Barcelona Study Abroad Experience

Granada is a wonderful southern Spanish city with so much to offer its visitors starting with allure of the Alhambra, with its woods and the Sierra Nevada as magnificent backdrops, and the mystery of the winding streets of the Albayzín. But what you’ll find if you stick around is Andalucía’s hippest, youthful city, with a free-tapas culture, innovative bars, tiny flamenco holes and thumping clubs. Here, the Islamic past feels recent as a growing North African population has filled the Albayzín with kebab and cake shops and slipper and tea nooks and even a newly-constructed mosque.

Once a semester, Barcelona SAE will offer students the exceptional opportunity to take a guided cultural immersion to Morocco. This trip is optional and costs approximately 550 EUR for an all-inclusive trip from Friday – Monday or Thursday - Sunday.

The history of Spain is intimately linked to Morocco dating back to the invasion of the Moors in 711, their lasting occupation in parts of Spain until 1492 and more recently, with large numbers of Moroccan immigration moving to Spain.  We will explore these links in-depth and first-hand while providing the students with a very different view of how people live in this world. The experience can only be created through this trip as great lengths have been reached to allow students to stay with homestays, visit rural mountain villages and spend time with Moroccan students.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that comes highly recommended by Barcelona SAE.

Northern Spain is known as the Basque Country, a region that boasts a language spoken by 30% of the population which has no known links to any other living language. But language is not the only element that separates the Basque people from the rest of Spain; the culture includes dress, music, food, rituals and sports that are not found in other parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

Our excursion will teach us where and when these differences arose and how they play out in contemporary society. We will also experience the incredible culinary treasures of the Basques and picturesque landscapes that never cease to amaze those who witness them.

The city best known for the running of the bulls and for its representation in Hemingway’s works creates a mystic atmosphere for our students.  Our visit will include a guided tour and explanation of the running of the bulls – we will learn how it started, why it continues and how it reconciles the yearly protests by anti animal cruelty groups.

We experience Madrid to see firsthand how the history of Spain has unfolded through this central capital city and to see the seat of Spanish government.  Our experience in Madrid includes an artistic journey with the famous painters of years past, kings and queens who formed the future of this country half a millennium ago, and how contemporary issues such as the fall of the dictatorship and immigration affect the lives of citizens.

Less than an hour away from Barcelona sits an ancient, seaside town that drew sailors and merchants from all over the Mediterranean.  Students here can take in a delicious paella, explore the town or spend time on the beach.

Tarragona is a beautiful town on the Costa Dorada (the Golden Coast) dating back to 218BC.  It is one of Catalonia's most historical cities. In Roman times, this city, known as Tarraco, was the capital of Hispania Tarraconensis. In mediaeval times, the Metropolitan See of Tarragona was an important archbishopric of the Catalan-Aragonese court. In 2000, the city of Tarragona was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in recognition of its wealth of archaeological remains dating back to Roman times.

In Tarragona, we will visit Roman Ruins, the Roman Amphitheater, the Cathedral, and take a tour of the old town.

The beauty of the Mediterranean Sea follows us north from Barcelona to the French border. On the way, our stops include:

Figueres, to visit the impressive and unique Dalí Museum.
Cadaqués, to experience this quaint seaside village with its beautiful blue and white buildings and delicious seafood.

Valencia is one of Spain’s largest cities yet and offers visitors an impressive array of cultural and historic sites, as well as culinary delights.  Recently, Valencia has reinvented itself as a modern city with parks, museums and aquariums as well as a city-center full of tapas and full of life.