Barcelona Study Abroad Experience

The Barcelona International College summer program offers students the chance to get credit for courses in English in Business and the Humanities in an international campus surrounded by students from all over the world.

Electives are mostly taught in English but students are highly encouraged to take the intensive Spanish language classes to be able to get more out of the Study Abroad Experience.

Students studying at the Barcelona International College receive the following benefits:

• Quality academic classes in English, taught by some of the best faculty Barcelona has to offer
• Intensive Spanish Language classes for any level of Spanish learner
• Classes with students from around the world
• A variety of cultural excursions within the city
• Weekend excursions outside of Barcelona
• Wi-fi and computer access
• Study rooms
• Terraces and cafés on campus where international students chat, study or just hang out in the sun
• Support services

Calendar

Depending on your summer calendar, you can study at BIC Session I (from the end of May until the end of June) or BIC Session II (from the end of June until the end of July) or both!

Credits

Students during each summer session will take 6 credits worth of classes. The academic options are:

• One Spanish class at any level (3 credits) + one elective in English (3 credits)

• Two electives in English (3 credits each)

• One intensive Spanish language class (6 credits)

Students will be placed in a specific Spanish language class based on a placement exam.

Courses

Both the Area Studies and Spanish Language courses are conducted by PhDs or certified teachers with a Masters degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, or in a related field.

The courses have been designed especially for an international student group maintaining a Spanish style of teaching but adapting the courses towards the international make-up of the students.

The range of courses focus on Barcelona, Spain and the Mediterranean and include Culture courses, International Business, History, Art and more.

Spanish Language

Spanish language acquisition is a top priority for the staff at BIC and encourage language development in every aspect of the program.  From the Spanish language classes to the excursions to the printed materials, we provide students with multiple opportunities to use Spanish in their everyday life.

Requirements

Students must have a minimum of a cumulative 2.5 GPA (of a 4.0 scale) or equivalent. No previous Spanish language is required.

Outside the classroom

Barcelona Study Abroad Experience knows that just as much learning takes place outside the classroom as inside which is why we organize several intercultural activities and excursions throughout the term.

Imagine learning a little more about the history of Spain through a cooking class, or learning about Southern Spain’s traditions while enjoying a Flamenco show.  Get to know the barrios, or neighborhoods, of Barcelona in greater detail with small guided tours or learn about immigration affecting the city through diversity scavenger hunts.

Prepare to pack a lot of Barcelona into 4 weeks!  Not only will you earn university credit with your classes that take advantage of Barcelona as your classroom, but you will also experience Barcelona through cultural activities, excursions, orientation, guided tours and more. 

The official program dates for summer of 2010 are:

June 26         Arrival Day. Orientation in Barcelona, Welcome Dinner
June 27         Orientation activities, city tours
June 28         First day of classes
July 2            Day Trip outside of Barcelona
July 9 - 11     Weekend excursion
July 22          Final exams
July 23          Farewell dinner
July 24          Departure day. All students must vacate housing

• 

  Valencia

  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.

• 

  Costa Brava

  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.

Costs

June 26th - July 24th, 2010

2 courses (6 credits) - $4,895

* Costs may fluctuate based on currency exchange

The Barcelona International College includes:

• Tuition costs
• University transcript
• Airport pick-up
• Housing for the duration
• A weekend excursion
• Several Cultural Activities
• 24-hour support services
• Medical and Accident insurance
• Full-time, English speaking staff
• Orientation and re-entry workshops
• Pre-departure advising
• Academic advising
• Independent Travel advice
• Alumni and Career services

* Not included: Airfare to and from Barcelona, text books, items of a personal nature

Housing is offered on a first-come and availability basis.

1. Homestatys
2. Apartments
3. Residence Halls

Homestays

A homestay can be one part of meaningful cultural integration and increased safety of the study abroad experience. Homestays are designed to be a mutually valuable experiences for both the hosts and the participant. We work to find homestays that want to share their culture and language with the students and create a warm atmosphere.

A homestay “family” does not always mean a husband and wife, two children and a cute dog.  In fact, what is more common is to live in the apartment of an older, widowed woman who enjoys the company.

The thorough screening process and regular family check ins and home stay reviews that are preformed allow us to monitor safety and the quality of the immersive experience with the homestay family.

Homestays include breakfast and dinner every day (except excursions), laundry services once a week, a set of keys to the apartment to come and go as you please, and an individual or shared bedroom.

*This option carries an additional fee.

Apartments

Living in an apartment in Barcelona provides students with a very realistic experience of life in the city. Apartments are fully equipped shared living spaces that Barcelona SAE students may live in jointly with other students – American or international. The apartments are spread throughout the city in safe areas with easy access to public transportation, restaurants and shops.

Students who choose to live in an apartment do not get meals included but have kitchen and cooking facilities. 

Residence Halls

Students may choose to live in one of the several residence halls located throughout Barcelona along with other international students and young professionals. Securing a place in a residence hall is not easy due to limited space and an extra fee applies to this option.