Location
  • Spain
    • Barcelona
Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Accounting Art History Arts Business Communications Computer Science Economics Education European Studies Finance Hospitality International Business International Relations Latin American Studies Liberal Arts Marketing Social Sciences Tourism +8
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
5000
Price Details
• Comprehensive Advising and Support
• Tuition at the Host University
• Official Transcript from Host University with ISA Cover Letter
• Housing
• Meals and Laundry Services
• Bridging Cultures Program
• Full-Time Resident Staff
• On-Site ISA Offices
• Computer and Internet Access
• Excursions
• The ISA Discovery Model
• Cultural Activities
• Medical Insurance
• Comprehensive Health, Safety and Security Support
• Airport Reception
• Visa Support
• Tutoring
• The Professional Development Toolbox
• Scholarship Opportunities
Jun 19, 2024
Sep 19, 2024
35 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

International Studies Abroad (ISA) offers this exciting program in Barcelona, Spain. With four different schools to choose from, ISA makes it easy to find the perfect fit for you. Study at the Pompeu Fabra University, Autonomous University of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, or Menéndez Pelayo International University-Barcelona!

Barcelona is a large city (pop 1.5 million) in the northeastern corner of Spain with history dating back 2,500 years. The gothic architecture clashes with the modern city, making this eccentric destination like few others in the world. Check out ISA's extensive website to find out every detail you need to make the right decision!

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

Our team at ISA is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and ISA staff. We have developed our ISA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of ISA destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.
Our team at ISA is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and ISA staff. We have developed our ISA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of ISA destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.
ISA is committed to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of neurodivergence. Our Health & Safety team is available to answer questions about insurance and medication, as well as provide students with materials on overseas access to support.
ISA is committed to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of accessibility. With our wide portfolio of program types and locations we’re confident there is a suitable and accessible program for each student. Accommodations abroad can be complex and take time, so those with accessibility needs should inform ISA of any accommodations requests as early as possible in the advising process. Please contact accessibilityteam@studiesabroad.com with questions or for more information.

Impact

We have partnered with Fill it Forward to engage team members and program participants in waste reduction practices. The goal is to encourage the elimination of single-use waste. Every QR code scan shows the impact of reusable bottles and unlocks a donation to environmental impact groups.
WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

Program Highlights

  • In 1999, Barcelona became the only city to be awarded the prestigious Gold Medal for Architecture by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
  • Spain has the third largest number of UNESCO sites in the world and is known for its culinary art, architecture, and beautiful beaches.
  • Optional overnight excursion to Morocco
  • Take courses taught in English with local Spanish students as well as other international students.
  • Perfect for students majoring in Spanish or trying to finish a Spanish minor, but there are also several courses taught in English.

Popular Programs

barcelona

Located in the heart of the city, the Universidad Pompeu Fabra sits next to the beautiful Ciutadella Park and only blocks from the Barceloneta beach. The UPF offers a variety of courses including Cultural/Area Studies with international students in both English and Spanish, and Business courses during the Spring and Fall semesters.

barcelona

The Universidad de Barcelona, located in the very center of the city, is the oldest university in the city and is housed in a beautiful, historic building. Courses offered through this program are perfect for students majoring in Spanish or trying to finish a Spanish minor, but there are also several courses taught in English. The Universidad de Barcelona is fully accredited and recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura, y Deporte).

barcelona

CETT is an extension of the Universidad de Barcelona dedicated to tourism, gastronomy, and hospitality management. You will be taking courses with both international and local students and will be able to take classes in either English or Spanish. This campus is located about 25 minutes by public transportation from the city center. The Universidad de Barcelona is fully accredited and recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport.

barca

Although the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona’s primary campus is outside of the city, you will be attending classes at the Sant Pau campus, which is near the Sagrada Familia. It is centrally located in Barcelona and are easily accessible by public transportation. You will be studying with other international students and will be able to choose from a wide variety of courses in Cultural Studies, Business, Economics, Art History, and International Relations, most of which are taught in English.

barca

The UIMP, whose central campus is in Santander, offers numerous post-graduate seminars in various fields as well as courses in Spanish as a Second Language at various satellite campuses throughout Spain. The language courses in Barcelona are held at the UIMP’s academic center which is just a short walk from the ISA office. The UIMP’s courses are only offered in the Summer and range from beginner-level language courses to advanced-level content courses taught in Spanish.

barca

Elisava is the design school of Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya. You will be studying different design disciplines on a small design-focused campus with state of the art facilities located just off Las Ramblas, in the heart of Barcelona, where all of the other students share the same focus. The Universidad de Vic is fully accredited and recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura, y Deporte)

Program Reviews

4.90 Rating
based on 31 reviews
  • 5 rating 90.32%
  • 4 rating 9.68%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.15
  • Support 4.65
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 4.7
  • Safety 4.8
Showing 1 - 8 of 31 reviews
Default avatar
Alexa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

6 weeks in Barcelona!

At first I was so scared to study abroad because I was alone but I never think for a second that I regret my experience. I overcame the challenge of having to be independent in a country where I do not speak the language. I felt so much peace and happiness during my stay and wish everyday I were back there. I saw myself grow as a person and become more confident everyday. The locals would encourage us to dance with them and everyone is truly happy there. If you are thinking about doing it, DO IT!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers is to be active and be yourself. Being actively involved in your cities activities and holidays really made it feel like I was part of the culture there and never an outcast. You have to be yourself to really let yourself grow and evolve instead of putting up a front.
Pros
  • Traveled the world
  • Cheaper than my universities tuition
  • Made ever lasting friendships
Cons
  • protesting for tourists to leave
  • Can be dangerous if not aware
  • Picky eater
13 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jake
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

Studying abroad even for only 3 weeks with ISA was such a good experience. I was able to see so many sights in Barcelona and meet some amazing people. The program offered a trip to Valencia and Peñíscola that was included in the price of the program which was an unexpected surprise. I ate the most delicious food and had the best time on my trip to Barcelona with ISA. I was even able to use my study abroad experience to kickstart my travels throughout Europe once my program was over. This program and my time in Barcelona changed my life, I can't wait to go back and visit again.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take advantage of every single moment you have because once you come home, you'll be wishing you were back in Barcelona
11 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Shayla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Abroad- Barcelona Spain

ISA study abroad is something you will not regret. With a promising new perspective of life itself, and a new appreciation of the world I can say it was the best experience so far. I spent my spring semester in Barcelona, living in a student residence. I recommend student residence living because you will be able to meet locals, practice the language, and feel less alone because of the easily accessible common spaces that is always filled with residents. Study abroad will also introduce you to a new education format than your home university.
The trips and gatherings offered through ISA was beyond helpful, and it was where I made some life long friends with great memories.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take a deep breath, look around, be open, travel and embrace public transport! Of course, life is still going to come into play, and not all times are going to be easy, and not all days are going to be 100%, and you will want to go home. Take it day by day, and plan things to look forward to! Culture shock is real, and bound to happen when you are taken out of your comfort zone. However, be persistent and remember why you wanted to take on this journey in the first place. Most likely, you will be able to feel a beautiful and fulfilling transition in yourself because of your freshly gained perspective of the world. Also- try all the foods, drinks, be friendly, and bring a digital camera! You will want to make a scrap book of your moments abroad.
Pros
  • Food
  • New people with different cultures
  • Everyday feels brand new!
Cons
  • Cash exchanges
  • Longer Classes
  • Language barrier
24 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ryan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ISA Barcelona

I went abroad on a four week intensive program in Barcelona with ISA, and it was wonderful. Regarding ISA, they are organized and very personable. Using their site and portal was also so simple. The process seemed to be as easy as possible. On the trip they had three ALL inclusive trips provided and they were all so much fun. I met so many new friends and professors through this program. The courses were also challenging but fun; you could tell the teachers were into their content. The experiences I had were endless, and I would 100% recommend this trip to any college student looking to improve their Spanish drastically.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Rabbit! (On accident)
Pros
  • Barcelona has EVERYTHING
  • Metro system
  • Diverse food scene
Cons
  • Possible language barrier
  • Pickpocketing scares
23 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Karina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Barcelona Fall 2023

I loved going abroad to Barcelona so much! Upon arrival, ISA made sure we were set up with everything we could possibly need. They made sure we knew what to do in any situation we might find ourselves in and gave us resources I would not have otherwise known about. The ISA team was extremely helpful in communicating with the university I was enrolled in and making sure I had access to classes that UCLA would award me credit for. They were quick to respond to my emails and always available to answer any questions I had throughout my time. I would definitely recommend ISA to any student looking to go abroad and I would not change a thing about my experience!

38 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Adriel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying Abroad in Barcelona

Studying abroad has been a transformative experience that opened my eyes to new cultures and perspectives on a new continent. One significant advantage of studying abroad in Spain was the opportunity to practice my secondary language, Spanish. Proficiency in another language is highly advantageous in cybersecurity - my current major. During my internship, which occurred immediately after I returned from Spain, I learned that working in cybersecurity occasionally requires you to work in an international setting where multilingual communication is often necessary. Although most Spaniards speak Catalan, I was still able to communicate with them in Spanish. I challenged myself to do so every day, even though many Catalonians understood English enough to speak with tourists. This practice greatly increased my proficiency in Spanish and will enable me to communicate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders across different regions in my future career. Beyond academics, my time in Spain helped me grow personally and foster independence and self-reliance. These qualities, although not solely beneficial in cybersecurity, are universally valuable in any professional setting. I stepped out of my comfort zone and did my best to adapt to local norms. Among many things, this involved learning the local public transportation system (which to say I used frequently would be an understatement) and ensuring the safety of myself and my peers. I learned how locals dressed, acted, and protected themselves in the busy city. Additionally, I was offered numerous opportunities to learn about the culture and had the privilege of making lifelong friends with people from various corners of the United States and Europe. While exploring Europe, I visited three different countries including Spain, France, and Andorra. I ventured to monasteries nestled in the mountains, marveled at awe-inspiring churches and Basilicas (including, but not limited to the Sagrada Familia), viewed historical landmarks in and outside of Barcelona, indulged in regional cuisine, explored remote beaches, journeyed through caves and coastal cities, and, of course, experienced the vibrant and exciting nightlife the city is famous for! I am profoundly grateful for the support that made this journey possible and will carry the lessons and experiences I had with me forever.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I saw in Barcelona was during a memorable evening at a restaurant while celebrating a friend's birthday. To my astonishment, Lionel Messi and his family walked in. The restaurant section we were in was relatively small, placing us only a few meters away from him and his family. Surprisingly, I hadn't recognized Messi until that moment, but the excitement among my friends was clear. The experience turned out to be extraordinary. I enjoyed a delicious Spanish meal near one of the greatest footballers of all time, adding an unexpected and unforgettable twist to our celebratory evening.
Pros
  • Public transportation made it easy to travel all around the city
  • We were in close proximity to a supermarket and were able to cook our own food. Groceries were very cheap too!
  • My school was gorgeous and our classroom had a very open-air feel to it.
Cons
  • The lack of air conditions made sleeping stuffy during the warmer nights of the summer.
47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Isabella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Getting out of my Comfort Zone

Before I left for Spain I was a ball of nervous but excited energy. I found out I was the only student from my university participating in the program, and I had been placed in an apartment with 5 other girls! As a more introverted person, this made me extremely nervous. In reality, these girls and this experience would change my life. Barcelona is an amazing city. It has great food, and easy public transit as well as a great mix of history and fun. I learned so much about Catalonia and its rich history, and participated in a lot of independent travel. Barcelona gave me the best months of my life. I enjoyed exploring every inch of the city and cant wait to go back someday.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I tried arros negre or "black rice", a staple of Catalonia! It was similar to paella but the rice is turned black with fish ink! It is topped with seafood and is the perfect savory dish! I definitely recommend taking advantage of the seafood offerings in Barcelona!
Pros
  • Extremely walkable
  • Travel hub
  • Great food
Cons
  • Expensive
  • No Air Conditioner
  • No dryers
50 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Maryann
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best time of life!!

I decided to go abroad for a whole semester and didn’t really know a ton of people from my school going. Definitely was nervous and excited at first but ended up meeting so many friends and we still get together and go on trips! Barcelona is definitely the place to be, its beauty, nightlife, and culture is something everyone should experience. We also got to travel just about every weekend but loved our time in Barcelona so much! I wouldn’t be the person I am today with out experiencing a whole semester of learning, laughing and truly living. Best time of my life.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Might be silly but I wouldn’t pack as much!! The shopping is amazing and in most areas cheaper. So instead of worrying and overpacking things I don’t need, I’d bring a half empty suitcase and just wait to see what I really end up needing.

And explore more of Barcelona and go up the coast of Spain!!
Pros
  • Meeting new friends
  • Amazing night life
  • Ability to travel for long weekend trips!
Cons
  • Wish I knew more about the city in the early weeks but thats what exploring is for
  • Losing a phone and the difficulty of getting a new one
  • That it went by so fast :(
55 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers