I completed the Economics + Culture track in Barcelona with CIEE and it was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I came into study abroad not knowing a single other person, which was very nerve wracking. However, I immediately made friends through classes and CIEE activities. One of the highlights of CIEE is how they make an effort to get you involved with the city. There are 3-5 activities weekly including things like cooking classes, dance classes, art works shops, and day trips, that are completely free. These programs have been one of my favorite ways to get to know Spain and other people studying abroad. The academics at CIEE are also very manageable and it is totally possible to take weekend trips and not have to worry about academics. The CIEE staff are also very responsive and willing to assist with anything that comes up.

Studying abroad in Barcelona has been an incredible experience, blending academic growth with cultural immersion. I’ve enjoyed exploring the city’s rich history, iconic architecture, and vibrant local traditions while adapting to a new way of life. Interacting with classmates from diverse backgrounds and engaging with locals has broadened my perspective and enhanced my cross-cultural communication skills. The program’s challenging coursework has pushed me to think critically and apply my knowledge in practical settings. Overall, this experience has not only enriched my education but also inspired personal growth, fostering adaptability, independence, and a deeper appreciation for global cultures.

I did the CIEE Advanced Liberal Arts program and I really enjoyed it. The classes were really great and we did a lot of Spanish writing which I felt fulfilled the "advanced" part of the program. I enjoyed the CIEE courses and the partnership with UB, the courses at UB were a little more challenging but again, it fulfills the "advanced" part of the program. In terms of housing, I stayed in a standard residence which was great, got my own room/bathroom with lots of space and big closet. Sharing a kitchen wasn't too bad and the distance wasn't bad with a close metro down the street. My program advisor was great and felt she provided all the necessary support!

Definitely go on this program if you get a chance. The school is extremely well located with great professors and administration. Aside from that Barcelona is awesome city. It has an amazing food scene with really good restaurants at an affordable cost. They also have some of the most well regarded restaurants in the world that might cost you a bit more. The nightlife scene has something for everyone from bars, American style clubs, or techno raves. Barcelona is also accessible for travel to almost anywhere on the continent by train or plane.

The CIEE study abroad program has been an incredible experience! Whether our power went out, or my curtain broke, or I was very sick... CIEE was responsive and helpful. The classes are engaging and thoughtfully designed, with knowledgeable professors who bring a unique cultural perspective to the material. I appreciated how my professors were approachable and invested in helping us succeed academically while also encouraging us to explore and immerse ourselves in the local culture.

The housing arrangements were another highlight—comfortable, safe, and conveniently located to make the most of the study abroad experience. It felt like a home away from home, which made adjusting to a new environment much smoother.

Overall, CIEE offers a well-rounded program that balances academics, cultural immersion, and personal growth. I’d highly recommend it to anyone considering studying abroad!

I enjoyed my time in Barcelona very much and had a great experience through CIEE. I always felt supported through my academics, housing, and day to day life. The weather was always beautiful, most places were a walkable distance, and the metro system was very easy to figure out and use. The city has an energetic, welcoming vibe and there is always something to see or do. I always felt like I had resources to reach out to if I ever needed anything and never felt like I was falling behind. I would definitely recommend studying abroad in Barcelona through CIEE’s program.

I had such an amazing time studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain! It completely exceeded my expectations and I would absolutely recommend choosing this program to see how you might experience this beautiful, lively city. I chose to live with a host family - which I highly recommend if you actually want to gain a slightly more authentic expereince of how people live in Barcelona - and while it pushed me out of my comfort zone, my spanish greatly improved, I now have un "abuela de espana" to come visit, and it's probably the experience I will miss the most when leaving. Location-wise, Barcelona caters to such a wide variety of people, transportation is amazing, climate is pretty close to perfect, and there is something for everyone to entertain themselves at any given moment. I could write so much more, but prefer to keep my review short and sweet. Whether you like art, music, volleyball, climbing, the list goes on, Barcelona will teach you so much about yourself and the thing you might have chosen to learn here as well one-hundred times fold.

I am so blessed to have been able to come to Barcelona to study Spanish and learn more about the unique culture of Barcelona and Catalonia. I took classes taught in Spanish, one about Art History and the other about the History of Barcelona, although I had many friends taking business, marketing, and other cultural classes in English as well. It goes to show that you can find classes about lots of different things at CIEE Barcelona! Through this program I was able to do lots of activities in and around Barcelona, as well as day trips around Catalonia. I was also able to travel to Rome, Madrid, and Glasgow during my 8 weeks here. Overall, I was able to engage with the local culture, increase my Spanish skills, and learn a lot about myself and the world. If you are on the fence- go for it!