CIEE Language and Culture in Barcelona, Spain

I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain during the summer of 2023. I had such an amazing time exploring the culture, food, and language! I would highly recommend this program and study abroad in general to anyone considering it. It is worth it and I will never forget the experiences I had being immersed in another environment and culture.

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The actual CIEE campus is located in a beautiful and very central area, which enables and encourages students to explore this area as much as they can. Additionally, the course offerings are very exciting and have a lot of relevance to Barcelona and the country of Spain as a whole.

My experience in Barcelona through CIEE was incredible! I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, meet amazing friends, and go on numerous adventures. I lived in an apartment of 6 people and we all loved the experience. The guidance and information provided to us allowed us to quickly adapt to the new city. The CIEE programming was organized and the staff was very friendly. The courses were all exciting and allowed me to learn a lot, while still leaving time to explore the amazing city. I was able to travel to several new locations and CIEE offered programming events that made it easy to meet people. I appreciated how I could quickly reach CIEE staff for any questions and concerns. I made so many amazing memories and would definitely recommend the experience. I loved the independence of being in an incredible, new city, while also feeling very supported and comfortable.

CIEE's Language and Culture Program in Barcelona was an enriching opportunity that was exactly what I was looking for in an experience abroad. It was around a month, which allowed me to immerse in the environment more than I would on a vacation or short trip, but it was not as long as a full semester. The perfect length of a study abroad program is different for everyone, but summer was a perfect time for me as I got to enjoy the vibrant culture of Barcelona during the warm and lively summer, get credit for completing a class, and still have time to be home for part of my summer. CIEE makes every effort to ensure that their students are well adjusted and taken care of. This is an independent experience that allows you to explore the world, while also exploring your inner potential as a result of going out of your comfort zone. However, the best part about this program is that this experience is only as independent as you want it to be. You can travel and explore the city on your own and with friends, or you can take advantage of the many trips and activities that CIEE offers during the week, as well as on weekends, that allows students to travel with CIEE faculty to see new places. The classes were at a perfect time in the middle of the day from 10am-1pm, which allowed for enough time to get lunch with friends after class, complete homework, and still visit places during the day! The classes are interesting and the work was very manageable. Also, CIEE professors and faculty are always available either by phone 24/7 or in their offices at CIEE's location in the city. They send out blast texts and notifications that allows them to monitor each student's safety and provides a channel for the students to report if they are in need of help at any moment. Overall, this experience with CIEE allowed me to realize that I am capable of so much more than I was aware of before. CIEE ensures that the students are comfortable and they support them along their journey so that every student has their own exciting, unique, enriching, and once in a lifetime experience.

The program gives you a chance to interact with local students (through housing and connections to a Spanish University), gives you the opportunity to understand and partake in Spanish culture through different excursions around, in, and outside of Barcelona, and is an excellent program that gives you the independence to learn as much about Spanish and Catalan culture as you want.

The program is very organized but I wish it offered more opportunities for traveling within Europe. In addition, maybe offering different activities over the weekend would encourage more students to participate.

The program is very organized but I wish it offered more opertunities for traveling within Europe. In addition, maybe offering different activities over the weekend would encourage more students to participate

The program gives you a chance to interact with local students (through housing and connections to a Spanish University), gives you the opportunity to understand and partake in Spanish culture through different excursions around, in, and outside of Barcelona, and is an excellent program that gives you the independence to learn as much about Spanish and Catalan culture as you want.