CIS Abroad - Semester in Barcelona - Universitat de Barcelona

Not many people know that CIS Abroad pays for different excursions during your time abroad. While studying in Barcelona, these were some of my favorite memories. During our first week, we had a wine tour followed by a day trip to a nearby beach town. During the wine tour, we learned all about a local vineyard. We then were able to wine taste 3 of the different wines that the vineyard sold, and eat some local meat and crackers with it. After that, we were able to buy any of the wines that we liked! Following the wine tour, we took a bus to the city of Sitges. We were given a couple hours to explore and roam around the city. It was an amazing experience that was all paid for and coordinated by CIS Abroad.

My experience going abroad for a semester was better than I could have ever imagined. From the day I set foot in Barcelona until the night before my plane to go home, there was always something to do. I can't say that there was ever a moment I was bored or felt like there wasn't a new activity to do or a place I wanted to go back to. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona was in such a beautiful part of the city, located near many shops, cafes, and essential sight sees, such as The Sagrada Família. The professors at the university were extremely engaging, very outgoing, and extremely supportive. I always found myself feeling challenged and learned so much from my courses. No Friday classes was also a huge plus because it gave me more time to travel to new cities or explore Barcelona more. The transportation system in Barcelona was also extremely reliable and accessible, making it super easy and affordable to get around the city to all of my favorite spots. I felt as though there was always something to do in Barcelona when I wasn't in classes, and CIS was amazing with setting up all of the students with plenty of activities to do, whether that be weekend trips to Madrid, day trips to wineries, tours of must see spots in the city, and so much more. I had things planned every weekend, whether that be from my own travel plans, CIS Abroad's weekend activities, or exploring more of the city. The program itself was extremely supportive. With their onsite staff, I felt extremely supported and secure through all of my questions, worries, and emergencies. They were always there to help and helped me make Barcelona feel like home. They truly are your biggest support system out there and I couldn't have asked for a better on-site staff team. CIS Abroad also made the application process so easy. It can seem super overwhelming at first, but they truly were able to answer every question or doubt I had, and were extremely quick to respond to me. I felt as though they actually cared about me as a student, and not just a name on an application. The housing that I had was also amazing. I lived in Aparto, which was very close to the metro, buses, and the tram. The rooms were also great sizes with ample storage. I went with a random roommate, and CIS Abroad paired me up with a great roommate. If there was ever a housing issue, the CIS onsite staff were quick to resolve it and communicated throughout the entire process. Although I did go with two friends from my home university, I ended up meeting some of my best friends while I was abroad, and still keep in touch with today. There were endless things to do during the day and at night. Barcelona is truly for everyone. And the food there was some of the best I have ever had. It was also super easy to travel from Barcelona to other countries for weekend or week long trips. My and my friends were able to visit Austria, Germany, and Italy. Overall, I could not recommend going abroad enough, and CIS made the experience so much better.

Studying abroad in Barcelona with CIS Abroad was truly a life-changing experience! The program was extremely well-organized, and the staff were always there to support us while also giving us the freedom to explore and grow independently. Barcelona itself is the perfect study abroad city, full of culture, history, and energy. I loved discovering landmarks like La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, but also the everyday moments, like enjoying tapas with friends or walking along the Mediterranean after class.

This program not only gave me unforgettable memories and friendships but also helped me develop valuable skills such as independence, adaptability, and confidence. I would highly recommend CIS Abroad, and especially Barcelona, to anyone looking for a supportive, exciting, and meaningful study abroad experience!

I studied abroad spring 2023 in Barcelona, I didn’t know what to expect and I was doing this completely alone. I immediately felt like I was part of a community of people who wanted to change their lives and see the world. Everything from my program director to the places I traveled to was amazing. Nicole (Onsite Director) really cares for her students and does everything she can to make you feel comfortable and loved! I wish I could go back and do it over again, leaving Barcelona was so hard. By the end of my semester, Spain had become home and the people became family. I am so grateful for CIS and the effort they put into their students.