Overview
Explore the various aspects of the relationship between food, culture and society in the mediterranean, where eating is not a simple act of survival but rather a cultural and social activity. This Multicultural Perspective program will study how, when and what locals eat and find cultural differences and similarities throughout the three countries we will visit. The course explores the business behind the industries of food production and exportation, as well as the nutritional elements behind the delicious Mediterranean diet. Cooking classes, market tours and tastings make this a delicious way to explore these three countries.
You’ll enjoy a perfect blend of top-notch academics and experiential learning that include intriguing courses, guest speakers, local tours and a variety of cultural activities and excursions. Courses are taught in English, but students are highly encouraged to practice their Spanish, Italian, and Greek language skills outside of the classroom to truly get the most out of the experience.
Barcelona School for International Studies (SIS)
Located in the heart of the city, the Barcelona School for International Studies (SIS) is our most centrally located campus option. SIS boasts fantastic local and international professors, many of whom are working professionals in the field they teach. SIS maintains small class sizes and focuses on experiential learning, which means that students will get individualized attention and will participate actively during class. Each course includes a variety of field studies, museum visits, and guided reflection that closely tie the courses to the city itself.
SIS is a Spanish institution but courses are offered through Jacksonville University in Florida. Jacksonville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Jacksonville University. Non-Jacksonville University students can apply to transfer course credits to their home institution by requesting a Jacksonville University transcript.
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Requirements
Minimum G.P.A. Requirement
Class Requirement
Language Requirement
- Although helpful, no previous Spanish, Italian, or Greek language knowledge is required.
Age Requirement
- All participants must be 18 years of age by the start of their program, unless they are participating on a customized program through their home institution and have home institution approval.
If you have any questions about whether you meet the requirements, please contact us and we’d be happy to help you decide which Barcelona SAE program is right for you!
Academics
So what are classes like at SIS? This three week program has been developed especially for international students and offers core classes in business and the humanities, as well as specialized options that focus on Barcelona, Rome and Athens and all its intriguing features.
Course Approval
Before you go abroad, Barcelona SAE strongly recommends that you meet with the study abroad office and/or your academic advisor at your home institution. After your acceptance into the program, you will be required to submit an “Approval Contact for Study Abroad” form that will automatically inform your home institution of your intent to participate on a Barcelona SAE program. With that said, we suggest that students are as transparent as possible about their plans and make an appointment with their study abroad office immediately after submitting their Barcelona SAE application.
The earlier that students plan for their study abroad experience, the easier it will be to get all of their courses pre-approved and know exactly what transfer credit will be received at their home institution. Please remember that it is best to get multiple first and second choice courses pre-approved for your Barcelona SAE program, as this will give you some flexibility in setting up your class schedule. Don’t just think about the courses that are required for your major or minor, but also courses that can fulfill your general education or elective requirements.
Credit Options
Your course will be taught in English, and the class sizes are small to provide a personalized experience that allows for individual participation and team projects.
For the Food & Society of the Mediterranean: A Multicultural Perspective (Barcelona + Rome + Athens) January Term program, students will take the following course:
| Title |
Credits |
Hours |
| Food & Culture in the Mediterranean Basin |
3 |
45 |
Important Notes
- Please note that not all courses listed above will be offered every January Term, and the list above are courses and/or subject areas that have been offered in the past by the host institution. Institutions in Barcelona and Italy often do not finalize course listings until the beginning of the term, and as such, this list will be updated as the host institution provides additional information.
- For a complete listing of courses that will occur during your specific January Term at SIS, please contact your Barcelona SAE Advisor.
- In order to receive credit from SIS’s school of record, Jacksonville University, students must receive a grade of C or higher.
Student Life
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Be prepared to pack a lot into your time abroad! Your Barcelona experience will extend well beyond the classroom, and we are there to help you get the most out of it! Not only do we plan tons of Barcelona SAE Cultural Activities to keep you exploring the local culture, we send you a Weekly Cultural Agenda full of events so that you know what is happening throughout the city. You’ll also have a Cultural Mentor who will help you to get involved in a club or activity based on your interests.
You’ll also enjoy numerous Barcelona SAE Day Trips and Weekend Excursions (locations depend on term/program) that mix historical tours with modern events, while we try to get you off the beaten path to see Spain through a local lens.
And when you’re not with us? We’ll give you a Barcelona SAE Bucket List with 100 ways to experience the city! Go to a Barça game. Check out the Picasso Museum. Window shop in the Bohemian Gracia District. Discover a new restaurant with your Spanish friends. Why not?! There is no end to what you can do in Barcelona!
Dates & Costs
For a comparison of all of Barcelona SAE’s program dates, costs, and application deadlines, please visit our main Dates and Costs page.
Did you know that you can receive a $250.00 discount off a January program if your home institution is a Barcelona SAE Affiliate Partner? Ask us how!
| Dates |
Cost |
Credits |
Deadline |
May 10 - May 29, 2021*
*Dates are tentative and will be confirmed closer to the program date. |
TBA |
3 |
Mar 1, 2021 |
- The program dates posted here are for reference only and are subject to change. Please do not book your flight until you have received the confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork.
- Costs are for shared rooms; an individual room is available for an additional fee.
- Please note that costs may fluctuate based on currency exchange.
What's Included
The Food & Society of the Mediterranean: A Multicultural Perspective Summer Program Includes:
Countdown to Barcelona:
While in Barcelona:
- SIS Tuition and Fees
- Official University Transcript from Jacksonville University
- Airport Pick-Up & Drop-Off in Barcelona & Rome
- Airport Pick-Up in Athens
- Flights Between European Cities
- Logistical & Cultural Orientations
- Housing for the Duration of Program
- Comprehensive Medical & Accident Insurance
- 24-Hour Emergency Support
- English-Speaking Staff
Cultural & Social Activities:
- The Barcelona SAE Bucket List
- Weekly Cultural Agenda (The Local Perspective of What’s Happening Each Week!)
- Weekly Cultural Activities (Cooking Classes, Castellers Practice, Barrio Tours, and MORE!)
- Welcome Activity
- Re-Entry Workshop & Farewell Meal
For Continued Success After the Program:
- Alumni & Career Services
- Invitation to Barcelona SAE’s LinkedIn Alumni Group
- Opportunity to Apply for Barcelona SAE’s “Best of the Best” Internship Program
- Opportunity to Apply to be a “Barcelona SAE Campus Ambassador Intern” on Your Home Campus
- Invitations to Study Abroad & Internship Returnee Conferences Throughout the U.S.
…and SO MUCH MORE!
The Program Does Not Include:
- Round-Trip Airfare to Barcelona and from Athens
- Visa Costs (If Applicable)
- Mobile Phones & Charges
- Local Transportation
- Personal Items
IMPORTANT NOTE
- Since this program travels throughout Europe, students must adhere to the bag allowance policy: 1 suitcase (25kg max)+ 1 carry on (10kg max) + one personal item that needs to fit under the seat of the aircraft.
Housing
Barcelona SAE offers our students a variety of housing options, which means that we have the perfect place in Barcelona for you to call your home away from home. We have carefully selected safe and adequate housing for each student but each living arrangement is different. We make every effort to provide you with your preferred form of housing, but due to space limitations we cannot guarantee that you will get your first choice.
Housing for the program is spread throughout the city of Barcelona. Every neighborhood is easily accessible by public transportation and the city is very walkable. The normal commute in Barcelona is around 45 minutes using public transportation from your housing to your school or internship, it may be a bit more or less than this.
Each neighborhood has a different feel…Les Corts is where the soccer stadium is, Gracia is hipster and bohemian, Eixample has a gay friendly district and incredible architecture, Sagrada Familia has wonderful shopping, Sant Marti & Poblenou are tech powerhouses off the tourist path.
Residence Halls
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Most locals live with their parents while they go to university, so dormitories are rare, but there are a few set up to house international students or those that come from outside the city. This normally means a double room and then shared kitchen areas and common areas with other students. These are also located throughout the city, so you can expect a 45 minute commute to class or your internship.
You should choose a residence hall if:
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You’d like to be around more students. Typically the residence halls are home to American students but also students from around Europe or from other countries.
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You like to do your own grocery shopping and cooking. You will have a shared kitchen, and be responsible for your own food, cooking and cleaning.
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Improving your Spanish is not a main goal of yours. Of course there will still be chances to speak Spanish, but you’ll need to make an additional effort to meet locals and practice.
Homestays
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Many students picture homestays as a house in the suburbs, but in fact it will most likely be an apartment in the city with a host family, the same distance to class or your internship as a shared apartment would be. A host family could be a married couple, it may be an older woman living on her own, or it may be a family with children. Most homestays are shared other students on the program, but in your housing preference form you should specify if you prefer to be with other participants or on your own in a homestay.
You should choose a homestay if:
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You want to live like a local. Students in homestays learn a lot about the local culture and lifestyle firsthand.
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You want to improve your Spanish. You will eat breakfast and dinner with your family everyday, so you will have plenty of opportunities to practice your language skills. Students in homestays normally see a much larger language skill improvement at the end of the program. You don’t need to speak any Spanish to begin in a homestay, but you will by the time you leave!
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You want to save money. Homestays provide a daily breakfast and dinner, and will do your laundry for you! This is included in the program, and has been a huge reason many students choose the homestay option.
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You want a home away from home! You will have your own set of keys, and you are free to go in and out when you please without a curfew. Many students say the homestay feels “cozier” and report added support network (like someone to make you soup when you’re sick).
Check out this video for a student perspective on being in a homestay!
Shared Apartments
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This choice places you in a shared apartment in the city with 3-6 other program participants. You will be placed in a double room with another student unless you indicate you would like a single room and there is one available. Apartments are spread throughout the city in residential areas.
You should choose apartment if:
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You want a little bit more independence in exploring the city and the culture. We will have cultural activities and excursions for you to participate in, but a lot of the time you will be on your own to explore.
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You like to do your own grocery shopping and cooking. You will share the kitchen with your roommates, and be responsible for your own food and cooking.
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Improving your Spanish is not a main goal of yours. Of course there will still be chances to speak Spanish, but you’ll need to make an additional effort to meet locals and practice.
