CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

Name: CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
Brand: CEA CAPA Education Abroad
SKU: 15924
Rating: 4.9 (86 reviews)

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Location

Spain
- Barcelona

Term

Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter

Subject Areas

Accounting Advertising Art History Business Communications Cultural Studies Design Economics Education Engineering Environmental Studies European Studies Film Finance History Hospitality Humanities International Business International Relations Journalism Law Linguistics Literature Marketing Philosophy Photography Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Sciences Sociology Sports Science Tourism +23

Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, Work study, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Degree Level

High School Diploma Associates Bachelors

Housing

Apartment Dormitory Host Family

Language

English

Pricing

Price Details

Included: Personalized Pre-departure Advising; Tuition & Registration; Travel Medical Insurance; On-site Orientation; Housing; Volunteer Opportunities; On-site Staff Support; Excursions and Cultural Engagement; Host Institution Services & Amenities and more. Scholarships available.

What's Included

Some Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2023

Last Reviewed: Oct 09, 2024

Wish List

104 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city, features a cosmopolitan atmosphere, a temperate climate, marvelous art, and amazing opportunities to learn. Gaze upon Antoni Gaudí’s gothic Sagrada Familia, the church of the Holy Family. Enjoy delicious tapas as you socialize with new friends! Experience the thrill of soccer at Europe’s largest stadium, Camp Nou.

To give you the widest range of options, CEA CAPA partners with some of Spain’s best universities, including University of Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, University of Vic, and Pompeu Fabra University, CETT- University of Barcelona and ESADE Business School. You can study at one of these prestigious institutions, or at CEA CAPA's Barcelona Center, located in the heart of the city. You can also experience both with a hybrid learning program.

Interested? Click the “Visit Site” button to learn what’s waiting for you!

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Video and Photos

CEA CAPA Study Abroad Students in Barcelona, Spain

Sagrada Familia in front of sun in Barcelona, Spain

CEA CAPA students overlooking Barcelona, Spain

Plaza de Catalunya at sunset in Barcelona, Spain

Side view of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

CEA CAPA student on stairs at Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain

CEA CAPA student at Parc Ciutadella in Barcelona, Spain

CEA CAPA students pose on stairs for picture

Alhambra architecture on excursion with CEA CAPA

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

CEA CAPA provides, in conjunction with Diversity Abroad, Destination Guides which provide resources and tips for Black/African-American students, Latinx students, Asian American students, and all other students of color.

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LGBTQIA+ Support

Through our personalized advising, CEA CAPA takes steps to understand the needs of a diversity of student identities like the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to diversity and identity training, CEA CAPA leadership engage in continuous department level project work to identify and revise policies and practices using the appropriate Justice, Equity, Diversity or Inclusion lens as a frame to reduce bias and barriers that impact students, faculty, and staff. CEA CAPA is intentional in elevating diverse student voices and providing a platform for a broad array of identities to share their experiences abroad. The CEA CAPA World Blog promotes stories and personal experiences from the perspectives of diverse student bloggers and vloggers.

Neurodivergent Support

CEA CAPA is willing and able to assist students with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Students are requested to disclose disabilities through the application health forms as part of their application and in discussion with their application advisor or program manager. The earlier CEA CAPA is made aware of learning or physical disabilities the better we can work with the student, institution, and overseas team to tailor an Individualized Education Program if necessary to support the student.

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Impact

Sustainability

CEA CAPA makes a conscious effort to create study abroad experiences that leave a positive impact on host communities. Each location implements a variety of strategies to support the local community and promote sustainability. Examples include:

Use of recycling bins in Study Center locations and in CEA CAPA housing

Signage in CEA CAPA housing urging students to limit water and electricity usage

Students are often given reusable bags and water bottles upon arrival to limit single plastic use

Students are provided with instructions for acquiring transportation passes to promote use of public transportation rather than taxis

Program Highlights

Hands-on learning experiences that transform the world abroad into a classroom
Personalized Pre-Departure Advising, including visa and immigration support
Courses offered in English that fulfill major and general graduation requirements
Comprehensive on-site support, including 24/7 emergency phone
Career workshops, Internships Abroad, and Alumni Ambassador positions

Program Reviews

4.90 Rating

based on 86 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Study

5 rating 90.7%
4 rating 8.14%
3 rating 1.16%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4.2
Support 4.8
Fun 4.9
Housing 4.65
Safety 4.7

Good for Students, Adventure travelers, Foodies

Showing 1 - 8 of 86 reviews

My experience is Barcelona was beyond incredible. I was fortunate to spend a whole summer studying business while embracing and adhering to new cultures. I learned so much while making new friends and connections along the way. CEA CAPA provided everything I needed and performed in such an exceptional way. CEA CAPA made my life and experience so much easier while abroad. From the engaging classwork, to the school mandated field trips, I really experienced it all. One of my favorite things I experienced while abroad was a tapas cooking class.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

The most exciting thing I saw was the running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain!

Pros

Adrenaline Rush
Once in a lifetime experience
Meeting locals and people of the bull culture

Cons

Scary Bulls running at you

My time in Barcelona with CEA CAPA was life changing! Barcelona is the perfect place to study abroad if you love a busy city, beaches, and rich culture. I felt so immersed in the city for the 5 months that i was there. The food, people, nightlife, beautiful architecture, all make this place so special. I had the most incredible time traveling on the weekends and exploring the city on the weekdays. CEA made everything so easy and comfortable for students. I could not recommend Barcelona enough!!!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice to future travelers would be to soak up everything in your home city. Traveling is incredible but it is so special to call a place home. Be sure to find festivals, sports events, social events, new restaurants etc.

Pros

Travel
Busy city life
Courses and professors

Cons

Housing options
Expenses
N/A

I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain earlier this year and experienced the best 4 months of my life! If I could go back and do this experience again, I would. Barcelona is now some place I can consider somewhere I would like to live. The social scene is unbeatable filled with so much history and beautiful architecture. It is in a great location to plan other travels and the food is fantastic! There was never a dull moment or a time where I was bored. The beach is beautiful and so many activities nearby.

I loved studying abroad in Barcelona because it gave me the ability to immerse myself in a different culture all while still feeling safe and secure. It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone at first but I am so grateful it did! Had I not studied abroad I would have never been able to see Barcelona and all the amazing qualities it offers. Studying abroad allowed me to come out of my shell as an introvert and truly become a confident more sophisticated version of myself. The city is absolutely beautiful and filled with opportunities and unique experiences. Although it's big, I never felt alone or overwhelmed due to the incredible and supportive CEA staff. I can not recommend Barcelona and the CEA CAPA team enough!!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My number one tip I would share with all interested students is to pack light but make sure to pack the little things. Pack light meaning do not bring all your clothes and shoes, because you will without a doubt buy more there! The shopping is amazing in Barcelona so you will want to save room in your suitcase for that. Most importantly don't forget to pack the little things-- hairbrush, dry shampoo, chargers, face wash, shampoo/conditoner, etc. All the little things you use on a daily basis at home will be just as important to bring with you on your trip! My last piece of advice is to travel as much as possible on the weekends. Europe is filled with beautiful remarkable cities and countries that you won't want to miss out on. The flights are pretty cheap and traveling with your freinds/roomates is an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. I can't recommend that enough!

Pros

Easy transportation
amazing location - lots to do
incredible food filled with variety

Cons

lots of walking- i personally didn't mind but it can be hard for others
a good bit of homeless people/beggars in the main city
pick pocketing!!! be aware of yourself and your belongings AT ALL TIMES!

My time is Barcelona was amazing and life changing like everyone says when they go abroad. I have never been to a city I loved so much and CEA made it even more enjoyable with interactive workshops you could sign up for included in the program cost and support with daily tasks such as getting metro cards and transportation. My favorite interactive activity I did was the tapa cooking class where we were met by a local chef and prepared 10 different tapas and the Flamenco class I took with a local Flamenco dancer.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

I would live with a host family. One of the biggest reasons I elected to go to Barcelona was to improve my Spanish however by living in an apartment I did not practice my Spanish nearly as much as my peers who lived with host families who only spoke Spanish. Especially since the majority of the city can speak English, I highly recommend this!

Pros

Cultural immersion: I took classes at a local university
Rich History: taken to museums and historical sites with the program

Cons

My housing was not ideal- apartment was very old, many things broken and water was turned off several times
Not a lot of class options and classes that were academically challenging

I absolutely loved my time abroad with CEA CAPA in Barcelona, Spain. I found amazing roommates through the housing portal and loved my class (Contemporary Spain: History, Politics, and Society) which enhanced my local engagement and knowledge on the impact that Barcelona, Spain had in the scheme of political history. I fell in love with the city and I know that I will be back again! The city is easy to navigate, full of beauty, and nothing can beat having an amazing city alongside the beach! In addition, I felt supported by the CEA CAPA staff before leaving, while abroad, and even after. I felt at ease knowing that I had resources available to help, if needed, and that the CEA CAPA staff truly cared about my well-being. Thus, I honestly cannot recommend this program enough!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice to future travelers would be to explore as much as you can and to not wait until the end of your session to do the things you want! Unfortunately, time flies so do not feel like you have to wait to do the things you want to while abroad. In addition, use your location to your advantage and explore! Thus, exploring is important and debatably the best part of going abroad so explore your city and explore the world around you!

Pros

The Ability to Travel
The Amazing Food and Culture
The Most Beautiful City

Cons

Loud Construction in our Housing Apartment

My experience in Barcelona was incredibly valuable. Living abroad brings many unknowns, and it is crucial for students to feel supported during the experience. The resources provided by the CEA CAPA team made the entire pre-departure and arrival process feel comfortable and encouraging. There were many opportunities to meet others in the program, attend weekend trips, and volunteer in the local community. I would certainly recommend this program to anyone who values adventure, personal growth, academics, cultural immersion, and gaining new experiences.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

When living abroad for a limited time, many students want to travel frequently; even as much as every weekend. While it is fun and exciting to see so many new places, I'd recommend spending as much time in your host city as possible!

Pros

Volunteer and internship opportunities
Excursions
Cultural immersion activities

Cons

Very large program

When considering studying abroad I had so many questions about how spending four months in a foreign country would be. Looking back on it now, I am so grateful for the experiences I gained abroad; getting to live in a new city, seeing so many beautiful places, trying new foods and experiencing different cultures. I studied through the CEA CAPA center, where I was provided with an amazing support from the time I signed up and throughout my semester in Barcelona. I lived in an apartment building that was a fifteen minute commute to school and the city center. The building was a mix of students from my program and locals. I lived a ten minute walk from the Sagrada Familia and enjoyed exploring in the neighborhood I lived in. I loved riding the metro each morning and checking out local shops and restaurants after school. Overall I had an unforgettable experience studying abroad and truly treasure all my time there.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

I would recommend to anyone traveling abroad to plan ahead, but always remain flexible. There are so many moving parts when traveling and so many things that can go wrong, especially in a foreign country. Some of my most spontaneous and last minute plans were the most fun and memorable.

Pros

Cultural immersion
Personal growth
Traveling to new countries

Cons

Language barrier
Culture shock
Expensive

Questions & Answers

Is there a break from classes during the Fall semester?

No, there is no break during the fall semester however there are a lot of days off for long weekends.

By Courtney King on March 27, 2019

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

The CAPA program represented a unique opportunity for me for a few reasons.

I wanted to go to a Spanish speaking country, which meant that I had the options of mainly South America and Europe. CAPA has opportunities in Argentina and Barcelona; however, after discussing with my high school Spanish teacher, I decided that Barcelona was the right choice for me.

The best part of the CAPA program for making my decision was the ability to have both an internship and school coursework. Being able to understand the city as a working city was a completely novel way to have an abroad experience that showed me the professional style of Spaniards.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

CAPA was a great resource. I had many back and forth emails with CAPA advisors to wade through the red tape of forms and passport certifications. I found the process to be lengthy, but the people were so helpful that I never go very frustrated. I didn't even need to pick my visa up from the consulate: a representative from my school actually went in and grabbed mine along with others themselves to ensure that everything was in order and that we could leave on time.

I must have sent twenty emails to CAPA and my school's Abroad office. They were always helpful and timely with their responses.

View Entire Interview

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Take advantage of small programs and use your internship to boost your unique experience.

Many programs have set itineraries and things they are able to do with students. I found CAPA unique because they were constantly asking what we wanted to do and because we were a small group they could organize fun, intimate experiences in a way that truly couldn't be compared in a large program. With that, I think it's what you make of it.

I challenge someone reading this to seek out things that make them uncomfortable; if you aren't a good dancer, take some salsa lessons (you become better and at worst you do it in a place you might never have to come back to). In general, students should embrace the power of a new environment to explore aspects of themselves that they may not feel comfortable trying back home.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The program was pretty flexible and allowed me to largely design my own within the parameters of certain class times and hour requirements. I personally was able to do all of my classes and internship hours between Monday and Thursday, which left me with a three-day weekend to travel or explore places farther away in the city.

I would usually have class in the morning and go straight to my internship or vice versa on days when I had afternoon classes. Everything was close enough that I could seamlessly move between places without issue.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear of going abroad was that I wouldn't do enough to have an authentic experience in the country where I was going.

I worried I would be another American tourist who didn't immerse himself in the language and instead stayed with my tribe and partied. I never fully overcame it; I think that's something that takes a longer period of time to truly experience whereas I was only there 4 months. However, I also acknowledge that a truly authentic experience is one in which you allow yourself to be inspired and curious about things that are different from what you are used to.

I took salsa/bachata classes because I had never experienced a culture of dance as there was in Spain. I had roommates who were fluent in Spanish, so I regularly tried to speak to them in Spanish and wasn't offended when they tried to correct my speech.

My new view is that it isn't about coming back a changed person with a perfect understanding of the culture: it's about challenging yourself and being willing to embrace the fact that your way of doing things is just one of the many different approaches to tackling life.

Try new things and you may surprise yourself.

What is one thing you wish more study abroad students did/what is one mistake others often make?

I had many friends study abroad at the same time that I went. They had amazing experiences and a lot of fun. However, upon talking with them and looking at other people in similar programs that I interacted with, I found that, rather than trying new things and embracing the discomfort of a new place, most students decided instead to find friend groups within their program and set about surrounding themselves with others like them and eating/congregating around places that remind them of home.

While I often had this feeling, I would go to these places and do these things when I was feeling overwhelmed or homesick, but not as a regular habit. I think too often students who study abroad take the fact that they are in another country as a sign that they are getting a cultural experience.

In a modern world, it is too easy to set back into your own culture, especially in other Western countries whose values resemble our own. I am not perfect and I found myself doing these same habitual behaviors from time to time, which is why I want to stress the importance of being brave enough to meet and engage with people who aren't like yourself, that is where you really start to learn.

Sadie Biale

2017 Alum

Sierra Newell

2016 Alum

Kathleen Mcpherson

2015 Alum

Shane Heckman

Mark Brewster

Katrina Escudero

Location

Location:

Barcelona

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

61 F / 41 F

Apr-Jun

77 F / 48 F

Jul-Sep

84 F / 57 F

Oct-Dec

72 F / 43 F

Airports:

Barcelona–El Prat

( BCN )

Whether you prefer beaches, buildings, or history, Barcelona is the place to be. Spend your time admiring Gaudi's work at La Sagrada Familia, walking down the Mar Bella beach, or learning about the history in Catalonia.

About CEA CAPA Education Abroad

With 22 destinations across 13 countries, CEA CAPA Education Abroad offers an ideal balance of academics, internships, and adventure to more than 4,000 students each year. Click on “Visit Site” to explore our study and internship opportunities and find out just out how far international education can take you. Why study abroad or complete an...