SAI Study Abroad: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain)

SAI Study Abroad: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain)

Location
  • Spain
    • Barcelona
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, 529 Plan eligibility
Health & Safety

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
May 13, 2026
Feb 15, 2026
14 travelers are looking at this program

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!

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

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

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

Video and Photos

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.

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 35 reviews
  • 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
Showing 1 - 8 of 35 reviews
Katrina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Barcelona

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.
Cons
  • 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).
38 people found this review helpful.
Paris
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Love SAI and Love 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
Cons
  • Lack of knowledge on housing assignment
  • Lack of networking opportunities with locals
42 people found this review helpful.
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Easiest Way to Study Abroad!

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
Cons
  • pickpocketing
135 people found this review helpful.
Kiersten
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

SAI Barcelona

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!

214 people found this review helpful.
Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience

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
216 people found this review helpful.
Ryan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Incredible Semester

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
254 people found this review helpful.
Morgan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying abroad in a pandemic!

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!
283 people found this review helpful.
Megan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

SAI UAB

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.
271 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

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...