Marketing, Advertising, & PR Study Abroad Programs in Barcelona, Spain

I had such a great time, the program leaders were super helpful with living situations adjusting to the different aspects here and all my professors were awesome. They all cared a lot about the courses and wanted me to succeed and do better! They excursions that they provide are also super fun and you should go on as many as possible.

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.

I had a really good experience with Forum-Nexus overall. The program gave me the chance to travel a lot, meet great people, and learn more about different countries in a way that felt interesting and personal. I liked that the staff was friendly and helpful, and the hotels were some of the best I’ve stayed in. Some visits were better than others, but the overall balance of academics, free time, and cultural experiences made the program worth it. I’d recommend it to other students, especially if they want to make friends and grow through travel.

This summer abroad program was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as an undergraduate.” “It was thoughtfully organized, with a great balance of academics, cultural exploration, professional visits, and enough independence to grow on my own.” “The instructors were engaging, knowledgeable, and encouraged real discussion, which made classes feel useful beyond the classroom.” “I especially liked being able to connect what we learned to our travels.” “The staff was welcoming and supportive throughout, and I’d absolutely recommend the program to other students.

I’ve had an amazing time here at Expanish. The teachers are great and I really like the small class size so you get to connect with each individually. I like how community driven the program is to. The seating area out of the classrooms feels like a great hub for students to socialize. I like how the program is set to travel as well. Teachers are encouraging us to travel on the weekends and see Europe. I also enjoy the study/travel balance and having a pretty strict attendance policy forced us to attend each class.

Expanish responded to this reviewMarch 21, 2026

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback, Ben! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing experience at Expanish. It’s great that you enjoyed the small class sizes and were able to build strong connections with both your teachers and classmates. Creating a welcoming, community-driven environment is something we really value, so it’s wonderful to know that came through during your time with us. Hope we get to welcome you again in the future! ¡Un abrazo!

Doing study abroad is a MUST for character development and the opportunity to travel at a young age. Expanish made the program super easy and convenient. The predeparture preparation, VISA application process, and onboarding was so smooth.

Expanish responded to this reviewMarch 21, 2026

Thank you for your great feedback, Sean! We couldn’t agree more—studying abroad is such a valuable experience, both personally and culturally. We’re really glad to hear that our team was able to make the whole process smooth and stress-free for you, from pre-departure to arrival. It’s wonderful to know you felt supported every step of the way and could focus on enjoying your experience abroad. Hope we get to welcome you again in the future! ¡Un fuerte abrazo!

There are not enough works to express how amazing this experience was for me because I ended up meeting my best friends during my last semester of college. We all signed up for different programs through AIFS, but since we lived in the same building, we were able to bond and dive deeper into the beauties of Barcelona together. We were able to travel to different countries and do fun excursions through AIFS like visit a winery, go hiking in Montserrat, take a cooking class and visit the city's landmarks. While we had to adapt to the cultural differences, living with other AIFS students and spending time with everyone in the program was truly a home away from home. These people were my foundation. We were able to be vulnerable with one another and discover not just a whole new culture together but learn things about ourselves that we never realized before. I will always remember when my friends and I wrote letters to one another to read on the flight home from Barcelona and I do not think I will ever cry as hard as I did than when I read those letters. We have gone from being just steps away from each other in our student residence to being separated by thousands of miles. Barcelona will always be our special place, and I am so thankful to AIFS for introducing me to my best friends.

I had wanted to study abroad since high school, and SAI made that happen. It was as fun as I imagined, and I would do it again in a heartbeat if my degree allowed. I love to travel, and immersing myself in the city culture was the best thing I have done. I loved the Viva Experiences that SAI had as well, allowing me to take many day trips, as well as take pottery and dance classes, among other things. I loved the on-site staff as well, getting to know them through various excursions. One ran the program's soccer team in the study abroad league, which I got out of my comfort zone and joined. If you told me I would go and play soccer abroad beforehand, I would have laughed, but looking back I am so glad I took the leap and did so. I may not have been great, but I made friends and had a lot of fun.

I would be likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend because the program offers strong academic support, well-organized experiences, and opportunities to immerse yourself in a new environment. It’s a great way to grow personally and academically while feeling supported throughout the process.

I would likely recommend it because I had a great experience with CIEE. Taking a gap year after high school was rewarding, and climbing Montserrat was one of my favorite memories of the program.

My time with SAI was amazing. The entire team was extremely caring and responsive to any issue that we had abroad. Everyone was knowledgable and had many resources as to how to be successful abroad. The only thing I will say is that the housing situations were hit or miss location and size wise. It would have been nice to have more information on housing options and assignments. Other than that, great program with different options for volunteering, host families, and events!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.