Upcoming Website Maintenance

Early this Monday morning U.S. Central Time the IES Abroad website will undergo scheduled maintenance. During this time some or all features of the site - like login and account creation - will be unavailable, but we expect this disruption to be brief. Thank you for your patience.

Barcelona, Spain

Summer - Language & Area Studies

Study Abroad
Length:
Summer

At a Glance

Housing:

Apartment, Homestay, Residence Hall

Credits:

6-7 per Summer

Language of Instruction:

English, Spanish

Language Prerequisites:

None

Visa Required:

Maybe

About the Program

Open to all language levels, this program provides you with the equivalent of more than an entire semester of Spanish language study. English-taught area studies classes also are available. 

We want you to feel at home in Barcelona, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city—from your housing to our highly subsidized DiscoverIES, which are a unique blend of course-related trips and cultural field trips. 

Background Image Mask
Explore Barcelona

Visit Collserola and take in art at the Picasso Museum.

Background Image Mask
Receive Personalized Support

Your IES Abroad advisor is your #1 resource for preparing to study abroad.

Background Image Mask
Stay with a Local Host

Live in a homestay with local residents.

Background Image Mask
Follow Your Academic Interests

Select courses in Art History, International Business, Sociology, and more!

Summer 2025

Program Dates:

May 19 - July 05

Application Deadline:

Estimated Cost:

$
7,113

Program Advisor

Claire Wendt headshot

Claire Wendt

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

Why Barcelona?

Picture yourself spending six weeks of your summer focused on speaking Spanish while living and learning in Barcelona, one of the world’s leading tourist, economic, and cultural cities.

With IES Abroad, you’ll get to know Barcelona like a local student through our DiscoverIES: a unique blend of course-related and cultural field trips in Barcelona and beyond. Think of all the wonderful architecture you’ll see, history you’ll learn, local residents you’ll meet, and tapas you’ll eat during your summer in Spain!

Learn More About Barcelona

Get to Know Your New City

Background Image Mask
Have Fun in the Sun

Spend time under the sun along Barcelona's sandy beaches.

Background Image Mask
Check Out Some Live Music

Barcelona boasts an iconic music scene.

Background Image Mask
Appreciate the Art

There’s plenty of art—indoors and out—to inspire you.

Background Image Mask
Eat, Drink, and Eat Some More!

Enjoy stews, seafood, jamón, spicy potatoes, and so much more.

The Student Experience

View All Blogs

Housing

  • Apartment
  • Homestay
  • Residence Hall

Apartment

You live with up to 7 other IES Abroad students in a single or double room. The student apartment offers the communal vibes of a residence hall with the comfort of an apartment. Apartments have fully equipped kitchens, Wi-Fi is included, and meals are not included but optional meal plans are available for purchase onsite. Laundry is coin operated, and an additional fee applies to this housing option.

Academics

Our mission is to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.

Courses

Create your own academic experience by enrolling 6-7 credits for the summer. 

  • 3 or 4-credit Spanish language course 
  • 3-credit area studies course taught in Spanish or English

    Beginning and Intermediate Spanish students enroll in an English-taught course; Advanced Spanish students enroll in an English- or Spanish-taught course

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control

 

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (8)

Anthropology (1)

Course name Term Language Credits
AN/SO 320 - Sports and Society in Spain Summer English 3
PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

Learn More
passport stamps and stickers inside of passport books

Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Barcelona, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

blue background with air plane icon and dotted trail lines

Alella Winery

1 Day ($) Summer

Spain is well‐known for its high-quality wine and on this tour you’ll learn the process to prepare it… or better yet, how it was prepared 2,000 years ago!

Houses and buildings on the coast of Cadaques, Spain. The buildings are all white with a red stucco roof.

Dalí & Cadaqués

1 Day ($) Summer

Known as the source of inspiration for internationally famous painters and artists for decades, explore the town of Cadaqués and enjoy a visit to the Dalí Theatre‐Museum!

multicolored buildings bordering a lake with pink clouds and a blue sky

Girona

1 Day ($) Summer

This hidden gem is surrounded by exceptionally well‐conserved medieval walls which we’ll have a chance to walk through. We'll also visit the city’s Jewish quarter and stop by the Cathedral, boasting the widest gothic nave in the world. 

aerial shot of colorful brick buildings near the beach

Tarragona Study Journey

2 Days Summer

The study journey is organized to foster meeting new people in the Barcelona program and to build a community of learning. This trip is mandatory, and its cost is included in the program fee.

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Summer 2025

Tuition
$
5,352
Housing
$
1,626
Insurance
$
135
Total
$
7,113

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

Learn More
Two students snorkel in the ocean.

About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Barcelona Center is located in the heart of Barcelona, just off the Plaza Catalunya. Whether you’re taking a stroll by the Arco de Triunfo, or studying at a nearby café, the Center is your study abroad hub. 

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Barcelona
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Barcelona. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Explore Barcelona
Take a required study journey to a site in Spain. In previous journeys, students have visited Tarragona, where they walked in the footsteps of the Ancient Romans.
Prepare to Learn
Feel prepared to begin classes with practical lessons, activities designed to help you learn your way around the area, and support from our dedicated student staff.
Settle In
Orientation continues throughout the semester with field trips allowing you to both further sample elements of Spanish culture and get to know the other students.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

Background Image Mask
CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

Background Image Mask
24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

Background Image Mask
Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

Background Image Mask
Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

Background Image Mask
TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

Background Image Mask
Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Summer 2025

Program Dates:

May 19 - July 05

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • 2.5 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 2.5 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • No previous Spanish language courses are required 

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

Contact an Ambassador
three students standing in front of fair table with IES Abroad catalogs

The Student Experience

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

Apply Now
two students laughing while hugging