Traveling to Barcelona without any prior travel abroad experience, I was extremely nervous and excited. This was my first time traveling a long distance without family or friends I was well-acquainted with. ISA made my comfort level great as soon as I arrived in the country. They made sure that I knew where I was going and were given ample time to make friends with the other study abroad students.

Barcelona is such a beautiful city! The excursions included visits to: La Sagrada Familia, a staple tourist attraction; A weekend trip to Valencia; and a trip to Girona and the Dalí Museum. Of course, we were given time to do our travel, where I traveled more inside the country (Madrid, Tossa de Mar, and a short trip south to Morocco). Having these opportunities allowed me to explore the city and get to know the locals, traditional foods, and more!

During my time there, I opted to do a homestay. ISA did a fantastic job in matching me with a family that cared for me and made sure I was well taken care of. I know that if I did have any problems (which I didn't), they would be able to support me to solve the issue I could have had.

I attended UPF while I was there. The classes took some time to get used to as they were quite different from what I am used to in the States. But I enjoyed the class options and was able to get the credits transferred back with ease.

Overall, this study abroad experience in Barcelona is something I will never regret. I was able to have a more global perspective on things. I really recommend this program, even if it is not in Barcelona, to study abroad as it helped me grow both personally and professionally!

I had such a great time studying in Barcelona, Spain with ISA for the Fall 2024 semester! The ISA staff was so great and helpful throughout the experience and provided me with so many wonderful opportunities and activities to get to know the city. I played in the study abroad soccer league as well as took Latino dance classes through ISA. Living in a homestay also helped me improve my Spanish and challenge myself! Throughout my semester, I became so much more independent and confident. This was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life!

At first I was so scared to study abroad because I was alone but I never think for a second that I regret my experience. I overcame the challenge of having to be independent in a country where I do not speak the language. I felt so much peace and happiness during my stay and wish everyday I were back there. I saw myself grow as a person and become more confident everyday. The locals would encourage us to dance with them and everyone is truly happy there. If you are thinking about doing it, DO IT!

Studying abroad even for only 3 weeks with ISA was such a good experience. I was able to see so many sights in Barcelona and meet some amazing people. The program offered a trip to Valencia and Peñíscola that was included in the price of the program which was an unexpected surprise. I ate the most delicious food and had the best time on my trip to Barcelona with ISA. I was even able to use my study abroad experience to kickstart my travels throughout Europe once my program was over. This program and my time in Barcelona changed my life, I can't wait to go back and visit again.

ISA study abroad is something you will not regret. With a promising new perspective of life itself, and a new appreciation of the world I can say it was the best experience so far. I spent my spring semester in Barcelona, living in a student residence. I recommend student residence living because you will be able to meet locals, practice the language, and feel less alone because of the easily accessible common spaces that is always filled with residents. Study abroad will also introduce you to a new education format than your home university.
The trips and gatherings offered through ISA was beyond helpful, and it was where I made some life long friends with great memories.

I went abroad on a four week intensive program in Barcelona with ISA, and it was wonderful. Regarding ISA, they are organized and very personable. Using their site and portal was also so simple. The process seemed to be as easy as possible. On the trip they had three ALL inclusive trips provided and they were all so much fun. I met so many new friends and professors through this program. The courses were also challenging but fun; you could tell the teachers were into their content. The experiences I had were endless, and I would 100% recommend this trip to any college student looking to improve their Spanish drastically.

I loved going abroad to Barcelona so much! Upon arrival, ISA made sure we were set up with everything we could possibly need. They made sure we knew what to do in any situation we might find ourselves in and gave us resources I would not have otherwise known about. The ISA team was extremely helpful in communicating with the university I was enrolled in and making sure I had access to classes that UCLA would award me credit for. They were quick to respond to my emails and always available to answer any questions I had throughout my time. I would definitely recommend ISA to any student looking to go abroad and I would not change a thing about my experience!

Studying abroad has been a transformative experience that opened my eyes to new cultures and perspectives on a new continent. One significant advantage of studying abroad in Spain was the opportunity to practice my secondary language, Spanish. Proficiency in another language is highly advantageous in cybersecurity - my current major. During my internship, which occurred immediately after I returned from Spain, I learned that working in cybersecurity occasionally requires you to work in an international setting where multilingual communication is often necessary. Although most Spaniards speak Catalan, I was still able to communicate with them in Spanish. I challenged myself to do so every day, even though many Catalonians understood English enough to speak with tourists. This practice greatly increased my proficiency in Spanish and will enable me to communicate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders across different regions in my future career. Beyond academics, my time in Spain helped me grow personally and foster independence and self-reliance. These qualities, although not solely beneficial in cybersecurity, are universally valuable in any professional setting. I stepped out of my comfort zone and did my best to adapt to local norms. Among many things, this involved learning the local public transportation system (which to say I used frequently would be an understatement) and ensuring the safety of myself and my peers. I learned how locals dressed, acted, and protected themselves in the busy city. Additionally, I was offered numerous opportunities to learn about the culture and had the privilege of making lifelong friends with people from various corners of the United States and Europe. While exploring Europe, I visited three different countries including Spain, France, and Andorra. I ventured to monasteries nestled in the mountains, marveled at awe-inspiring churches and Basilicas (including, but not limited to the Sagrada Familia), viewed historical landmarks in and outside of Barcelona, indulged in regional cuisine, explored remote beaches, journeyed through caves and coastal cities, and, of course, experienced the vibrant and exciting nightlife the city is famous for! I am profoundly grateful for the support that made this journey possible and will carry the lessons and experiences I had with me forever.