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Study Abroad in Barcelona | IAU

IAU offers study abroad opportunities in the lively and beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain. Located along the Mediterranean Sea, the city of Barcelona allows students to experience the culture of Catalunya. The mild climate, famed cuisine and breathtaking arts give the Mediterranean region a distinct feel, unique from anywhere else in the world. Students in Barcelona will have the opportunity to practice their language skills in the classroom and also with native Spanish speakers through language exchange programs and cultural events. Students who participate in this program will develop a deeper understanding of the Spanish language and its relationship to Catalan history and culture. Full of masterpieces by the famous artists Salvador Dalí and Antoni Gaudí, the city is a classroom in and of itself, exposing students to Modernist and Surrealist architecture and paintings.



Academic Programs: Study abroad students choose to enroll in one of the following programs based on their academic interests:

  • General Studies Program – This program enables students to choose from the wide variety of course offerings to fulfill many of their general education requirements and complete major and minor requirements.

Terms: Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Academic Year, Summer, J-Term, Custom

Disciplines: Architecture, Art, Art History, Business, Communications, Creative Writing, Cross-Cultural Studies, Economics, Environmental Studies, Film Studies, Finance, Geography, History, International Relations, Management, Marketing, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Spanish, Wine Studies.

Field Studies and Study Tours: Over the course of their time abroad, students can expect to participate in field study trips associated with specific classes, where faculty use the city of Barcelona as their classroom. These field studies include visits to museums, historical and cultural sites, and local businesses. Some courses may include field studies to other parts of Spain, Europe, and North Africa.

Students also are able to participate in a variety of activities and study tours that enrich the academic and cultural experience of the program, which may be day trips or weekend study tours to other cities or international destinations. Cultural activities include visits to world-famous locations, cooking classes and wine tastings, language exchanges with local students, and thematic walking tours to familiarize students with different areas of the city. 

Included cultural excursion examples (subject to change and depending on season): 
  • Day trip to Tarragona
  • Day trip to Montserrat
  • Weekend in Valencia
  • Weekend in Costa Brava

Campus and Student Support: IAU’s campus in Barcelona is centrally located near the downtown Plaça de Catalunya area in the l'Eixample district, which is close to many of Barcelona's famed attractions. The facilities have been completely renovated with modern amenities to suit the needs of the 21st-century college student. IAU Barcelona employs a full-time student affairs and academic affairs staff to advise, place, house, and otherwise support incoming students.

Cultural Trips

IAU Barcelona offers students the opportunity to optionally participate in multi-day cultural trips organized and offered by IAU to explore locations in Europe and North Africa in order to enhance their cultural experience abroad. These trips are offered at an additional fee and are optional to participate in. All costs and locations are subject to change and may depend on the term and/or season. Examples include:
  • Multi-day trip to Morocco
  • Multi-day trip to Italy
Students will be required to register for the trip and pay a nonrefundable deposit prior to the term's start date. The balance of the fee will be due prior to the start date of the trip, to be paid by the student. The deposit is used to secure the student's place in the program and will be deducted from the final invoice. 

Specialized Academic Programs - Spanish Honors Program

The Spanish Honors Program is designed for Spanish majors/minors or other students with demonstrated advanced-level Spanish, interested in a comprehensive language and cultural immersion program. Students in the Spanish Honors Program have the following academic and student life requirements: 

Semester Course Requirements
i) SPA 421 Spanish Honors Seminar: El Nuevo Mundo Hoy - 3 credits 
ii) SPA/HIS 327 Spanish Civilization and Culture - 3 credits 
iii) One Spanish Language course (upper division 300 level and above) - 3 credits
iii) One topics course either taught in Spanish (any discipline) or about Spain (taught in English) - 3 credits

Summer Course Requirements
i) SPA 421 Spanish Honors Seminar: El Nuevo Mundo Hoy - 3 credits 
ii) One upper-division (300-level and above) Spanish language or topics course, including courses cross-listed with Spanish - 3 credits 

Student Life Requirements
i) Students must live in a homestay family.
ii) Students may participate in language exchange with local students (subject to availability).
iii) Students must attend at least 5 different academic field studies (in classes other than their own), cultural trips, or cultural activities throughout the semester. Summer students must attend at least 3.
iv) Students are highly encouraged to participate in the Early Start Program (semester only).

Specialized Academic Programs - Ballet in Barcelona

The Ballet in Barcelona Program is designed for dance majors/minors or other students with demonstrated advanced-level dance abilities, interested in gaining onstage experience. The dance classes taught at the David Campos Ballet School, are focused on giving the dancer an authentic experience of what it means to be in a ballet company. This program is only offered in the fall and spring semesters.

To be considered for a place in this program, students must complete the typical application requirements while also submitting an audition portfolio displaying at least 2-minute videos showing their level of ballet technique, as well as technique in other styles in which they are well versed. Portfolios will be approved by David Campos before an IAU acceptance is granted. Students in the Ballet in Barcelona Program have the following academic requirements: 
Semester Course Requirements
i) DAN 331 Advanced / Professional Ballet Trainee taught by David Campos - 6 credits 
ii) IAU course selected by the student with approval from their home university - 3 credits 
iii) IAU course selected by the student with approval from their home university - 3 credits 
iv) IAU course selected by the student with approval from their home university - 3 credits 

Hear about one student's experience in the Ballet in Barcelona Program on the Institue for American Universities YouTube Channel.

For more information on this program, including relevant syllabi, please email enroll@iau.edu.

 

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