API (Academic Programs International): Barcelona - Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Barcelona is a city of contradictions: old and new intertwined, beautiful and industrial,  traditional and avant-garde. Bordered by France to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the east, Barcelona is one of the most ‘European’ of Spanish cities. Stroll Las Ramblas, one of the city’s most famous and busy boulevards and weave through the medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic). Enjoy the unique and colorful architecture of Barcelona’s most famed architect, Antoni Gaudí. Barcelona is a very cosmopolitan city that combines the latest trends with the most typical Spanish traditions. Barcelona offers museums, cinemas, restaurants, clubs, bars, the beach and the mountains,  and people from all over the world.

Although Spaniards from Barcelona speak both Spanish and Catalán, the mixture of local residents and international visitors makes it an easy city to understand and make yourself understood. Barcelona exposes students to several cultures, languages, and world views; but then, what else could be expected from the marvelously complex city of Barcelona?

Programs in Barcelona Include:

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  Semester Spanish and European Studies: The Hispanic and European Studies Program provides intermediate through superior-level Spanish speakers the opportunity to take a variety of courses in Spanish or English at one of the most prestigious universities for study abroad in Barcelona. The language course is equivalent to 6 credits, whereas elective courses are typically equivalent to 3 credits. Courses are taken with other international students. Students are welcome to complete up to 15 credits per semester and can add additional courses for an extra fee. Students must have completed 2-3 upper division courses of college-level Spanish or have the equivalent linguistic competency for admission and must be of junior or senior standing at the time of application. Students complete a placement exam upon arrival and are placed into a Spanish course based on the results of that exam.

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  Multidisciplinary Studies for Advanced Spanish Speakers: Advanced and superior-level Spanish speakers who choose to study abroad in Barcelona with API in the Integrated Studies Program have the option to take advanced language courses, as well as a wide variety of course offerings in other disciplines. The language course is equivalent to 6 credits, whereas elective courses are typically equivalent to 3 credits. Many courses with other international students are available, but all students must select at least one course with Spaniards. Students are welcome to complete up to 15 credits per semester and can add additional courses for an extra fee. Students must have completed at least one upper-division course of college-level Spanish or have the equivalent linguistic competency for admission. Students complete a placement exam upon arrival and are placed into a Spanish course based on the results of that exam.

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  Summer Spanish and Catalan Studies: This program is designed for students who want study abroad in Barcelona to learn more about Catalan art, culture, and identity. The courses provide students with tools to set the frame for a broader perspective on the Spanish and European cultures, political systems, and society, and allow them acquire a deep understanding of the Spanish political institutions and recent history. Barcelona is an ideal location to host such a program thanks to its landscape, which allows for the symbiosis among cosmopolitanism, cultural diversity and site as the Catalonian capital. Bilingualism, integration and migration are only some of the topics that students analyze in class and beyond, as they soak up Barcelona’s vibrant city life.