CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

My experience studying abroad with CEA CAPA in Barcelona was truly amazing. I had high expectations going into the program, and they were completely exceeded. My apartment was in a great neighborhood that felt extremely safe while still giving me an authentic, local experience. It was also close to everything, which made it so easy to walk around and explore the city every day. I also had a great experience with my classes. My professors were extremely understanding and supportive, which made balancing academics with everything else that comes with studying abroad much easier. The CEA CAPA staff was incredibly welcoming and played such a big role in making my experience as great as it was. They offered so many activities, events, and opportunities that helped me meet people, experience Barcelona, and feel comfortable living in a city so far from home. Overall, studying abroad in Barcelona was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and I’m so grateful I chose to do it through CEA CAPA. I would absolutely recommend the program to anyone considering studying abroad!

Living and studying in Barcelona for four months was one of the best experiences I've ever had. The city itself is beautiful and full of live. I love how everywhere is walkable and you can get anywhere using the metro. There's so so much to do whether it's going to the beach, out for tapas, hiking in the surrounding mountains, shopping, or having a night out, Barcelona really is for everyone. CEA CAPA made my experience so smooth from start to finish.

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I had a wonderful experience with Barcelona SAE! They have been a huge help in every step of my study abroad experience, from coordinating my housing, providing an academic mentor to turn to with any questions, their curated website full of resources and recommendations, and hosting various social events throughout the semester to connect with fellow students. They made my transition to and time in Barcelona so much easier. I also can’t recommend the UB track enough. I felt like it was the perfect balance between rigorous language instruction and accommodation for non-native speakers, and all the professors were so enthusiastic and responsive to any questions or confusion. I can confidently say that my Spanish skills grew this semester largely due to my classes at UB, so if you’re looking for a great opportunity to improve your language skills, I would highly recommend!

This program truly exceeded my expectations. From the program staff to the professors themselves, everyone is so excited about assisting us students and making our experience so special. My housing was amazing and other students felt the same, especially with the apartments and home stays.

This program is for students who want to strike a balance between cultural immersion and familiarity. The program is very well organized with cultural activities and excursions every week to help students explore Barcelona and its surrounding areas with fellow students from the US. I especially enjoyed the “dinner with a local host family” event where I got to dine with a local family and learned more about Barcelona from the local perspective. Besides organizing these events, the program also sends out a weekly newsletter about what’s happening in Barcelona so students can explore on their own. The staff members are all very friendly and helpful; extremely responsive with any needs.

This study abroad program truly transformed my life. I fell in love with Barcelona almost immediately, and over time, the city became a place where I learned, grew, and discovered more about myself. By the end of the program, I realized I had become a more confident, independent, and open-minded person than when I first arrived. The experiences I had, both inside and outside the classroom, shaped the way I see the world and my future. I made unforgettable memories, built meaningful connections, and gained perspectives that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am incredibly grateful to this program for allowing me to experience Barcelona in such a meaningful way.

Studying abroad in Barcelona was genuinely one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. From the start, BSAE made the semester unforgettable through incredible student activities like cooking, pottery, and flamenco classes and beautiful day trips to Montserrat, Girona, and more. Many of these experiences are now some of my favorite memories from abroad. SIS offered classes with a variety of topics that were especially interesting because of the field studies woven into the coursework. Being able to connect what we were learning directly to the city and its culture made everything feel more meaningful and engaging. I also made some of my best friends from my home university and from around the world through this program, and I’m incredibly grateful for the community and connections it gave me. Overall, the combination of academics, travel, and daily life in Barcelona made the semester both exciting and deeply impactful, and it’s an experience I would recommend to anyone considering studying abroad.

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My time in Spain was truly unforgettable. From the very first day, my host family made me feel like I belonged they were welcoming, kind, and always ready to share their traditions, meals, and laughter. Living with them gave me a window into everyday Spanish life that I will always treasure. I also fell in love with the food it was fresh, flavorful, and every meal felt like a little celebration. I loved exploring the city, especially taking the metro and discovering new neighborhoods on my own. Nights out, dance classes, and spontaneous day trips, like the one to Girona, made every week an adventure. The Spanish people I met were warm, funny, and generous, and immersing myself in the language and culture taught me so much more than I expected. Of course, being far from my own family was hard at times, and I missed them dearly. But the friendships I made, the new experiences, and the personal growth I gained made it all worthwhile. Looking back, this experience wasn’t just a trip it was a life changing chapter full of laughter, and unforgettable memories. Thank you Todos and UAB for making this experience possible for me!

This program, the city, and the overall experience was incredibly life-changing. I came to Barcelona not really knowing anyone. BarcelonaSAE quickly changed that. The activities this program provided allowed me to make awesome friendships. Additionally, the cultural immersion adventures gave us a glimpse of life in Spain that I believe other programs could not have offered. The program also sent out weekly emails detailing things to do around the city. This was immensely helpful as someone who always wanted to do and see something. Additionally, the city of Barcelona is an extravagant city that has so many nice people, good food, and hidden gems. I can confidently say that I am returning to the US as a different person thanks to this city and this program.

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Studying abroad in Barcelona was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in a culture that pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, become more independent, and see the world from a new perspective. Academically, my courses challenged me to think critically while connecting what I learned in the classroom to the city around me. Personally, navigating a new language, culture, and daily life helped me gain confidence and adaptability. I formed meaningful friendships with people from all over the world and created memories I will carry with me forever. Barcelona truly became a second home, and this experience shaped who I am both personally and professionally.

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My study abroad experience with BSAE was truly amazing and stands out as one of the most meaningful (and one of my favorite) chapters of my academic and personal life. Living and learning in a city so rich in culture, history, and energy allowed me to deepen my connection to Spain while also seeing it through a fresh, independent lens. Academically, the experience pushed me to think more critically about communication, culture, and global perspectives, especially through coursework that had a lot of discussions, observation, and real-world engagement beyond the classroom. The teachers surpass expectations by constantly being engaging and supportive. This experience changed the way I approach life, and I couldn't have done it without the help of the team members of BSAE. Immersing myself in a city that blends history, creativity, and constant movement taught me to slow down and appreciate the present rather than obsess over structure and perfection. Throughout these 3 and a half months, I learned to let go of being so uptight and instead embrace flexibility, spontaneity, and optimism. The experience reinforced my interest in international perspectives and cross-cultural understanding, while giving me unforgettable memories and skills I’ll carry forward. Choosing to go to Barcelona with BSAE was the best decision I have made in my life. Even if you have doubts, go. I promise you won't regret it.

From the first day in this beautiful city, the Barcelona Study Abroad Experience makes every student feel like family. Two moments in particular stood out to me, exemplifying the care and consideration that this program provides. Firstly, the inaugural tapas lunch was a fantastic welcome. The school brought us to a restaurant on the beach and treated us to an extensive meal of local cuisine. Sharing a delicious lunch with new classmates and academic mentors proved to be a great opportunity to make friendships that lasted the entire semester and beyond. Secondly, following an international trip, I suffered from a respiratory infection and had to miss two consecutive days of classes. On the second day, I received a personal email from the Senior Coordinator of Student Life checking in to make sure I was healthy and taken care of. This kind of attention to detail and personalization is precisely the service that makes this program so irrefutably excellent. Having attended seven schools in my life, I can confidently attest to the attention to detail and opportunities that this program consistently provides, and I would be eager to recommend Barcelona SAE to any of my fellow students.

Studying abroad with Barcelona SAE has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I made lifelong friends from around the world, explored new cultures, and felt completely supported throughout my time here. Every day was an adventure, whether it was wandering hidden streets, taking weekend trips, or enjoying the city’s vibrant energy. Barcelona truly felt like home, and I already miss it even though I haven’t left yet. The lessons I’ve learned and memories I’ve made will stay with me forever. I can’t wait to come back one day.

I think this truly was such an amazing experience for me because without the HBCU program, I would not be able to travel this far. I will always be grateful for the new activities, foods, and people I have interacted with. I am excited to see the growth in the program and see how they empower HBCUs in the future.

I can't say enough amazing things about my time in this program. I came here not knowing anyone and have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. I had so many great times in and out of the classroom, and felt supported the whole time. I opted for the June term, and all I can say is that it flew by and I only wish I could stay longer. From the amazing food, celebrations, day trips, and everything in between I have fallen in love with this city. I can't recommend it enough to all those that are considering!

I had a wonderful time in Barcelona doing a Maymester abroad. I wanted to study abroad, but could not commit to a full semester or summer program, so this 20-day program was perfect for me. I did a homestay, which allowed me to connect with the local culture and experience life with family from Barcelona. I enjoyed the course I took, which was about the Peoples of Spain. We had a multitude of field studies, which took us into the city of Barcelona to explore the concepts we read about in real life. The program has a handful of included cultural activities that allowed me to explore the city even better, such as a cava tasting tour and a rowboat session in the park with local students. I enjoyed the high degree of independence the program allowed for, as I enjoy solo travel and was able to use my free time to explore Catalonia. Having BSAE gave me a strong basis of support to lean on if I needed it during my time abroad. I really enjoyed this program and recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning something new and truly experiencing Barcelona as a local!

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Oh how I wish I could stay in Barcelona for longer! Barcelona SAE has been the perfect way to experience life abroad. I am so grateful that the program offers a three week option, allowing me to explore a new city while leaving time to complete an internship back home later in the summer. Upon my arrival to Barcelona, I was nervous because I didn't know anyone else in the program, and had not been informed of the names of my roommates in my apartment. It turns out I had no reason to worry, because we all became great friends instantly! Three of my roommates were in my same course, so we did pretty much everything together and I look forward to calling them my friends for life. The Barcelona Bucket List was a great way to fill our free time and make sure we saw the best that the city had to offer. I also loved experiencing Barcelona through my course's field studies and activities planned by Barcelona SAE. My personal favorites included a trip to the Olympic Museum and the Hiking Club of Catalonia, a cooking class at La Boqueria, a tour of El Raval, and a visit to the Les Cortes and Camp Nou area. Professor Xavier taught me so much about the culture of Catalonia through the lens of sports. I found his class to be extremely interesting. When my friends and family called me to ask how my experience was going, I would spend at least half of the call talking about all of the cool things I had learned and seen in class. Professor Xavier truly wants his students to succeed, and I recommend his courses to all future students. Barcelona will have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life, and I am so grateful to Barcelona SAE for allowing me to experience this beautiful city and the Catalan culture!

Given that this was my first time outside of the United States, I only opted for the 3 week May program. Nonetheless, this was arguably the best 3 weeks of my life. I came to Barcelona without knowing anyone, but am glad to say I have made countless friends that have made my experience an awesome one. I initially chose Barcelona SAE because of my interest in Spanish culture—from the language, to the food, to the community—and it exceeded every expectation that I had going into this program. I lived in a homestay to experience a heightened cultural immersion and it was perfect for me. I was able to bond with my host family and have cultural dinners every night while practicing my Spanish ability. Outside of the homestay I was able to explore nearly every part of Barcelona, whether through the program trips or on trips with my new friends. Everyday we were able to try new foods, see new places, and make lifelong memories. Of course, this trip wasn't only traveling and immersing myself into the culture, there was class as well. Nonetheless, my class was very intriguing and helped me think of future career paths that I never saw possible before coming to Barcelona. My professor was nice, understanding and very knowledgable about the topic that she was teaching. The class was about the startup economy in Barcelona and it was interesting not only learning about it, but seeing real life examples through our field studies. Overall, the course, culture, and community is what made the program with Barcelona SAE so special for me. I can't wait to not only come back to Barcelona but potentially study abroad again in Spain over the next few years. If you plan on studying abroad, choose Barcelona SAE.

This was an unforgettable experience forever engrained in my heart. Before the semester started, I was nervous about adjusting to life abroad, but studying in Barcelona through BSAE exceeded all expectations. The support from the program made the transition incredibly smooth, from the moment I landed. BSAE created so many opportunities to connect with other students early on, and those connections quickly turned into lasting friendships. Thanks to the generous scholarships I received, I was able to fully embrace the experience—not only exploring the richness of life in Barcelona, but also traveling to different parts of Europe, which broadened my perspective in so many ways. The program's events, like the trip to Valencia, ceramics and cooking classes, and other cultural activities, helped me dive deeper into Spanish culture while also making meaningful memories. This semester abroad was truly life-changing. I feel so lucky to have been part of it, and I’ll always be grateful for the people I met, the places I visited, and the support that made it all possible. Barcelona will always hold a special place in my heart.

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My son studied abroad in Barcelona through CEA CAPA, and while the experience overall was positive, the housing process was frustrating and unclear. He was charged $1,500 for a so-called "Shared Double Plus Room," which we later learned only meant a standard shared room with air conditioning - a feature not requested or used during the winter. The room itself was extremely small with beds pushed together and no real storage. Communication about housing upgrades was vague, and the responses I received never fully addressed our concerns. I hope CEA CAPA improves transparency around housing options and fees for future families.

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