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Barcelona Summer - Language & Area Studies
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
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.
| 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 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN/SO 320 - Sports and Society in Spain | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC/CM 329 - Language, Culture and Communication: Hispanic Cultures and their Societies | Fall, Spring, Summer | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH/HS 251 - Barcelona: The Cosmopolitan City | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 350 - International Marketing: A European Approach | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC/CM 329 - Language, Culture and Communication: Hispanic Cultures and their Societies | Fall, Spring, Summer | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO 325 - Politics in Spain | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN/SO 320 - Sports and Society in Spain | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| 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 | Tuition | Housing | Insurance | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2020 | $4,660 | $1,405 | $135 |
$6,200 |
Scholarships & Aid
Program-Specific Scholarships
Summer Need-Based Financial Aid
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
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
While in Barcelona, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Barcelona staff 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 Barcelona experience.
Located in the heart of beautiful Barcelona, the IES Abroad Center is located just off of the Plaza Catalunya, home to a number of shops and cafes, and within walking distance of many other Barcelona landmarks. 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.
IES Abroad Barcelona Staff
IES Abroad Staff
Alex Walker
Assitant Director and Dean of Faculty
Jane Ewart
Head of Registration
Ana Tarife
Head of Internship, Service Learning, and Volunteering
Laura Vazquez
Language Faculty Advisor of Educational Technology
María Mejías
Language Faculty Advisor
Olga Sánchez
Senior Director of Student Affairs
Salvador Ortiz
Head of Administration and Human Resources
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
Summer 2020 & Fall 2020 Refund Policy
A core philosophy of our health & safety procedures is that we plan for the what ifs so that you don't have to. That includes the development of our refund policy for Summer 2020 and Fall 2020, which allows you to still plan to study abroad or intern, knowing that if for some reason you cannot participate, your money will be fully refunded.
Don't put your dreams on hold just because the world is unknown.
AT A GLANCE
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Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
