Summer in Barcelona - Business & Creative Industries
New Offerings
Gap Year Friendly
Allow Barcelona's creativity to fuel yours
Expect your creative juices to flow fully on this program! Between its avant-garde nature, social street life, cutting-edge companies, and innovative start-ups, Barcelona naturally sparks creativity. The unique academic focus of this program will have you learning about entrepreneurship and marketing, as well as delving into the design and communication skills necessary to succeed in today's creative industries. You'll receive personalized attention and support in a small and creativity-inspiring urban campus setting. And when you need a brain break, Barcelona's beaches will beckon!
What to Expect
Language(s):
English
Average Courseload:
2-3 Courses (6-12 US credits)
GPA Requirement:
2.60
Visa Requirement:
NONE Required!
Highlights:
Unique course offerings focused on innovation, digital art, and design
Small and attentive campus setting, with passionate instructors
Barcelona provides the perfect inspiration for all creative endeavors
Spanish language, literature, and culture courses available
Superb housing that combines comfort and community in a prime location
Learn More About This and Other Programs
Program Details
LCI Barcelona
CIS Abroad has partnered with LCI Barcelona to offer unique academic offerings, many of which focus on the arts, creative industries, and innovation. Being itself such a creative and innovative city, Barcelona provides the perfect setting for such a program!
The LCI Barcelona campus offers personalized attention and instruction. Students learn about trends and acquire creative skills to manage the relationship between people and their space. Academic offerings rely on the competencies-based pedagogical model to educate competitive designers aware of the current and future challenges in the creative industries. Coursework and evaluation emphasizes research processes, creativity, technology, sustainability, and cultural projects.
LCI Barcelona is part of the LCI Education Network. Founded in Canada in 1959, LCI Education provides exceptional academic programming across 23 campuses around the world. LCI Barcelona is accredited by the Education Department in Spain. During the last reaccreditation process done by AQU Catalunya (Agncia per a la Qualitat del Sistema Universitari de Catalunya), LCI Barcelona was accredited obtaining a rating of outstanding in its Occupational Quality Index thanks to its high rates of labor insertion in Art Higher Education.
Areas of study with 1 to 2 classes available
Communications
Humanities
Social Sciences
Areas of study with 3 to 7 classes available
Business
Areas of study with 8 or more classes available
Art & Design
Life in Barcelona
It’s no wonder that Barcelona is one of the top tourist and study abroad destinations in the world. This incredible location on the shores of the Mediterranean has a delightfully mild climate year round. Plus, Barcelona is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities to live in! The second-largest city in Spain has two official languages: Castilian Spanish and Catalan. It’s the perfect place to challenge yourself and practice your own Spanish skills, while also learning more about the unique Catalan history and culture.
The city is bustling, and you'll be in awe of the architecture, including Gaudi's towering Sagrada Familia basilica. When you're ready to immerse yourself in nature, you can easily reach beaches and hiking sites just outside of Barcelona. The efficient public transportation system allows you to quickly travel to the many beaches to both the north and south of Barcelona. It also means you can easily navigate campus and the many amazing sites located throughout the city.
The city’s diverse international population, colorful flair, exciting nightlife, and vast array of cultural, historical, and modern attractions makes Barcelona an unparalleled place to study abroad!
Live the Local Life
Barrio Gótico
Enjoy a guided walking tour around the Barrio Gótico, the oldest neighborhood in Barcelona, while learning all about the history of the city.
Spanish Wine Tour and Tasting
Learn all about the importance of the production of wine and cava in Catalunya at a beautiful vineyard that ends with a tasting paired with delicious local cheeses.
Around Catalunya
Visit a local beach town in Catalunya and amaze in the wonders of hidden coves while soaking up the beach culture in Spain.
FC Barcelona
Attend a football or basketball match and/or the famous FC Barcelona museum.
Barcelona - Housing Overview
Location
Students on CIS Abroad programs in Barcelona are housed in various residence halls. Housing will be allocated based on your program, term, and availability. The options shown here give you a great idea of the type of residence where you'll be placed!
Barcelona - Sample Student Residence
Location
Enjoy upscale, shared accommodations in a residence designed for visiting students just like you! The student residence boasts a whole suite of modern amenities that ensure you're living in complete comfort. The double rooms have twin beds, an ensuite shared bathroom, storage space, and two desk and chair sets. Step out of your bedroom into a shared apartment environment, with living and lounging spaces, dining areas, and a kitchen. Share a meal or conversation with your apartment mates, find a quiet nook of your own, or head for one of the residence's communal spaces.
Among the residence's abundant shared amenities, you'll find a gym, pool, terrace, lounges, kitchens, study areas, and cinema room. You'll be supported by 24/7 on-site staff and friendly reception.
The residence is located on Carrer Pallars, bordering Poblenou in the 22@, Barcelona’s innovation district. The major thoroughfare, Avenida Diagonal, is just around the corner, providing easy access to the rest of Barcelona. The beach is about 15 minutes' walk.
Meals
You'll have access to a kitchen shared among your apartment mates stocked with basic cooking supplies.
Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:
Full-time tuition and fees
Official LCI Barcelona transcript
Housing
Medical and accident insurance
CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
Academic advising
Financial aid counseling
Assistance with travel arrangements
Pre departure orientation
Airport pickup during pickup window
Onsite orientation
Cultural and recreational activities in Barcelona
Two Day trips outside the city of Barcelona
Welcome & Orientation
Upon arrival you’ll be collected from the airport and taken to your accommodation. In the first few days you’ll take part in an LCI and/or CIS Abroad orientation program. You’ll learn how to get around campus and how to make the most of your time in Barcelona.
Farewell & Re-Entry Program
As the program draws to a close, you'll go home with the tools you need to make the most of your experience. We'll gather everybody together for a farewell meal. We'll help you reflect on your experience during your time abroad and prepare you for cultural differences you’ll experience as you return home (reverse culture shock is no joke!).
Program Excursions
While participating on a CIS Abroad program, you'll be able to take part in built-in day trips at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term to term; listed below are excursions that have run in the past.
Barcelona Cooking Class
During this Spanish Cuisine Workshop students learn a variety of traditional Spanish dishes from different regions around Spain. Examples include gazpacho from Andalucía, Pan con Tomate from Cataluña, Tortilla de Patatas from País Vasco, Paella from Valencia, and Crema Catalana from Cataluña. And of course, you'll get to delight in the fruits of your labor!
Costa Brava
Enjoy a combination of ancient history, seaside scenery, and adventure on this short getaway to Costa Brava. You'll visit the ancient city and archaeological site of Ruïnes d'Empúries. Cap off the day with a boat trip to a secret cove! Just another day in the life...
Ecological Winery Tour & Costa Brava
Learn about the history of ecological wine-making at a local winery and tour the house of one of the most historic Catalan aristocrats from the early 1900s. After the tour, where you see the historic cellars and original machinery, you'll get to sample the wine and vermouth as well as local cheeses and meats from the farmers in the village. Conclude your day with a visit to Blanes, a picturesque beach town and the gateway to Spain's captivating Costa Brava.
Site Director
Nicole Baumgartner
Site Director in Barcelona
About:
Nicole was born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Seattle, Washington, and studied Political Science, Law Societies and Justice, and Human Rights at the University of Washington. Nicole has always had the travel bug so after graduating she moved to Spain to work as an English Assistant and fell in love with the country of tapas, flamenco, and constant sunshine! She lived in Granada, Spain for 9 years and is lucky to now call Barcelona home. She has always worked in education and loves seeing the profound benefits of students immersing themselves in another language and culture. As site director in Barcelona Nicole is looking forward to welcoming students to the most desired and exciting city in Spain and giving them the most local experience to help deepen student understanding of the Spanish culture and language. In her free time, Nicole is studying for a Global MBA at IE University and uses the skills from this degree in her daily life and job. She also loves to spend time at the beach, wandering around neighborhoods, and grabbing a few tapas and cau00f1as with friends.
Travel Tip:
When traveling always make friends with the locals! They will help really immerse you into the culture and give you a different perspective of your destination. They have the best recommendations for the most authentic restaurants and show you places that you would never find in a guidebook or on a blog. Not only will you have a great experience while traveling, but you also have the chance to make new, lifelong friends from around the world!
Your Support Staff
Syd O'Wesney
Program Enrollment Coordinator - England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain
Travel Tip:
Make sure to explore the city that you're in! Although the beauty of study abroad is you have the chance to travel all over the country and to other countries as well, sometimes people forget how many amazing things there are right there in the city they're studying in! Make some local friends, participate in holidays and festivals, find that local beloved restaurant. Although I have many travel memories to talk about, some of my fondest or most nostalgic moments I have were the ‘in betweens' so to speak – going grocery shopping with friends, hanging out in the school courtyard at night when the temperature outside was finally bearable, saying hello to the neighborhood cow (yes, there was in fact a neighborhood cow). Don't neglect what you have right in front of you!
Marina Weinstein
Marketing and Communications Manager & International Operations Assistant Director
Travel Tip:
Walk, walk, walk, whenever you can! And take your time. You might find the most special surprises on your way to destination.
Kaylee Klinger
Communications & Alumni Relations Coordinator
Travel Tip:
The best travel tip I always share is, if possible try to catch a redeye flight. That has helped me tremendously fight jet-lag and it allows you more time to explore the extraordinary unfamiliar place!
Serenah Quiroga
Advising & Communications Coordinator
Travel Tip:
Always find a reason to talk to a local or someone you may not know. Whether it's a simple hello, compliment, or question, there is always something to learn from every person you meet. Some of my best experiences and favorite memories were formed because of these interactions.
Dates & Prices
Summer 2024
Application Deadline:
April 1, 2024
Arrival:
June 1, 2024
Departure:
July 27, 2024
Program Fee:
$9,990-$11,390
Summer 2025
Application Deadline:
April 1, 2025
Arrival:
May 31, 2025
(Estimated)
Departure:
July 26, 2025
(Estimated)
Program Fee:
$9,990-$11,390
(Estimated)
Additional Information:
Program Deposit
There is a non-refundable program deposit of $500. This deposit will be deducted from the total cost of the program. Paying the deposit secures your spot on the program.
Price Range
Lower price: Up to 8 credits Higher price: 9 to 12 credits
Housing
All list prices are for shared (double occupancy) bedrooms. A supplemental fee applies to a single occupancy bedroom in any of the housing options (when available).