Summer Spanish and Catalan Studies at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona

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What's Included

We invite you to spend your summer with API in beautiful Barcelona at the prestigious Universitat Pompeu Fabra! This exciting program offers you the opportunity to learn more about Spanish and Catalan art, culture and identity. Courses (offered in both English and Spanish) are designed to broaden and enhance your perspective and understanding of Spanish and European cultures, political systems, and society.

Earn valuable academic credit from one of Spain's top universities, enroll in classes alongside students from around the world, experience life in one of Europe's most exciting and cosmopolitan cities, 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

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

Excursions

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 3.0 GPA
  • Open to rising juniors and seniors
  • Open to students with one previous semester of college-level Spanish (or the equivalent)
  • Completed API application
  • University Approval Form
  • Official transcript
  • Additional application forms (including a housing form and a course form)
  • One (electronic) passport-sized photo
  • Entry requirement: valid passport
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Extended Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Summer 1 Jun 26, 2023 - Jul 29, 2023 $6,900 Apr 15, 2023 No Extension May 15, 2023
Excursions

API students participate in 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.

  • Delta del Llobregat

    Delta del Llobregat is the area between Montjüic and Garraf and one of Catalunya's most important wetland zones. The Delta is a natural environment surrounded by a vast agricultural park which is proof of the way top-quality intensive farming can coexist with a large city. It is also an excellent place for bird-watching, as well as being a strategic point on the bird migration route. Close to the delta there are coastal villages such as Castelldefels and El Prat de Llobregat with excellent beaches and fine cuisine.

  • 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.

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 6 U.S. semester credits

This program is designed for students who want to study abroad in Barcelona to learn more about Catalan art, culture, and identity. The courses provide students with tools to set the frame for a broader perspective on the Spanish and European cultures, political systems, and society, and allow them to acquire a deep understanding of the Spanish political institutions and recent history. Barcelona is an ideal location to host such a program thanks to its landscape, which allows for the symbiosis among cosmopolitanism, cultural diversity, and site as the Catalonian capital. Bilingualism, integration, and migration are only some of the topics that students analyze in class and beyond, as they soak up Barcelona’s vibrant city life.

In addition to the course-related activities, all participants in the program take part in activities and field studies that are a substantial part of the program. These cover prominent aspects of the summer program topics. Field studies and co-curricular activities may include: opening ceremony and opening lecture; evening tour: the political scenarios of Barcelona: City Hall and Generalitat; visit to the Catalan Parliament and debate with Parliamentarians; a course-integrated overnight study tour to “The Catalan No-Borders: Historical Ties with The Pays Catalan”; closing ceremony and concert. These co-curricular activities and excursions are led by experts and include lectures given by faculty from either UPF or the universities hosting the visits. The Spanish language course is available for all levels, but it is only required for those students who plan on taking all of their courses in Spanish. Students who plan on taking their courses in Spanish must have a minimum of 4 semesters of college-level Spanish experience.

TRANSCRIPTS

API students will receive a transcript from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra upon completion of their program.

  • Caroline headshot

    Caroline Mobley

    Caroline Mobley will be your Program Coordinator and will help prepare you for your API program.

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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 will choose two courses (45 hours each – 3 U.S. semester credits each). Students who are interested in taking a third course may do so for an additional fee. All courses may include on-site activities that are mandatory and part of the course evaluation. Enrollment and participation require attendance, study, the fulfillment of course workload (exams, papers) and active class participation.

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.

Courses at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Summer Spanish and Catalan Studies)

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 & English
  • FORUM on Education Abroad QUIP certified
Housing

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

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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