BCA in Barcelona, Spain

  Spain

• Barcelona: 
Barcelona

Term: Fall, Spring 

Description: Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is set on the Mediterranean coast within easy reach of the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees Mountains. Founded in 203 B.C., the city has long provided a base for Catalan culture. The Catalan traditions survived two dictatorships in Barcelona and continue to flourish today.

Barcelona is one of the most exciting and interesting cities in Europe and offers a fascinating mix of ancient and modern traditions. The city's spectacular architecture ranges from 13th-century Gothic cathedrals to the modernist neighborhood of l'Eixample and the work of Gaudi and others. Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Joan Miro made their homes in Barcelona, and local museums pay homage to each.

BCA Barcelona students benefit from truly countless cultural options. Barcelona boasts an extensive cultural life, including an opera company, symphonies, dozens of museums and festivals throughout the year. Throughout the semester, BCA provides information on exhibitions, concerts, theaters and other cultural activities available to students. The University of Barcelona also hosts concerts, conferences and student gatherings that BCA students are welcome to attend.

Barcelona Quick Facts
-The Catholic Kings in Barcelona received Columbus after returning in 1493 from his first trip to the Americas.
-According to legend, Barcelona is named after the father of Carthaginian general Hannibal.
-Under the rule of Charlemagne, King of the Franks, Barcelona established itself as a flourishing trading and shipping center, becoming the capital of the self-governing region of Catalonia in 801.
-Barcelona's selection as the site of the 1992 Summer Olympics provided the opportunity to enact a massive redevelopment program, with beaches, recreational sites and buildings modernized.

Highlights: Cultural Immersion
-Experience the culture first-hand by living with a local family. BCA places one student per family to enhance language and cultural learning. Families are carefully chosen and alumni often remark that living with their host family was one of the most meaningful aspects of their time abroad.
-Through the BCA "Intercambio" program you can meet with a Spanish student to improve your Spanish language skills and to learn more about the culture.
Renowned Resident Director
-Full-time, on-site director, Dr. Carmen Barbosa-Torralbo has directed the BCA Barcelona program for 16 years and is an accomplished scholar. She supports BCA students in numerous ways including escorting them to many wonderful sites and matching student interests with volunteer opportunities in city organizations and events.
University of Barcelona
-One of Europe's most highly regarded universities; the University of Barcelona offers a wide range of courses from 100 departments.
-Since 1972, more than 1,500 BCA students have studied at the University of Barcelona.
-Located in the Raval campus of the University of Barcelona (downtown), BCA fully operates within the University, reinforcing students' involvement in the Spanish academic system.
-BCA is one of the few American programs whose students may enroll in regular classes at the university and study side-by-side with Spanish students.
-BCA classes take place in the University of Barcelona campus and they are taught in Spanish by associate and full professors of the University of Barcelona.
-BCA students receive a University of Barcelona student ID that allows them to use all the university's libraries and facilities
BCA Orientation and Pre-semester Course
-Get acquainted with Barcelona with a five-day orientation before joining your host family. You will tour the city, the University campus and facilities and meet for individual and group advising sessions.
- BCA organizes an intensive language and culture course during the three weeks before students start their University and BCA classes. The pre-semester course is an additional benefit that BCA offers you to enhance your preparation for studying in Spain. The course consists of grammar and conversation sessions as well as Spanish art and history classes.
Field Trips and Activities
-A multi-day art history trip at the beginning of the semester is a distinctive feature of BCA Barcelona. During the fall semester, the trip takes place in León, Astorga and Burgos in the Northern part of Spain. In the spring, the group goes to Andalucía -South of Spain--, to the cities of Granada, Sevilla and Cordoba.
-Also enjoy day trips touring the medieval town of Besalu and the Olympic lake of Banyoles, visiting Cistercian monasteries in Tarragona, exploring the volcanic area of Gerona, cooking a traditional "calcotada" in a Catalan country house or visiting Picasso's museum in the land of his first cubist painting.
-During the semester, as an integral part of classes, BCA organizes visits to relevant political or historical sites of the city. In the past, students have visited the History Museum of the City of Barcelona, the National Museum of Catalunya, the Miro Museum, Barcelona's City Hall and the "Palau de la Generalitat" (the Catalan government headquarters), among others.
-BCA Barcelona also organizes a semi-formal social gathering during the semester for its students and the University of Barcelona students who have studied in the United States through BCA.
Extra Educational Opportunities
-Attend BCA's International Student Conference on U.S.-European Relations (spring semester only)
-Attend one of many festivals, concerts or community events in and around Barcelona
-Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American Participants.

Scholarships are Available. There are hundreds of scholarships available. Please be aware of application deadlines as it may be necessary to apply for scholarships well in advance of when you intend to study abroad.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network

BCA Study Abroad's Mission Statement: BCA is one of the nation's oldest independent organizations committed to promoting international understanding and academic excellence through college study abroad programs for U.S. students.

Year Founded: 1962