Spanish Language in Barcelona, Spain

Program Overview

Breathe in the fresh Mediterranean air for 4 weeks while you soak up the Spanish language and the distinctive Barcelona culture. Barcelona is often known as the cultural hub of the Mediterranean and there are a million reasons why. When you think of Barcelona, often the first things that spring to mind are tapas and sangria. Don’t get us wrong, food plays an integral part of this experience but Barcelona has so much more to offer than just trendy tapas bars.

Summer (July) in Europe is the perfect time to visit. Enjoy one of Barcelona’s famed beaches and join the locals in a game of beach volleyball, or just take in the views. Make the most of your time in Barcelona by catching a Flamenco show, taking a cooking class and visiting local markets.

Barcelona also boasts more World Heritage listed sites than any other city in Europe. Culture vultures will go gaga over the amazing architecture, some of which is 2,000+ years old. There are a ton of museums, churches, cathedrals, concert halls and of course the modern art of famed artisans like Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso. During your cultural discovery you’re guaranteed to see the influential architecture of Antoni Gaudí. His work is easy to spot around the city – just keep a look out for whimsical and playful architecture that you’d expect to find in a Dr Seuss storybook.

Gain credit while you have fun
In a short time you can expect to gain or improve your Spanish language skills – there is nothing like hearing, reading and speaking a new language every day. You can earn the equivalent of one full-time academic course towards your degree in Australia at the Barcelona School for International Studies (SIS).

A diverse jam-packed experience
You really will hit the ground running when you arrive. CISaustralia provides an orientation, activities and tours so that you have something happening most days you’re in Barcelona. We want to ensure you get the most out of your time while providing a nice balance of free time to discover the city on your own. It is not surprising the number of students that return after their program – it’s hard not to love Barcelona, truly one of the world’s major global cities.

If you know you will love it, plan to stay
If you have the feeling that a few weeks is just not long enough, consider pre-planning an internship or other study abroad program. You are already in Europe, why not continue on to spend more time in London, Florence, Paris, the Netherlands, or Scotland?

Are you in?
If this all sounds like a perfect couple of weeks in your university break, apply today as spaces are limited. You will be travelling with like-minded students from Australia and the US – so come alone and meet a bunch of new and interesting people, or bring a friend to share the experience. Either way we would love to have you on board.

Highlights

If you’re going to learn the Spanish language there is no better place to do it than in Spain. The Spanish Language in Barcelona study program is one of the best on offer. The program is dynamic and unique and will no doubt leave a lasting impression. Don’t just take our word for it! Check out some of key highlights below and then see it all for yourself:

• You’ll be given a personal orientation upon arrival
• Guided tours of the amazing city of Barcelona are on offer
• The program attracts a range of students from all over the world, so there are plenty of opportunities for making new friends
• There are custom housing options available so we can make sure you’re cosy and comfortable, whatever your preferred style
• Immerse yourself in a truly Spanish experience by taking part in a Spanish and Catalan cooking class
• Catch a Flamenco show (or take a lesson or two), visit museums, galleries and parks and enjoy cinema nights with your fellow students

Choose Your Course

The CISaustralia Spanish Language in Barcelona program is hosted at Barcelona School for International Studies (SIS). The program offers plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture, meet Spanish and other international friends and study with students from all over the world.

Course Load: 1 course, equivalent to 3 US credits / 45 contact hours

• Depending on your Australian university, “courses” may be referred to as “subjects” or “units”.
• Each course/subject/unit you undertake on a CISaustralia program is designed to be a full-time, semester course that has been condensed to fit into an intensive, short-term program. As such, for any 1 course you study abroad, you should receive the credit points for 1 full-time course/subject/unit at your Australian university.
• Many universities work off of a 1-for-1 equivalency (1 course abroad = 1 course in Australia), but ultimately credit approval is the decision of your faculty and Australian university.
• CISaustralia strongly recommends that you have any overseas courses pre-approved for academic credit before you depart for your program. Some documentation that may be useful are the course outline/syllabus, program overview and the contact hours.
• Please be aware that the courses listed below are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed year on year.
• Your CISaustralia Program Advisor can assist with any questions or details your university needs to make a decision.

Academic Requirement: To qualify for this program, students must be in good academic standing with a GPA of 4.5 (out of 7) or equivalent. If your current GPA falls below the requirement, you may still be considered for the program but will need to be prepared to provide supporting documentation. Please contact us to discuss your situation and we will work with you to help find another suitable program if required.

NOTE: Please be advised that Barcelona SIS requires a student’s official transcript when considering applicants. Ordering an official transcript from a university can take up to a few weeks. Students applying near or on the program’s application deadline should plan to have their official transcript on hand.

2024 Course Descriptions:

COVID Safe Travel

The health and safety of our students is our highest priority. We take our duty of care for our students, their families and our Australian University partners seriously. For all of our program locations, we have developed a site-specific COVID-19 risk matrix and risk management and emergency response plans so that health and safety response protocols are monitored, managed and communicated.

In preparation for your overseas program, it’s important that you carefully read and understand information related to COVID-19 Travel Safety and Insurance Requirements.

CISaustralia monitors Smartraveller and reliable news feeds to keep up to date with the latest COVID information and any associated travel restrictions and entry requirements for all destinations where we have programs. Due to the constantly evolving COVID-19 situation, Government travel advice can change quickly. For the most up to date information on Spain, visit the Smartraveller website.

Excursions

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – Barcelona is one of the very best study abroad destinations and you will absolutely love this short course program.

Our staff in Barcelona organise a fantastic social program that covers a lot of ground for the short time that students are there for. Activities change from year to year, but in the past students have attended cooking classes, taken a tour of Sagrada Família, learnt how to do some traditional dancing and gone for hikes. No matter what our team has planned, you’re sure to have an amazing cultural experience!

You also have the freedom to explore Barcelona and its surrounding areas by yourself. Finding activities doesn’t have to cost money. Spend your afternoons hanging with the locals at the beach. Sunbake on squeaky clean white sandy beaches, relax in the sun and enjoy the warm Mediterranean waters. On the first Sunday of every month, the city opens its doors to all municipal museums free of charge.

Our fabulous staff will become your best travel guides – they will look to take you to the Spanish cinema, a Flamenco show, the museums and markets. They can also help you arrange a language exchange partner and a Catalan cooking class.

If you want to travel a bit further afield, take advantage of a weekend and travel. There are a few destinations to choose from including Costa Brava, Granada and Madrid. Even if you decide not to take part in the planned cultural events and excursions, our friendly staff will still be there for you to offer advice, answer questions and help you every step of the way. All you have to do is ask.

Location

Located on the shores of the Mediterranean it’s no wonder that Barcelona is one of the very best study abroad destinations. With a perfectly comfortable year-round climate, summer dresses, shorts and sandals will be your daily attire. Ahhh Barcelona, land of eternal sunshine.

Barcelona is on the northeast coast of the Iberian Peninsula (which includes Spain and Portugal) and on the shores of the stunning Mediterranean. With a population of 1.5 million, it is Spain’s second largest city and one of the central hubs for business in Europe. If you include the outer lying areas surrounding Barcelona, the population expands to almost 5 million, adding to the diversity of the city and its people.

Barcelona is located in the semi-autonomous Spanish region of Cataluña and has two official languages: Castilian Spanish and Catalan. English is very commonly spoken, especially by servers and other hospitality staff, as Barcelona considers itself as much European as Spanish to certain extents and hosts millions of tourists each year.

Getting around is a breeze – a fantastic public transport system makes all the great places and beaches Barcelona has to offer easy to visit. It also gives you easy access to the campus and all the amazing sites located throughout the city. But by far, the very best way to see Barcelona is on two wheels. Vast networks of bicycle paths weave in and around the city so grab yourself a pushie and go exploring. When you need a rest, stop at a local cantina for a cool drink and when the belly starts to grumble pull into a tapas bar and indulge your senses in a fresh and colourful feast.

Barcelona is world class when it comes to culture, including art, cuisine and traditions unique to this wonderful city. From the Spanish tradition of tapas to frequent festivals, human pyramids called castellers, and a naturally healthy appetite for food, drink and social company, Barcelona pulsates with life. Like many major cities, Barcelona has dozens of distinct neighbourhoods, but the difference is substantial – some of the city’s neighbourhoods are millenia- or centuries-old, and others just years. Simply strolling the city streets is an experience in itself, as architecture, layout, demographics and locales change from street-to-street.

Barcelona is such a truly diverse city, it boats a largely international population and is alive with colour and flare. The people are the pulsing heart of the city and you’ll find yourself being welcomed – it doesn’t take too long to feel like you are ‘home’ in Barcelona. There’s also the eclectic nightlife, an abundance of significant historical attractions and welcoming and friendly locals. Barcelona is a rich cultural tapestry with history that weaves through the city. It truly is an unparalleled place to study abroad. See you in Barcelona this July!

The University

As a student you’ll be studying at Barcelona School for International Studies (SIS) located in the heart of the city. SIS offers the best local and international professors while maintaining small class sizes. Individualized attention, ongoing evaluation, group projects, and a curriculum closely tied to the city set this university apart. Each course includes a variety of field studies and guided reflection. SIS is a Spanish institution with U.S. accreditation through Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.

Accommodation

Students can choose from a shared or single room in a student residence hall. Local homestay may be available at request.

There are three residence halls available, located in neighbourhoods across the city and all within a 40 minute commute to campus. The halls are co-ed, but rooms are same-gender. Each room comes fully furnished, including towels and bed linen and its own ensuite.  Most locals live with their parents while they go to university, so dormitories are rare, but there are a few set up to house international students or those that come from outside the city. Being hosted in a Residence Hall means that you will be sharing your space with other students from a wide variety of nationalities.  All residence halls have a shared kitchen and provide cooking utensils. All residence halls include 24-hour security, common areas, and laundry facilities.

You will need to make adjustments to what you are used to in Australia. This is part of your cultural immersion. Living conditions and expectations are different in every country in the world. Be flexible, patient and understanding.

Please note: Students are liable to pay for any damages that occur to the accommodation. Replacing lost/stolen/damaged room keys and/or other damages that happen onsite will be charged directly to the student (in local currency).

Program Fee & Dates