CIS Abroad Summer Study in Barcelona, Spain

This was my first time in Europe, and I am so glad it was with CIS. Going abroad can be nerve-wracking, especially if it is your first time, but I had an unforgettable experience. Barcelona is an amazing city with so many things to do and see and I never once was bored while I was there. Having a CIS on-site director in Barcelona the whole time I was there was great. She planned awesome excursions for us and was there if we needed, but also let us be independent and learn things about ourselves at the same time. You could tell she really cared for her students and wanted to ensure they had the best of times. I made some of the best memories in Barcelona and am itching to go back, I would recommend it to anyone!!

As a girl who grew up in a small town but with a large sense of adventure, studying abroad was something I always knew I wanted to do. However, I could never have imagined how fulfilling the experience would actually be. This past summer, in 2024, I made the decision to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain, at the University Autònoma de Barcelona. The cultures I experienced, the friends I made, and the memories I created are all things I could never have achieved if I hadn't taken the risk to study abroad. While the idea of studying abroad can be nerve-wracking, it has truly changed my outlook on life. I now hold knowledge and perspectives that have broadened my understanding of the world and enriched my personal and academic journey.

Truthfully, the experience of studying abroad was one I will never forget. I think everyone should have the opportunity to study outside of their realm to learn from others. I originally wanted to the program in hopes of meeting new people outside of my university while exploring a new part of the world, and CIS provided that experience for me and so much more! The staff was absolutely incredible to us and helped us find our way while navigating a new country and life. Gaining the experience I did was incredibly valuable and made for an excellent experience. I will absolutely be recommending the program to anyone interested!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.