CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

Location
  • Spain
    • Barcelona
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Subject Areas
Accounting Advertising Art History Business Communications Cultural Studies Design Economics Education Engineering Entrepreneurship Environmental Studies European Studies Film Finance Health Sciences History Humanities International Business International Relations Journalism Language Studies Law Liberal Arts Linguistics Literature Marketing Philosophy Photography Political Science Pre-Med Psychology Social Sciences Sociology +24
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, Work study, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

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
Sep 29, 2025
Apr 23, 2026
122 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. 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!

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

Students praise the program for its supportive staff, engaging classes, and immersive cultural activities including trips and cooking classes.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

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.
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.
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.

Impact 🌎

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

4.91 Rating
based on 180 reviews
  • 5 rating 91.67%
  • 4 rating 7.78%
  • 3 rating 0.56%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.25
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.6
  • Safety 4.75
Showing 153 - 160 of 180 reviews
Steven
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

International Business in Barcelona

Great program all around. Some of the best standouts that this program did was the housing that you were put in. I had an up to date apartment with a balcony in Saints Estacio, two blocks from Camp Nou. I was paired up with three other people from the US and we all went to the same school. The school itself was nice, though it was a branch campus which kind of stinks because the main campus is old and beautiful looking. The branch campus was just a regular building that had normal size classroom (average: 20 students). The professors were the best, learning everything from business culture to everyday living in different countries. The professors were well knowledgeable and engaging with every student. Also, my favorite part of being in the city was taking the metro to class every day. Every student basically commuted to school using the Metro unless the program housed you in a different area in the city that was close. Students are spread out through the city. Where I lived there were a group of girls in our program that were two floors below us but learned other people were scattered in different parts of the city. I think that is one thing to keep in mind, the housing is not like dorming at an American school.

The program was also great in the aspect of creating mini-trips throughout your time studying abroad. The program had day trips and weekend trips to different cities that involved tours and little workshops to learn about the culture in that specific city.

With everyday activities and events, Barcelona itself is such a fun city as they are always celebrating holidays and putting on the weekend events. A student will never run out of things to do in Barcelona. As far as safety goes, there are some unsafe parts but that is every city. Watch out for pickpocketers and areas that may not be the safest at night and you will be fine. So many places to see and the nightlife is amazing! people are always out and about and transportation such as the Metro is so easy and fast!

I think the only issue I had was not staying long enough. The summer semester was too short for me (8 weeks) and should have done a fall or spring semester in Barcelona.

What would you improve about this program?
Offer a full summer semester and try to have the students in the whole entire program meet with each other.
200 people found this review helpful.
Zach
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Zach’s Barcelona Study Abroad Experience

I studied abroad with Barcelona SAE during my sophomore year at Colorado State University. I was a double major in business and Spanish looking for a way to incorporate both aspects of my studies in my study abroad experience. After discussing what I was looking for with one of their reps, it was an easy choice to study with Barcelona SAE. What I loved the most about BSAE was how honed in they were regarding personalizing my time abroad. They offered cultural activities such as cooking classes, both national and international excursions as well as assistance with enrolling in classes, airport pickup and homestay accommodations. Any fears that I had about studying and living abroad were quickly alleviated by the staff and their willingness to work with their students to ensure their continued happiness and level of comfort.
I don’t have a favorite single moment of my time abroad, because the entire experience was honestly a dream in and of itself. Everyday I would work on my Spanish language skills both in classes and through simply living and studying in a foreign city. My host mom, who was already impressed with my knowledge of Spanish when I arrived, moved me when she commented on how much my speaking abilities had improved in my short, four months abroad. I also took classes related to both of my majors with emphasis on the cultural and linguistic aspects of conducting business in a city such as Barcelona. I made friends from both around the US and Spain whose friendship I will forever cherish.
My time in Barcelona has convinced me that Spain will always have a part of my heart, and I’m sure it will pull me back. I’ve already returned to Barcelona and actually interned with Barcelona Study Abroad Experience (another incredible opportunity), but there is no doubt in my mind that I’ll return to Barcelona again (hopefully permanently next time!).

What would you improve about this program?
The only improvement I can think of would be a stipend for cultural activities. However, not long after I wrapped up my semester abroad, Barcelona SAE added a cultural stipend to their program!
197 people found this review helpful.
Nicole
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Barcelona SAE SIS 2017 Program

Upon coming to Barcelona, I thought it would be a whole different world of weird tales every day. Barcelona SAE made my program feel like home. My favorite element is that it wasn't a program through my university meaning I got to meet so many different people from different schools. This program was pretty inclusive especially with all the counselors, teachers, staff, and weekend trips. It made Barcelona feel like a second home.

What would you improve about this program?
This program could be improved with improved communications/ details on what is expected from homestay families.
225 people found this review helpful.
Maggie-Machre
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I LOVED Barcelona SAE!

This was one of the most memorable adventures I have ever experienced. The program was on the smaller side, roughly 12-15 students, which meant the trips, tours, and dining through the program was intimate and geared toward everyone's tastes. They didn't constantly provide programming, which was great because for the most part we were able to choose our own day-to-day and weekend trips. They provided the pre-planned portion of the schedule in advance so it was easy to decide when we would be travelling solo. The events they did include were tours of the Gothic part of the city, several museum passes, the first few days they made sure to schedule activities so the attendees could get grounded without being overwhelmed by a new city and get to make friends with the other students. They provided us with tips, tricks, and safety advice. About mid-trip (week 3 out of 6 weeks) we took a 3-day weekend tour to 4 cities, with a two-night stay in Costa Brava. It was amazingly beautiful, and not an overly tourist driven city - which was SO cool. The program really encouraged you to not be the average american study abroad participant, they wanted you to experience Barcelona more organically. My friends and I enjoyed the housing they found for us, which was a private 3 bedroom apartment in a residential barrio. This program was one of many that sent students to the larger university, so even if you're looking for a larger program you can still get that vibe when you go to class. The program also schedule cultural events at least once a week (flamenco dancing, tapas dinners out, watching soccer games at the local bars) which was awesome. Seriously, I cannot recommend this program enough!!

TLDR: definitely book through Barcelona SAE. They are AWESOME.

175 people found this review helpful.
Kyle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime

This study abroad opportunity was absolutely amazing. SAE will ensure your safety and coordination with your housing situation and classes as well as excursions around the country. Barcelona is an amazing city particularly for young active students looking to make the most of their time abroad. From a rich historical culture to exiting nightlife and exquisite cuisine there is something in Barcelona for everyone. Do not miss this chance to visit Barcelona with this amazing program, you will make friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

What would you improve about this program?
Nothing it was amazing
192 people found this review helpful.
Natalia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best four months of my life!

I was greeted by CEA staff from the moment I arrived at the airport to pick up my bags. All throughout the semester, the staff showed unconditional support in academics, housing, and even travel tips. Professors are very knowledgeable in their subjects and courses offer field studies which allow for learning to take place outside four walls.
CEA also offers Experiential Learning Activities which involve activities within the city in addition to trips to Sitges, Valencia, and even Madrid! No matter where you end up going, you learn so much about the culture, language, and the people.
There's always something to do and somewhere new to go eat. Barcelona itself has SO much to offer that there's no going wrong in choosing Barcelona as your study abroad destination. I don't regret my choice and would recommend it to anyone wishing to study abroad!

What would you improve about this program?
Involving more activities with locals.
198 people found this review helpful.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Natalia, we are delighted to hear your study abroad program in Barcelona was the best four months of your life! Thank you for your feedback and for studying abroad with us. Best of luck in your next adventure!

Alison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA Study Abroad in Barcelona

I had the most amazing semester in Barcelona thanks to CEA. The program staff was always available and helpful and the professors were knowledgeable and approachable. I was placed in a lovely apartment close to the program center, as well as many restaurants and shops, and CEA was able to accommodate all of my roommate requests. CEA offered a great range of courses and the professors are knowledgeable and truly care about their students. Overall I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to explore Barcelona!

209 people found this review helpful.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Thanks for the recommendation, Alison!

Julia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Experience with CEA in Barcelona

I am studying abroad for the Spring 2018 semester. I only have about one month left in Barcelona and it feels like the time flew by! I have had a great experience studying abroad with CEA. The support of the staff and professors is very helpful. Communication is great and if I ever have questions or concerns there is always someone at CEA who can help.

My favorite parts about CEA are all of the included activities we can participate in. The other day a group of us went on a hike to Montjuic, which is a big mountain in Barcelona. It was great to have a CEA staff member as our guide. Activities like this make my study abroad experience exceptional. Not all study abroad programs are as involved and supportive of their students. CEA does a great job with this.

I would highly recommend studying abroad through CEA to anyone!

What would you improve about this program?
I would enjoy having more scheduled trips with CEA on the weekends. I participated in the Madrid and Valencia trips, but it would be fun to have more organized trips- maybe some outside of Spain. A trip to France or Portugal would be great.
187 people found this review helpful.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Thanks for the recommendation and sharing ways we can improve. Best of luck to your future, Julia!

Questions & Answers

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