A seaport on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is the capital of Barcelona Province and of the autonomous region of Catalonia. Catalonia is 31,930 square kilometers with more than six million inhabitants. It has a long historical tradition, interesting cities and towns, a great architectural heritage, a wide range of services, and a strong personality of its own. For more information about Catalonia, visit the Generalitat de Catalunya website. Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of approximately 1.6 million, and it is the principal industrial and commercial center of...

Internship Attendance Policy Attendance is mandatory for all IES Abroad classes, including course-related trips. Any exams, tests, presentations, or other work missed due to student absences can only be rescheduled in cases of documented medical or family emergencies. There will be no penalty for the first absence in the Internship Seminar. A second absence will result in three percentage points being deducted from the final grade. A third absence will result in a maximum grade of C for the course. A fourth absence will result in a grade of F. Attendance at the internship placement, at the...

As soon as a preliminary program calendar is available (at least a few weeks before the program starts), it will appear above. However, this calendar is subject to change. Please do not make independent travel arrangements (including visits from family or friends) before you arrive on-site, receive any calendar updates from the IES Abroad Center staff during orientation, and finalize your course registration. Remember that you will not be excused from academic obligations, including final exams or required IES Abroad events nor from your internship placement, in order to travel independently...

What You Need to Do Confirm your Place in the Program. Submit the Confirmation Form. Check, Renew, or Apply for your Passport. If you do not have a valid passport, renew or apply for one immediately. If you carry or are eligible to carry a passport from an EU country, traveling with this passport can save you money. Please check the "Passport & Visas" section for more details. Read your Predeparture Information and Student Handbook. This Predeparture Guide is filled with nearly all the information you need to know to be prepared to go abroad. Navigate through this Predeparture Guide using the...

A first-class letter will take about a week to get from the United States to Christchurch. IES Abroad is not responsible for returning packages and/or correspondence to you or to the sender if mail arrives for you after you have departed your IES Abroad program. Please notify friends/family to factor in shipping time as well as your program departure date to ensure that mail does not arrive for you after you have departed. Biosecurity New Zealand operates very strict procedures at airports to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases from animals and plants. You are required to declare...

Currency New Zealand's unit of currency is the dollar (NZD). The majority of major credit cards can be used in New Zealand, with Visa and Mastercard being accepted most widely. Cash is less commonly used in New Zealand instead contactless payments is used for most purchases. Before departing for New Zealand, you should exchange between USD$50 and USD$100 into New Zealand dollars in order to cover incidental expenses during your first few days in New Zealand. New Zealand dollars can be purchased at large US banks, American Express offices, and at most international airports in the United States...

Christchurch is ideally situated to take advantage of the wonders of New Zealand's South Island. Within easy travel distance to adventurous outdoor activities such as skiing, surfing, mountain biking, and white-water rafting, Christchurch provides a sophisticated base to explore the beauty of Middle Earth. Part of the Kiwi culture is its connection and appreciation of the outdoors and Christchurch reflects this connection. The Garden City, as it is known, also offers a tremendous range of urban advantages. Punt on the Avon River, explore the International Antarctic Centre, attend the...

Our Center in Christchurch While in Christchurch, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our Program Manager in Christchurch is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Christchurch experience! The IES Abroad Program Manager is located close to campus, and enjoys meeting you at one of the many cafes on campus, or in the common areas at your housing. If you would like to chat with the Program Manager, please just reach out by mobile phone...