Language + Culture
Designed for students from all academic backgrounds, CIEE Barcelona's Language + Culture program invites you to study abroad in Spain's most popular and cultural city! During your time abroad, you will have every opportunity to explore the city's most famous street, La Rambla, stroll through the mysterious alleys of the Gothic Quarter, hike the impressive mountains of Tibidabo or Montjuïc, enjoy delicious beachside paella at La Barceloneta, and more. When class is in session at CIEE Barcelona, you'll take courses delivered in English across a wide variety of topics, including history, religion, literature, linguistics, marketing, journalism, and more.
You'll also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Spanish language learning at CIEE's partner school, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF). Outside the classroom, you'll participate in co-curricular activities and excursions organized by CIEE beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and develop intercultural understanding.
Unique Experiences
JOIN A HOST FAMILY
at their Barcelona home and soak up the Spanish language and local customs.
CONNECT WITH SPANISH STUDENTS
in a language exchange that helps you practice all you’re learning.
EXPERIENCE LIFE
in a cosmopolitan city that is rooted in ancient tradition and reaching forward to the future.
9
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
10
BEACHES
12
METRO LINES
Your Destination
Culture, sport, fashion, finance, media, entertainment – Barcelona is brimming with it all. The largest city on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is home to 1.6 million in the city proper and 4.5 million in the broader metro area. It is edged with a river on either side and backed by the Serra de Collserola mountains to the west. A walk through the city reveals 2,000 years of history at every turn, including Roman ruins, 19th-century modernist architecture, ultramodern showpieces, and the Gothic buildings of the Old Town.
Castilian Spanish and Catalan are both official languages. Both are regularly used in all aspects of life, and Catalan is not imposed. Taxi drivers, shopkeepers, professors, host families – all speak clear Castilian when Spanish speakers are present. Students don’t need to speak Catalan but learning a few words can open doors to making friends.
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
HIGHLIGHT EXCURSION
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!
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- 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.
INTERNSHIP
Students can opt for a for-credit CIEE internship to gain practical, real-world work experience at NGOs, schools, publishing companies, marketing agencies, businesses, and more. Internships include weekly classroom components that enrich the experience.
Program Blogs
Food in Barcelona!
Learning how to eat your way through a new place can be challenging. I, myself, am a picky foodie. I love to try new foods and eat but I also... keep reading
Best Places to Visit Outside of Barcelona
Calling all students studying abroad in Barcelona ! Barcelona is a beautiful, historial, lively, and culturally rich city that allows students studying abroad in Spain to immerse in the Spanish... keep reading
Volunteering in a local High School
Adam from Cornell University is volunteering every week in a local high school, helping local students with their English speaking. This is what he said: "Volunteering at Escola Pia has... keep reading
HOUSING & MEALS
HOUSING
CIEE Barcelona offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. From homestays to shared apartments, your accommodation preferences will be met. Additionally, all housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.
Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay or a double room at a shared apartment located under 45 minutes from CIEE Barcelona. Homestays feature a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family. Apartments boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students.
Select Housing: Includes a single room at a residence hall located under 45 minutes from CIEE Barcelona. Residence halls boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students. Select housing requires an additional fee.
Select Plus Housing: Includes a single room at a residence hall located under 25 minutes from CIEE Barcelona. Residence halls boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee.
A note: Housing is on a first-come, first-served basis. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we’ll let you know before you arrive.
MEALS
Homestay students have breakfast and dinner with their host families, and they are responsible for lunch.
Meals are not included at residence halls or apartments.
Academics
Students with 0-3 prior semesters of Spanish can dramatically increase their language proficiency while taking coursework in English across subject areas at CIEE Barcelona and Universitat Pompeu Fabra’s Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS). Starting in the Spring of 2024, students will also have the option to take courses at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).
Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) is a highly-ranked public university in Barcelona created in 1990 by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia. It is known for its small class sizes and international outlook and offers degrees in fields ranging from business to social sciences. CIEE students attend classes at the Ciutadella Vila Olímpica Campus. Language courses are taught by experienced professors who specialize in teaching Spanish as a second language.
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is a public University with an enrollment of over 40,000 students. It was founded in 1968 under the principles of autonomy, participation, and social commitment. Today, it is the second-highest-ranking Spanish university according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
CIEE Barcelona is located near Barcelona’s main square, Plaza de Catalunya. CIEE courses are taught by local university faculty members.
Course Information
- Once a student starts internship hours, they may not drop the internship
- UPF host institution Spanish language courses meet for 8 hours per week and are 6 U.S. credits
- UPF BaPIS courses are taught in English for local and international students
Starting Spring 2024:
The LC program will be composed of 2 tracks, with two different host institutions: UPF (Universitat Pompeu Fabra) and UAB (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). Students need to choose one track (UPF or UAB) and they can’t combine courses from both host institutions.
Academic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Agriculture
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Psychology
Academic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Literature, Linguistics, and Writing
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
UPF Required Language Courses
Language courses are 6 U.S. credits, meet for 8 hours per week, and are taught at UPF.
- Beginning Spanish Language
- Pre-Intermediate Spanish Language
- (Prerequisite: one semester of college-level Spanish, or the equivalent)
- Intermediate Spanish Language
- (Prerequisite: two or three semesters college-level Spanish, or the equivalent)
UPF Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS) Courses
Course offerings may vary from semester to semester. Courses are taught in English and are 3 U.S. credits.
Syllabi for the courses listed below can be found online.
Here is a sample of BaPIS courses in English:
- Analytics for Social Good
- Anthropocene – How People Are Transforming the Planet
- Art and Gender in Contemporary Spain
- Artificial Intelligence, Creativity, and the Arts
- Barcelona the City and its History
- Contemporary Spanish Art
- Circular Economy
- Gender-based Violence and International Protection of Human Rights
- Global Marketing and Culture of FC Barcelona
- Globalized World, Globalized Problems? Creative Proposals From Public Service Television Worldwide
- Innovation and the Law. How Technology Changes the Legal System
- LGTB+: Exploring Identities and Diversity
- Mind, Brains and Machines
- The Impact Journey: (Un) Sustainability, Climate Emergency, Authentic Leadership
- The Jews in Spain: History, Heritage and Memory
UNIVERSITAT AUTÒNOMA DE BARCELONA (UAB)
UAB Language Courses (required)
Language courses are 6 U.S. credits and meet for over 6 hours per week.
- Beginner Spanish
- Elementary Spanish
- Low Intermediate Spanish
- Intermediate Spanish
UAB Content Courses
Course offerings may vary from semester to semester. Courses are taught in English and are 3 U.S. credits.
UAB Study Abroad Program sample courses in English (taken with other CIEE students only):
- The Seven Wonders of Spain: Spanish Architecture History
- Communication and Gender
- Mediterranean Culture and History
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.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2024 15 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $20,950 |
| Program Fall 2024 16 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $20,950 | |
| Program Fall 2023 16 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,950 |
| Program Academic year 2023-2024 33 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $39,850 |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
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.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $15,706**
Housing = $4,750
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $20,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,120†
International Airfare = $1,250††
Local Transportation = $65†††
Books & Supplies = $100
Visa Fees = $160
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500
Personal expenses = $260††††
Total Costs = $3,455Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:
Select Housing Fee = $750^
Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500^^
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local transportation: t-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43) / Local transportation: t-usual (1 month) = 20€ ($21)
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
^first-come, first serve, based on availability
^^first-come, first serve, based on availability
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $15,706**
Housing = $4,750***
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $20,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,120†
International Airfare = $1,250††
Local Transportation = $65†††
Books & Supplies = $100
Visa Fees = $160
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500
Personal expenses = $260††††
Total Costs = $3,455Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*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
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local transportation: t-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43) / t-usual (1 month) = 20€ ($21)
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $14,953**
Housing = $4,500***
Insurance = $197
Total Fees = $19,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,168†
International Airfare = $850††
Local Transportation = $65†††
Books & Supplies = $100
Visa Fees = $160
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500
Personal expenses = $167††††
Other = $0†††††
Total Costs = $3,010Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*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
†Homestay includes two meals daily; no meals are included for students in the Residencia and Shared apartments options. Homestay students should budget $600 for meals not included in fees.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local transportation: t-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43) / t-usual (1 month) = 20€ ($21)
††††Personal expenses: $100 emergency fund and cell phone expense + estimated cost of toiletries for one month
†††††Covid test fees for entry to the US, if required
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $30,103**
Housing = $9,250***
Insurance = $197
Total Fees = $39,850Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $2,288†
International Airfare = $850††
Local Transportation = $130†††
Books & Supplies = $200
Visa Fees = $160
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500
Personal expenses = $427††††
Other = $0†††††
Expenses during break = $695††††††
Total Costs = $5,250Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:
Select Housing Fee = $750^
Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500^^
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*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
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local transportation: 3 t-jove. T-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43)
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
†††††Covid test fees for entry to the US, if required
††††††Academic year students who wish to stay onsite are responsible for arranging their housing and meals during the semester break. This amount can vary greatly.
^first-come, first serve, based on availability
^^first-come, first serve, based on availability
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
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 travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
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).
José Luis Espinosa
Academic Director
José Luis holds a Ph.D. in Modern Languages and Gender Studies from the University of Salamanca (USAL).
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
1
Start an Application
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!
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.
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