Maymester in Barcelona

Kickstart your summer in beautiful Barcelona

Make the most of your Maymester and embark on a journey with this short-term study abroad program in Barcelona! Earn 3 credits in 3 weeks while immersing yourself in the vibrant heartbeat of Catalonia's capital, where ancient history meets modern charm. In just a few weeks, you'll experience the best of Spanish culture, language, and lifestyle. Unlock your potential as you attend dynamic classes taught by passionate local instructors on a beautiful historic campus. Beyond the classroom, let Barcelona become your playground. Wander the enchanting streets, sample tantalizing tapas, and marvel at iconic landmarks like La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. Join us for an unforgettable study abroad experience in Barcelona and discover the essence of Spain in a whirlwind of colors, flavors, and endless excitement. ¡Vamos!

What to Expect

Language(s):

English

Average Courseload:

1 Course (3 U.S. Credits)

GPA Requirement:

2.75

Visa Requirement:

NONE Required!

Highlights:

Earn 3 credits in 3 weeks before the summer starts!

Beautiful campus in the heart of the city

Unique, hands-on courses with an international perspective

Get to know Barcelona through cultural activities like a cooking class, Flamenco dance class, and barrio tours

Option to extend program into the summer terms

Program Details

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is one of the top universities in Spain, ranking #3 in the country. An academic powerhouse, UAB is a young, entrepreneurial university in an exciting city. Business students flock to UAB, where you can take a wide array of courses in business, international relations, and economics. Not to be overshadowed, the art and humanities courses at UAB are equally strong. You have the option to take classes in either Spanish or English. Luckily, UAB accommodates Spanish-language speakers of all levels.

The Sant Pau campus is housed within an incredible UNESCO World Heritage site called the Hospital de la Santa Creu. Wander fifteen minutes down the block and you'll stumble upon the world-renowned la Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's iconic cathedral. You'll attend all of your courses on this campus, and you'll meet other U.S. and international students.

Founded in 1968, UAB is ranked as #190 in the world by QS.

Accreditation(s): Ministry of Education and Science.

Areas of study with 1 to 2 classes available

Art & Design
Business
Humanities

Life in Barcelona

It’s no wonder that Barcelona is one of the top tourist and study abroad destinations in the world. This incredible location on the shores of the Mediterranean has a delightfully mild climate year round. Plus, Barcelona is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities to live in! The second-largest city in Spain has two official languages: Castilian Spanish and Catalan. It’s the perfect place to challenge yourself and practice your own Spanish skills, while also learning more about the unique Catalan history and culture.

The city is bustling, and you'll be in awe of the architecture, including Gaudi's towering Sagrada Familia basilica. When you're ready to immerse yourself in nature, you can easily reach beaches and hiking sites just outside of Barcelona. The efficient public transportation system allows you to quickly travel to the many beaches to both the north and south of Barcelona. It also means you can easily navigate campus and the many amazing sites located throughout the city.

The city’s diverse international population, colorful flair, exciting nightlife, and vast array of cultural, historical, and modern attractions makes Barcelona an unparalleled place to study abroad!

Live the Local Life

Barrio Gótico

Enjoy a guided walking tour around the Barrio Gótico, the oldest neighborhood in Barcelona, while learning all about the history of the city.

Spanish Wine Tour and Tasting

Learn all about the importance of the production of wine and cava in Catalunya at a beautiful vineyard that ends with a tasting paired with delicious local cheeses.

Around Catalunya

Visit a local beach town in Catalunya and amaze in the wonders of hidden coves while soaking up the beach culture in Spain.

FC Barcelona

Attend a football or basketball match and/or the famous FC Barcelona museum.

Barcelona - Housing Overview

Location

Students on CIS Abroad programs in Barcelona are housed in various residence halls. Housing will be allocated based on your program, term, and availability. The options shown here give you a great idea of the type of residence where you'll be placed!

Barcelona - Sample Student Residence

Location

Enjoy upscale, shared accommodations in a residence designed for visiting students just like you! The student residence boasts a whole suite of modern amenities that ensure you're living in complete comfort. The double rooms have twin beds, an ensuite shared bathroom, storage space, and two desk and chair sets. Step out of your bedroom into a shared apartment environment, with living and lounging spaces, dining areas, and a kitchen. Share a meal or conversation with your apartment mates, find a quiet nook of your own, or head for one of the residence's communal spaces.

Among the residence's abundant shared amenities, you'll find a gym, pool, terrace, lounges, kitchens, study areas, and cinema room. You'll be supported by 24/7 on-site staff and friendly reception.

The residence is located on Carrer Pallars, bordering Poblenou in the 22@, Barcelona’s innovation district. The major thoroughfare, Avenida Diagonal, is just around the corner, providing easy access to the rest of Barcelona. The beach is about 15 minutes' walk.

Meals

You'll have access to a kitchen shared among your apartment mates stocked with basic cooking supplies.

Inclusions and Amenities

24-Hour Security Bathroom - Ensuite Bathroom - Shared Bed Linens Cleaning Service Desk Double Room Fitness Center Kitchen Equipment Laundry Laundry - Onsite Maintenance Service Pool Study Areas Towels Wi-Fi

What's Included

Inclusions

Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:

Full-time tuition and fees
Official Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona transcript
Housing
Medical and accident insurance
CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
Academic advising
Financial aid counseling
Assistance with travel arrangements
Pre departure orientation
Airport pickup during pickup window
Onsite orientation
Cultural and recreational activities in Barcelona
One day trip outside the city of Barcelona

Welcome & Orientation

Upon arrival in Barcelona, you’ll be collected from the airport and taken to your accommodation. In the first few days you’ll take part in orientation programs that will introduce you to this vibrant and cosmopolitan city you will come to call home. You’ll learn practical tips for living in Barcelona, you'll get a lay of the land by visiting some of Barcelona's top neighborhoods, and we'll share advice about where to go out, how to stay safe, where to shop, and plenty more. We'll also enjoy a welcome meal together.

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

As the program draws to a close, you'll go home with the tools you need to make the most of your experience. In our re-entry workshop, learn how to cope with cultural differences you’ll experience as you go home, how to put your abroad experience on your resume (and talk about it in job interviews), as well as how to keep traveling in the future. End the trip with a farewell meal with all your new CIS Abroad “amigos” and the staff, for a chance to say “hasta luego” to beautiful Barcelona!

Program Excursions

While participating on a CIS Abroad program, you'll be able to take part in built-in day trips at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term to term; listed below are excursions that have run in the past.

Day Trips Around Catalonia

A day trip around Catalonia typically includes guided tours, some museum entrance fees, a group meal, and some free time. For example, you might explore the vibrant coastal town of Sitges, wander the old Jewish Quarter in beautiful Girona, or learn about wine at an Ecological Winery and visit Blanes, the gateway to Spain's beautiful Costa Brava.

Ecological Winery Tour & Costa Brava

Learn about the history of ecological wine-making at a local winery and tour the house of one of the most historic Catalan aristocrats from the early 1900s. After the tour, where you see the historic cellars and original machinery, you'll get to sample the wine and vermouth as well as local cheeses and meats from the farmers in the village. Conclude your day with a visit to Blanes, a picturesque beach town and the gateway to Spain's captivating Costa Brava.

Camp Nou Tour/Museum

Visit the home of one of the most celebrated football clubs in the world. You'll get to learn the history of the team at the museum and see the stadium without the crowds. The tour includes a visit to the museum, a tour of Spotify Camp Nou, an audio guide, and a chance to shoot a goal!

Site Director

Nicole Baumgartner

Site Director in Barcelona

About:

Nicole was born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Seattle, Washington, and studied Political Science, Law Societies and Justice, and Human Rights at the University of Washington. Nicole has always had the travel bug so after graduating she moved to Spain to work as an English Assistant and fell in love with the country of tapas, flamenco, and constant sunshine! She lived in Granada, Spain for 9 years and is lucky to now call Barcelona home. She has always worked in education and loves seeing the profound benefits of students immersing themselves in another language and culture. As site director in Barcelona Nicole is looking forward to welcoming students to the most desired and exciting city in Spain and giving them the most local experience to help deepen student understanding of the Spanish culture and language. In her free time, Nicole is studying for a Global MBA at IE University and uses the skills from this degree in her daily life and job. She also loves to spend time at the beach, wandering around neighborhoods, and grabbing a few tapas and cau00f1as with friends.

Travel Tip:

When traveling always make friends with the locals! They will help really immerse you into the culture and give you a different perspective of your destination. They have the best recommendations for the most authentic restaurants and show you places that you would never find in a guidebook or on a blog. Not only will you have a great experience while traveling, but you also have the chance to make new, lifelong friends from around the world!

Your Support Staff

Syd O'Wesney

Program Enrollment Coordinator - England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain

Travel Tip:

Make sure to explore the city that you're in! Although the beauty of study abroad is you have the chance to travel all over the country and to other countries as well, sometimes people forget how many amazing things there are right there in the city they're studying in! Make some local friends, participate in holidays and festivals, find that local beloved restaurant. Although I have many travel memories to talk about, some of my fondest or most nostalgic moments I have were the ‘in betweens' so to speak – going grocery shopping with friends, hanging out in the school courtyard at night when the temperature outside was finally bearable, saying hello to the neighborhood cow (yes, there was in fact a neighborhood cow). Don't neglect what you have right in front of you!

Marina Weinstein

Marketing and Communications Manager & International Operations Assistant Director

Travel Tip:

Walk, walk, walk, whenever you can! And take your time. You might find the most special surprises on your way to destination.

Kaylee Klinger

Communications & Alumni Relations Coordinator

Travel Tip:

The best travel tip I always share is, if possible try to catch a redeye flight. That has helped me tremendously fight jet-lag and it allows you more time to explore the extraordinary unfamiliar place!

Serenah Quiroga

Advising & Communications Coordinator

Travel Tip:

Always find a reason to talk to a local or someone you may not know. Whether it's a simple hello, compliment, or question, there is always something to learn from every person you meet. Some of my best experiences and favorite memories were formed because of these interactions.

Dates & Prices

Additional Information:

Program Deposit

There is a non-refundable program deposit of $500. This deposit will be deducted from the total cost of the program. Paying the deposit secures your spot on the program.

Housing

Standard housing is double occupancy in a double bedroom.

As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.

CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.

ADVISOR TIP:

Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.

I knew I wanted to study abroad, particularly in Japan, because it was on my bucket list. Thanks to CIS, I was able to go to Tokyo! Even now, it is surreal to me that I got to go! I can't put it into words how much fun I had in Tokyo. I enjoyed every second of my time there, from walking around the bustling streets of Shibuya and Shinjuku to going to class, eating delicious Japanese cuisine, and even going to the convenience store. Even the simplest things were incredibly fun to me. I was initially anxious about being homesick, my Japanese skills and traveling alone, but I'm happy to say that I very quickly made lovely, lifelong friends and was met with nothing but kindness from the locals. I learned not to let my worries get in the way of an opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you, CIS Abroad. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to go to Tokyo.

Maymester in Barcelona

Kickstart your summer in beautiful Barcelona

What to Expect

Highlights:

Learn More About This and Other Programs

Program Details

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Areas of study with 1 to 2 classes available

Choose your courses

Course load

Course Offerings

Life in Barcelona

Live the Local Life

Barrio Gótico

Spanish Wine Tour and Tasting

Around Catalunya

FC Barcelona

Barcelona - Housing Overview

Location

Barcelona - Sample Student Residence

Location

Meals

Inclusions and Amenities

What's Included

Inclusions

Welcome & Orientation

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

Program Excursions

Day Trips Around Catalonia

Ecological Winery Tour & Costa Brava

Camp Nou Tour/Museum

Site Director

Nicole Baumgartner

About:

Travel Tip:

Your Support Staff

Syd O'Wesney

Travel Tip:

Marina Weinstein

Travel Tip:

Kaylee Klinger

Travel Tip:

Serenah Quiroga

Travel Tip:

Dates & Prices

Housing

ADVISOR TIP:

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