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 (61 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: Apr 10, 2024

Wish List

97 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 61 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Study

5 rating 91.8%
4 rating 6.56%
3 rating 1.64%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4.2
Support 4.8
Fun 4.85
Housing 4.7
Safety 4.75

Good for Students, Adventure travelers, Foodies

Showing 25 - 32 of 61 reviews

My experience abroad was so unique and diverse in so many ways. First, the CEA staff and professors were awesome! They gave us so much freedom and only stepped in when we needed assistance. My professor was one of the best I have ever had. He did not give homework so we could go out and explore the world and I learned more in that class in a month than I have in the majority of my semester long classes. Everyday was a new journey and you get out what you put in to the experience. I also went by myself which I strongly encourage because you learn so much about who you are as a person and you meet way more people from all over the world. My favorite part was meeting people from all different areas of the world with different cultural backgrounds and never knowing what the new day would bring.

Pros

Seeing the world firsthand and learning about how different cultures live.
Meeting different Americans in your program and the international locals. You get to witness such a diverse community everyday.
Learning about the world. Whether it be through the class you are taking or the experiences you encounter you are constantly learning about life and yourself.

Cons

Money! It is definitely expensive to live on your own in a foreign country, but you are only their once so enjoy it. Do not be so picky about spending money that you don't enjoy the experience.
Transportation. I would not say this is a con, but just one more thing you have to figure out. I suggest buying a metro/train pass if they have one or a bus pass. Ordering taxis, Ubers, etc. everywhere would be way too expensive.
Planning. Often times large groups of people disagree about where they want to go, so this can be annoying. I would say to do what you want to do even if that means only going with a few people.

CEA provided with a life time changing opportunity, it helped me to discover so many good things and to achieve many others. I met people that now are my friends, I has amazing professors, and on site staff that truly cared about me. If you want to go abroad, CEA is definitely your choice!! So overall all it was such a great experience. I have heard from many students that they are curious to study abroad and let me tell you, you will never regret studying abroad, for me, it changed my life in such a positive way! So enjoy life, travel the world, meet new people, and have fun, all over while still studying.

What was your funniest moment?

My funniest moment was traveling with my friends that I met during my study abroad time.

If it was not for the on-site staff in Barcelona at the super new CEA location in the heart of Barcelona in Plaza Catalunya, I’d have not had the same experience. Staff is very nice, and I always enjoyed practicing my Spanish with them after class. I got the opportunity to build valuable relationships with them! Miss you all!

The multiple cultural activities offered as well as the weekly newsletter sent to students were great initiatives to be able to better get to know the Spanish and Catalan culture!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Definitely the calçots on one of the cultural trips. I did not know what calçots were, and I really liked eating those.

I enjoyed my passionate and knowledgable professors in my courses at CEA and felt close to those who worked in the office and front desk. The staff would do anything to make the experience and transition better for their students and completely defined my incredible time in Barcelona. Especially during COVID, the staff helped support students with updated travel regulations and health protocols. I always felt that my CEA staff was striving to enhance my learning and life abroad. One way the program enhancing my learning outside the classroom is with weekly field trips that teach unique historical or modern lessons regarding culture such as cooking, dancing, music, urban planning, and more! I take away so many great memories in my host city and surrounding countries.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

I had the opportunity to volunteer helping teach English in a local elementary school. My experience shocked me by exposing me to an alternate school system. I had so much fun with the teachers and kids and i surprised myself that I really enjoyed teaching young kids. My time at the school inspires me to seek post-graduate opportunities to return to Spain and teach!

This experience was unique because it was the first time I had ever traveled to Europe, Barcelona was the most beautiful and perfect place I ever had the honor to live at. The beaches, the clubs, the environment and especially the weather was all amazing. One thing I would recommend future students to do is travel light, and always keep your belongings close to you. My classes with CAPA were super fun and educational, field trips were the best part of my educational experiences. Most museums were free and parks were amazing. Definitely recommend this location as well as CAPA as your program of choice!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

The most unfamiliar thing I ate, would have had to be a typical Spanish breakfast sandwich, that was only cut up potatoes ketchup and bread. It usually with a promotion at the coffee shops for about 3 euros.

CAPA is a unique study abroad experience that gave me some amazing opportunities for personal growth. I studied in Barcelona in spring 2019. My specific program was small which at first was scary but it came with some amazing flexibility. The small class sizes allowed professors to personalize the coursework and even take us on trips to teach us lessons in terms of their lives in the city. This means professors could give us their unique take on living in Barcelona from the city rather than a classroom. I had friends in other programs in the city as well. Although these other students enjoyed their experience I honestly feel that CAPA did an exceptional job of encouraging immersion and providing a raw look at what it means to live in a global city. The internship opportunities are also something that stands out among study abroad programs that they provide. I cannot recommend CAPA highly enough!

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

I would push myself farther out of my comfort zone. Salsa and Bachata Classes were very fun and a great way to experience Spanish culture in the world of dance. If dancing isn't your thing (well it can be) but using the opportunity of a new place to grow as a person and try things you otherwise might not is so fun.

Read my full story

Overall, my summer 2019 internship experience with CAPA in Barcelona, Spain was pleasant. Jane and Madeline from the CAPA center in Barcelona were always resourceful when students faced difficulties abroad. My Internship placement was not as formal as I had hoped or expected, but I learned so much. I worked as a business development intern for "The Nanny Line", an international childcare agency based in Barcelona. We worked out of cafes, office spaces, and from home. I learned so much, and got to work with students from all over Europe. The workshop course that accompanied the internship occurred once a week. The class was beneficial because it taught students how to apply our internship experience to our future career goals. On top of professional and academic experience, I grew tremendously in my personal life while abroad. I loved meeting new people and experiencing the nuances of Spanish culture. I cannot put into words ow life-changing my study abroad experience turned out to be. I would definitely recommend CAPA!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

The most unfamiliar thing I ate while abroad in Barcelona was a snail.

Where to start... Coming in, I hoped to gained a broader perspective of the world from my abroad experience. Not only did this program enable that to happen, but it did more... way more than that! The CAPA Barcelona program and its professors sparked a new interest for me. One of the courses I had the pleasure of taking was Intercultural Management with Laura Cervi. She designed the class so that we learned from the city that we were in as much as we learned in the classroom. Barcelona is such an amazing place to learn about Interculturality. Other than that, the program itself was a very enjoyable one. My classmates were student abroad from the US, as well, so it was easy to make friends and have travel buddies for the weekends. Lastly, I would recommend living in a homestay. It is a much easier way to integrate into the local culture and makes your time abroad feel a little more homey.

What would you improve about this program?

The only thing I would improve about this program is the program providing more excursions .

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...