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CIEE Business + Culture in Barcelona, Spain

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4.3 / 5Overall Rating
18Reviews
1947Year established

Program Overview

Your Business + Culture program in Barcelona lasts a full semester and is designed for students with a background in business. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses, host institution courses, and courses taught online through CIEE's global academic partner, ASU. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Spanish culture. Live and learn in Barcelona!

Barcelona is Spain’s cosmopolitan city, celebrated for its thriving business landscape and rich cultural heritage. As a global hub for entrepreneurship, finance, and international trade, Barcelona offers exceptional opportunities for students studying business and culture. The city’s unique blend of Catalan and Spanish traditions, iconic landmarks like Casa Batlló and the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, world-class museums, and thriving creative industries make Barcelona the perfect place to study abroad.

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Program Highlights

Discover one of Europe’s most dynamic startup ecosystems.
Explore Barcelona’s “District 22@,” a hub for innovative companies.
Live with a Spanish family and immerse yourself in local culture.
Trek Montserrat's breathtaking mountain trails, explore a Benedictine monastery retreat, and witness the unique rock formations of Catalonia.
Wander the colorful streets of Gràcia, immersing yourself in the neighborhood's bohemian vibe and artistic flair.

What's Included

Tuition & Fees
Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Travel Insurance
Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Pre-Departure Orientation
In-Country Orientation
Academic Credit
Emergency Support

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Barcelona, Spain

Fields & Subjects

  • Accounting
  • Anthropology
  • Art History
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Foreign Language
  • History
  • Human Resource Management
  • International Business
  • Leadership
  • Literature
  • Management
  • Marketing, Advertising, & PR
  • Political Science & Politics
  • Psychology
  • Service Learning
  • Sustainable Development

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • 2026, 2027
  • Terms Available
  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Academic Year

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities
  • This Program is also open to Solo

Education Levels & Language

  • Language
  • English
  • Education
  • University Freshman (1st Year)
  • University Sophomore (2nd Year)
  • University Junior (3rd Year)
  • University Senior (4th Year)
  • University 5th Year or More

Accommodation Options

  • Dormitory
  • Group living
  • Home-stays

Application Procedures

  • Written Application
  • Letters of Reference
  • Physical Exam/Health Records
  • Other
  • Online Application

Age Requirement

18-30

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about CIEE College Study Abroad

4.3
18 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
6
4
12
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Living Situation
4.6
Cultural Immersion
4.4
Program Administration
4.3
Health & Safety
4.3
Academics
4.2
Community
3.3

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

Review this Program

Showing 1-18 of 18 reviews

Kyle H.March 2025

Balanced experience

I thought that the courses were very manageable and supported my learning. This enabled me to enjoy both spending time in Barcelona, but also traveling without being overloaded with work. In addition, my professors were smart and cared about our learning development.

Julian MacalisterUnited States · September 2022

The most fun I've ever had

This past summer I traveled to Barcelona with CIEE to study business and culture. I was nervous at first, but the other students in the program quickly became my best friends and we spent the next month exploring Barcelona's vibrant culture and geography. I had so many fun and important life experiences, that I decided to go back for a whole semester of my Junior year of college. I highly recommend studying abroad with CIEE to expand your understanding of different cultures, and discover new people and places. I couldn't have asked for a better abroad experience.

Savannah StewartUnited States · September 2022

CIEE Barcelona business & culture

My experience with CIEE in Barcelona was unforgettable and invaluable! I lived in an apartment just a 15-minute walk away from the class building and a metro stop away from La Sagrada Familia. I had 4 other roommates, and even though the living spaces are generally smaller in Europe than in the U.S., we had plenty of space and loved our apartment. We attended classes four days a week. The classes were so interesting, and it was great to be able to take so many that counted towards my major. In this specific program, all of the teachers, although native Spanish-speakers, taught the classes in English. The classes were challenging but not so difficult that I had to spend all of my time on work. All of my professors were really knowledgeable and passionate about the topics they taught, and they were so supportive and welcoming. CIEE also has other support staff available for questions and help unrelated to classes, and they are all so helpful and kind as well. They are always willing to help students, whether it’s an issue with their apartment, or health-related, or even just wanting something as simple as restaurant recommendations. They also put together so many events that allowed students to meet each other, to meet locals, and to get to see parts of the city that they hadn’t before. Having a three-day weekend was so exciting. Every weekend, I took advantage of the time that I had and explored Barcelona, other cities in Spain, and even made a few trips out of the country. I loved getting to explore the places that I had never been before and getting to learn about the different parts of Barcelona, some of which I did on my own and some of which I actually did through class field trips. Overall, I absolutely loved my study abroad experience with CIEE! I had such a blast getting to practice my Spanish, live on my own in another country for a few months, learn from my professors and the locals, meet so many people, and get to experience so many incredible places.

Photos

Keya S.August 2020

An incredible experience

This was an incredible experience, I felt like I learned a lot and I really enjoyed how everything was organized with CIEE as well as how there were an abundance of CIEE-sponsored trips and activities we could participate in.

Rianna E.September 2019

CIEE is a well-run program

CIEE allows you to be able to experience Spain and other countries/ travelling while staying up to date on school and school work. However, because the work is not too intense for school, I would not say this has been the semester where I have learned the most about business subject matter.

Diana A.September 2019

I thought CIEE was an excellent program

I thought it was an excellent program, however I think that CIEE needs to improve on getting students from all different schools to know each other more. Perhaps, making mandatory exchange meet ups. Also, I did not enjoy how CIEE students are required to take classes at ESCI.

Christopher S.September 2019

CIEE was extremely organized

CIEE compared to other organizations with other universities was extremely organized. They helped and guided IU students along the way. Starting in October all the way until now. I was surprised to hear how organized some programs are, and I am proud to have chosen CIEE.

Federico L.September 2019

A well-balanced program

Because the faculty is very special to you, always in the care of its students and good professors. The working weight is balance to having time to explore which is very important in this experience.

Bolanle O.United States · August 2019

I had a lot of fun during my stay in Spain

I would very much likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to my friends and peers due to the fact that all the staff at CIEE where friendly and the teacher are nice. I had a lot of fun during my stay in Spain.

Ali N.United States · August 2019

The students that are a part of this program are great

The students that are a part of this program are great. You are very likely to find and make new friends very quickly which makes your experience so much more enjoyable. It was also very to apply and they make everything very simple and understandable. I think its a very well put together program.

Sophia B.United States · August 2019

This program is an amazing experience

This program is an amazing experience. Living in a homestay gave me such a different perspective and advantage that I would not have experienced otherwise. Being able to immerse yourself into a different culture while studying was such a unique experience. I believed that I genuinely learned more about my courses because I was more engaged in the school environment.

Alexandria L.United States · July 2019

Organized, structured, and very keen on getting students comfortable

I would be likely to recommend it because it is organized, structured, and very keen on getting students comfortable in the adaptation process. They're willing to flex for their students and always open to help with any issues they had regarding scheduling, personal issues, and other things.

Christopher S.United States · July 2019

CIEE was extremely organized

CIEE compared to other organizations with other universities was extremely organized. They helped and guided IU students along the way. Starting in October all the way until now. I was surprised to hear how organized some programs are, and I am proud to have chosen CIEE.

Noah H.March 2019

Great experience

I would be likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend or peer because I had such a great experience with CIEE in Madrid. The program was great because I met so many new people super easily and adjusted to the culture easily through group activities and discussions.

Diana A.March 2019

Excellent program

I thought it was an excellent program, however I think that CIEE needs to improve on getting students from all different schools to know each other more. Perhaps, making mandatory exchange meet ups. Also, I did not enjoy how CIEE students are required to take classes at ESCI.

Rianna E.March 2019

Well Organized

It is a well run program and it allows you to be able to experience Spain and other countries/ travelling while staying up to date on school and school work. However, because the work is not too intense for school, I would not say this has been the semester where I have learned the most about business subject matter

Nicole RiccioUnited States · February 2017

Barcelona business & culture fall 2016

I had an amazing experience with CIEE while studying abroad in Barcelona. They placed me in an amazing homestay with a host mother who I still talk to on a daily basis. I grew so much as a person during this trip and also learned and experienced so many new things. I would definitely recommend this program.

MinhApril 2013

Visca Catalunya!

Barcelona is fun for American college students, bad if you're looking to learn Spanish/Castilian.

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Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

GoAbroad Innovation Awards 2024 Finalist -	Student Video
Top Rated Notable Mentions 2022
Innovative New Program – Intern Abroad 2021 Finalist
Innovation in Crisis Response 2021 Finalist
Innovative Technology 2020 Finalist
Top Rated Study Abroad Organizations of 2020
Top Rated Organization 2019 - Study Abroad
Alliance for International Exchange
Innovative Technology 2019
British Accreditation Council

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