CET Barcelona: Summer Study Abroad

CET Barcelona: Summer At-a-Glance

Optional Spanish language classes
Live in a single room with your own bathroom
Smaller cohort size for more individual attention
Out-of-classroom learning and assignments

Summer

You get the best of both worlds at CET Barcelona—stay on track for graduation while having the summer of a lifetime in Spain. You can also add a Spanish language class, open to all levels—from complete beginners to advanced speakers. Along the way, take electives that turn the city into your classroom, blending real-world learning with unforgettable experiences.

Academics in Barcelona

Summer
Snapshot

Curriculum & Syllabi

Choose between two curriculum options to tailor your summer and meet a total 6 recommended credits.

  • Option One: Spanish language + 1 CET elective
  • Option Two: 2 CET electives

If you choose to take Spanish, you are placed into one of these 3-credit language courses, according to a placement test or previous coursework you have completed.

Choose one or two electives depending on your curriculum preference:

Business & Marketing
Humanities

Note: Because elective courses are based on total program enrollment and faculty availability, not every elective is offered every term. 

students in classroom

Design your ideal summer in Spain

Barcelona as your classroom. Get ready to step beyond and dive into a city that brings your studies to life. Discuss storytelling with local writers and artists, and explore the iconic García Márquez Library for your Narrating Barcelona: Local Stories, Global Perspectives course. Or tap into the city’s entrepreneurial energy in Social Media in Business, where you’ll analyze local marketing trends.

Tailor your summer. Choose from two themes—dive into the world of business, or explore Barcelona’s rich culture and global perspectives. Your decision helps shape how you experience the city by determining which activities and site visits you attend.  

Housing and Meals

Living in Barcelona

Your new home. You’ll have your own small room and bathroom, with community just steps away—your neighbors include fellow CET students and other international students. Your housing also gives you access to a shared kitchen spaces (one on each floor), a game room, a study room, plus an in-building gym and pool. Plus, the CET Center (where your classes are held) is just a 15-minute commute from your front door.

Eating in Barcelona. Dive into Spanish flavors and end on a sweet note with crema catalana (think crème brûlée). Or, gather with friends and share a spread of classic tapas like patatas bravas. Craving something different? Barcelona’s global food scene has you covered, with international eats just steps away.

street scene in barcelona

Life in Barcelona

sun setting on fountain

Living in Barcelona doesn’t leave you wanting—you’ve got easy access to beaches, incredible architecture, a vibrant sports culture, a thriving food scene…it’s even well-connected to the rest of Europe for easy weekend getaways. Hop on a bike and explore a new-to-you neighborhood. Spend the afternoon playing beach volleyball. Take in art at a world-class museum. In a highly walkable city, it’s an adventure every single time you leave your door.

Experience Spain with CET

Around the city. The program offers different activities that help you explore Barcelona, experience the local culture, and connect with local university students. Experience a live flamenco show. Take a hands-on cooking class to master Spanish dishes like paella and tapas. Learn the Catalan tradition of building human towers, known as a Castell. And there’s even more to see on your own.

Explore Catalonia like a local. Let us help you see a side of Spain that tourists don’t typically see. Once a month, you have the option to go on a day trip to explore Catalonia with the group. For example, you could head to Costa Brava and visit the picturesque seaside town of Tossa de Mar, where you can wander through a medieval castle and enjoy a scenic boat tour along coastline.

Student Resources

"Some highlights of the trip were eating the Iberian cuisine, including tapas and patatas bravas, as well as seeing new architecture and design styles, from the blue and white painted tiles in Portugal to the abundance of Gaudi’s unique work in Barcelona. I always wanted to see the Sagrada Familia in person; I think it may be my favorite church I have ever seen, as Gaudi’s architecture is so creative, modern, and whimsical—definitely a pinch-me moment."

— Presley Privitera
Colby College

"The academic rigor was perfect so that I was learning and focusing on my studies but also could explore the city and culture instead of being cooped up in the library. A friend of mine was here this summer with his school program and said that he has barely experienced the city, so I'm grateful for the balance that CET encourages."

— Anonymous Student Evaluation
"CET classes are taught by professors who are experts in their field and genuinely love their subject and teaching. This has made a huge difference in my experience with the program. There are more activities than I anticipated, better housing accommodations than I expected, and nicer classrooms than I expected!"

— Marissa Chitwood,
University of Wisconsin - Madison

On-the-ground support

Navigating a new city, country, and culture is a big challenge worth taking—and we’re here to help you on this adventure. Our on-site team is bilingual, provides round-the-clock support, and is passionate about sharing their love of Barcelona (and Spain!) with you.

group of cet staff members

Program Fees

Summer

$7,990

All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.

We arrange for you to live in a dormitory with CET peers. Your program fees go toward rent, furnishing, and other management costs.

From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way.

You’re provided with an unlimited public transportation pass for city Zone 1. Use the bus, metro, and tram to your heart’s content.

You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan through GeoBlue that even includes medical evacuation coverage.

The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee. All you need to do is remember to bring your camera!

Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.

At the end of your term, you’ll receive academic documentation as proof of all you’ve accomplished abroad. Depending on your home institution, you will either get a CET grade report or a School of Record transcript from the University of Minnesota.

More on finances

street scene

Program Fee Breakdown. Of the total program fee, $4,990 goes to tuition and fees, and $3,000 goes to housing and other student life fees.

Local Cost of Living. Barcelona is a popular destination and is among the top most expensive cities to live in. As a student studying abroad, we recommend budgeting an average of $750 per month for your personal expenses, including meals and personal travels.

Estimated out-of-pocket expenses: 

How to Apply

  • •  Pre-requisites: None
  • •  Must be 18 or older at the time of program participation
  • •  Open to students from any US college or university
  • •  GPA: 3.0 or higher is recommended, students with lower GPAs will be asked for a faculty recommendation to supplement their application

This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.

Upload a scan of your passport to your CET Compass account. This should be a single scan that includes the signed signature page and the photo/personal details page. Don’t have a passport yet? Let us know and we can help advise you.

This is an online form that your study abroad office completes to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. To send the electronic form request,  simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor in the designated fields of your CET Compass account.

Your CET Compass account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.

Application
DEADLINE

March 1

photo of lucy

Have a question? Get in touch!

Lucy Gough

Student Services Coordinator
202.349.7322
[email protected]

Price Subject to Change:

CET reserves the right to increase quoted charges at any time without prior notification, based on increased instruction costs, exchange rate fluctuation or other cost increases beyond CET’s control.

Course Availability

Our goal is to offer every course every term, but sometimes factors like faculty availability, student course rankings, and program enrollment keep us from reaching that goal. If you’re concerned about needing to enroll in one particular course, please contact us
 

CET Jordan: Academic Consultation Board

Over the years, we’ve built a strong network of locally-based faculty that we’re proud to call our peers. These faculty make up our Academic Consultation Board—a select group of local voices and thought leaders that help advise and shape components of the CET Jordan program. 

Board members support the program in many ways, including but not limited to:

Academic Consultation Board Members

Learn more about studying abroad with CET

Learn more about studying abroad with CET