Location
  • Spain
    • Barcelona
Term
Fall, J-Term, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Accounting Agriculture Anthropology Architecture Art History Classical Studies Communications Creative Writing Criminal Justice Economics Engineering Film Finance Gender Studies History International Business Law Literature Marketing Media Relations Political Science Psychology Social Sciences Sociology Sustainable Development +15
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Dormitory Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Price Details
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE! There are no hidden charges or surprises when you arrive, and scholarships opportunities are available!
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Classes Some Meals Travel Insurance
What's Included (Extra)

Pre-departure advising, airport pick-up, on-site professional staff, and iNext travel protection

Jun 04, 2024
Dec 18, 2024
35 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Barcelona’s art, architecture, and gastronomic reputation alone are enough to command global attention. Add its political, economic, and cultural influence to its respected higher education system and you get an irresistible destination for students from around the world.

CIEE Spain gives you access to homestays; internships; volunteering opportunities; direct enrollment options; and cultural clubs, activities, and excursions that provide a uniquely immersive international experience. Come write your story of Spain with us.

Courses are available in English and Spanish.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • CIEE Barcelona is located in downtown Barcelona, near the city’s main square. Both ESCI and UVic are just 20 minutes from CIEE.
  • Every CIEE semester program has cultural excursions and study tours uniquely designed to complement the program’s academics and enhance students’ cultural immersion.
  • Depending on their program of study and availability, students may be able to volunteer or participate in an internship.
  • Students can volunteer to help children with homework after school, help kids with special needs during school breaks, or take part in food-drives to help feed people in need.

Popular Programs

Main entrance to Gaudi's Parc Guell

Spend your summer learning how to succeed in a globalized economy, discovering a new culture, and gaining crucial global perspectives – all while studying business in Barcelona. This program offers challenging coursework, engaging company visits, welcoming homestays, and interesting co-curricular activities designed to offer insight into international business.

CIEE Barcelona

Improve your Spanish language skills and boost your cultural knowledge while studying international business in the capital of Catalonia. Choose from courses in English at CIEE Barcelona and CIEE’s partner schools, Escola Superior de Comerç Internacional (ESCI) or Universitat de Vic (UVic), while immersing yourself in Barcelona’s culture, history, and community.

Excusion to Montserrat

Perfectly situated between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is the ideal city to spend your January term boosting your knowledge of international business or art history. Gain exposure to and develop a deeper understanding of the city’s booming business industry or learn about Catalan and Spanish culture through Spanish masterpieces.

CIEE Barcelona Internship Programs

As a global intern, you’ll have the chance to gain practical, real-world work experience in Barcelona’s startups and other businesses in areas like finance, technology, biomedical sciences, tourism, and more.

CIEE First Year Abroad in Barcelona

As the capitol of Spain’s Catalonia region, Barcelona is a beautiful beach city on the Mediterranean coast with vibrant street life, stunning architecture by Gaudí, and endless cultural activities. Dive into the lively atmosphere of this Spanish city, where tapas, cultural festivals, and the iconic Sagrada Familia create an unforgettable backdrop for your international adventure.

Program Reviews

4.84 Rating
based on 96 reviews
  • 5 rating 84.38%
  • 4 rating 15.63%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.3
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.8
  • Housing 4.7
  • Safety 4.75
  • Housing 5
  • Support 4
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 96 reviews
Default avatar
Andy
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience in Barcelona

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.

What was your funniest moment?
Visiting the Nürburgring was an unforgettable experience that combined adrenaline, excitement, and admiration for motorsport history. As a car enthusiast, stepping onto the legendary track felt like a dream come true. The challenging curves, the scenic forested surroundings, and the roar of high-performance engines created an electrifying atmosphere. Driving on the Nordschleife pushed my skills to the limit, while the sheer complexity of the track demanded focus and precision. The Nürburgring's storied past and its vibrant car culture deepened my appreciation for automotive engineering and racing. It was a thrilling adventure that I’ll cherish as a milestone in my travels.
Pros
  • Travel around EU
Cons
  • Far from home
2 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tanya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome Experience, Good program

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!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Enjoy Barcelona for more than just the parties! Barcelona is so big and cool to explore, get out of the common areas and explore some more local spots! Try lots of Spanish food like paella, tortilla de patatas, bocadillos de Jamon iberico, & more!
Pros
  • Good courses
  • Good support
  • Good housing
2 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tyler
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What a Great Place to Spend a Semester

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.

2 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Camille
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

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!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would participate in CIEE planned activities, as a way to see more of the city as well as meet new people in my program.
Pros
  • Clarity on Absences
  • Accessible Forms to fill out if something is wrong
  • Loved my Teachers
Cons
  • Set departure date right after exams
  • N/a
  • N/a
3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Maeve
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Barcelona

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.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I had my first seafood pállela during my time in Barcelona!
Pros
  • Great weather
  • Fun nightlife
  • Good food
Cons
  • Pick pocketing
  • Culture shocks
  • Language barriers
3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jess
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying Abroad? More like Abroad with a Side of Studying

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.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
While visiting a local climbing crag about 2 hours away, I ran into one of my friends I've been climbing with at the gym with no prior planning! A testament to making new friends and exploring a new place without abandon.
Pros
  • Great people (always down to have a good time, overwhelmingly friendly)
  • Great location (warm climate, beautiful landscape and sea, easy to travel to other European countries and within Spain)
  • Great opportunites (fresh, delectable food; convergence of so many music genres; inspirational art scene)
Cons
  • The school aspect of living here sometimes isolated us to meeting people outside of our academic cohort.
  • Pick-pocketing, but this can be avoided!
  • Limited previous academic requirements coupled with group projects in a more academically rigorous program caused some discrepencies in work-load.
3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Elise
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Barcelona Summer Language & Culture

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!

24 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Holly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Growing In Barcelona

I was extremely nervous about embarking on this program, as it was my first time traveling to another continent and being away from my friends for such an extended period. The prospect of stepping into the unknown, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and environments, was daunting. Nevertheless, I saw this as an opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone and embrace new experiences. Upon my arrival in Spain, I realized I was completely on my own. I didn’t know a single person in the program, which heightened my anxiety but also motivated me to be proactive in making connections. The first few days were the hardest, filled with uncertainty and a sense of isolation. However, I was determined not to let these feelings hinder my experience. I understood that to make the most of this journey, I needed to step out of my shell and engage with others. To overcome my initial nervousness, I decided to adopt an open and friendly approach. I started conversations with everyone I met, from fellow students to local residents. This wasn’t easy at first, as I have always been a bit shy. But I knew that if I didn’t take the initiative, I would miss out on the chance to form meaningful relationships and fully immerse myself in the culture. Living in the dormitory was a significant factor in helping me build friendships. The communal living environment naturally encouraged interaction and bonding. I made it a point to introduce myself to my hallmates and participate in dorm activities. This proactive approach paid off, as I quickly found a group of people with whom I clicked. We began exploring the beautiful cities and landscapes of Spain together, creating unforgettable memories along the way. Our shared adventures included visiting iconic landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Alhambra in Granada, and the bustling streets of Madrid. We also took the time to immerse ourselves in local culture, attending flamenco shows, savoring tapas at local eateries, and participating in traditional festivals. Each experience brought us closer together and enriched our understanding of Spanish culture. One of the most rewarding aspects of this program was the diversity of the people I met. My new friends came from various backgrounds and parts of the world, each bringing their unique perspectives and stories. This diversity not only broadened my horizons but also taught me the value of embracing differences and finding common ground. Through our interactions, I developed a deeper appreciation for cultural exchange and the importance of global connections. The program also offered numerous opportunities for personal growth. Navigating a new country and adapting to a different lifestyle required resilience and flexibility. There were moments of homesickness and cultural misunderstandings, but each challenge taught me valuable lessons in patience and perseverance. By stepping out of my comfort zone and facing these obstacles head-on, I became more confident and self-reliant. In addition to personal growth, the academic aspect of the program was equally enriching. The courses I took provided me with a deeper understanding of Spanish history, language, and society. Engaging with local professors and students allowed me to gain insights that went beyond textbooks, offering a more nuanced perspective of the country. This academic experience complemented the cultural immersion, making my time in Spain both intellectually stimulating and personally fulfilling. Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful for the initial nervousness that prompted me to take this leap. The friendships I formed and the experiences I had were beyond anything I could have imagined. This program not only allowed me to explore a beautiful country but also helped me grow as an individual. It taught me the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone, embracing new challenges, and being open to the unknown. As I return home, I carry with me not just memories of Spain but also a newfound confidence and a broader worldview that will continue to shape my future endeavors.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I would tell future travelers to embrace the culture of Spain and try everything. Go to every activity or event offered by CIEE, make as many friends as you can, and try every food you see.
Pros
  • Living accommodations
  • Support from CIEE staff
  • Courses
Cons
  • Transportation
  • Safety
26 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers