Urban & Regional Planning Study Abroad Programs in Spain

My time in Barcelona was one of the best experiences in my life. Out of all the cities I visited when I was abroad, Barcelona was by far my favorite and I was always so excited to come back from traveling. I loved the people, the metro, the city, and the beach. There was always something going on to have the best time of your life.

Forum-Nexus was an amazing experience. I made many new friends, enjoyed the professional and cultural visits, and loved the balance between school and fun. The staff was amazing, and I would definitely recommend it.

My experience studying abroad with CEA CAPA in Barcelona was truly amazing. I had high expectations going into the program, and they were completely exceeded. My apartment was in a great neighborhood that felt extremely safe while still giving me an authentic, local experience. It was also close to everything, which made it so easy to walk around and explore the city every day. I also had a great experience with my classes. My professors were extremely understanding and supportive, which made balancing academics with everything else that comes with studying abroad much easier. The CEA CAPA staff was incredibly welcoming and played such a big role in making my experience as great as it was. They offered so many activities, events, and opportunities that helped me meet people, experience Barcelona, and feel comfortable living in a city so far from home. Overall, studying abroad in Barcelona was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and I’m so grateful I chose to do it through CEA CAPA. I would absolutely recommend the program to anyone considering studying abroad!

Leaving to study abroad in Barcelona was my first time ever leaving the country and exploring a new culture. I could not be more grateful for choosing CIS Abroad for such an amazing experience. From the very beginning, the CIS Abroad staff helped me prepare for the experience of a lifetime with genuine care, guidance, and support. That support continued throughout my time abroad. CIS Abroad made me feel safe by providing comprehensive resources for students, including access to therapy, medical care, and additional support whenever we were sick or needed assistance. Barcelona quickly became my second home, and studying abroad was truly one of the best experiences of my life. I grew personally and professionally, and created memories that I will carry with me forever.

Living and studying in Barcelona for four months was one of the best experiences I've ever had. The city itself is beautiful and full of live. I love how everywhere is walkable and you can get anywhere using the metro. There's so so much to do whether it's going to the beach, out for tapas, hiking in the surrounding mountains, shopping, or having a night out, Barcelona really is for everyone. CEA CAPA made my experience so smooth from start to finish.

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.

Studying with SIT in Sevilla this summer has been a great experience, and I feel like that was thanks to the structure of the program. Most days, we had one lesson in a traditional classroom plus an additional lesson, activity, or tour out in the city later. Some focused on Sevilla’s history and culture, others gave us the opportunity to learn about social movements and meet with actual community organizers/leaders, while others focused on sustainability in the city.

SIT provides incredibly helpful and insightful staff who are there to help you through the journey. The excursions on this program and made to be fun and interesting while showing all sides of the city of Seville. The residence hall is top notch and allows for social opportunities to meet other students. Over all, Seville is beautiful and the program is a great international experience that gives you opportunities to grow socially and academically.

This program was incredible i would absolutely do it again and recommend it to others. It was eye opening and really solidified my passion towards urban sustainability and social justice and i met so many incredible people!

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 have definitely had a great time studying with UDC and Linguistic Horizons. The arrangements and trips provided by Nicole are always very fun, safe, and great new experiences to have. My host family is very nice and caring, and I have greatly improved my Spanish speaking, learning, and understanding skills through communicating with them daily. Nicole is very easy to reach and helpful in answering all questions. Would highly recommend!

Linguistic Horizons responded to this reviewMay 05, 2026

Muchas gracias, Charles :)

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 would recommend CIEE to a friend because of how streamlined the process is and how affordable the program is compared to other ones at my university. I also appreciate how there are a lot of opportunities within CIEE to grow, like internships and ambassador programs.

Madrid specifically has awesome staff, good schedule for classes with ability to travel and spend time exploring. Liked taking 2 classes at a time to be able to live fully too. Liked the internship seminar a lot.

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!