me feel welcome, comfortable, and safe during my time in Barcelona. The staff genuinely cares about the students wellbeing and provided many opportunities for me to learn more about Barcelona and explore the city. I had an amazing time, and met a lot of great people.

I enjoyed my experience very much in Barcelona through BSAE. It was a great opportunity for me to grow as an individual and to be independent in a new city! Barcelona has so much to do, I visited so many attractions but still could have gone to more after I had to leave. The weather is sunny and hot, but it is great. I would also recommend Barcelona if you are into night life. Bars and clubs stay open very late so there is always something to do, and there are so many diverse restaurants around every corner!

Overall, the experience of completing the SIS + Internship through Barcelona SAE was great. The staff was friendly, helpful, and supportive. The placements were very well organized and matched me very well. I found the classes to be interesting and fun. The professors were all nice, as were my internship mentors.

The program did an excellent job of orienting me in the city of Barcelona. The tours, cooking classes, and other activities were all incredibly interesting, showed a diverse range of barrios in Barcelona, and were great ways to meet new friends.