Information for term January in Barcelona
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenSpend 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!
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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HOMESTAYS
Live with a local family who can introduce you to the city’s culture and help you adapt to life in Barcelona
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HANG OUT WITH LOCAL STUDENTS
who will join in fun activities like sampling churros con chocolate, making pinchos, and enjoying a flamenco show
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ADMIRE THE ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
of this 2000+ year old city
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MUSEUMS
66 -
PARKS AND GARDENS
69 -
RESTAURANTS
8,000
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
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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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
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A
CIEE BARCELONA
Passatge Permanyer, 10 - 08009 Barcelona, Spain. Near Barcelona’s main square, Plaza Cataluña.
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B
PLAZA CATALUÑA
Barcelona's main square, the heart of the city.
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C
PLAYA DE LA BARCELONETA
The oldest and most famous beach in Barcelona.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
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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January 2024 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenBusiness, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Visual and Performing Arts
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
Click to OpenDates & 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 |
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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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Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Andrés Tabárez
Center Director
Andrés Tabárez is Center Director at CIEE Barcelona. Andrés holds a Ph.D. in Classical Studies from the University of Barcelona (UB).
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José Luis Espinosa
Academic Director
José Luis holds a Ph.D. in Modern Languages and Gender Studies from the University of Salamanca (USAL).
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Fernando Janeiro
Senior Program Manager
Nando holds a Master's Degree in Humanities from Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona) and is certified as a Spanish as a Second Language instructor (International House/ Universitat de Barcelona).
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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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.