Location
  • Spain
    • Barcelona
Term
Maymester, Summer
Subject Areas
Architecture Art History Arts Business Communications Cultural Studies Design Digital Media Economics Education Entrepreneurship European Studies Finance Graphic Design History Humanities International Business International Relations Literature Marketing Photography Political Science Psychology Social Sciences Visual Arts +15

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment
Language
Spanish

Pricing

Starting Price
5990
Price Details
Price may be an estimate, accurate for just one of the programs listed, the lower end of a range, or from a previous term. Please see our website for specifics.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Accommodation Classes Some Meals
What's Included (Extra)

Please visit our website to see all that's included.

Jul 31, 2023
Sep 13, 2023
2 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Spend an incredible summer in Barcelona, Spain for what could be the most enriching experience of your life. Choose from unique courses to learn about the local language and culture, and be able to explore Spain through a variety of cultural activities delivered by helpful on-site staff. With 3 different campus experiences to choose from, you can find courses in English or Spanish in a wide variety of subjects. Take language classes, cooking classes, and tour the local neighborhoods as well as other popular cities around Spain. You are in for a Mediterranean summer that you will never forget.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Live and learn in beautiful Barcelona - a top global city
  • Take language, culture, art, history and humanities courses in English
  • Spanish classes tailored to your proficiency, at all levels
  • Day excursions to places such as Besalu, Girona, or Tarragona
  • Exceptional on-site support and fun social and cultural activities

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Scholarships

CISabroad Scholarships

CISabroad Scholarships and Financial Aid

70% of all CISabroad students receive scholarships, grants, or discounts to study abroad. We're unapologetically committed to increasing access to international education for all students.

Value
$250 - $500

Program Dates

Application Deadline
Program Dates
-

Program Reviews

4.86 Rating
based on 14 reviews
  • 5 rating 85.71%
  • 4 rating 14.29%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.3
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 4.6
  • Safety 4.6
Showing 1 - 8 of 14 reviews
Default avatar
Margaret
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Summer in Barcelona Review

I could not recommend this program enough! As someone who has a busy semester at my home university and wasn't able to take a fall, spring, or full year, this summer program was incredible. On top of that, CIS was amazing at taking care of their students with their health and safety while providing a fun and welcoming environment. CIS was willing to accommodate their program to specifically meet my needs for my degree and my wants for my abroad experience all in one! I was nervous going into the trip as I am not fully fluent in Spanish, but my experiences allowed me to learn from others like never before. It truly was the time of my life!

Pros
  • The sight seeing
  • Learning about different cultures
  • The food!
Cons
  • Long travel days to get there!
  • Finding a good budget to fit your needs
25 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Gabriella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Totally worth it!

I loved my experience abroad and with CISAbroad. All of the staff was always willing to help. It was easy to schedule a phone appointment with staff before I left and the on-site staff was so supportive and always there to help if we needed her.

My host mom was the best . Carmen had 3 dogs which made it so much fun! She was a great cook and was always there to talk if I needed her. While I was there, she had two other students from other programs there as well, it was fun because we would all speak together in Spanish and talk about our days and weekend plans!

The only thing about my experience that was questionable about my experience was the university I attended. I loved my professors and my classmates, but the university itself was a little unorganized. They are a young university, but sometimes it took 30 minutes to an hour to begin an off-site activity because they were not organized.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
One day, I decided that I was going to try something that I had always heard about, but wasn't too keen on trying, but I did it anyway. Rabo del Toro... Bull Tail. And let me say, that was some of the best meat I have ever had!!!
108 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable Summer in Spain

My experience in Madrid was amazing. I came to love the hustle and bustle of Madrid city life. Culture was rich and adventure was always around the corner. There was always an opportunity to try something new; new places to explore, new cuisine to try, new activities to participate in. Madrid is a city that surprised me every single day. CISAbroad was extremely helpful in making me feel as comfortable as possible during my stay abroad. The onsite advisor was almost always available to answer my questions or resolve possible issues. The activities that CIS organized helped me build relationships with the other students in the program and helped me learn more about Spanish culture. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to study abroad, especially with such an organized, helpful, and caring program, CISAbroad.

What would you improve about this program?
I think that the class scheduling process was a little unorganized at the Universidad de Nebrija. A lot of my classmates, including myself, had issues with the classes that we were originally placed in, so we had to talk to staff to adjust our class schedules. However, once I was in the correct classes, I had no further issues.
105 people found this review helpful.
Park Guell
Jamie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Barcelona Semester!

The School for International Studies through CIS abroad was the most perfect program for me. The program is three months long which is a little shorter than most programs however it is great for someone who is on trimesters, is nervous about getting homesick, or like myself- wants to travel for a while before their summer job starts.
The academic coursework was challenging in a way that was incredibly rewarding. The professors don't give you hours of studying and homework to do because they understand that you are there to travel just as much as you are to take classes. I took several classes on the history of Spain and Barcelona and I learned more than I have from any professor or school because after learning about things like Gaudi's style of architecture we went out into the city and got a first hand experience by seeing things like casa batllo. My professors were so engaging, entertaining, and helpful, I still keep in contact with many of them today. They helped me to learn the rich and diverse history and context of the city I was living in.
The CIS staff on sight at SIS was incredibly helpful in getting students involved in the Catalan culture and making us feel comfortable. It can be frustrating trying to get a hold of them before you go abroad for questions but as soon as you step foot in Barcelona the staff is ready to help out any time of the day. Whether it is a safety concern, you are sick and don't know where to go, or you are struggling in your classes the staff at CIS can help put you on the right track.
The trips and activities (which are included in the cost of your tuition) are absolutely amazing and everything is paid for. My semester we went on two overnight trips, Sevilla and Zaragoza, where the food, accommodations, and planned activities were all paid for. We also went to the Dali museum, took a cooking class, and went out to dinner with our CIS mentor- all completely paid for by the initial cost of your program. This was absolutely amazing, especially for someone who wanted to experience Spain on a tight budget.
As far as housing, I stayed in a shared room/ shared apartment with American students from other programs. This gave me the opportunity to get to know people outside of just the school I was studying at. The apartment I stayed in was in an amazing location and we had everything we needed (washing machine, dishes, bedding, towels). Our apartment was very close to a metro stop however most days I walked about 15 minutes to class to get to know my way around the city better.
The CIS on site coordinators were available 24/7 through a cell phone in case of any emergency. I never felt unsafe in my apartment or walking around the city. I also purchased the international health insurance both through my home university and through CIS. I never thought I would need it but when I got sick while traveling outside of Spain, I was happy that I had insurance. The appointments, tests, and medication I received were completely free of charge and I visited a private travelers clinic where they spoke english and I had absolutely no wait time.
Overall I think the CIS School for International Studies program in Barcelona is amazing for anyone who wants to travel a ton and get the most out of what you pay for.

What would you improve about this program?
The only suggestion I would make is that about 2-3 times throughout the semester we had class on Friday. I had wished that our overnight trips were on the weeks where we had class on Friday because it was kind of difficult to travel out of the country on those weekends with Friday class. I ended up staying in Barcelona those weekends though which was a great decision so that I could take some time to get to know the city I was staying in and experience the weekend night life in Barna.
109 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Emily
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Memories for life

So many fun activities were organized so that I could make lasting friendships and memories. I loved the excursions to other towns but I also enjoyed seeing more of Madrid itself. CIS is a flexible program that provides a lot of support. I felt comfortable asking questions and going to my on site director for any guidance. This trip has made me want to see more of the world! The only improvement I would recommend to CIS is to be more picky about who they chose as homestays. My roommate decided to move out of our honestly because it wasn’t a good fit for her.

What would you improve about this program?
Have higher standards for home stays
112 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Xavier
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Student Who Wasn't Ready But LOVED Every Moment.

Reasons why I loved my experience with CISabroad:
1) The staff was really personal and kind.
-My advisor was Jackie Langdon and she made sure everything was great before arriving and personally introduced herself in person.
-All of the Onsite Staff made sure all of the students were safe, and mentally well. You can stop to talk with them at any time & If you want to get lunch together or need suggestions.
-Each student is also given a mentor.
2) A plethora of EVENTS INCLUDED!
I attended:
-Hikes
-Guided tours-Muesuems & Towns
-1-2 Catalan-Style Lunch/Dinners together
-Cooking Class
-Trips to Montserrat, Costa Brava, and Girona
3) ALWAYS Something to Do FOR FREE
-I was nervous because I didn't come with much money but CISabroad sent cultural activities for each week and many happened to be free.
-CISabroad helps you live like a local and that's something that you will always remember.

I will truly miss attending Barcelona SIS with CISabroad. Prior to this trip, I had never been out of United States, on a plane, or far from family and friends. I was nervous and excited because everything would be new territory, the staff ensured I would have an amazing time and answered any and all questions I had before arriving in Barcelona. The CISabroad staff made it very easy for me to be prepared and gave ample information and cultural sessions. Upon arriving in Barcelona the staff welcomed me and other students at the airport and instantly I felt like I belonged. The first week I became homesick but the staff, interns, and people in my program quickly made me aware of such an amazing experience I can have in a new place. I hope this helps someone!

What would you improve about this program?
I enjoyed every experience and really enjoyed the mentor implementation.
I would've liked the opportunity to know a few of the interns better.
For the academic program and cultural events, everything was well organized and responsive.
114 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Chelsea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Unforgettable Experience

My experience in Barcelona, Spain during the summer of 2017 was one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. The people I met, from my roommates, to locals, to the staff of CIS, made my abroad experience just that much more magical. I enjoyed the trips we went on as a group and appreciated the recommendations for places we should visit on our own. I also really liked the fact that we had local citizens as professors at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona because we were able to build relationships with them and learn first hand about their culture. Barcelona has an ethereal atmosphere with beautifully historic architecture that I was lucky enough to experience firsthand.

What would you improve about this program?
The housing I stayed in, in Santz, had less than attentive cleaning staff. This is the only improvement I would recommend.
120 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lucas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Month Too Short In Barcelona

Where to begin? My summer 2017 most memorable moments came from when I studied abroad in Barcelona, the most beautiful and cultural place I have ever been. When I arrived in Spain, I was a little nervous, but mostly thrilled because it was my first time leaving the United States and I was so eager to learn about what the city of Barcelona had to offer. Located in Navas on Avinguda Meridiana, I was in such an eye-opening area. My first day I spent the majority of my time walking around my apartment and getting a good understanding of my surroundings. Soon to find out I was only a twenty minute walk from the famous Sagrada Familia, I knew where I was heading next. Luckily I had a peer from colllege also in Barcelona at the time and we did a lot of traveling together, whether it was visiting Camp Nou or riding the Metro to different cultural spots of the city, we made countless memories. Through CIS, I still have a few friends I made and we catch up til this day which makes me so grateful for this experience. One amazing thing I took from this abroad trip was my professor, Mrs. Eulalia ( I hope I got the spelling right!) She taught me so much in my short time in Barcelona and really opened my eyes to a lot of things about life. Without her, this trip would have been completely different. She taught me so much about the differences between spanish of Latin America and spanish of Spain and also a ton about Barcelona’s unique and ancient history. When I make it back to Spain, which I am 100% certain I will, I am sure I will find my old professor and catch up with un cafe de yelo, my favorite! Barcelona was nothing less than a thrilling and learning experience and I surely made my impact while I was there. If there is anything I can pass along to future participants, it is to not miss this opportunity and travel abroad! The world awaits and will teach you so much about yourself that you never knew was even possible. See you soon Barca!

What would you improve about this program?
More time interacting with Professors and Counselors!! More insight!!
117 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers