The IES Abroad Barcelona Summer Language Intensive Program is designed for students who want to engage in intensive Spanish language and culture learning in a four-week study abroad program. The program is equal to an entire semester of Spanish language study and is open to all language levels.
Over the course of the summer, you will come to know Barcelona's vibrant plazas and winding streets through culturally enriching opportunities. IES Abroad’s Barcelona Program offers enrollment in Spanish-intensive IES Abroad courses, housing in homestays with local families, and field trips; you will have the opportunity to meet Spanish and international students alike. Starting at the IES Abroad Center in the center of Barcelona near the Plaza Catalunya, this program will help you to gain a meaningful cultural experience and a deeper knowledge of what it means to be a citizen of the world.
These dates are preliminary and are subject to change. Students should not book flights according to these dates.
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. We offer unique courses that explore Spanish language learning through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
Enroll in an intensive Spanish language and conversation class at the Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced level. You spend several hours each day in class, studying language and grammar, and practicing your conversation skills.
Additionally, you immerse yourself in the culture through activities and field study that involve the current events and daily life in Barcelona and Catalonia.
IES Abroad Barcelona organizes field study trips that complement what you’re learning in the classroom, and contribute to your general knowledge of Spanish culture and society.
Our job is to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding what landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Barcelona, it will feel like home.
While abroad, you will be housed in Spanish homes with families, señoras, or young professionals throughout the city. Two meals are provided each day.
Part of making you feel at home in Barcelona is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
After arrival, you receive practical information on housing, transportation, and extracurricular activities, and learn about Barcelona and Catalan culture through scavenger hunts, Spanish language classes, a cinema forum, and local walking tours.
You have the opportunity to participate in field trips and extracurricular activities in and around Barcelona and cultural activities at the IES Abroad Center.
You can go on an optional field trip for an additional fee. Potential destinations include:
The IES Abroad Barcelona Center is located in the center of Barcelona near the Plaza Catalunya. Features include:
Dr. Cèsar Alegre AlsinaIES Abroad Director Originally from Barcelona, Dr. Alegre speaks Spanish, Catalan, and English fluently. He brings more than twenty years of experience in higher education to IES Abroad, including a distinguished teaching career in the United States, experience in student services, and a strong research portfolio. Dr. Alegre is a linguist specializing in second language acquisition, pedagogy, bilingualism and sociolinguistics. Previously, Dr. Alegre served as the Dean of Spanish for IES Abroad Barcelona, where he distinguished himself as the coordinator of language teaching by implementing numerous curricular and technological improvements. Notably, Dr. Alegre launched internet-based teaching tools and an on-line language placement test. Student evaluations of the Spanish language courses and the language faculty have been consistently high under his direction.
IES Abroad Staff
Jane EwartHead of Registration and Advising
Francesc FontesAdministration Coordinator
Pilar GraciaAdministration Coordinator
Salvador OrtizOutside Courses and Customized Programs Coordinator
Noemí PoloStudent Affairs Coordinator - Health and Safety, Homestays
María RomeroAssistant Dean of Faculty
Olga SánchezStudent Affairs Associate - Health and Safety
Beatriz TabernerCoordinator of Educational Resources and Publications
Ferran TeresStudent Affairs Coordinator - Apartments
Betsey TufanoGeneral Manager and Director of Administration
Alex WalkerDirector of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
Margherita ManginiCenter Administrator
Matthew ClearArea Faculty Advisor
María MejíasLanguage Faculty Advisor
Ignasi PérezArea Faculty Advisor
Ataúlfo PortelaLanguage Faculty Advisor
Laura VázquezLanguage Faculty Advisor
Faculty Cèsar AlegreSpanish Language Ph.D. in Hispanic Linguistics, University of Massachussets and Amherst
John Frederick AndersonMaster of Arts in Documentary Photography, University of Wales College Newport, UK Sandra Becerril Spanish Language
Nieves BorregoSpanish Language
Rosa BrionSpanish Language Ph.D. (in progress) Linguistics, Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Luis CardonaOceanography Ph.D. in Biology, Universitat de Barcelona
Laura CerviPhD. in Political Science, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain- Università degli Studi di Pavia, Italy
Alistair CharlesInternships MBA, University of Brighton
Matthew ClearArt History Ph.D. in Mediterranean History, University of Sussex
Josep María ContrerasSpanish Language
Xavier De PedroEnvironmental Studies, Sociology Ph.D. in Biology, Universitat de Barcelona
Gemma DraperMaster in Fine Arts. Cranbrook Academy of Art. Bloomfield Hills, MI
Alexander WalkerUrban Studies Ph.D. in Planning Studies, University College London
Marina DíazHistory Ph.D. in History, Tufts University
Verónica FajardoLiterature
Laura VázquezSpanish Language Ph.D. (in progress) in Teaching of Language and Literature, Universitat de Barcelona
Josep GrauHistory Ph.D. in History, Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Dawn HiscockAnthropology, Sociology
Jeannine HorowitzInternational Business Ph.D. in Genetics/Biochemistry, University of East Anglia/John Innes Institute
Sinan HosadamPolitical Science Ph.D. (in progress) in Political and Social Science, Graduate Center, City University of New York
Pep InglésCatalanPh.D. (in progress) in Spanish as a Second Language, Universitat de Barcelona
Christopher KennetPhD of Philosophy in Sports Management, Loughborough University, UK
Beth KuhnleinManagement Ph.D. (in progress) in Management Sciences, Universitat Ramon Llull
Camila LoewLiterature Ph.D. in Humanities, Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Raúl LozanoSpanish Language Ph.D. in Hispanic Philology, Universitat de Barcelona
Marga García BolivarSpanish Language Ph.D. in Spanish Literature and Linguistics, Temple University
Meritxell MartínReligious Studies Ph.D. in History of Religions, University of Virginia
James McGladeHistory, Archaeology Ph.D. in Archaeology, Cambridge University
María MejiasSpanish Language Ph.D. (in progress) in Education Studies, Universitat de Barcelona
Wim Mellaerts HistoryPh.D. in History, University of East Anglia
Laura MierPh.D. in Literature, 15th Century Spanish Literature, University of Salamanca
Mauricio MolinaPhD in Philosophy Music, City University of New York
Jay Moran International BusinessMBA, Emory University
Iolanda NievesSpanish Language
Nuria PlazaSpanish Language Ph.D. (in progress) in Philology, 17th Century Spanish Literature, Universitat de Barcelona
Ataúlfo PortelaSpanish M.A. Spanish, Miami University, Oxford Ohio
Ignasi PérezHistory, Political Science Ph.D. in Political Science with European Honors (Doctor Europeo), Universitat de Barcelona/University of Florence
Adil QureshiPsychology Ph.D. in Counceling Psychology, University of Southern CA
Montserrat SuárezEnvironmental Science M.S. Marine Environmental Sciences, Stony Brook University, New York
Carles RocaCommunications Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Manchester
Daniel RodriguezMáster Spanish Teaching as a Foreign Language, University of Granada
Carme RuizCommunications Ph.D. in Archaeology, University if Texas at Austin
F. Javier San Julián ArrupePhD in History and Civilisation, European University Institute, Firenze
Isabel SanchezArt History
Nuria SilvestreSpanish Language
Karen Smyth PsychologyPh.D. in Mental Health, Trinity College, Dublin
Anna Solé del BarrioMaster Degree in Economic History, Universitat de Barcelona
Ian StephensB.A. Sports and Recreation Studies, Madeley College of Physical Educattion, Staffordshire University, UK
Suzanne StrumUrban Studies Ph.D. (in progress) in Architectural Theory and History
Links:[1] http://www.iesabroad.org/study-abroad/barcelona [2] http://www.iesabroad.org/study-abroad/spain [3] http://www.iesabroad.org/study-abroad/ies-abroad-barcelona
Barcelona Summer - Language Intensive
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