study abroad in Barcelona with IFSA
Barcelona
, Spain

IFSA Summer in Barcelona

Program Overview

In this beautiful seaside city, you’ll explore Catalan culture, architecture, endless food options, and a vibrant social scene that lasts late into the evening. There’s no better place to explore the works of Spanish masters like Goya, Picasso, Gaudí, Miró, and Dalí—and understand what influenced their art. If sports or business are more your thing, explore how pro soccer fits into Spain’s culture and economy with FC Barcelona as your real-world example.

With options to take a single class (one four-week session), extend your stay with back-to-back sessions, and even layer in an internship with IFSA Summer Internships in Barcelona, it’s easy to create your perfect summer in Spain.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Summer: April 1

Minimum GPA

2.00

Credit load

3 - 6

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Residence Hall/Dormitory

Instruction language

English

Prerequisites

None

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Academics

During your IFSA Summer in Barcelona, opt to take a class during the four-week Session 1 or take a class during the four-week Session 2. You can also extend your studies by enrolling in both Session 1 and Session 2.

SESSION 1 CLASS

Understanding Spain Through Its Art

This class aims to provide the students with knowledge of Spanish culture within the context of art history. The history of the Spanish culture will be evaluated through the lenses of its most well-known artists including Goya, Picasso, Gaudí, Miró, and Dalí, among others. Through films, field visits across Barcelona, and multiple visual and audiovisual assignments, students will develop a critical understanding the past and present of the current Spain in which we live. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

SESSION 2 CLASS

The Economics of Professional Soccer

Professional soccer, or football as it is more commonly known, is both a multicultural obsession and a globalized economic market. FC Barcelona, one of the world’s top soccer brands, was valued at more than $1.5 billion USD in 2020. This class explores professional soccer through the lens of behavioral economics, a discipline that blends sociological insight with economic theory. Through a case study of FC Barcelona, we will analyze various aspects of international soccer industries, as well as how professional soccer informs how Spain is viewed around the world. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
  • You must have completed at least one (1) semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.

Recommendation Letter
Not required.

Visa Requirement
Not required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. A visa may be required if you are a citizen of another country.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects courses taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are examples from previous terms; outings may be different for your program. We’ll make every effort to run them all, but sometimes things we can’t our control, such as local regulations and health protocols, get in the way. As result, we cannot guarantee activities and excursions.

Activities

  • Catalan Cooking Class: Experience authentic Catalan cuisine during a Catalan cooking class preparing famous Spanish dishes.
  • Sagrada Familia Tour: Tour Sagrada Familia church, one of the most architectonic beauties of Barcelona.
  • Museum of Art Visit: Bask in the stunning view of Barcelona from the Museum of Art and peruse the most comprehensive collection of Catalan art in the world.
  • Gothic Quarter Tour: Enjoy a guided tour of the Gothic Quarter and several other prominent Barcelona neighborhoods.
  • Flamenco Class: Learn new moves such as sevillanas, rumba, catalana, and soleas during a fun and festive Flamenco class.
Excursions
  • Figueres Day Trip: Visit Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí, and Girona, a medieval, walled city and site of several filming locations for The Game of Thrones.
  • Calella Day Trip: Calella is small town on the Costa Brava which preserves its picturesque white houses and traditional fishing village along the Mediterranean.
  • Montserrat Day Trip: Montserrat is a stunning mountain landscape topped with a famous Benedictine monastery and perfect for hiking excursions.
  • Tarragona Day Trip: Tarragona is where you can find the second most important ancient Roman sites in Spain including a mosaic-packed museum and a seaside amphitheater.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Residence Hall/Dormitory

Meals

Self-Catering

Details

You will live in centrally located, fully furnished residences in Barcelona. You will have a private bedroom and private or shared bathroom. You will share a living area and a fully equipped kitchenette. You will purchase your meals or cook for yourself.

Dates and Fees

Term

Term begins

Term ends

Program costs

Application deadline

Summer 2023 - Session 1

May 29, 2023

June 23, 2023

$4,575

Passed

Summer 2023 - Session 2

June 26, 2023

July 21, 2023

$4,575

Passed

Summer 2023 - Sessions 1 & 2

May 29, 2023

July 21, 2023

$7,775

Passed

Term

Summer 2023 - Session 1

Term begins

May 29, 2023

Term ends

June 23, 2023

Program costs

$4,575

Application deadline

Passed

Term

Summer 2023 - Session 2

Term begins

June 26, 2023

Term ends

July 21, 2023

Program costs

$4,575

Application deadline

Passed

Term

Summer 2023 - Sessions 1 & 2

Term begins

May 29, 2023

Term ends

July 21, 2023

Program costs

$7,775

Application deadline

Passed

Get Started

Selena Rincon

Selena Rincon

Admissions Counselor

Eleni Katsarelas

Eleni Katsarelas

Prearrival Counselor

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