Barcelona, Spain

January in Barcelona

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Information for term January in Barcelona

Application deadline, and cost information.

Application Deadline

November 1, 2023
weeks
days
hours

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Deadline: November 1, 2023
  • Dates: Jan 2 – 24, 2024
  • Credit: 3 semester hours / 4.5 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA

Overview

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Spend January studying abroad in Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain's Catalonia region! Designed for students looking to expand their knowledge of international marketing and art history, this three-week winter program will give you a deeper understanding of Barcelona's booming business industry and teach you about Catalan and Spanish culture through Spanish masterpieces.

When class is in session at CIEE Barcelona, expert faculty will deliver your courses in English. Outside the classroom, you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore the historical city, enjoy an afternoon walking through Park Güell, and tour La Sagrada Familia.

Discover for yourself why Barcelona is world-renowned for its stunning architecture, world-class cuisine, and vibrant cultural heritage!

Unique Experiences

  • HOMESTAYS

    Live with a local family who can introduce you to the city’s culture and help you adapt to life in Barcelona

  • HANG OUT WITH LOCAL STUDENTS

    who will join in fun activities like sampling churros con chocolate, making pinchos, and enjoying a flamenco show

  • ADMIRE THE ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

    of this 2000+ year old city

  • MUSEUMS

    66
  • PARKS AND GARDENS

    69
  • RESTAURANTS

    8,000

Location & Culture

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Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain with its own distinctive history, culture, and language. Exploring the city, you will observe Roman remains contrasting with the ultramodern buildings, reflecting the city’s commercial and industrial successes. CIEE’s January in Barcelona program allows you to discover this rich, new culture and gain a critical global perspective. 

CIEE Barcelona is conveniently located in a historical pedestrian passageway in the heart of the city. In it, students will find staff offices, classrooms, and open-air terraces. It is close to the host universities and to the city’s main attractions. 

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Barcelona.

The Culture

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES

  • One of our popular day trips takes you to Montserrat, a Benedictine monastery retreat high atop one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Catalunya. Not only is its history of significant religious importance but the surrounding natural beauty is nothing short of breathtaking. There you can visit the monastery to see La Moreneta (the black Madonna), listen to the world-renowned Boys’ Choir (whose history dates back to the 14th century), and trek any of the numerous mountain trails where you’ll take in incredible countryside views and see the most unusual rock formations in all of Catalonia. Are you ready? Let’s go! 
  • Discover the Gràcia neighborhood, famous for its bohemian and artistic style and streets filled with color and culture. 
  • Visit the oldest preserved garden, reflecting both Neoclassical and Romantic styles – and try your luck in the park’s labyrinth maze! 
  • Eat like a local and try popular traditional dishes like churros, patatas bravas, tortilla de patata, tapas, and pinchos. 
  • See a flamenco show! 
  • Hike the Carretera de les Aigües for amazing views over the city. 

Program Blogs

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Program Blogs

Daily Life

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  • HOUSING

    All housing is within a 30-minute commute to CIEE. 


    Homestays: Live with a Spanish family, with or without another CIEE student, and immerse yourself in the city’s language and culture. Each student has an individual room. 


    Apartments: Students can live in apartments shared with other CIEE students. If local health and safety regulations permit, most students live in double or triple rooms. Each apartment will have shared common spaces, including a kitchen and bathroom. 


    Residence Halls: Students usually live with a mix of CIEE students and local and international students. If local health and safety regulations permit, students live in single, double, or triple rooms. Students usually share kitchens and common areas. 


    Housing is tight in Barcelona. If we can’t accommodate your first housing choice, we’ll let you know before you arrive. 

  • Meals

    Students living in a homestay will have breakfast and dinner provided at home, while lunch will be at their expense. Meals are not included for students living in the residencias or shared apartments, though they will share fully equipped kitchens where they can prepare their own meals. 

Barcelona, Spain

Where You'll Study

  • A

    CIEE BARCELONA

    Passatge Permanyer, 10 - 08009 Barcelona, Spain. Near Barcelona’s main square, Plaza Cataluña.

  • B

    PLAZA CATALUÑA

    Barcelona's main square, the heart of the city.

  • C

    PLAYA DE LA BARCELONETA

    The oldest and most famous beach in Barcelona.

What People are Saying

  • "I would definitely recommend this program. A great all around experience and you learn so much."

    John M., University of Scranton
  • "Staff is incredibly helpful and attentive. That includes the administrators and professors."

    Nicholas S., University of Scranton

Academics

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Academics

During January in Barcelona, students choose from either International Marketing, or Catalonia and Spain Through the Arts. The international marketing course explores the growing interdependence of markets worldwide on the formulation of a global market strategy. The art course explores Spanish art and architecture and its social and historical implications.

CIEE Barcelona is located near Barcelona’s main square, Plaza de Catalunya

GPA

2.5

Language Prerequisites

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Program Requirements

Students take one of the required courses that are offered.

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

The program consists of three weeks of classes. Typically, there are no more than 25 students per class. CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture. Class attendance is strictly enforced for both classes and required co-curricular excursions. Although extracurricular activities and personal travel contribute to the student’s overall study abroad experience, early departure for, or late return from, vacation is not allowed. Any extended travel should take place prior to the start of the program or upon completion of the program.

Class Format

CIEE courses are with other CIEE students only.

Grading

Assessment is based on the individual’s overall performance in the course, including class participation, in-class activities, homework assignments, exams, papers, group or individual projects, and/or oral presentations. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

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Course Information

    

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Dates & Fees

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Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

 

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

January 2024 Nov 1, 2023 Jan 2, 2024 Jan 24, 2024

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

What's Included

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What's Included

Tuition
Housing
Meals
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext and a local liability insurance
24/7 emergency on-site support

Our Staff

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Get Started

Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:
  • 1

    START AN APPLICATION
    You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! 

    Apply Now
  • 2

    CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE 
    Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. 

  • 3

    Contact Us

    Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.