Housing in Barcelona

Students in Barcelona have the option to be housed in shared homestays or shared apartments. All IAU housing is within convenient access of public transportation and within an approximately 40-minute commute time to the IAU Barcelona Center. Students should expect to utilize public transportation every day. Students may request roommates on the housing application form and IAU will do its best to accommodate such requests. Note that air conditioning is not common, so it should be an expectation that this will not be available in accommodations in Spain. 

All program participants are required to live in IAU-arranged housing. All program participants will be required to sign and abide by the IAU Code of Conduct & Housing Rules.

Homestays
Students who select the homestay option live with local Spanish host families. IAU's hosts come from a cross section of society: some are families with young or grown children, others are single retirees; some work full-time while others may spend most of their days at home; some hosts are multi-lingual, while others may only speak a limited amount of English. Living with a host allows students the opportunity for both language immersion and cultural exchange, and IAU alumni consistently remark on the growth and insight offered by the homestay experience. Students must be flexible and accepting within their Spanish household -- particularly when it comes to adapting to meal schedules and the family's timetables -- and will in all likelihood find the attitude rewarded.

Students in a homestay receive daily breakfast and dinner. All lunches are the student's responsibility. Some hosts may have only one bedroom that they rent to students while others may have several rooms that they rent out. Students may share their bedroom with another IAU student, although each student will always have their own bed. All bathrooms are shared by students and the host. Students will have access to wifi in their homestay and access to laundry facilities once per week. All linens (bedding and towels) are provided.

Please note that the pictures provided are for reference only. The decor, layout, furniture, and measurements may vary, and are subject to change based on availability.

Shared Apartments
Students who select apartment accommodations will live in furnished and fully-equipped apartments shared with a maximum of 10 IAU students. The decoration, layout, and dimensions of the apartments may vary depending on the building and individual unit. IAU apartments are located throughout the city and are within convenient access to grocery stores, shops, restaurants, pharmacies, and public transportation. In the apartments, students will have access to ample and shared living space and a fully-equipped kitchen, wifi, and laundry facilities. As is standard in Barcelona, students will have access to washing machines in all apartments, but dryers are not guaranteed. All will have clothes drying racks. Students should expect that air conditioning/heating may be available, but is not guaranteed inside the apartments. A professional cleaning service is provided every two weeks. No meals are included with apartments, so students are responsible for all meal costs and preparation. Bedrooms are typically double or triple occupancy. All apartments will have a shared study desk outside the bedroom or an individual desk inside the bedroom. Bathrooms are shared between a maximum of 3-4 students. All linens (bedding and towels) are provided. Students should be prepared that elevators are not available in all buildings and gym facilities are not included in this housing model. 

Please note that the pictures provided are for reference only. The decor, layout, furniture, and measurements may vary, and are subject to change based on availability.


Condo-Style Student Residence
Typically known as individual or shared mini studios, students who select condo-style student residences will live in furnished and fully-equipped student residences used by IAU students, local, and international students. IAU residences are located throughout the city and are within convenient access to grocery stores, shops, restaurants, pharmacies, and public transportation. In these condo-style residences, students are placed in double or single rooms with mini kitchenettes, private storage, and either private or shared bathrooms for up to 3-4 students. Students will have access to ample and shared living space, shared kitchens or kitchenettes, laundry facilities, gym equipment, open terraces, recreational spaces, wifi, and any additional amenities offered. No meals are included with residences, so students are responsible for all meal costs and preparation. The buildings offer private security and 24-hour reception assistance, room cleaning service, and AC in most spaces. All linens are provided. 

Please note that the pictures provided are for reference only. The decor, layout, furniture, and measurements may vary, and are subject to change based on availability. Availability of this housing option depends on the term and enrollment numbers. If this housing option is unavailable, students who selected it will be assigned to shared apartments by default. 

PLEASE NOTE: Housing schedules are aligned with the IAU academic calendar. Students should be aware that they will not move in until the official start date of their term, will need to vacate their housing during the December/January holiday period, and will need to vacate their housing at the conclusion of their term.