Barcelona Study Abroad Experience

GENERAL

Will the credits transfer to my university?

You should always ask your home university advisor about your university’s policy regarding credit transfer.  Barcelona International College (BIC) is accredited by Jacksonville University (JU) in Florida.  The BIC transcript actually comes from JU which makes for an easy transfer of credits.  The Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB) and Universidad de Barcelona (UB) both issue a “certificate of grades” which is similar to a transcript and most universities also accept.

Do you offer financial aid?

Yes, we offer some financial aid awards.  Please see our website for details: http://www.barcelonasae.com/Financial-Aid.html

Barcelona SAE also has one of the most affordable programs in Barcelona with the most included – we want students of all backgrounds to have the opportunity to study abroad so we try to keep prices low without sacrificing quality. If you already have financial aid at your home university, you may be able to use some if not all of your aid towards study abroad programs.  Ask your university’s financial aid office for more details.

Will I meet other students?

Absolutely.  Depending on your choice for housing, you will either be living in a homestay, with other Barcelona SAE program participants, or international students or young professionals.  There will also be plenty of opportunities to meet other students on Barcelona SAE excursions, activities, or in your university courses.

Will I have free time?

Yes, all of the universities we work with hold classes on Monday through Thursday.  Most of our internship schedules are Monday through Thursday as well, but it depends on your placement.  We want our program participants to have the opportunity to explore Barcelona and the surrounding area so we do our best to give you free time, but we also give you the tools to become immersed in the culture.  We have cultural activities almost weekly those of which include things like Catalan cooking class, guided neighborhood tours, open air movie nights, and intercambios with local students.

Is Barcelona a good city in which to learn Spanish?

Claro que sí!  Barcelona is a bilingual city where everyone speaks Spanish and many people also speak Catalan, a similar, but distinct language. Spanish language acquisition is a top goal of the Barcelona SAE program and we encourage it from day one by providing Spanish language courses taught by the best faculty, encouraging living in homestays to get practice on a day-to-day basis, organizing intercambios or language exchanges with local students, and even by sending e-mails to our students in both Spanish and English.

Do I need a passport?

Yes, you need a passport for all travel outside of the U.S.  If you don’t have a passport already, plan at least 5 months ahead of your proposed travel date.

Do I need a student visa?

Visas are required for stays over 90 days.  For study abroad over that length of time, you will need a student visa which can be obtained from your nearest Spanish consulate.  As of September 2011, the cost of a visa is approximately $140 USD.  Please apply early for the semester programs to ensure plenty of time to process your visa.

What are my housing options?

We offer three housing options for program participants; a homestay, apartment, or residencia (dorm).  The homestay option includes two meals per day and laundry service once a week.  It is also a great way to become immersed in the local culture.

Do I need to speak Spanish to participate?

No, you do not need any prior knowledge of Spanish to participate in our programs but we highly encourage you to learn as much as you can.  Speaking the language will enhance your entire study abroad experience.  Many of our programs include an intensive Spanish course that will help you get a jump-start on your language skills.

Is airfare included in the program fee?
No, airfare is not included in the program fee.  Some search engines that our students have used in the past include www.kayak.com, www.studentuniverse.com, and www.statravel.com

When is my application due?

For application deadlines, please refer to our website: http://www.barcelonasae.com/home/apply

Can I talk to an alumnus of your programs?

Yes!  If you would like to talk to an alumnus of Barcelona SAE, we are happy to put you in touch with someone.  Please contact the program advisor at julianna@barcelonasae.com for reference details.

INTERNSHIP SPECIFIC

Does my internship need to be relevant to my major?

No.  We understand that students have career interests beyond their major and we have a variety of internship placements available to students with all language levels.  If we don’t already have an internship placement in your preferred field, we will be happy to search for one that fits your preferences!

Are the internships arranged prior to arrival?  How far in advance will I know what my internship is?

Internships are arranged prior to departure.  Students will be interviewed with the Barcelona SAE program advisor to best match the internship with the interests of the student.  Most students will be informed of their internship placement one month prior to their departure date.

Are the internships paid or unpaid?

At this time all internship positions are unpaid.

Can I receive credit for my internship?

If you would like to receive university credit for your internship in Barcelona, please speak with your university advisor about independent study and field course options.  The credit would have to be offered directly by your home institution.

Do I need to be a student to participate in your programs?

No.  We have had several interns that have already graduated from college.  More and more businesses and organizations are looking for international experience when looking for new employees – and internship abroad is a great way to build your resume before entering a career.

Is there a possibility of hire after the internship?

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to obtain a Spanish work visa.  However, we have had many alumni tell us that their Barcelona SAE Internship was an immediate talking point at interviews and often was the reason they were hired at a job! "I would not have been hired for my new job without my Barcelona Internship Experience!" -Abbie W., University of Minnesota