Barcelona Summer - Language & Area Studies | IES Abroad

Why Barcelona?

Picture yourself spending six weeks of your summer focused on speaking Spanish while living and learning in Barcelona, one of the world’s leading tourist, economic, and cultural cities. With IES Abroad, you’ll get to know Barcelona like a local student through our DiscoverIES: a unique blend of course-related and cultural field trips in Barcelona and beyond. Think of all the wonderful architecture you’ll see, history you’ll learn, local residents you’ll meet, and all of the tapas you’ll eat during your summer in Spain!

What You'll Study

Open to all language levels, this program provides you with the equivalent of more than an entire semester of Spanish language study. English-taught area studies classes also are available.

You will enroll in a 4-credit Spanish language course and a 3-credit area studies course taught in English or Spanish (depending on your language level). Language courses develop your written and oral proficiency in Spanish and area studies courses provide an excellent opportunity to learn about modern Spain in the larger context of the European Union.

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Daily Life

Over the course of the summer, you will come to know its vibrant plazas and winding streets for yourself. The Barcelona Language & Area Studies Program offers enrollment in IES Abroad courses, housing in homestays with local residents or student apartments with live-in Barcelona Cultural Companions to facilitate your cultural immersion, and DiscoverIES (course-related excursions & 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 study abroad 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.

Study abroad in Barcelona and experience the city's unique and lively culture!

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

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Academics

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 and area studies courses 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.

Beginning and Intermediate Spanish students enroll in:

A 4-credit Spanish language course plus a 3-credit area studies course taught in English

Advanced Spanish students enroll in:

A 4-credit Spanish language course plus a 3-credit area studies course taught in Spanish or English

Area studies courses are offered in the following disciplines:

Anthropology
Art History
Communications
History
International Business
Political Science

IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

Courses

This is a list of planned course offerings. A final list of course offerings will be made available to you in your MyIESabroad account.

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.

Art History
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
AH 223 - Great 20th Century Artists of Catalonia: Picasso, Dalí and Miró	Fall, Spring, Summer	English	3
AH/HS 251 - Barcelona: The Cosmopolitan City	Fall, Spring, Summer	English	3

Anthropology
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
AN/SO 320 - Sports and Society in Spain	Fall, Spring, Summer	English	3

Communications
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IC/CM 329 - Language, Culture and Communication: Hispanic Cultures and their Societies	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spanish	3

History
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
AH/HS 251 - Barcelona: The Cosmopolitan City	Fall, Spring, Summer	English	3

International Business
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IB 350 - International Marketing: A European Approach	Fall, Spring, Summer	English	3

Intercultural Communication
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IC/CM 329 - Language, Culture and Communication: Hispanic Cultures and their Societies	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spanish	3

Political Science
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
PO 325 - Politics in Spain	Fall, Spring, Summer	English	3

Sociology
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
AN/SO 320 - Sports and Society in Spain	Fall, Spring, Summer	English	3

Spanish
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
SP 101 - Spanish Language in Context: Novice Abroad I	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spanish	4
SP 102 - Spanish Language in Context: Novice Abroad II	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spanish	4
SP 201 - Spanish Language in Context: Novice Abroad III	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spanish	4
SP 301 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad I	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spanish	4
SP 302 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad II	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spanish	4
SP 351 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad I	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spanish	4
SP 444 - Creative Writing Workshop: Short Stories in Spanish	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spanish	3

Field Trips & Events

Even though your adventure starts in Barcelona, our field trips during fall and spring semesters take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. As part of orientation, you’ll participate in a study journey, which is included in your program cost. Additional field trips are partially subsidized by IES Abroad.

Trips are organized by language level and conducted in English or Spanish accordingly. One of these trips is subsidized by IES Abroad. Additional DiscoverIES are partially subsidized by IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations:

South of France
3 days | Spring
Visit Carcassonne to learn about its rich history, and enjoy a boat ride nearby. Next, head to Lastours to see castles and the Fontfroide Abbey. The last stop is Perpignan, where you will have the chance to compare the difference between the Spanish Catalan and French Catalan cultures.

Note: IES Abroad DiscoverIES destinations,activities and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.

Course-Related Trips

IES Abroad Barcelona organizes DiscoverIES (course-related trips) that complement what you’re learning in the classroom, and contribute to your general knowledge of Spanish culture and society.

Daily Life

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 our DiscoverIES that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.

Orientation

The program begins with a 1-day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Barcelona staff, your fellow students, and the city of Barcelona. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, extra curricular activities, and health and safety are covered during this time.

Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the program with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.

A study journey (2 days) is included. Tarragona is a past destination.

Housing

We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which 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.

Homestays – Normally, two or three IES Abroad students live in a home with local residents and students share a double room. You are provided two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) while the program is in session.

Apartments – You live with three to five other IES Abroad students in double rooms. A Barcelona Cultural Companion or tutor cultural may also live in the apartment to help you with cultural integration. Apartments have fully-equipped kitchens, and meals are not provided.

Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events

DiscoverIES

DiscoverIES are a unique blend of course-related and cultural field trips. With this hybrid experience, you have the ability to understand the culture in the context of your coursework.

With 60+ DiscoverIES per semester, you have the exciting opportunity to familiarize yourself with Barcelona through cultural activities led by IES Abroad Barcelona professors. Visit the city’s many influential buildings, learn about its one-of-a-kind history, and become part of the Spanish and Catalan culture.

DiscoverIES are also a great way to meet and spend time with other students on your program, as well as IES Abroad Barcelona staff and professors. These optional activities are either free or highly subsidized.

Some past examples of DiscoverIES may include:

Discover the Quadrat d’Or, or Golden Square, in a guided tour in the Eixample District, an exceptional area that focuses on Barcelona’s Modernist style (Art Noveau) at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century
Enjoy a Flamenco workshop, where you’ll learn a few basic dance steps, the history behind the dance and attire, and taste traditional Andalucían fare
Hike Tibidabo, the tallest mountain in Serra de Collserola, tour the Modernist and Neo-Gothic Sagrat Cor Temple, and visit the oldest amusement park in Spain
Visit an organic farm and learn about sustainability with an IES Abroad professor
Visit the aquarium at Delta de L’Ebre, the coastal lagoons on the southern shore (Encanyissada and Tancada), Trabucador Beach and Alfacs Bay, and the fishing harbor at Sant Carles de la Ràpita.

Get to Know Your New City

Have Fun in the Sun

Spend time strolling and swimming under the sun along Barcelona's four miles of sandy beaches.

Hike Mount Juic

A climb up this hill offers spectacular views of the city. From here, you can also explore several great museums and the beautiful buildings from the 1992 Olympic Games.

Check Out Some Live Music

From huge festivals to hole-in-the-wall venues, playing everything from electronica to punk, there’s more to Barcelona’s music scene than its iconic Rumba Catalana.

Appreciate the Art

Home to numerous works by Pablo Picasso, the surreal sculptures of Joan Miró, and the fantastic, dreamlike architecture of Gaudi, there’s plenty of art—indoors and out—to inspire you.

Eat, Drink, and Eat Some More!

Catalan cuisine consists of savory stews, fresh seafood, delicious jamón, spicy potatoes, olives, and so much more. Wash it down with a cold orxata (a refreshing drink made from the tiger nut plant).

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.

Term: Summer 2020
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Summer 2020	$4,660	$1,405	$135	$6,200

Scholarships & Aid

Program-Specific Scholarships

Summer Need-Based Financial Aid

Up to $1,000

Open to students who apply to and attend an IES Abroad or IES Internships summer program.

Criteria reviewed to determine award:

Level of financial need as determined from infromation provided on the application. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
IES Abroad program location.
IES Abroad membership status of home campus

Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

Learn more

Our Center

The IES Abroad Barcelona Center is located in the center of Barcelona near the Plaza Catalunya. Features include:

High-speed and wireless internet access
Multimedia classrooms
Study lounges with printers
Large outdoor terrace

Our Staff

Cèsar Alegre Alsina, Ph.D.

Center Director & AVP for Program Development

Dr. Cèsar Alegre Alsina has been the Director of our Barcelona programs since 2008. He is originally from Barcelona and speaks Spanish, Catalan, and English fluently. He brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education to IES Abroad, including a noteworthy teaching career in the United States, experience in student services, and a strong research portfolio. Before coming to IES Abroad, Dr. Alegre Alsina taught Spanish language, as well as Spanish and Hispanic Culture and Literature at Amherst College for 16 years. He is the author of a book on Hispanic Americans (Scholastic), and has contributed to the Encyclopedia of Hispanic Americans (BRG Oxford) and numerous articles and reviews in American and international journals. Dr. Alegre Alsina received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University, his Master’s degree in Hispanic Literature at Auburn University, and his doctorate from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.