Studying 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.

Terms: Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Academic Year, 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.

Internships: Students have access to internships in a variety of fields (in English and Spanish) throughout the city of Barcelona. Students who participate in internships will earn academic credit and take an accompanying seminar course to support and facilitate learning.

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) Spanish Honors Seminar: El Nuevo Mundo Hoy - 3 credits
ii) Spanish Civilization and Cultures - 3 credits

iii) Spanish Language course (upper division 300 level and above) - 3 credits

iii) One topics course either taught in Spanish (any discipline) or about Spain (in English) - 3 credits

Summer Course Requirements
i) Spanish Honors Seminar: El Nuevo Mundo Hoy - 3 credits
ii) Any upper division course taught in Spanish (upper division 300 level and above, language or topics course) - 3 credits

Student Life Requirements
i) Students must live in a homestay family.

ii) Students may participate in language exchange with local students.

iii) Students must attend at least 5 different Field Studies of any of the IAU classes on Spain or Spanish culture and arts. These field studies must be in classes different from those they are enrolled in during the semester.

iv) Students participate in the Early Start Program (semester only).

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. 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. IAU also offers a lecture series, where local faculty share their expertise through presentations and engaging dialogue.

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
Multi-day trip to Morocco
Multi-day trip to Italy

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.