IES Abroad Barcelona – Arts & Culture

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.