Spanish Language and Culture Studies in Barcelona

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What's Included

We invite you to study abroad with API in Spain at the prestigious Universitat de Barcelona! Offered through one of Spain's top universities, this program is perfect for anyone looking to advance their Spanish language skills and learn more about Spanish culture while living in one of Europe's most cosmopolitan and exciting cities.

Improve your Spanish language skills, earn valuable academic credit, enroll in classes alongside students from around the world, experience life in beautiful Barcelona, and explore all that Spain has to offer!

What's Included?

Highlights

Pre Departure Services

Advising

APIConnect Platform

Orientation Materials and Resources

Access to International Phone Plans

API Alumni Network

Social Networking

Scholarships

On Site Services

Airport Reception

On-Site Orientation

Excursions

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

Resident Directors

Social and Cultural Activities

Welcome and Farewell Group Meals

Volunteer Opportunities

Tutoring

Housing (including meals and laundry with host families)

Language and Culture Tools

Re-Entry Services

Re-Entry Materials and Support

Post-Program Evaluation

Transcript

Alumni Network and API Ambassador Program
View all opportunities and amenities

Application Requirements

  • Minimum 2.5 G.P.A.
  • Open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
  • Open to beginning, intermediate, advanced, and superior level Spanish speakers
  • Beginning level students must have completed at least one semester of college-level Spanish or the equivalent
  • Completed API application
  • University Approval Form
  • Official transcript
  • Additional supplemental materials
  • Entry requirements: valid passport with student visa
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Extended Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Fall Sep 7, 2022 - Dec 21, 2022 $14,500 May 15, 2022 No Extension Jun 15, 2022
Academic Year Sep 7, 2022 - Apr 28, 2023 $27,900 May 15, 2022 No Extension Jun 15, 2022
Spring Jan 9, 2023 - Apr 28, 2023 $14,500 Oct 15, 2022 Oct 30, 2022 Nov 1, 2022
Excursions

API students participate excursions designed to help familiarize them with the culture and surrounding areas of their host city and country. The following is a listing of potential excursions for API Barcelona programs. API may need to modify the excursions offered in a given term due to travel restrictions or health and safety concerns.

  • Gastronomy and the Mediterranean Sea

    Delta del Llobregat is the area placed between Montjüic and Garraf, a natural environment outside the noise of Barcelona. Close to the delta there are coastal villages such as Castelldefels and El Prat del Llobregat. In one of these villages students will have the chance to taste a traditional Catalan meal.

  • Madrid

    Spain’s capital blends the modern with an important cultural and artistic heritage. On this day trip students will have the opportunity to visit one of Europe’s most important art museums and enjoy the beautiful Madrid center to experience first hand this blend of modernity and history.

  • Tarragona and Costa Daurada

    With almost 60 miles of golden sandy beaches, la Costa Daurada stretches from the north of Tarragona to the Ebro delta. Tarragona’s biggest lure is the wealth of ruins in Spain’s second most important Roman site, including mosaic-packed museums and a seaside amphitheater. Les Cases d’Alcanar or Altafulla conjure up a mix of Mediterranean essences. The towns alternate between flat alluvial land and craggy coast depicting the terrain; between mud and rocks; olive trees and rice fields; marl rocky banks and lagoons.

  • Girona and Costa Brava

    Girona is a jewel of culture and history acquired over 2,000 years. The medieval town is surrounded by a magnificent wall, which is preserved almost in its entirety. The Jewish quarter, known as the “Call”, spreads out in a maze of small, narrow, and often steeply sloping streets. After the historical visit, students will stop in Costa Brava to discover the beauty of the Mediterranean sea.

  • Winery and Calçotada

    El Penedès is one of Spain’s richest regions both in historical and gastronomical terms. Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is the center of production of cava (sparkling wine). Students will discover a place of stunning beauty and culture in a vineyard built by “Modernista” architects. Calçotada is an annual gastronomical celebration held only in winter time.

  • Seville

    Seville, capital of the Andalucía region of southern Spain, is a unique example where history, tradition, and modernity merge in an incomparable city. The core of Islamic Seville includes the area on the East bank of the Guadalquivir where the Cathedral, the Christian Alcázar, and the medieval quarter is known as the Barrio Santa Cruz is located today. To explore the city’s narrow streets and smell the orange blossoms in Spring while mingling with people at a cafe is definitely an unforgettable experience.

  • Gastronomy and the Mediterranean Sea

    Delta del Llobregat is the area placed between Montjüic and Garraf, a natural environment outside the noise of Barcelona. Close to the delta there are coastal villages such as Castelldefels and El Prat del Llobregat. In one of these villages students will have the chance to taste a traditional Catalan meal.

  • Madrid

    Spain’s capital blends the modern with an important cultural and artistic heritage. On this day trip students will have the opportunity to visit one of Europe’s most important art museums and enjoy the beautiful Madrid center to experience first hand this blend of modernity and history.

  • Tarragona and Costa Daurada

    With almost 60 miles of golden sandy beaches, la Costa Daurada stretches from the north of Tarragona to the Ebro delta. Tarragona’s biggest lure is the wealth of ruins in Spain’s second most important Roman site, including mosaic-packed museums and a seaside amphitheater. Les Cases d’Alcanar or Altafulla conjure up a mix of Mediterranean essences. The towns alternate between flat alluvial land and craggy coast depicting the terrain; between mud and rocks; olive trees and rice fields; marl rocky banks and lagoons.

  • Girona and Costa Brava

    Girona is a jewel of culture and history acquired over 2,000 years. The medieval town is surrounded by a magnificent wall, which is preserved almost in its entirety. The Jewish quarter, known as the “Call”, spreads out in a maze of small, narrow, and often steeply sloping streets. After the historical visit, students will stop in Costa Brava to discover the beauty of the Mediterranean sea.

  • Winery and Calçotada

    El Penedès is one of Spain’s richest regions both in historical and gastronomical terms. Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is the center of production of cava (sparkling wine). Students will discover a place of stunning beauty and culture in a vineyard built by “Modernista” architects. Calçotada is an annual gastronomical celebration held only in winter time.

  • Seville

    Seville, capital of the Andalucía region of southern Spain, is a unique example where history, tradition, and modernity merge in an incomparable city. The core of Islamic Seville includes the area on the East bank of the Guadalquivir where the Cathedral, the Christian Alcázar, and the medieval quarter is known as the Barrio Santa Cruz is located today. To explore the city’s narrow streets and smell the orange blossoms in Spring while mingling with people at a cafe is definitely an unforgettable experience.

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 12 credits per semester

Students will complete one Spanish language class that meets for a total of 9 hours per week (110 hours each semester) in addition to 4 culture courses (for 6 semester credits). Any combination of 4 culture courses per level, per term, will earn the student 6 U.S. semester credits. UB language levels correspond to the European Common Framework.

Intermediate, advanced, and superior level Spanish speakers who participate in an academic year program and complete 2 culture courses (for 90 contact hours each) and an additional section of a culture course per term (or 45 contact hours) during the year will receive the Diploma de Estudios Hispánicos. Course content for the spring semester will be different/more advanced than in the fall semester, and students do not repeat material.

TRANSCRIPTS

API students will receive a transcript from the Universitat de Barcelona upon completion of their program.

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    Gabi Perches

    Gabi Perches will be your Program Coordinator and prepare you to go abroad!

    (she/her/hers)

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    Alicia Castillo

    Alicia Castillo will be your Resident Director and a resource for you on-site.

    (she/her/hers)

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    Mireia Pujol

    Mireia Pujol will be your Student Services Director in Barcelona and will assist you in adjusting to the Spanish culture!

    (she/her/hers)

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    Arnau Roma Sansa

    Arnau Roma Sansa will be your Resident Director and a resource for you on-site.

    (he/him/his)

Courses
Click Here to Find Classes

COURSE OFFERINGS

Students must complete a Spanish language course (worth 7 U.S. semester credits).

Students will then take 2-3 individual course electives worth 3 credits each for a total of 12 credits per session. A small number of courses offered are worth 1.5 credits and can be taken in tandem with 3 credit courses for a total of 12 semester credits per session. The topics focused on each semester change, but the course title will stay the same. Student may add extra courses (1.5 credits or 3 credits) for an extra fee.

CREDIT INFORMATION

Most API partner universities in Spain operate on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. credits, divide the contact hours available by 15.

Below is a sampling of courses offered. For the most up-to-date course availability, click here to explore our Class Finder.

Courses at Universitat de Barcelona (Spanish Language and Culture Studies in Barcelona)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Find Courses

Courses at Universitat de Barcelona (Spanish Language and Culture Studies in Barcelona)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Find Courses

Courses at Universitat de Barcelona (Spanish Language and Culture Studies in Barcelona)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Find Courses

Highlights
  • Classes: taught in Spanish and English
Housing

API students in Barcelona can choose from three different housing options. Students may choose to live with a host family, in a student apartment, or in a student dormitory. Internet access is included in all three options.

Students who choose to live with families share a double room with a fellow API student and be provided with 2 meals per day and laundry service. Students can opt for a single room for an additional fee.

API apartments in Barcelona generally have 2-4 bedrooms (the majority of which are double-rooms) with a shared kitchen, common area, and bathrooms. Apartments are located throughout the center of Barcelona and tend to be 30-45 minutes from the universities. Students can opt for a single room for an additional fee.

Students who would prefer apartment-style living alongside other Spanish and American students would enjoy API’s dorm/residence hall option. The student dorm has both single and double-room options, with a shared kitchen and private bathroom. Internet access is guaranteed in all rooms. This option carries an additional fee.

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