How do I apply to SAI Study Abroad: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain)?

You can apply to SAI Study Abroad: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain) by clicking the "Apply Now" button.

Is housing provided for SAI Study Abroad: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain)?

Yes, the program includes housing. Participants stay in apartments.

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SAI Study Abroad: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain)

Q: What's included in SAI Study Abroad: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain)'s fee?

The program fee includes accommodation, activities, airport transfers, classes, travel insurance, and wifi.

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SAI Programs

4.94 (35 reviews)

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SAI Study Abroad: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain)

SAI Programs

4.94 · 35 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Spain
- Barcelona

Term

Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer

Subject Areas

Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, 529 Plan eligibility

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Degree Level

Bachelors

Housing

Apartment

Language

English

Pricing

$5,550

Price Details

Program cost includes tuition, housing & SAI's 360° Services

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes Travel Insurance Wifi

Last Reviewed: Feb 15, 2026

Wish List

16 travelers are looking at this program

Frequently asked questions

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About Program

The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), is a dynamic institution with an excellent reputation in Spain and globally. With its roots in the Catalan tradition, UAB offers a unique opportunity for study abroad students to enroll in English-taught courses in the heart of Barcelona. The hub of the study abroad program is at the Sant Pau campus, a stunning display of Catalan Modernist architecture situated in downtown Barcelona. Students should expect to dedicate extensive time to academics as the classes can be rigorous.

In addition to supporting students throughout their stay in Barcelona, SAI also coordinates a range of activities and excursions throughout the term, including a weekend trip to Seville (semester only), cooking classes, a Flamenco dance demonstration, a Barcelona scavenger hunt, and much more!

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This small, supportive program offers personalized attention, well-planned excursions, and safe, comfortable housing in Barcelona.

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Program Highlights

A wide range of courses in English offered year-round.
Courses offer Mediterranean perspective on global issues.
Cultural events and excursions offered throughout term
Enjoy SAI's 360° Services

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Impact 🌎

Ethical Impact

SAI conducts its programs in an ethical manner in accordance with the best practices in the field of study abroad. SAI acts within the best interest of students, institutions, and partner institutions abroad. SAI maintains open communication with all stakeholders as well as respect to privacy of student data, institutional policies and procedures, and local laws and cultural practices.

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Program Reviews

4.94 Rating

based on 35 reviews

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Rating Spread Study

5 rating 94.29%
4 rating 5.71%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4.05
Support 5
Fun 4.8
Housing 4.75
Safety 4.95

Good for Students, Foodies, Photographers

Showing 1 - 8 of 35 reviews

I loved my on-site program specialists. They were very knowledgeable and helpful with the city. I loved all the Viva Experiences too (most being day trips as well as a few more local craft sessions or similar). I would do it again in a heartbeat if my courses allowed for it. I became more independent and confident in my navigation skills, as well as my people skills. I'm so glad I got out of my comfort zone and joined SAI's soccer team to play against the other abroad programs as well. It was fun and something I hadn't thought to do before I got there.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

One thing I would do differently is wake up earlier. I feel like there was so much I could've done in and around the city in the morning, but I hadn't adjusted my sleep schedule to get up early and do so.

Pros

I got to travel and see so many amazing places.
I got to eat the best Italian food ever (pasta is my favorite food).
I was able to take classes with amazing instructors that were well travelled.

What other participants should know

I had the unfortunate luck of having a bird poop on me on my walk home.
The amount that Europeans smoke (I am not a fan of smoking or the smell).
Some roommate drama (but it was easily resolved).

Montserrat, Spain (40 min outside Barcelona)

My time with SAI was amazing. The entire team was extremely caring and responsive to any issue that we had abroad. Responses would be within minutes. Everyone was knowledgable and had many resources as to how to be successful abroad. The only thing I will say is that the housing situations were hit or miss location and size wise. It would have been nice to have more information on housing options and assignments. Other than that, great program with different options for volunteering, host families, and events!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Save a lot of more money than you think before you go. Do a lot of research on the country you are in. Get as much information as possible on your housing assignments because it can alter your experience if you don't like your assignment.

Pros

Responsive
Nice
Reliable

What other participants should know

Lack of knowledge on housing assignment
Lack of networking opportunities with locals

I am so glad I chose to study abroad with SAI, they made every step of the experience so seamless and easy! There are a lot of logistics when it comes to studying abroad, but they were so helpful throughout the entire process. Not to mention the staff is so supportive, they were available for help 24/7 during our stay in Barcelona and they were so kind. It truly felt like having a local friend for support. Not only that, but SAI offers a variety of VIVA experiences that are included in your program fee. Through these experiences, I was able to travel with my program to 4 other cities in Spain and experience more of the local culture in Barcelona. I loved the paella cooking class and flamenco class!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

I lived with a host family so I got to try a lot of new local foods. The most unfamiliar thing I ate had to be swordfish!

Pros

easy to get around the city
lots of things to do
cheap cost of living

What other participants should know

pickpocketing

Studying abroad with SAI was the best experience of my life. I learned about SAI through a friend, and I will definitely be recommending it to everyone. The on site program coordinators Sandrine and Elena were very welcoming and helpful from my arrival in Barcelona until my departure. Every activity they had planned for us was very well planned and executed. They work hard to get to know all of their students and they deeply care for each student. The housing they provide was in a great location and was very nice. I am so glad I chose to study abroad with SAI!

I had a great time studying with SAI Programs. They made me and the other students feel welcome. They had lots of fun activities for us to do and helped us get adjusted well to our new city. I loved studying in Barcelona and the classes at UAB were just right for me, and not too difficult. Barcelona is also a great central location to study in because you can take day trips all over. Another thing SAI did that I liked was offer volunteer activities, so I got to work with a local elementary school and help teach English to kids while I was there once a week. I also participated in a soccer team that was full of SAI students. We competed near the beach downtown and played against other study-abroad teams in a tournament. I will miss my experience and I had a great time.

Pros

lots of activities for students in the program
volunteer opportunities
internship opportunities

Studying Abroad with SAI Programs was an absolute blast! They were very easy to work with, handling all of the logistics of my trip before I even arrived. They were able to answer any questions I had about the program before and during my experience. SAI planned multiple fun trips and activities for the students to do spread out over the semester. Additionally, they went above and beyond by introducing us to some extracurricular programs around the city for us to be involved in that they felt fit our interests. Overall, an absolutely wonderful experience!

Pros

Fantastic City
Great on-site staff
Plenty of fun things to do

Many people wouldn't choose to go abroad in a pandemic, but SAI makes it all worth it. I have no regrets about my choice and I wish I could do it all over again. This was my second time studying abroad with SAI and they never fail to make you feel comfortable, prepared, and excited. I was happy with my classes, living amenities, and location. It was truly an experience of a lifetime that wouldn't be possible without the amazing staff at SAI. I would highly recommend studying abroad and most importantly, studying abroad with SAI.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

I ate my first oyster and spit it right back out! Yuck!

I have no regrets about choosing this program and would be quick to recommend it to a friend. SAI offered great support and amenities. My apartment was fully stocked with everything I needed. Kitchen gear, linens, etc. and maintenance requests were always met promptly. Expect living differences based on culture and routines. Wifi can be spotty. The location of my apartment was well thought out and close to my university and metro. I attended the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in their study abroad building which was in the middle of the city. I wasn't fully aware that it was the study abroad sect of the school, so my classes were not with local students. Most of my classes were with young adults from the States. My professors were engaging and kind. I enjoyed all of my courses, from political science to art history.
SAI's Barcelona office / team was amazing and I felt safe and comfortable with the staff. They were our friends and immediate support system. We took a weekend trip to Sevilla and activities were provided almost every week (like cooking classes, hikes, and museum visits). I also was able to volunteer at a local school and work with third graders in their art class. Volunteer opportunities are always available to go along with your courses. SAI encourages each student to be independent and explore on their own but is there for any need, at every step of the way. From the application process to our farewell, I trusted SAI with all of my questions and concerns. I made fantastic friends and memories and my study abroad experience was truly so great due to SAI.

What was your funniest moment?

The SAI staff hosted a hike up to "The Bunkers" which is a mountain top view of the city and coast and the whole time we giggled and shared stories. This was a great opportunity to make friends and feel like a local.

Community Questions

Hi! I am wondering if Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona is offering some courses in English? I have a hard time finding answers to this.

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What were the classes like?

Hey Jeffrey, I took three classes while in Barcelona: International Business, Cross-Cultural Management, and Managerial Skills. The classes were taught in English but by two Spanish and one Belgian professor. The instructors were great and all had plenty of real world experience as well as lots of academic experience and credentials. All three were graded based on participation, presentations and...

By Mike Calhoun on September 25, 2015

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

After my first trip abroad once I graduated high school, I knew I definitely wanted to study abroad. I love traveling and how it allows you to open your mind and experience new people and cultures. I get very restless in routines and for me, traveling is a way to escape the mundane and renew my mind, body, and soul. I chose SAI Programs because of all the extra services they provide.

It gave me great comfort, and also to my parents, knowing that there would be people in my host city to help me if I needed it, and to provide me with support. SAI also has excursions included in the program that allow you to experience more of the culture of your host city or country, that you may not be able to experience otherwise. The SAI staff is extremely helpful, kind, and caring, and they really do a great job making sure each student feels welcome and cared for.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

My home university advisor was absolutely wonderful. He was willing to walk me through the entire process from filling out my applications, payment deadlines, acquiring my visa, and so on. I must have been in his office over 20 times, and probably e-mailed him more than that. He never acted frustrated with me and my hundreds of questions. He was always very understanding, patient, and always reassured my parents or myself of any concerns.

SAI Programs, as well, was very helpful. I also emailed them many times and talked to them on the phone, and they were very reassuring and willing to assist me with anything I needed. They frequently sent out emails of all of the information I needed to know, and kept me up to date with deadlines. I am forever grateful to my home university advisor and SAI Programs for helping make the study abroad process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Before going abroad, I wish that someone had clued me in on how much traveling I was going to be doing. I wasn't expecting to be going to a different country every weekend prior to departure, and I was definitely not prepared financially. Even though traveling within Europe is a lot cheaper and easier than traveling in the US, it will still add up over time.

My advice would be that, if you are planning to study abroad, especially in Europe, set aside at least $3,000 for traveling expenses. Of course, traveling to different countries isn't something you have to do while abroad, but it is a great opportunity to take advantage of, and to make the most of your time.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day for me in Barcelona was taking the metro to go to class (which I grew to love: the public transportation system). After class, maybe going out with friends to explore the city; checking out the local markets, hanging out at the beach, or going for tapas or a cafe. Sometimes at night, we would go out to a local bar or club, and have a blast dancing and meeting new people.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was that I was going to be super homesick. Fortunately for me, I found that I am more adaptable than I originally thought, which I believe the SAI staff and the friends I made while abroad helped me discover. Of course I did miss my family and friends back home, but I found that you just have to keep yourself busy and also make sure to check with your family regularly. The good thing about Barcelona however, is there is always something to do and you will never be bored!

Bailey LaPoint

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Chiara Hutchison

Program

SAI Study Abroad: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain)

Job Title

Operations Director

Chiara has worked with SAI Programs since 2013, both in admissions and operations. She studied abroad in undergraduate and graduate school, and believes in its transformative power. In her current Operations role, Chiara is committed to making study abroad achievable for all students, and ensuring that SAI provides a supportive and welcoming environment to help students thrive.

What is your favorite travel memory?

I have been lucky to have done a lot of travel in my life, so it’s hard to pick a favorite, but one that stands out is a recent trip to Patagonia on a multi-day backpacking trek in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park.

I was on day 3 of the trek, and had woken up to a damp tent, heavy (and cold) rainfall, and seriously sore legs. I’d be lying if I said a part of me wasn’t reconsidering why I was doing the whole thing in the first place. On my 5th hour of hiking that day, as we started ascending a peak, the rain slowed, clouds parted, and in what felt like minutes the sky was blue.

The views from the peak were outstanding, breathtaking, inspiring, and rejuvenating all at once. I sat at the top, gazing at the views in every direction, and felt an overwhelming sense of pride and appreciation for everything that had brought me to that place. What’s travel without a little struggle to put everything into perspective?

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I love all the stories of friendship, travel, language, challenge, achievement, growth, and so much more. But sometimes it’s the little successes that can change everything.

One story I love is that of an SAI student at Paris American Academy, studying fashion. PAA’s programs are intensive, and students get a full immersion into the French couture fashion world, working day and night to complete amazing work.

Our student had the enviable opportunity to intern at Paris Couture Fashion Week during her program. She worked double time to complete schoolwork and enjoy this opportunity. It was tough work, but at the end of her summer program, she knew she had accomplished something great. She had found inspiration for her life’s work.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

In our line of work, I think that a personal touch is the most important factor for success. Students are setting off on the adventure of a lifetime, but it can also be overwhelming, scary, and uncomfortable.

Our job at SAI is to offer a helping hand, and more importantly a friendly face, to make the transition as smooth as possible.

When students stumble as they explore their independence, our friendly staff is there to offer encouragement, resources and support.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

This is a tough question, because I would honestly go on every single one, but if pressed I’d have to say our Sicily program. It’s one of the places I have already studied abroad, but it left such a permanent impression on me, that I feel a constant pull back.

Sicily is an island like no other that is an absolute treasure to discover. I would take Italian, volcanology and mafia history courses, as well as do an internship. Every moment in between I would be meeting locals, swimming in the sea, exploring the island, and living it up! Can I go tomorrow?!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I’d say the resounding sentiment within SAI is that it’s a big family. I am always amazed at how long staff have stayed at SAI, which is a testament to a great work culture, and a tight-knit community.

Our collaborative culture makes it so that staff can quickly mobilize to assist each other across many departments, which I believe is truly unique.

About SAI Programs

Since 1995, SAI has provided students with exceptional cultural and educational experiences abroad, offering the opportunity to enroll in some of the finest schools available to English speaking students in Europe. SAI is dedicated to providing academic and cultural learning experiences abroad that enhance global awareness, professional development...

SAI Study Abroad: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain)