advanced liberal arts

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By Term

• Fall 2013
• Spring 2013
• Spring 2014
• Academic year 2013-2014

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Program Overview

If you’re an advanced level Spanish student ready to immerse yourself in the culture of a vibrant metropolis and develop fluency through direct enrollment in a Spanish university, Barcelona awaits.

Study abroad in Spain and live the language by studying alongside Spanish classmates, living with a local family, and exploring the city and country through a variety of cultural activities and excursions. Study abroad in Barcelona and discover a unique, fully immersive intercultural experience.

Study abroad in Barcelona and you will:

• Immerse yourself in Spanish academic culture by enrolling in regular University classes in a wide range of disciplines, from Spanish language and literature to geography, international relations, and political science
• Participate in cultural and educational activities, including lectures and visits to museums; explore Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain through excursions
• Enjoy trips through the city with CIEE Guardian Angels, who help you feel at home; receive help from tutors; take non-credit classes in Spanish cooking

The CIEE Difference

Coursework

Enroll directly in classes at The Universitat de Barcelona, choosing from a range of disciplines including language learning, fine art, history, education, literature, film, and natural and social sciences. Internship opportunities, typically with local NGOs and the host institution, are also available.

Excursions

The academic program is supplemented with a number of field trips and excursions, which include visits in Barcelona and day excursions to such locations as the La Garrotxa National Park, Dalí museum in Figueres, Greek and Roman ruins in Empúries, and Penedés wine region. Longer trips may include visits to Madrid, Andalucía, Bilbao, the Pyrenees, La Rioja, Valencia, and Spain’s northern coast.

Immersion

If you’re looking for support abroad, turn to your Guardian Angel. Seriously.

In Barcelona CIEE provides you with Guardian Angels, local university students who help you to settle into your life in Spain through small group activities like flamenco night, cooking classes, tours of the city, and field trips. Guardian Angels are there to help you make friends at the University, introduce you to the city’s culture, and help you adapt to life in Barcelona.

Dates, Deadlines & Fees

We want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when you study abroad with CIEE, which is why we offer the most inclusions in our fees.

• Tuition and housing
• Pre-departure advising and optional on-site airport meet and greet
• Full-time program leadership and support
• Field trips and cultural activities
• CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits

Please note, program dates are subject to change. Please contact your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor before purchasing airfare. Click the button to view more detailed information about dates and fees.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Fall 2013 (17 wks)

Extended to: 04/15/2013

08/26/2013

12/20/2013

$16,850

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$12,048

Housing ***

$4,400

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** Homestay includes two meals daily. No meals are included for students in the Residencia option.

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee *

$1,150

International Airfare **

$1,750

Local Transportation

$400

Books & Supplies

$300

Visa Fees

$160

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$2,800

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* Amount for homestay. Students living in the Residencia are responsible for all meals estimated at $2600 per semester.

** round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

Spring 2013 (21 wks)

10/01/2012

01/21/2013

06/14/2013

$16,850

Program Date Notes

These program dates are tentative. Please contact your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor prior to purchasing an airline ticket.

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$12,048

Housing ***

$4,400

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** Homestay includes two meals daily. No meals are included for students in the Residencia option.

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee *

$1,150

International Airfare **

$1,750

Local Transportation

$400

Books & Supplies

$300

Visa Fees

$160

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$2,800

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* Amount for homestay. Students living in the Residencia are responsible for all meals estimated at $2600 per semester.

** round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

Academic year 2013-2014

Extended to: 04/15/2013

08/26/2013

to be announced

$32,100

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$22,898

Housing ***

$8,800

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** Homestay includes two meals daily. No meals are included for students in the Residencia option.

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee *

$2,300

International Airfare **

$1,750

Local Transportation

$800

Books & Supplies

$600

Visa Fees

$160

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$5,600

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* Amount for homestay. Students living in the Residencia are responsible for all meals estimated at $2600 per semester.

** round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

Spring 2014

----

to be announced

----

Eligibility

• Overall GPA 3.0
• • Overall GPA 3.0
  • 6 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent

Recommended Credit

Recommended credit for the semester is 15–18 semester/22.5–27 quarter hours and for the academic year, 27–36 semester/40.5–54 quarter hours. A full course load is considered five courses, and students are required to maintain a full course load to remain in the program.

Contact hours are 45 and recommended credit is 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours, unless otherwise indicated.

Program Requirements

Study abroad students are required to take the Intensive Spanish Writing and Stylistics course prior to the start of UB classes. For the remainder of the semester, students take one or two CIEE culture courses, or an internship in Spanish and two or three regular University courses in Spanish. Students taking Spanish for Heritage Speakers take four additional University courses.

During their second semester, academic year students are not required to repeat the intensive course in January, but take final exams during that time. In their second semester, academic year students register for three or four regular UB classes in Spanish and one or two of the CIEE culture courses that they didn’t take in the fall.

All CIEE and UB courses are considered junior- or senior-level courses. All language instruction in the program is at the advanced level.

About The City

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain with its own distinctive history, culture, and language. Set between mountains and the Mediterranean sea, the city's population is 1.6 million, with a total of 4.5 million in the greater metropolitan area. Walking though the city, one can observe 2,000 years of architectural history—Roman remains, the network of narrow streets in the Old Town, the 19th Century Eixample district with its original examples of Modernista architecture—contrasting with the ultramodern showpieces that continue to redesign its skyline.

Meet The Staff

Alberto del Río Malo

Resident Director

Alberto del Río Malo, Resident Director, holds a Master’s degree in Hispanic Philology from the Universitat de Barcelona, where he is currently completing his doctoral dissertation on the relations between literature and cinema. Alberto has been a visiting professor of Spanish Language and Literature at Knox College in Galesburg, IL, and professor of Literary Theory and Comparative Literature at the Universitat de Barcelona. He is a Numerary Member of the Barcelona Literary Studies Society. Alberto also serves as Vice President of APUNE (Association of American Programs in Spain).

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En “Las dos doncellas,” que escribió Miguel de Cervantes, puede leerse este cálido elogio de la ciudad de Barcelona: “Admiróles el hermoso sitio de la ciudad, y la estimaron por flor de las bellas ciudades del mundo, honra de España, temor y espanto de los circunvecinos y apartados enemigos, regalo y delicia de sus moradores, amparo de los extranjeros, escuela de la caballería, ejemplo de lealtad y satisfacción de todo aquello que de una grande, famosa, rica y bien fundada ciudad puede pedir un discreto y curioso deseo.”

Cuatro siglos después, Barcelona sigue siendo una de las más bellas ciudades del mundo. Aquí, gentes de todos los lugares y todas las lenguas disfrutan de la cultura catalana, enmarcados por un entorno arquitectónico privilegiado, y se deleitan con una gastronomía extraordinaria. Y recogiendo el espíritu de la ciudad, la Universitat de Barcelona (UB) representa un punto de referencia excepcional en la ciudad.

— Alberto del Río Malo, Resident Director

“”

Clara Rodes

Center Director Clara Rodes holds an MBA from DePaul University and has extensive management and academic experience. She has worked in the financial, consulting, and education sectors in Argentina, Spain, and the U.S. Prior to joining CIEE, Clara worked for over eight years at the European campus of The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, where she held the positions of Academic Advisor and Director of Administration. In addition, Clara has been a faculty member at Universitat Pompeu Fabra for the last 15 years.

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Where You'll Study

The Universitat de Barcelona was founded in 1450. It has four campuses in different parts of the city and is the oldest and largest of six universities in Barcelona. It has 87,500 students and is the second largest university in terms of student numbers in Spain. The UB is made up of five colleges, 20 research centers, 105 departments, and 98 degree programs. Postgraduate programs are also offered as well as a large number of continuing education courses.

The CIEE Study Center in Barcelona, Spain, is located in two adjoining historic buildings on Passatge Permanyer, near Passeig de Gràcia and Plaça de Catalunya, Barcelona’s main square. This historic passatgeway provides a quiet haven in the city center and houses CIEE classrooms, a computer lab, and student lounges.

Housing & Meals

Study abroad students can choose to live in either Spanish homestays (there is an option to live in a homestay along with another CIEE student) or in a student residencia (residence hall) with other Spanish and international students. These are located in urban settings throughout the city. Students living in a homestay will have breakfast and dinner provided at home, while lunch is at the students’ expense. Kitchen space is allotted to students should they wish to make lunch to bring to campus. Many students choose to eat at one of the university-run cafeterias. Students in homestays will have their laundry done for them once a week. Meals and laundry are not included in the student residencia option, but students share fully equipped kitchens where they can prepare their own meals and laundry facilities are available. All homestays and residencias are located in the city of Barcelona and within 30 minutes, by public transportation, of the CIEE Study Center and host institutions.

As space in the residencias is limited, study abroad students who request to live there but cannot be assigned a place are accommodated through a homestay placement. In the event that there are more requests to live in a residencia than the total available spaces, students with more advanced Spanish take priority over those with less Spanish. Proficiency level is based on students´ CIEE Spanish course pre-registration and academic background in Spanish, as reflected on the transcript. Students who are not assigned the housing option of their choice are notified by the resident staff prior to arriving in Barcelona.

Students staying for a full academic year have the option of living in an apartment during their second semester. Students are responsible for finding, leasing, and managing their apartment stay. Meals are not included in the apartment option and are the responsibility of the student.

Orientations

You'll begin your study abroad experience in Barcelona even before leaving home by participating in a CIEE online pre-departure orientation. Meeting with students online, the resident director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving you time to ask questions. The online orientation allows you to connect with others in the group, reflect on what you want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. CIEE’s aim for the pre-departure orientation is simple—to help you understand more about the program, and to identify your objectives so that you arrive well-informed and return home having made significant progress towards your goals.

A three-day orientation session conducted at the beginning of the study abroad program introduces you to the country, culture, and the academic program, as well as provides practical information on living in Spain and Barcelona in particular. Themes such as the Spanish university system, an introduction to Catalonia, health and safety, banking, and cultural adaptation are covered. Orientation also includes structured cultural activities and independent sightseeing, and a linguistic exchange encounter with UB’ students. A language placement exam is conducted during orientation, and you are placed in the appropriate language courses based on the results. Ongoing support is provided by center staff on an individual and group basis throughout the program.

Internet

You are encouraged to bring a wireless-enabled laptop. You'll have wireless Internet access at your homestay, UB student facilities, and the CIEE Study Center. You'll also be able to use the computer room CIEE Study Center.

Culture

The academic program is supplemented with required field trips and excursions, which include visits in Barcelona (art and history museums, cathedral, city hall, port, walking tours of the historic district, and more) and day excursions to locations such as the La Garrotxa National Park, Dalí museum in Figueres, Greek and Roman ruins in Empúries, Salvador Dalí’s home in Cadaqués, historic Jewish quarter in Girona, Roman amphitheater in Tarragona, and Penedés wine region. Longer trips may include visits to Madrid, Andalucía, Bilbao, the Pyrenees, La Rioja, Valencia, and Spain’s northern coast. Field trips and excursions supplement class work and introduce students to the rich diversity of the geographic, linguistic, and cultural areas of Spain.

Other cultural activities include those designed to bring American and Spanish students together, such as conversation exchanges with UB Spanish students. CIEE also organizes non-credit Spanish cooking classes in which you'll be invited to participate. Volunteer opportunities can be arranged by CIEE staff through UB’s volunteer program Solidaritat UB.

Guardian Angels

Guardian Angels are local university students who help study abroad students to settle into their life in Spain through small group activities including flamenco night, cooking class and tours of the city, and participate in field trips and other events. Guardian Angels are there to help you make friends at the University, introduce you to the city’s culture, and generally help you adapt to life in Barcelona. The Guardian Angels Program is a unique feature of the CIEE Study Center in Barcelona.

Language Activities

A program of language activities has been developed to enhance your language learning and cultural immersion. These activities may include language exchange events, where you'll meet Spanish students to speak both English and Spanish, and exchange contact information to continue meeting during the semester; lectures; films; discussion groups; and neighborhood tours. Students participate actively, speaking Spanish at all times. Past activities have included a lecture on art of the Spanish Civil War, a tour of Barcelona’s Jewish neighborhood, and a Spanish movie viewing, followed by a student-led debate.

Català

Castilian Spanish and Català are both official languages in Barcelona and the region. Català is regularly used in all aspects of life, but not imposed on non-Català speakers. Taxi drivers, shopkeepers, service representatives, professors, and homestay families all speak clear Castilian whenever a Spanish speaker is present. Spanish is used widely at the University and you are advised on which classes are taught in Spanish. While it is not necessary to speak Català to survive in Barcelona, you will find that learning a few words can be an enjoyable experience and open doors to making.

Academics

The Advanced Liberal Arts study abroad program in Barcelona, which began in the fall of 2005, is designed for independent-minded students with advanced language skills interested in enrolling in regular University classes in a diverse range of subjects. At the beginning of the program, students take an intensive Spanish language course designed to prepare them for classes at the Universitat de Barcelona (UB). During this time, students also meet individually with the resident director to select their courses at the University.

Heritage Learners Track

CIEE offers a special track for Heritage Learners. Students who choose to be part of this track take Spanish for Heritage Speakers followed by four regular University courses. Students have access to the entire UB curriculum. CIEE provides students with a list of recommended courses.

Academic Culture

UB’s departments of Modern Languages and Literatures, Geography, History, History of Art, and Philosophy are also downtown at University Plaza, within walking distance from the CIEE Study Center. Other UB departments are located in the Pedralbes section of Barcelona in the Northwest part of the city, approximately a 20-minute metro ride from the CIEE Study Center.

UB classrooms range from traditional to modern and may have up to 100 students in a class. CIEE classes are small, with no more than 12 students in a class.

CIEE courses are similar to U.S courses in that attendance is carefully monitored, and the student’s active contribution to class is an important part of the grade. Tardiness and unexcused absences are not allowed and lead to a lower grade. Students can expect daily readings, regular homework, a midterm exam, a final exam, and a final project or paper.

UB classes are taught in the Spanish academic tradition, which involves more independent work on the part of the student. Typically, the syllabus includes an outline of the themes and a list of recommended readings. There is usually no precise calendar. In many classes, the professor gives a final exam, but often allows a student the option of writing a research paper as part of the final grade or in place of the final exam. It is perfectly normal for Spanish students to share notes with one another and to work together to prepare for the final exam. This is an excellent way for U.S. students to meet Spaniards and practice the language.

The fall semester program begins in late August and ends in late December or early to mid-January. The spring semester program begins in mid-January and ends in late May or early June. It is possible, but not guaranteed, that exams for regular UB classes can be taken in December or May. Although extracurricular activities and personal travel contribute to the student’s overall experience, early departure for or late return from vacation is not allowed. Any extended travel should take place prior to the start of the study abroad program, during vacation periods, or upon completion of the program.

Nature of Classes

Students enrolling in UB courses take classes alongside Spanish students. CIEE culture and language classes are with other CIEE students and not with host country students.

CIEE Community Language Commitment

Students take part in the CIEE Community Language Commitment by speaking Spanish at all times (except in emergencies). This fosters a learning community that contributes to both Spanish language proficiency and understanding of Spanish society. Students are encouraged to meet with local students through CIEE language exchanges, spend time with their host family, and to work on group projects with classmates. The more they participate, the greater their development of Spanish language proficiency and understanding of Spanish society.

Grading System

In CIEE courses, students are graded on class participation, in-class activities, homework assignments, examinations, papers, and oral presentations, similar to standards in the U.S. At UB there may be term papers or an oral examination. However, some departments may have multiple choice/true false exams. Numerical grades are given based on a 10-point scale and converted to the U.S. grading scale.

Students must check with their professors to find out exam and other due dates. Under no circumstances will CIEE alter the deadline for a study abroad student who has made travel plans on the same day an exam is scheduled or an assignment is due.

Internship

An internship allows students to gain a practical work experience. Placements are carefully selected at specific UB offices and departments, at non-profit organizations, or NGOs. In addition to the on-site work experience, students have a weekly classroom component that provides academic support to their practical experience. Students must have five semesters of college-level Spanish to participate.

Language of Instruction

Spanish

Faculty

All CIEE arranged courses are taught by faculty from the Universitat de Barcelona.

Course Description

Program Blog

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