Welcome to Barcelona
Understanding identity abroad is important—regardless of whether or not you think it will play a role in your own experience. While we strive to create and maintain programs that support students of all races, religions, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations, you also play a crucial role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for your peers navigating aspects of their identit(ies) in a new country. The information and resources on this page serve as a starting point to help you understand experiences you or your CET classmates may encounter while abroad.
Cultural Climate
Race & Ethnicity
Barcelona is not only a popular destination for tourists from around the world—it also attracts people who live, work, and study in the city. With this diversity comes a wide range of experiences related to race and ethnicity. While many report feeling welcomed, experiences of microaggressions or discrimination can occur, often influenced by broader political or social dynamics. Overall, Barcelona continues to work towards becoming a more inclusive city by making ongoing efforts through different local policies.
LGBTQ+
Widely recognized as a welcoming city for the LGBTQ+ community, Barcelona serves as an international reference point—especially during Pride Month in July, when it hosts a wide range of events including conferences and community gatherings. The city has implemented several policies to support LGBTQ+ rights. One example is the “Measures for LGBTI Equality 2016–2020” plan, which continues to guide local efforts toward equality and inclusion.
Gender
Known for its progressive values, the city actively embraces gender diversity and promotes a culture of inclusion. Barcelona supports and respects a wide range of gender identities, orientations, and expressions. In recent years, Barcelona has made meaningful progress in advancing gender equality. Feminist movements and cultural professionals have played a key role in elevating the voices of women as artists, creators, and leaders, pushing for equal recognition and opportunities.
Religion
The majority of people in Spain identify as Christian, but there are communities practicing a wide range of religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and others. In Barcelona, the local government promotes interfaith inclusion through the Office of Religious Affairs (ORA). While some residents consider Spain to be welcoming and non-racist, it’s important to be aware that negative stereotypes and misunderstandings about certain groups can still exist.
Cost of Living
Like much of the world, Barcelona’s cost of living has risen over the last decade and is considered to be one of the more expensive cities in Europe. While the city’s day-to-day cost of living is considered lower relative to major US cities, this is highly dependent on individual lifestyle. Past students have mentioned that establishing and adhering to a budget at the beginning of the term was a strategy that helped manage financial stress. Check out a budget sheet to get an idea of what life in CET Barcelona might look like financially.
Accommodations Abroad
CET makes every effort to offer accommodations comparable to those of your home institution. Disclosing early helps us to make proper preparations and work with you to determine if a program will be a good fit. We recommend that you use the following details to inform your decisions and conversations with your Student Services Coordinator.
ACCESS in ACADEMICS
Day-to-Day
During the fall and spring semesters, CET classes typically meet twice a week for 90 minutes each session. In the summer, CET classes meet more frequently—about four times a week, Monday through Thursday—for 2 hours per session. Classes vary in size and can have up to 20 students for CET courses and up to 35 students for UPF courses. Classes held at the host university generally meet twice a week for 2 hours. Students enrolled in direct-enroll courses at UPF should be aware that some classes may be scheduled on Fridays.
Services available for students with documented need: Low-distraction test environment; extra time on exams; modified deadlines; preferential seating in class; a computer to take exams; syllabi/readings/assignments in advance.
Classrooms
Classes take place at our CET Center, which is located in the heart of the city and a 20-minute walk from the student housing and host university. The building has 24/7 security and is on the second and third floors with multiple classrooms, staff offices, a student lounge, a kitchen, and bathrooms. The space is also wheelchair accessible.
Out-of-Class Activities
CET occasionally plans mandatory academic activities and optional trips to nearby sites and other cities after class and on weekends. Excursions may involve urban walking, rural hiking, use of public transportation, and/or going up and down stairs.
Itinerary modifications and accommodations can be made for students with documented need. Transportation can be arranged as necessary, and excused absences are provided for mandatory excursions that are inaccessible due to a disability.
ACCESS IN HOUSING
Your Home Abroad
Student housing is located in a residential neighborhood conveniently located just a 15- to 20- minute walk to the CET Center and a 15-minute walk to the host university. The residence entrance is designed to accommodate wheelchair access and elevators are available. However, the standard rooms are not equipped to meet the needs of students who use wheelchairs. If accessible housing is needed, contact your Student Services Coordinator to make appropriate housing arrangements.
Housing Assignments
All students live in single rooms with their own bathroom, each equipped with an AC/heater unit, a window, and a small locker box for personal belongings. Rooms are cleaned weekly and students receive a bi-weekly linen change that includes sheets and towels. The residence building has ten rooms per floor. Each floor shares a fully equipped kitchen with refrigerators, a microwave, and a dishwasher.
Around Barcelona
Barcelona is a very walkable city. Curb cuts are found throughout Barcelona and stoplights include clear pedestrian signals. The metro system is reliable, efficient, and has elevators for street-level access to the stations and clear signage for accessible exits.
"LOREM IPSUM The CET staff were super helpful and kind and did a great job making everyone feel safe and included. They also hosted several events throughout the program, so we were able to experience as much of Florence as possible...Taking weekend trips was also super easy, and the CET staff were more than happy to assist with travel plans and give recommendations."
Emmanuel College | Summer student
Health & Diet
As a part of your program fee, you are enrolled in health insurance for the entire duration of your program. Learn more about our insurance provider and how we operate programs with health and safety in mind.
Health & Medicine
Students should bring enough prescription medication to last their entire stay in Spain, as shipping medication is illegal and will be confiscated by customs. To obtain a prescription locally, students will need to book an appointment with a doctor. For ADHD or antidepressant medications, an appointment with a psychiatrist is required.
We work with several private hospitals and clinics in Barcelona, where appointments with a general practitioner can often be scheduled the same day or the next. Appointments with specialists may take an extra day or two. CET staff can accompany students to appointments or the ER with the student’s consent. Visitors are permitted at any time, with no more than two at a time.
Keeping Fit in Barcelona
Students have 24/7 access to an on-site gym at the residence, equipped with weights, stationary bikes, elliptical machines, and treadmills. There’s also an attached rock climbing gym, where students can purchase discounted memberships. The city also offers great spots for running and exercising like Parc de la Ciutadella and Montjuïc Park, featuring green spaces and scenic landmarks.
Managing Mental Health
Students are provided a list of English-speaking mental health professionals in our virtual CET Center (within our Canvas platform). Some providers accept the health insurance included with the program, though costs must be paid upfront and receipts should be submitted for reimbursement. On-site staff are also available to guide students seeking mental health support.
Dietary Restrictions
Specific dietary needs are easily accommodated in in Barcelona, and staff help students translate and explain any food allergies. The city is known for its diverse and inclusive food scene, catering to various dietary needs including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and more. While it’s generally easy to find accommodating restaurants in the city center, options may be more limited outside the main tourist areas.
Resources from Alumni
Perspective pieces
These are alumni-written essays that reflect upon how their own identity affected their time abroad (both good and bad) and what it was like to navigate another culture in their position. We encourage you to read these to better understand what studying abroad in Italy could be like for you or your future peers.
No perspective pieces available at this time.
BLOG Posts
This is a curated list of blog posts chosen specifically to provide context for life abroad. Posts here may cover culture shock, diversity, daily life and workload, etc. To see all posts from students in Barcelona, head to the Student Voices blog.
No blog posts available at this time.
SPAIN Alumni Insight
In final evaluations, we ask students how their identities affected their experience abroad. The following are a few select quotes from recent program evaluations to help you understand what life in Italy may be like for you or your future peers.
TALK TO ALUMNI
Chat with alumni about their experiences abroad. Once you start an application, your CET Compass account will give you access to the following resources:
- Alumni Support List: A directory of students who have volunteered to chat about their experiences abroad in Italy.
- Identity Abroad Support Network: A group of students who have volunteered to discuss their identity-related experiences in Italy. This is a volunteer-based program that started in 2019. Volunteers can also opt to have their contact information kept privately by CET staff and only shared when certain lived experiences are asked about.
Don’t see anyone listed for the Identity Abroad Support Network? Call CET for more information and resources. Consider joining after your program to support other minority students abroad.