Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the class schedule?
- Where are classes held?
- For recommendation letter #1, may I submit a letter from a teacher who knows me well instead of from my principal, headmaster, or guidance counselor?
- What is the Barcelona Experience curriculum?
- What makes the Barcelona Experience special?
- Are classes held in English?
- How much Spanish will I be required to know?
- What kinds of sports activities are open to me?
- Where is the residence located?
- What are the living arrangements like?
- How much supervision is provided?
- What kind of security is there at the residence?
- Do I need to bring my computer?
- Do I need to bring a cell phone?
- How much spending money should I bring?
- What is the meal schedule?
- What should I wear?
- May I be away from the dormitory overnight?
- Does the residence provide linens?
- What about laundry?
- Are the rooms cleaned?
- Are there hotels near to the accommodations for the Barcelona program where family members can stay if they are visiting?
- Do I need to have health insurance coverage?
What is the class schedule?
Classes are scheduled from Monday to Thursday. See Typical Day for class schedules. See the calendar for program dates.
Where are classes held?
Classes are held both at the University of Barcelona’s Continuing Education facility and at off-campus site visit locations.
For recommendation letter #1, may I submit a letter from a teacher who knows me well instead of from my principal, headmaster, or guidance counselor?
No. No substitutions are accepted for letter #1. Most principals, headmasters, and guidance counselors check with the student’s teachers before writing recommendations. The perspective of a high-level administrator as well as the teacher’s comments found in recommendation letter #2 is valuable in making admissions decisions.
What is the Barcelona Experience curriculum?
All students take the same curriculum, in four subject areas:
- Barcelona in Historical Context: Roman Origins to the Spanish Civil War
- Barcelona--The Community: Catalonia, Spain, and the European Union
- The City: 20th-Century Architecture, Urban Development, Art and Design in Barcelona
- Spanish Language Workshop
What makes the Barcelona Experience special?
It offers a demanding academic program that makes the most of its location by immersing students in the life of Barcelona and its region. During the week, classroom sessions are combined with field trips to historic and architectural sites, museums, a variety of city neighborhoods, the port, etc. The group also makes excursions focusing on Tarragona, the site of major Roman remains, and Figueres, home to the artist Salvador Dalí. On each trip the group is accompanied by one of its professors, to enrich the experience.
The Barcelona Experience offers high school students a rigorous study option combined with the opportunity of living in a foreign country in a structured, supervised setting.
Are classes held in English?
Yes.
How much Spanish will I be required to know?
None. In the Spanish Language Workshop students are grouped by language ability ranging from no previous knowledge of Spanish to native command of the language.
What kinds of sports activities are open to me?
Barcelona Experience participants have access to the DIR Fitness Club, located a few blocks from the residence. The facility, open seven days a week, houses a full range of gym equipment and weights, an outdoor pool, and extensive grounds for sunbathing. Aerobic classes begin every 15 minutes.
Where is the residence located?
It is located in a beautiful, upscale area of Barcelona, with excellent accessibility to tourist sites.
What are the living arrangements like?
Columbia High School Program students will all be housed in close proximity to one another within the same University of Barcelona residence hall. All rooms have air conditioning, private bath and an Internet connection. Rooms have phones to receive outside calls and to call reception.
How much supervision is provided?
Resident advisers who have training and experience working with the Summer Program for High School Students are housed on the same floor as the students at the residence. The Site Director and the head resident adviser also live at the residence during the program.
The resident advisers provide supervision evenings and weekends. They also arrange for group activities during the day when class is not in session.
What kind of security is there at the residence?
The reception desk, staffed 24 hours a day, controls access to the residence. Additional security guards are at the entrance at night.
Do I need to bring my computer?
It is highly recommended to bring a laptop. Computing facilities are available at the University of Barcelona campus on class days. At the residence hall, public computer access is limited, though students' rooms have Internet connection.
Do I need to bring a cell phone?
Experience proves that it can be a great convenience to bring one, but it is not mandatory.
How much spending money should I bring?
Although the program covers all meals, transportation, and scheduled course activities, we suggest that students have access to a minimum of $700.00 during the program. The easiest way to access money is by bringing an ATM card, since this avoids having to exchange traveler's checks or cash.
What is the meal schedule?
The program includes all meals, as follows:
- Breakfast at residence: 7:30-9:30 AM
- Lunch at the University of Barcelona, Monday to Wednesday: 1:00 PM
- Lunch at the residence, Thursday: 1:30 PM
- Dinner at residence, 8:30-9:30 PM
What should I wear?
It is warm in July in Barcelona and students should bring summer clothes.
May I be away from the dormitory overnight?
Students are not allowed to be away from the dormitory overnight, and curfews will be strictly enforced.
Does the residence provide linens?
The residence provides sheets. The program provides one towel per student and participants may want to bring an extra towel or purchase one in Barcelona.
What about laundry?
There are card-operated washing machines and dryers at the residence. Cards can be purchased at the reception desk.
Are the rooms cleaned?
Rooms are generally cleaned twice a week.
Are there hotels near to the accommodations for the Barcelona program where family members can stay if they are visiting?
The residence hall is in the heart of Barcelona and there are many nearby hotels.
Do I need to have health insurance coverage?
Students are required to have their own medical and mental health insurance or Medicaid coverage to participate in the program. The program also provides limited traveler's emergency medical insurance.
