CIS Abroad Semester Programs in Barcelona, Spain

I recently returned from a semester abroad in Barcelona through CIS Abroad. This experience was truly one of a kind and I would highly suggest going through CIS Abroad if you are considering doing a semester overseas. From group dinners to cooking classes to excursions, there are so many memorable experiences that you will not only enjoy but that will also bond you with your fellow peers. Nicole, the site director for Barcelona, ensured that everyone had all of the tools needed to succeed and was always available to help beyond what was expected of her.

10/10 would recommend this program. Looking back, I have realized I loved every moment while studying abroad through CIS Abroad Program. The CIS Abroad program made my stay in Barcelona so worth it. I felt super comfortable and safe living in a country I have never been to. The CIS on-site program director was/ is super helpful, she gave me tips on where to eat, places to shop, and sights to see. The program trips were really fun and allowed me to get to know a lot of other students with in the program.

I was in Barcelona in Spring 2023. I went alone, I didn’t know anyone, my Spanish was rusty and I was super nervous. The second I landed in Barcelona, my on-site director welcomed me with open arms and walked me through everything I needed to do.
My 4 months abroad turned into 7. I met so many people who have all left a mark on my life. I traveled to 16 countries, learned about cultures and their history. I adored the lifestyle and fell in love with Barcelona. CIS and my group felt like family. The excursions we would go on and the effort of our on-site director made all the difference. Living, cooking, learning and traveling together really helped me feel comfortable. I never felt unsafe, people were patient with my Spanish and after being in a country consistently for that long, you begin to become part of it. Barcelona is now one of the many places my heart calls home. I 100%, 10/10 recommended studying abroad with CIS. If I could go back and do it all again, or study abroad for another semester, I absolutely would. I came back to the US a changed person. You see things, experience things, and learn things that open you up to a new world of wonder. I had a lot of international experience before studying abroad, but none were ever quite like this.

I absolutely LOVED my time in Spain. From the people, to the food, to the city itself, Barcelona was AMAZING! CIS Abroad staff was extremely helpful with all of the pre-departure paperwork and I had no worries at all about my semester abroad. Upon arrival, the on site staff were extremely helpful in facilitating anything that I needed. In addition, the program has many fantastic excursions that really generate a love for the culture of your chosen country. I cannot more highly recommend any other experience. To this day I still talk to the friends I made while abroad in addition to my host parents on an almost daily basis. The connections I made in my semester abroad will be connections that I carry with me for a long time to come. Again, 10/10 would recommend.

Going into my semester abroad, I was super nervous about living in another country, especially without a support system. CISabroad calmed my nerves right away! From the very start of the trip they picked me up from the airport and helped me get settled into my apartment, and throughout the entirety of it they checked in and were always available for help and advice. Another thing I loved about CISabroad was the housing and school situation they placed me in. I was put into an apartment with other international students, making it extremely easy to meet lifelong friends. The location was in a family-friendly, safe, and centrally located area in Barcelona which I would not have traded for the world! As for the school, I attended the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and instantly made lasting connections with my professors and fellow classmates. CISabroad gave me the opportunity to safely explore the beautiful city of Barcelona for four months while meeting amazing people and growing everyday. Overall, I would not have done my semester abroad any different and I have CISabroad to thank for this!

Going abroad was one of the best experiences of my life. I met a lot of great people from around the world, saw cities that existed long before the United States were even colonized, and learned far more than what I could ever be taught in a classroom. Living and having to immerse yourself into a different culture forces you to grow and experience new things, the skills I learned and brought home from that will help me in the future with whatever I choose to do with my life. Going abroad creates a new way of seeing the world and understanding different cultures and customs, I think it is definitely something every student should have the opportunity to do.

I spent a semester in Barcelona with CISabroad and the program had its ups and downs. I lived in an amazing neighborhood in a nice, clean, and well-equipped apartment right by the metro and train. I also lived pretty close to the school I attended. The day and weekend trips they had planned for us were always a lot of fun but they always seemed a little unorganized. Overall, my classes weren't too difficult and Barcelona was an amazing city.

Barcelona truly felt like my second home. Every day there was a new adventure to go on and even after months there are things I didn't have the chance to do. If you like a city with a great variety of nightlife (everything from clubs to breweries to cocktail bars), beautiful beaches and a rich culture then this is the program for you. It is also super easy to get to other cities from the Barcelona airport and transportation is great. The classes aren't very hard because professors know that you are there to learn but also there to explore and visit other cities.