Academics, Credits, & Courses

CONSUMER BEHAVIOR 🔗

This course is an immersive exploration of the diverse factors influencing consumer choices, preferences, and behaviors. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the psychological, social, cultural, and economic factors that shape consumer decisions, and then uses real-world examples in Spain, one of Europe's most dynamic markets. The course begins by establishing the foundational theories and frameworks in consumer behavior. Students will learn about the psychological aspects underlying consumer choices, including perception, motivation, learning, attitude formation, and decision-making processes. Building upon this foundation, the focus will shift towards examining how these theories manifest with case studies, including within the unique context of Spain. Key topics covered in this course include cultural influences on consumer behavior, marketing strategies and consumer engagement, consumer trends and market dynamics, retail and consumer experience, and ethical consumption and sustainability.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION IN EUROPE 🔗

This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem in Europe, with Barcelona as a focal point for experiential learning. Students will analyze how European institutions, cultures, and policies influence entrepreneurship and innovation, and they will examine how start-ups and established firms across Europe develop competitive advantages in a global economy. The course will cover the following themes: European Entrepreneurship Context, Policy and Ecosystem Development, Innovation Models, Sectoral Entrepreneurship, Venture Financing, and Case Studies in Barcelona and Beyond. Field visits to local start-ups, incubators (e.g., Barcelona Activa, Pier01), and innovation districts (e.g., 22@) will complement classroom learning, providing students with direct exposure to European entrepreneurial practices.

FOOD AS AN EXPRESSION OF CULTURE IN SPAIN 🔗

In this course, students will embark on a journey through the rich traditions of Spanish food and culture, with a special emphasis on the Western Mediterranean as a crossroads of civilizations. This immersive experience highlights how gastronomy reflects cultural identity, history, and health, while also revealing Spain´s global influence. The course will cover key dimensions of food and culture, including historical context, cultural heritage and identity, the Mediterranean triad, the Mediterranean diet and health, intercultural influences, sensory experience and vocabulary. Field visits to local markets, food producers, and cultural sites will complement classroom learning, offering students direct engagement with the living traditions of Spanish gastronomy.

GLOBAL INTERNSHIP SEMINAR 🔗

The Global Internship Seminar serves as a point of integration regarding the students’ experiences in the Summer Internship Programs in Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga, and Buenos Aires. Although students will be placed in individual internships, they will collectively take part in the online seminar to understand expectations, set personal objectives, develop cultural competences, identify and strengthen specific skills, critically reflect on their progress, share experiences, and learn from one another throughout. In this seminar, which is focused on understanding the application of theory to practice, students gain real world work experience while developing intercultural agility—skills and experiences which are critically important to personal, academic and professional success.

HISTORY OF POLITICAL & SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN SPAIN & CATALONIA 🔗

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the history of political and social movements in Spain and Catalonia. Delving into the rich tapestry of events spanning centuries, students will gain a profound understanding of the complex forces that have shaped the political landscape and social fabric of these regions. The course begins by examining the historical context of Spain and Catalonia, tracing the roots of political and social movements from medieval times to the present day. Emphasis is placed on key milestones, such as the Reconquista, the formation of the Spanish state, and the distinct historical trajectory of Catalonia within the broader Spanish context. Students will critically analyze pivotal moments, including the Spanish Civil War, the Franco era, and the transition to democracy, exploring the profound impact of these events on political ideologies, social structures, and regional identities. Special attention is given to the unique dynamics of Catalonia, its quest for autonomy, and the evolution of its distinct political and cultural identity.

The course incorporates a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on historical, political, sociological, and cultural perspectives. Through readings, discussions, case studies, and academic site visits, students will gain insights into the motivations, ideologies, and strategies of various political and social movements, including nationalist movements, labor movements, feminist movements, and more. Themes such as regionalism, nationalism, identity politics, and the challenges of governance in diverse societies will be explored in-depth. Students will also analyze the role of literature, art, and media in shaping and reflecting political and social movements.

THE ART OF BRANDING: THE CASE OF BARCELONA 🔗

In this course, students will delve into the fascinating world of branding through the lens of one of the most iconic cities in the world—Barcelona. This immersive experience offers a unique exploration of how Barcelona strategically crafted its brand identity and global image, becoming a beacon of innovation, culture, and allure. The course will cover various aspects of branding, including Historical Context, Brand Strategy, Cultural Heritage & Identity, Urban Development & Innovation, Brand Communication & Promotion, and Managing Brand Reputation. Field trips to iconic landmarks, businesses, and cultural hubs within Barcelona will complement classroom sessions, providing tangible experiences to reinforce theoretical knowledge.

ELEMENTARY SPANISH 🔗

The Elementary Spanish course is designed to build a strong foundation for students beginning their journey in learning Spanish. It focuses on developing the four key language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Through interactive classroom activities, engaging assignments, and opportunities for real-world practice, students steadily develop their language proficiency. The course is carefully structured for learners with little or no prior experience, providing a supportive environment that encourages confidence, participation, and curiosity. In class, students take part in conversations, practice pronunciation, and strengthen listening skills using dialogues and audiovisual materials. Outside the classroom, they complete readings, writing exercises, and practical activities that reinforce and extend their learning.

UPPER ELEMENTARY SPANISH 🔗

This course is designed to further students' development in the four foundational language skills—speaking, listening, reading, and writing—through a combination of immersive in-class activities, consistent homework assignments, and interactive experiences beyond the classroom setting. Tailored for learners with a basic understanding of Spanish, this course aims to enhance communication abilities in everyday contexts. Upon completing the course, students will be able to confidently engage in short social interactions, use common polite expressions, and describe their daily activities, work, or leisure routines. Additionally, they learn how to schedule appointments, request information in various settings (such as stores, banks, or travel agencies), and recount personal experiences in the past. Students are also able to describe objects and places, express preferences, and articulate their likes and dislikes in a culturally appropriate manner. Overall, this course provides a well-rounded foundation for continued Spanish language development.

INTERMEDIATE SPANISH 🔗

This course targets students who complete elementary Spanish or have equivalent language experience and focuses on continuing the development of the four essential language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Through interactive lessons, students further deepen their understanding of Hispanic and Latinx cultures and communities, exploring diverse perspectives from Spanish-speaking countries. The course challenges learners to expand their vocabulary and grammatical structures, enabling them to communicate with greater confidence in both formal and informal settings. Students engage in discussions, presentations, and written assignments that require them to express their ideas clearly and accurately. The course emphasizes narrating events in the past, discussing personal experiences, and participating in semi-complex debates. Additionally, students practice defending their opinions in informal discussions, making complaints, and asking for clarifications when necessary. By the end of the course, students give clear, detailed instructions on how to perform specific tasks, while improving their comprehension of spoken and written Spanish.

LOWER ADVANCED SPANISH 🔗

Students in this course develop the ability to grasp the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical subjects within their field of specialization. By the end of the course, they will be able to interact with native speakers with a high degree of fluency and spontaneity, enabling communication to flow with minimal effort. They will also be capable of expressing themselves clearly and in detail on a wide range of topics, defending a viewpoint on current issues, and presenting different perspectives. This effective command of the language will allow them to communicate independently and confidently in most everyday and professional situations.

ADVANCED SPANISH 🔗

Students in this course refine and consolidate their ability to comprehend a wide range of demanding, extended texts, including nuanced, abstract, and highly specialized materials within and beyond their field of expertise. They develop sensitivity to implicit meaning, tone, and stylistic variation across different registers and contexts. By the end of the course, students will interact with native speakers with a high level of precision, flexibility, and ease, adapting their language effectively to both formal and informal situations. Communication will be natural and effortless, even in complex or unpredictable scenarios. Students will be able to express themselves fluently, spontaneously, and with a high degree of accuracy, producing well-structured, detailed discourse on complex topics. They will confidently formulate, support, and refine arguments, critically evaluate multiple perspectives, and engage in sophisticated discussions on current and specialized issues. This advanced command of the language will enable them to operate effectively and autonomously in academic, professional, and social environments, approaching near-native proficiency in both spoken and written communication.

All Expanish Study Abroad courses earn you U.S University credit.

Credits are dependent on the number of instructional hours you successfully complete. This is something to review with the academics department at your University

In the case of our Spanish classes (for intensive months) You can earn 1 semester credit for every 15 hours of Spanish class. For our 6 week summer programs for example, you will complete 120 hours of class, which transfers to 8 academic credits.

Normally, 3 semester credits are equal to 1.5 quarter credits, and are obtained with 45 academic hours at Expanish. If your home university uses the quarter system, make sure to confirm with your university beforehand what their process is and how many units you will receive. 

Since many universities have different course requirements, it is important for you to confirm with your home university that they will accept your credits. This can usually be done by showing them the course syllabus prior to enrolling in the program, though each university may have different requirements. You can find a copy of the syllabus by contacting studyabroad@expanish.com. 

It does not matter whether the course is offered online or in person, official academic credit will be awarded for either modality.

Students must attend 80% of their classes in order to pass the course.

Each course is different, it is best to refer to each syllabus.

In the case of our Spanish courses, the final grade consists of:

Attendance & Class participation 20%

Continuous Assessment (Quizzes) 20%

Homework 15%

Midterm exercices 15%

Final exam 30%

Once students complete their program, they will receive an email from our partner university with instructions on how to order the official transcript.

The transcript is $450, and is included in the program fees. When you are ordering the transcript, there will be a fee of an additional $10 (approximately, depending on the type of delivery you choose), which is charged by the university.