Why BCA Barcelona?

With so many study abroad options available, it might be difficult to know what makes BCA Barcelona different from others. Here are some points to consider when choosing the program that’s right for you.

Great for Majors

Full range of course offerings from University of Barcelona
Spanish Language and Literature
Political Science, History, Art History, International Relations, Business, Marketing and Psychology

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