I had the pleasure of taking Catalonia and Spain Through the Arts. The class was centered more around tours and sight seeing rather than lecture, which made the trip feel much more real and immersive. However, on the days with lecture, it was never too bad and our instructor, Marcel, made it very easy to follow. The exams and projects were fair and followed the course well, and work was not a hinderance on me being able to experience the city whatsoever. It was a great time and I would recommend it to anyone.

If you’re even slightly considering studying abroad… just do it… Seriously. It will completely change how you view life itself, and chances are, it’ll end up being the best decision you make in life so far. That’s exactly what happened to me during my semester in Barcelona with CIEE.

I studied abroad from January to April, living in a dorm. I chose Barcelona because of its energy I got from it while looking into different locations. the mix of culture, nightlife, and how easy it is to travel to other countries. I was excited to explore Europe, meet new people, and experience a completely different lifestyle. What surprised me most is how quickly this once “dream destination” became my normal life. Walking past places like the Sagrada Familia that I had only ever seen in pictures felt unreal at first, but eventually became part of my everyday routine, which is something I’ll never take for granted.

The highlights are honestly endless. I came here alone, so I made incredible friends in my classes, had a super active social life, and traveled almost every weekend with my now friends for life. My favorite trips were to the Sahara Desert, Morocco, where we rode camels and drove ATV’s, as well as Edinburgh, Scotland, where we hiked up hills to see highland cows in their native land. Both completely different but life altering and unforgettable. I sat in the Sahara sand watching the sunset, as well as in the tall grass next to a wild highland cow, soaking in what my life has become, and cried tears of joy and appreciation in these very two different settings. At home in Barcelona, I loved spending time in the Gothic Quarter, which quickly became my favorite place in the city since I loveee shopping.

Academically, classes were more interesting and manageable compared to college at home, which made it easier to balance school and travel. I became friends with everyone in my Spanish class because it was a small knit group. I also found out about unfortunate events while in that class, which was my bank account got hacked first week of classes, so I spent half the semester with zero dollars in my bank account. They were all very comforting about it and made me feel better about my situation. There was also one time My credit card declined for 3 days straight before I got my money back, so I was crying in the bathroom before my 9am. It just so happens, my professor for that class came out and saw me crying, asking what’s wrong, and offered to buy me food because I couldn’t buy food for a few days. Everyone you meet is genuinely kind hearted and a great support system while your away from the usual one you have at home.

That said, there were a few things that could’ve been better. My class schedule wasn’t always ideal, and I wish I had known more about orientation before arriving (as well as the rare event of having a hacked bank account). But overall, these were minor compared to the experience as a whole.

I would recommend this program to anyone and EVERYONE! My biggest piece of advice? Just do it. Before college, everyone told me studying abroad was their favorite part, and the only people who didn’t go said it was their biggest regret. Now I completely understand why.

This experience completely changed my perspective on life. It made me realize how much there is to see and how important it is to take advantage of opportunities. I’ve become more independent and confident, that it persuaded me to delay my flight home so I can solo travel for two weeks after the program! One thing I’ve learned is that “the world doesn’t sit still, so why should we”. There’s no reason we have to settle into a routine if we don’t want to, let’s get up and see the world.

Academically, I loved the small class sizes and field trips. I got to go to a super yacht club and walk around beautiful Gracia for class. Coming from a massive university with most of my classes being 250+ lectures, I loved getting to know my professors and being able to participate in discussions. Also, not talked about enough hw beautiful the CIEE Campus is. An alleyway near the city center that is full of quaint town homes, 3 of them converted into the CIEE campus. There are courtyards with benches and greenery, and inside, both buildings have a student lounge that students use when it is raining or chilly.

Barcelona is also the perfect study abroad city; flights are accessible, and it has the best public transportation I have ever experienced. I never felt unsafe in Barcelona. Barcelona has great nightlife, fantastic restaurants, and so many cool historical opportunities.

Studying abroad in Barcelona was single handedly the best decision I have ever made. The program was super helpful in guiding us through the initial process and being there for any help we may have needed. I was able to meet a ton of lifelong friends that I will be keeping in touch with for many years to come. I got to discover a bunch of new places all across Europe and Africa. If you are an adrenaline junkie, there will be plenty of things to do for that too. Overall, a great experience and would 100% recommend!

CIEE are without a doubt the best people to go abroad with. Their course offerings, activities, and staff are always there to support you in whatever you’re looking to do overseas.

On their Barcelona Business + Culture abroad program I have:

* Gone on dozens of class excursions
* Made just as many friends
* Had the time to visit places like Paris and even Morocco

If you’re still on the fence at all just do it. As I write this I’m finishing my final week and wish I could stay forever. Thank you CIEE!

I was debating between Barcelona or another city and there's no doubt that Barcelona was the right choice for me. This program allowed me to learn in this beautiful and creative city. The classes helped me learn so much about many different subjects such as arts, cuisine, and the Spanish language. The assignments were reasonable and creative with fun and understanding professors. With my schedule, I still had time to explore the city and other countries on weekends which I'm very thankful for. I met amazing people and made friends in my classes and housing (residence hall). The housing was even better than expected and I'm thankful I chose the residencia/residence option. It allows me to be around locals and still reach anywhere I want to go by public transportation. That is something I'll miss about Barcelona, the metro is so good and the prices are reasonable. Overall, I would do this all over again, this was the right city and program!

Studying abroad with CIEE for architecture was like hitting the jackpot for students who love design, culture, and a bit of chaos in the best way possible. From day one, I found myself learning in totally new ways. We’re talking hands-on fabrication labs, CNC machines, and more Grasshopper tutorials than I knew I needed.

But it wasn’t just about architecture. Being dropped into a culture with so many layers, from Gaudí’s wild forms to hidden neighborhood gems, pushed me to explore deeper than the tourist surface. I got to experience independence in a whole new way, figuring out city life while also forming friendships with students from all over the world.

Of course, I hit the big tourist spots. You kinda have to. But the real fun was finding the tucked-away cafés, sketching in plazas no one back home has heard of, and realizing that every street corner could teach you something about design.

It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime student experiences that felt like a turning point. I left not only with new skills but a wider lens on how architecture lives and breathes in different parts of the world. If you're even thinking about it, do it. Your future architect self will thank you.

I had an outstanding experience with CIEE Barcelona. I have traveled to many new countries, participated in various cultural activities, and broadened my horizons in many ways. I have met lifelong friends and made special bonds that I will always hold close from CIEE. I have grown and evolved as a result of this program, and I will be forever grateful for the memories I have created during this one-of-a-kind experience. If I could restart the program from day one today, I would do so in a heartbeat.