You will participate in two courses during your time in Barcelona: Intermediate Immersive Spanish and Barcelona in Ten Buildings, offered in affiliation with Brown's Consortium for Advanced Studies Abroad.

Intermediate Immersive Spanish

Intermediate Spanish offers an engaging opportunity to deepen your proficiency and gain confidence using the language in everyday situations. Beyond traditional grammar and syntax practice, class sessions will explore diverse aspects of Spanish and Catalan social and artistic life, fostering thoughtful and dynamic discussion. Throughout the course, you will expand your vocabulary and develop greater fluency through meaningful communication. In the final stage of the program, you will complete projects that encourage connection with the local community and reflection on your observations and experiences in Barcelona.

Barcelona in Ten Buildings

An intriguing overview of the history of Barcelona through the analysis of ten iconic buildings, representative of the social, economic and political evolution of the city. These architectural sites represent a showcase of the evolution of European and International architecture through time. The ten buildings; Temple of Augustus, Santa Maria del Mar, Parlament de Catalunya, Mercat de la Boqueria, Palau de la Música, Parc del Laberint or Parc Güell, Pabellon Mies Van der Rohe, Nou Camp Stadium and Museu del Barca, Sagrada Familia and Torre Agbar are each located in a specific neighborhood, so that the tour through the history of the city also introduces the territorial aspect in the analysis of Barcelona. The selection of the buildings also offers different types of functions of architecture from religious, to political or industrial. 

• You will reside at Beyoo Marina, in single rooms with private bathrooms.
• The On-Site Director, On-Site Coordinator and Student Life Managers reside in the residence hall with students, providing an atmosphere that supports your success by emphasizing community building and individual responsibility.
• During the week, you will have most meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on campus. A few meals will take place at local eateries.
• You will engage in community building and cultural events and activities, such as a cooking class.
• Please note that you will have one or two hours of free time dispersed throughout each day at BEE, but the free time is not always predictable and does not occur at the same time each day. Additional coursework, including online courses for Brown or other programs, is not feasible.

Site visits provide opportunities for you to immerse yourself in the Spanish language and culture. Please Note: this list is a sample of planned activities and is subject to change.

• Temple of Augustus and the Roman remains: Barcelona was founded by the Romans in the first century AD in times of Emperor Augustus. The remains of the Roman past are an example of a small Roman Colony.
• Santa Maria del Mar: Considered the most beloved church in Barcelona and a fine example of the Gothic Architecture of Barcelona. Located in the Born district, Santa Maria del Mar represents the expansion of the city during the Middle Ages and the important role of the church during those times.
• Parlament de Catalunya: The building that now hosts the Parliament of the regional government of Catalonia was designed as the Arsenal and the Military Governor’s Residence, home to military/political infrastructure built after the war of the Spanish Succession 1700-1714.
• Mercat de la Boqueria: Hailed as one of the most beautiful markets in the city of Barcelona, Mercat Boqueria is located in the neighborhood of Raval near the old walls of the medieval city.
• Palau de la Música: An important example of the Modernist Movement in Barcelona. A magnificent auditorium represents the puissance of the new industrial bourgeoisie.
• Parc del Laberint or Parc Güell: As the new industrial bourgeoisie created a new city outside of the main city,  their summer mansions in the foothills of Collserola were designed to showcase the social position of each of these wealthy families.
• Pabellon Mies Van der Rohe: Barcelona has a long tradition of hosting international events such as the Universal Exposition of 1888 and the International Exposition of 1929 or the Olympic Games in 1992 that were held at this site.
• Nou Camp Stadium and Museu del Barça: Barcelona football team is one of the most recognizable trademarks of the city. The newly remodeled stadium  “Nou Camp” will strengthen this urban icon.
• Sagrada Familia: The history of the Sagrada Familia and its neighborhood serve as a metaphor for the city of Barcelona and the role of religion in a multicultural city.
• Torre AGBAR: The new economy of the city in the 21st Century and the neighborhood of Poblenou.
• The city of Tarragona: A coastal city, Tarragona, is one of the oldest Roman settlements in the Iberian Peninsula. Tarragona is known for the UNESCO World Heritage site Archaeological Ensemble of Tarraco.