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CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

Name: CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
Brand: CEA CAPA Education Abroad
SKU: 15924
Rating: 4.91 (180 reviews)

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CEA CAPA Education Abroad

4.91 (180 reviews)

Good for

Students

Adventure travelers

Foodies

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

CEA CAPA Education Abroad

4.91 · 180 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

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

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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: Sep 29, 2025

Last Reviewed: Apr 23, 2026

Wish List

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!

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

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

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

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

4.91 Rating

based on 180 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Study

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

Good for Students, Adventure travelers, Foodies

Showing 25 - 32 of 180 reviews

I studied abroad in Barcelona in June of 2025. I had the most amazing experience due to the unique culture that I loved and miss already. I took a class on the culture, and while there was a lot of information to learn, I found it all very interesting and liked how first-hand experience in the city is integrated into the classes. I went abroad without knowing anyone else in the program, but I made lifelong friends while I was there that I am super grateful for. Barcelona is so full of life that even with the lack of sleep, I felt awake and full of energy all the time. I would recommend a longer program because a month was not long enough for me to see and experience all the amazing things that Barcelona has to offer. I was able to see lots of things I wasn't expecting to because of the excursions offered by CEA where I also felt more relaxed because the experiences were guided so I was aware of what I was seeing and also safe.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Sign up for everything, talk to everyone, and embrace all of the opportunities that present themselves because the memories that you make will be some of the best of your life.

Pros

Endless things to do
Some of the most beautiful architecture in the world
Amazing people

Cons

High rate of pick-pocketing
Noise disputes with neighbors
Late night culture can make early morning classes difficult

My time abroad in Barcelona was amazing!! It seriously was the best 4 months of my life, and I wouldn't change a thing. I developed a great deal of independence while abroad and learned how to navigate different cities and new cultures. I met so many students from various schools, and my roommates became some of my best friends. I couldn't reccomend CEA CAPA enough, they were very support and they were very supportive and made the entire experience seamless. Studying abroad pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible and gave me memories and friendships that I’ll carry with me forever.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

I ate a cow's tongue.

Pros

Cultural Immersion
Personal Growth
New Friendships

Cons

Initial Adjustment
Money Management
Language Barrier

I loved studying in Barcelona with CEA Capa. The journey was very easy to navigate, from the application, all communication and overseas. I never had to worry about any academic or personal mishaps. The city study center was in a prime location. They set us up with travel cards within the first 24 hours of arrival. Housing was clean and safe. Our local guide was the best -- she told us where to eat, where to avoid, and took us out on excursions. The only thing that could be improved would be the maintenance of the housing. We put in two orders and never received help on our stove, though it was near the end of our stay.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Mussels

My experience study abroad was amazing and a once in a lifetime experience. I was an intern at Clic Recycle as a marketing and sustainability intern, which was so educational and I learned so much from this. Being able to work in a real life non profit organization, where I was able to do tasks and be apart of projects that I want to do in my future was an overall eye opening experience. I also had a great experience meeting new people and connecting with so many different people. I lived with 8 girls so while that seems overwhelming, it was a blessing in disguise because I instantly had friends. Even if I hadn’t lived with so many girls, it was still so easy to meet people and make friends. The program of CEA CAPA made it so easy to meet people by hosting little activities and weekend trips where we could meet people. Overall, my experience was amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

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

One thing I would change was my devotion to my internship. While I did love it and I gained so much experience out of it, I got caught up in the lifestyle of Barcelona, so I feel like I could have gotten more out of it if I had focused more of my time and effort onto my projects.

Pros

Friendships
Experience in the work field
Experiencing a different lifestyle and city

Studying abroad in Barcelona with CEA CAPA was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. From the moment I arrived, the staff made me feel supported and gave me countless opportunities to get involved and explore. I loved how the program balanced academics with cultural experiences, one day I’d be in class learning, and the next I’d be on a guided excursion through vineyards or trying local tapas with friends. Living in Barcelona pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. I learned to navigate a new city, practice my Spanish daily, and appreciate the unique mix of Catalan and Spanish culture. I also made amazing friendships, both with students in the program and locals I met through CEA’s activities, and those connections made my time abroad feel even more meaningful. Looking back, this experience didn’t just give me memories it gave me more confidence, independence, and a new perspective on the world. I would recommend CEA CAPA Barcelona to anyone who wants a study abroad program that combines learning, adventure, and genuine personal growth.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

My most nerve-racking moment was missing my train to Pamplona and having to rent a car and drive across the country to run with the bulls.

Pros

Amazing Food
Beautiful City
Fascinating history/culture

Cons

language barrier

After studying in Barcelona, I look back and there is no other place I would have wanted to go! The culture and diversity was beyond imagine, making it comfortable and easy to adjust. The city was lively with unlimited attractions and activities -- from tourist attractions to simple navigation, it was perfect. CEA CAPA was also super helpful in providing opportunities to explore the city, from vineyards to Barca games. I would recommend this program and city to anyone who loves lively and diverse cities!

My study abroad experience was everything that I could have wanted. Through CEA CAPA, I was able to participate in their content creator program, so I was able to develop my professional skills outside of doing an internship.

I had the privilege of living in a beautiful Spanish-style apartment during my semester, where I lived with 2 friends and 4 new girls from other universities who quickly became my closest friends. I would recommend CEA to anyone considering studying abroad!

CEA had so many opportunities to get to know other students in the program that getting acclimated was very easy for me. While there were times I felt homesick or out of place, CEA was always there to support me and motivate me to continue to put in the effort.

My experience with CEA was amazing. They understood that students who are going abroad aren't just there for school, they are there for a new experience to build who they are as a student and a person in general. The school is amazing, and the professors are just really great people. They show that they care for the students and are very understanding on top of that. What I would say to the future students is to get out there. Make new friends everywhere you go. Go on trips when you can. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and if you have the opportunity to go, take full advantage of everything there.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

When I was in morocco I tried Camel. It was actually not bad at all. It did feel kind of wrong to eat though.

Pros

Met great people
Actually enjoyed learning
Got to travel every weekend

Cons

I am not a big walker and there is a lot of walking

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.

Lauren Giese

2019 Alum

Sadie Biale

2017 Alum

Sierra Newell

2016 Alum

Kathleen Mcpherson

2015 Alum

Shane Heckman

Mark Brewster

Katrina Escudero

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What has been your career path so far and what position do you currently hold?

headshot barcelona Michele Friedmann

Michele: I am a Graduate Intern pursuing a master’s degree in international education at SIT doing my 6- month internship with Barcelona SAE. I will spend 3 months in Fort Collins where my role includes being a student and program advisor, promoting our programs through study abroad fairs and utilizing social media to better market our program. In January I will go to Barcelona for 3 months where I will continue to act as student advisor as well as help with cultural activities and excursions. Previous to graduate school, I taught special education in Steamboat Springs, CO for 5 years.

Did YOU have the chance to study abroad?!

Michele: While in college I studied abroad for two semesters, and spent half of my student teaching semester abroad. My parents always enjoyed traveling and took my brother and I along often on overseas trips. They always encouraged us to travel every chance we could. My older brother studied abroad in London in college and I knew I wanted to study overseas too. My first semester abroad was to Australia at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. While over there I heard a lot about Semester At Sea from a friend and saw neat pictures from the excursion. I applied to Semester at Sea while in Australia and went the next semester. We had the option to spend half of our student teaching semester teaching in London. I taught grades 5 and 6 at Hampstead Heath in London for 2 months. All of these experienced inspired me to pursue a career in the field.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful study abroad company?

Michele: I think that support and communication are the biggest factors in being a successful study abroad company. Without those two things, it makes it very difficult for a student to feel comfortable and secure in their decision to go abroad. These two factors also help make the students’ experience successful and enjoyable.

michele Friedmann barcelona

Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?

Michele: Language learning and cultural immersion are important in order to really get to know the people and customs of a new culture. I feel it is a sign of respect to get to know a little of the language of the place you are going, and it makes locals more willing and able to communicate with you. One can only truly get to know a place by being completely immersed.

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of the SAE team.

Michele: I am relatively new to the Barcelona SAE team but there have been several instances when I felt especially proud to be a part of this amazing organization. When I go to study abroad fairs and students eagerly approach my table with a huge smile on their face explaining that they’ve heard great things about our program and they hope to study abroad in Barcelona- that is when I definitely feel proud to be a part of Barcelona SAE.

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...