Summer Sessions Study Abroad Program in Barcelona

The program includes pre-arrival and on-site orientations, the intensive Group Spanish Classes - 20 per week - at Expanish, university credit, free weekly cultural activities, housing options, and 24/7 emergency services. The cost of the program depends on the type of housing you choose. 

The Spanish course book, flights, and optional weekend excursions are not included in the program cost. Meals are also not included unless you choose a homestay. 

Yes! At Expanish you only pay for the services that you need. If you would like to handle your own housing, for example, we can eliminate those costs from your program fees.

Summer Session 1 is from May 26, 2024 - July 7, 2024. The deadline to register for Summer Session 1 is March 31, 2024.

Summer Session 2 is from July 14, 2024 - August 24, 2024. The deadline to register for Summer Session 2 is May 19, 2024.

All programs need to be paid 45 days before the start date.

Yes! You can always earn university credit with our Spanish classes and stay for any amount of time ranging from 1 week up to a year. For every 15 hours of Spanish lessons completed, you will earn 1 semester credit. Please make sure to always confirm with your university beforehand that the credits will be accepted. 

Summer Session students can  participate in any of the cultural activities offered at the school. There are 4 activities per week that vary each week . Click here to see the activities offered currently and in the past at our Barcelona center. 

Summer Session students can participate in optional weekend excursions for an extra cost. Students will be notified of the weekend excursion options before the start of the program and can sign up ahead of time. Some examples of weekend excursions include a trip to the coastal town Tarragona, known for its roman ruins, visiting Vall de Nuria in the beautiful Eastern Pyrenees mountains, or a visit to the Freixenet family wineries. 

Students can choose between Student Shared Apartments or Homestay options. 

Opting for homestays is an excellent choice for students seeking a deep immersion in Spanish culture and language. On the other hand, student-shared apartments provide an opportunity to build friendships with other international students and fully embrace the student life experience. Homestay residents enjoy two daily meals (breakfast and dinner) as part of the arrangement, while those in shared apartments are responsible for their own meals as they are not included.

We do our best to match students with host families based on common living standards and other personal traits.

Students can choose between a shared bathroom or private bathroom in the homestay option.

Students receive their housing placements 2 weeks before the start of the program. 

Students must inform the school of any dietary restrictions or allergies upon booking a homestay. Special dietary requirements may be accommodated -subject to availability  - for a fee of €40 per week. This applies to vegan, gluten-free, halal, and kosher diets only.

Homestays and student shared apartments are located in Eixample, Ciutat Vella, Sagrada Familia, Gracia, Sants -Montjuïc, Les Corts, Sarrià - Sant Gervasi y Sant Martí, with a maximum commute of 35 minutes to the school on public transport. 

Homestay: Participants will reside with a Spanish host family, which may consist of a couple or a single host, with or without children. In this arrangement, students benefit from having a supportive presence at home to assist them in adapting to Spain, share meals, and engage in Spanish practice. It's worth noting that some families may host multiple students concurrently, providing the opportunity for students to live with one or more peers.

Student Apartment: Each apartment accommodates 2 to 8 international students, potentially including other Expanish students. However, this is not guaranteed, as the living arrangements may vary.

Students participate in our Group Course 20 schedule, which includes 4 daily lessons either in the morning or in the afternoon

In our 6-week Summer Session program you will complete 120 academic credit hours, which transfers to 8 semester credits. 

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 on our website or by contacting hola@expanish.com. 

Typically, 3 semester credits correspond to 4.5 quarter credits and are earned through 45 academic hours at Expanish. If your home university operates on the quarter system, it's advisable to check in advance with your university to understand their specific procedures and determine the number of units you will be awarded.

Transcripts are typically processed within 2 mmonths of the end of the program.

This should be defined and confirmed by the student’s university. Generally, however, Expanish courses are considered undergraduate level language courses.

1. A1 = SPN225 

2. A2 = SPN226

3. B1= SPN325

4. B2 = SPN326

The fee for the official transcript is $450. This will be included in your program quote that you pay before your program starts.

The final grade consists of:

Attendance & Class participation 20%

Continuous Assessment (Quizzes) 20%

Homework 15%

Midterm exercices 15%

Final exam 30%

Students’ progress will also be taken into consideration and may also give a boost to their overall grade.

Expanish is proud to offer 5 US$ 1,000 scholarships to be used to help students cover costs for Expanish programs in any of our locations.

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the start of the program.

• Applicants must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA at the time of the application.

• Applicants must be enrolled in a University or College at the time of their program, either at an undergraduate or graduate level.

• Applicants must plan to use their scholarship for an Intensive Month or longer study abroad program.

• Successful applicants will be required to write 1 to 4 guest blog posts detailing their experience, depending on program length, and as such must demonstrate a high level of proficiency with the English language.

Applications are due February 20, 2024 and decisions will be made March 15, 2024.

No, successful applicants will have until March 15, 2025 to make use of their scholarship.

Students must complete the application form and upload the following documents:

• 1 letter of recommendation

• University transcript

• CV

• 2 essays detailing their reasons for applying

  • Essay 1: Why do you want to study Spanish in Spain or Argentina?

  • Essay 2: How will studying Spanish abroad benefit your future and personal growth?

Students can get in touch with us by completing a contact form or emailing us at hola@expanish.com if they have any questions or concerns.

Every applicant for a scholarship will automatically be evaluated for partial financial assistance as well. We acknowledge the effort and time invested in preparing an application and are open to recognizing and rewarding such dedication on an individual basis. While the awarded amount may not reach the full scholarship value, we can offer assistance that covers up to 50% of the total program cost.

Additionally, we encourage students to explore potential eligibility for additional scholarships or financial aid from their respective universities. We accept and support the utilization of any form of financial aid, be it grants, scholarships, or loans, that students may secure to contribute to the funding of our academic programs.

Yes, you do. US citizens planning to travel to Spain are required to possess a valid US passport, and we suggest ensuring that the passport remains valid for at least six months beyond the program's conclusion. Beginning in 2024, US citizens will also need to acquire an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), a travel authorization document, before visiting Spain. Further details on obtaining this document can be found here.

Students from the US do not need a student visa to travel to Spain for less than 90 days, but if you wish to stay longer you will require a visa.

For cancellations received 14 days or more in advance of the program start date, Expanish will refund fees received in full, excluding non-refundable charges (registration fee). For cancellations received less than 14 days in advance of the program start date, the student will be charged a cancellation fee equivalent to one week of tuition and any non-refundable charges (registration fee).

For any cancellation received on or after the course start date, there is no refund for the course.

Expanish reserves the right to charge an administration fee of 50€ for the course and 100€ for the accommodation each time a program is modified or postponed after Expanish has confirmed the initial enrollment. Any changes should be made in writing two weeks before the requested change or postponement. This also includes requests for changes when the student is already at the school. Any postponement within two weeks of the start date will be considered a cancellation of the original program. 

In cases where the student wishes to change housing placements, Expanish reserves the right to charge an administration fee of 100€ and perform the change according to availability. The price difference between two options cannot be returned.

Changes between different services (courses, accommodation, and other services), such as substituting one service for another, are not permitted and will be considered a cancellation.

Barcelona is generally a safe city. However, pick-pocketing is common. It’s a good idea for students and faculty to write down the important information of your credit card(s) and important phone numbers on a piece of paper and keep it in a safe place. It’s also advisable to always keep a copy of your passport on you, but do not take the original out unless you need it.

If you are undergoing any medical treatment, it is crucial to bring an adequate supply of medication for the entire duration of your stay, along with the original prescription. Ensure that all medications are kept in their original containers, and prescriptions must bear your name. In the event that your medication supply is depleted, even for chronic conditions, foreign prescriptions will not be recognized. In such cases, you will need to consult a local doctor to obtain a new prescription for the required medication.

Embarking on a study abroad journey can be a transformative experience, but it's common for students to undergo a period of adjustment to a new culture and social environment. Feeling emotionally unsettled during these changes is entirely normal.

Prior to the commencement of your program, we recommend consulting with your current healthcare provider(s) to discuss how international travel might impact your well-being and to determine the best ways to prepare for it.

During the onsite orientation, Expanish will furnish a list of local mental health resources, including English-speaking psychologists and 24-hour mental health services, that students can access throughout their stay. Moreover, the Expanish team is readily available to provide onsite assistance, and they are well-trained in supporting students through their academic and personal journeys.

Public transportation in Barcelona is easy to use and very affordable! Students can take the bus, train, or metro to all parts of the city. Currently there is a special deal for people under the age of 30, where you pay 40€ for three months and have unlimited trips on all in-city public transportation. We recommend using google maps to find the quickest route to get around.

Obtaining a SIM card is likely the most straightforward and economical method to unlock the full capabilities of your smartphone, enabling both calls and data usage. To insert a local SIM card, your phone must be unlocked by your home carrier. Once the local SIM card is in place, you'll gain access to a Spanish phone number and data services, allowing you to use apps throughout the city and make calls to local numbers.

Your experience will commence with a student orientation, providing you with the chance to connect with fellow participants in the program. Throughout your time here, you'll have the opportunity to interact with other students not only in your classes but also during workshops, weekly activities, in your homestay or shared apartment, and through interactions with the local Expanish staff. There will be ample opportunities for socializing with fellow students if you choose to do so.