*jess*

I am really interested in studying abroad this fall in Barcelona. My school does not offer a fall program there and so I have been researching outside ones, especially CSA.

If anyone has studied here or gone through CEA to Barcelona, please offer any advice you have! Did you enjoy your stay? Did you live in an apartment with other students? Anything in particular I should know about? Were you able to travel to other parts of Europe while there? Did taking spanish before hand help at all (I will have completed 1 college year by the time that I get there)? THANKS!!!

icy9ff8

My wife and son spent a few weeks in Barcelona two years ago while son was on break from studying in Europe. They both loved Barcelona. Two days ago, the Travel Channel featured Barcelona and the hotel where they stayed. Son plans to return for 6 weeks this summer. More exciting than NYC. Try to take all the Spanish courses that you can. My son is at a great university and was kicked out of an advanced level Spanish class because he was too advanced after two years of study, while a native Spanish speaker from our home city was kicked out of the same class for being deficient in Spanish. My point is that studying Spanish in Spain is intense and will advance your linguistic abilities substantially more than US based study. Both my wife and son said the seafood in Barcelona is the best that they have ever eaten-- and both are experienced upscale travelers.

*jess*

Thanks! That's good to hear, I love seafood! As for my knowledge of spanish, I can read and understand it fairly well, however speaking it is a lot more difficult. I hope to be fluent by the time I leave Spain. Is living in Barcelona expensive compared to the U.S., CA specifically? Does anyone in Barcelona speak English? Also, is it easy to travel to other parts of Europe from there?

I am also looking at a program in Cordoba, which is a lot smaller, so if anyone has info on that city, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

izzabizzal

i visited barcelona this summer and it was amazing!! so much to do and see. yeah people do speak english there. its a port city so theres lots of international trade and stuff so you'll have people especially in the touresty areas who speak english.

greco

The "official" language in Barcelona is the Catalan language. Most of the people also understand/speak Spanish, but very often you'll see Catalan-only signs, on the subway for example. If you have good Spanish skills you'll probably understand the biggest part of written Catalan.

Barcelona is, in my opinion, one of the greatest places in the world (and I'm not from Spain). :-)

florencecity

All the people in Barcelona understand spanish, but there is a part of their that speak only catalan because they are proud of their language and culture oppressed during Franco dictature but all the sign are in spanish and catalan. I lived there and there is a lot of foreign people and you can easly find people that speak spanish.
I really love this city is amazing and offer a lot: culture, history, sea, architecture, art, fun, design!!!

crabbylady

Check out - http://www.bcanet.org/ My D studyed her junior year in Barcelona at the University of Barcelona. Her university does have a program in Spain - My daughter decided on this program because it offered her diversity -it was also HALF her university college tuition - she was not living and going to school with students from her US school. My daughter had an amazing experience and hopes to return to Barcelona after graduation.

*jess*

I think I want to live with other students, and not a host family. I realize that you can greatly improve your spanish skills with a host family, I just feel more comfortable with other students. Pretty sure I will be going through API, I have a few friends who just got back and absolutely loved their trip! I'm so excited, even though I won't be leaving til August!

Thanks for all the advice! Just wondering, how is the food in Spain (compared to say, LA food)? I hear there's quite a difference.

Hindoo

My daughter is doing the API program in Florence. She arrived there last weekend and, so far, has been blown away by how professionally run it is. I'm sure their Barcelona program is wonderful as well. ...

jdsab

Barcelona can be a lot of fun - maybe too much? nah... no such thing. Try not to surround yourself with Americans all the time. This will lead to less fun and not enough cultural immersion.