Program Search
SPRING 2026 (Tentative dates)
Early Start Program (optional): arrive mid-Jan
Program Dates: arrive January - depart April
Application Deadline: September 25
Costs: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
Costs with Early Start Program: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
FALL 2026
Early Start Program (optional): arrive late Aug
Program Dates: Sep - Dec 14
Application Deadline: March 15
Costs: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
Costs with Early Start Program: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
Please note that if you see dates or costs for a prior term above, that future terms will have similar dates and costs. We will update info as soon as it becomes available.
Located along the Mediterranean Sea, the city allows students to experience the wonderful culture of Catalunya. The mild climate, famed cuisine and breathtaking arts give this Mediterranean region a distinct feel, unique from anywhere else in the world.
There’s no better way to improve one’s knowledge of the Spanish language and its customs than by interacting with the local community. Students in Barcelona will have the opportunity to practice their language skills in the classroom and also with native Spanish speakers through language exchange programs and cultural events. Over the course of their time abroad, students can expect to participate in field study trips associated with specific classes, study tours, and day trips, as well as cultural activities like Catalan cooking courses, Flamenco classes and cava tastings. A city tour of Barcelona and its architecture as well as visits to local markets and enterprises round out the experience.
The Institute for American Universities (IAU) is located in Aix-en-Provence, France situated on the Mediterranean coast.
College of Staten Island, CUNY
Gonzalo Villena
ELI Director
Questions? Contact me
studyab@csi.cuny.edu
Tel:(718) 982-2100
This program is sponsored and administered by the College of Staten Island CUNY.
See the IAU Barcelona Spring 2024 Course Offerings and Fall 2023 Course List here.
Click here to access the available semester syllabi.
IAU's semester in Barcelona program centers on Spanish Language and Culture with courses in architecture, art history, studio art, business, communication studies, economics, education, environmental science, film studies, geography, history, international relations, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, sociology, Spanish language and culture, and wine studies.
Academic programs include Spanish honors, humanities and social sciences, business and international relations, art and art history and internship offerings.
Through the Business & International Relations Program, students will have the unique opportunity to learn about international business strategies and procedures with a specific focus on the global market. Disciplines taught include, but are not limited to, economics, finance, international business, management
To complete the course curriculum, IAU hosts a plethora of guest speakers and lecturers from a wide breadth of disciplines including journalists, musicians, and political activists. Panels and conferences that are hosted throughout the summer allow students to hear a full spectrum of opinions about both Spanish and Catalan politics and lifestyles. Students who participate in this program will develop a deeper understanding of the Spanish language and its relationship to Catalan history and culture. Full of masterpieces by the famous artists Salvador Dalí and Antoni Gaudi, the city is a classroom in and of itself, exposing students to Modernist and Surrealist architecture and paintings.
Internship Opportunities
IAU offers numerous internship opportunities for students in Barcelona at a wide range of businesses and organizations throughout the city. No previous Spanish experience is required.
Student Life
IAU’s campus in Barcelona is centrally located in the downtown Plaça de Catalunya area, just steps from the nearest metro stops, Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter, and many more of Barcelona's famed attractions. The facilities have been completely renovated with modern amenities to suit the needs of the 21st century college student. IAU Barcelona employs a full-time student affairs and academic affairs staff to advise, place, house, and otherwise support incoming students for full semester, year-long, and summer programs.
Travel and Study Tours
Students will engage in daily classes which are enhanced by local field studies tours around Barcelona and Catalunya. The Barcelona program includes activities that integrate Spanish cuisine, music, dancing, language, and culture. Students meet daily with professors, local artists, and scholars. Study tour sites may include: Montjuic, Parc Güell, Center for Contemporary Culture, MACBA (Modern Art Museum), the Gothic Quarter, the Born District, the Museum of the History of Barcelona, Picasso Museum, and the Sagrada Familia Basilica. Trips in the region may include: Costa Brava, Cadeques, Sitges, Tossa del Mar, or Figueres.
Housing Options
Students will have the option to be housed in shared homestays with Spanish families, which include daily breakfast and six dinners per week, or in shared apartments, where students will be responsible for their own meals. Students will be placed together and may request roommates on the housing application form.
Study Abroad - Early Start Program
Students are invited to join IAU for an optional week-long, early-start program before their fall or spring semester abroad. Students studying in France or Spain are encouraged to participate. Please review the Early Start Program as an example to learn more!
Students can expect to:
· Earn one course credit
· Jump-start the French or Spanish immersion process and ease into the new and exciting culture
· Gain confidence in their language skills and feel comfortable in everyday communication with locals
· Participate in a hands-on environment with small classes and personal attention
· Learn to navigate the city of Aix-en-Provence or Barcelona through local excursions in a fun and relaxed setting
· Attend lectures on local culture to get the most out of their abroad experience
· Begin their French or Spanish accommodation a week early
· Learn important intercultural differences such as body language, etiquette, do’s and don’ts, French or Spanish culture and housing expectations, stereotypes and misunderstandings
· Meet local and foreign students through IAU
· Learn where to buy the best croissant or paella in town
· Become a French or Spanish insider!
Duration
SPRING 2026 (Tentative dates)
Early Start Program (optional): arrive Jan
Program Dates: arrive January - depart April
Application Deadline: September 25
Costs: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
Costs with Early Start Program: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
FALL 2026
Early Start Program (optional): arrive Aug
Program Dates: Sep - Dec
Application Deadline: March 15
Costs: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
Costs with Early Start Program: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
Costs
Spring 2026
Costs: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
Costs with Early Start Program: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
Fall 2026
Costs: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
Costs with Early Start Program: Contact the program sponsor for updated cost
Semester Costs included: Tuition and fees, homestay (breakfast daily and six dinners included) or apartment (without meals included), pre-departure advising and orientation, textbook rental, insurance, field study tours, and scheduled cultural activities.
Semester Costs not included: Airfare ($700 - $1,400), some meals (homestay option - $800) or all meals (apartment option - $2,000), passport/visa fees, and personal expenses ($2,500 - $3,000), courses that may incur an additional lab fee.
*A non-refundable deposit ($800 for Semesters and $500 for Summer and January Intersessions) is due within two weeks of acceptance. This deposit is applied towards the program cost and paid to the College of Staten Island.
* Click here to see the robust offering of merit scholarships, grants, and need-based assistance that IAU offers.
A note to students: IAU advises that students do not make any travel arrangements prior to the first week of classes. Field studies and course excursions can be scheduled during weekends and breaks, so IAU recommends not purchasing any tickets or scheduling any travel until after learning of course requirements on-site.
**If you are also taking courses at a local university, your arrival and departure dates may need to be adjusted based on their academic calendar. Please consult with your CCIS representative to confirm.
Please know if you see dates and costs for a term that has passed, know that future terms will be similar. We will update info as it becomes available.
All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Contact the program sponsor to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.
Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum class standing - students must have completed at least one semester (minimum 12 semester credit hours) of college-level coursework at the time of application.
- 2.5 GPA or higher
- Students must be at least 18 years of age
Applications to Include
- Official transcripts
- One letter of recommendation from a teacher who knows the applicant from a classroom setting
- Statement of purpose
Application Deadline
Fall: March 15
Spring: September 25
Entry Requirements
Semester and academic-year students will need a passport and student visa* to study in Spain. All visa processes go through the Spanish Consulate. To find out which consulate you will visit to apply for your visa, please refer to the Spanish embassy website. IAU will provide the necessary documentation needed to prove you will be a student abroad, but the remaining application and materials are the responsibility of the student. Additional information is available on the IAU Passports & Visa page.
Combine studio work, an intensive interdisciplinary art criticism seminar, liberal arts, humanities, and social science courses at the IAU College, French language study, and excursions to European museums and cities, including Paris, Giverny, and Venice.
Located in beautiful sunny Seville, this program draws upon the resources of both the University of Seville and the International College of Seville (ICS).
Situated near the Mediterranean coast, a walk through the streets is a lesson in artistic control, in form, composition, rhythm, and beauty. The program combines French language study with a range of liberal arts courses taught in both English and French.
