IES Abroad Barcelona – Arts & Culture

My experience with IES Barcelona was life-changing. I lived in a Residence Hall in Sant Marti, where my commute to class was 30 minutes every day by train. The public transportation in Barcelona is affordable, clean, safe, and easy to use, so navigating the public transportation was one of my highlights. The school location was in the city center with incredible views just down the street. I enjoyed studying by the Cathedral of Barcelona, which was only a six-minute walk from our classes! The courses were not too difficult but highly interesting. I took an Art History course where I had the opportunity to learn about the history of Art Nouveau pieces around the city of Barcelona. I also had the opportunity to take a History of Contemporary Spain class, where I was able to broaden my horizons in the Political Science field and compare US history and government to the history and government of Spain. In between work weeks, I was also able to travel. The Barcelona airport is a hub for international travel, so I was able to take exciting trips to several new locations. Overall, this program was the perfect study abroad experience where I became more independent and learned so much about the world.

IES Barcelona did an amazing job of walking us through all of the tasks we had to complete before we flew abroad. From the visa process, to packing tips, to culture and safety modules, I felt very prepared to head to Barcelona for the semester. The classes they offered all transferred back to my home university seamlessly, and most of the professors were very kind and wanted you to succeed. IES staff planned many events to immerse us in Catalan culture and learn about Barcelona history. Since IES abroad is a large company, they were able to give a good amount of need-based aid, and the scholarship application was easy to complete. Overall, IES Barcelona did a great job of preparing me for my semester abroad, and opening us up to many new experiences in Spain.

Studying abroad in Barcelona was an incredible experience, particularly due to the immersive language environment. I quickly improved my Spanish through daily conversations with locals and classes entirely in Spanish. My Spanish professor at IES helped me learn the language faster as well as understand some cultural norms. It was empowering to see how naturally I adapted. I was also very happy with my apartment, which was in a peaceful neighborhood. It had everything I needed and was close to public transport, making it easy to explore the city. I felt very safe in this city. Of course, there are precautions to be taken, but if you are aware of your surroundings you will be fine. Whether I was walking home late at night or exploring new areas, I always felt generally secure. Barcelona gave me the perfect mix of language immersion, personal growth, and enjoyment. I’ll always cherish this experience!

My abroad experience was remarkable and I am very appreciative of IES's role in making my experience as special as it was. Before arriving in Barcelona, it was a smooth process to prepare for my abroad visa and documents. Upon arrival, IES staff members were waiting for us in the airport and in my residence hall. At the start of my program, I found friends easily through participating in IES trips and events. IES was very helpful throughout the semester and always made themselves accessible to students. In all, my experience was everything I had hoped for.

I absolutely loved this program, and it provided me with memories that I'll keep for the rest of my life! For a study abroad opportunity, there were plentiful course options at the IES center that cover a range of subjects, and the ability to take classes at local institutions expanded that even further. There were so many activities organized by the center for cultural immersion, and the community at those events was fantastic (that's where I met nearly all of my close friends in the program!). My living situation was nothing short of amazing as well: I stayed with a host family that was incredibly kind and kept me well fed, and I had a room to myself. The other living places, including student dorms and apartments, available by the program were quite nice too! If there was a problem (this did happen to several of my friends, mainly due to host family issues), the IES staff were able to accommodate a switch. My only critique is that the community of the student body was often hostile, cliquey, and unfriendly. Many students arranged to participate in this program with their friends, and this left them unwilling to meet new people or authentically experience culture. This program allowed me to change so much as a person, develop my independence, and become incredibly culturally literate!

Studying abroad was something I always knew I wanted to do and IES made my experience more exciting and fulfilling than I ever thought it could be. The trips that the program organized, whether a full weekend excursion, day trip, or dinner a new restaurant, allowed me to meet new people and experience things I never would have on my own. Studying abroad can be an exciting and terrifying time, away from home and in a strange place but the IES facilities, in the heart of Barcelona really made me feel like a part of the community. The class options were great and provided for a variety of interests like architecture, the culinary arts and so much more. Each course included excursions that allowed us to explore the city and experience new incredible opportunities like strolling through the market and exploring iconic museums and landmarks.