It was so cool to see the pride of the Catalan culture that the people of Barcelona shared, and this wasn’t something I was even slightly aware of before.  We got to take a cooking class where we made traditional Catalonian dishes like patatas bravas, paella, and crema catalana. It was so much fun to learn how to make these classic dishes, and here I got to meet other people who didn’t go to my school but became some of my closest friends for the rest of my time abroad.  If I had spare time between classes, my favorite thing to do was go to the Gothic Quarter and get a xuxo or a pizza and sit in front of the Cathedral of Barcelona.  There was always live music, a market with all kinds of jewelry and antiques, and kids running around popping these ginormous bubbles floating throughout the square.  My favorite trip was to Morocco with everyone in my program.  I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to have been exposed to a culture that was so different from mine but still connect with the locals there and become their friends.

ELICIA ESTEVEZ
Spring 2024 program
Loc: FC Barcelona stadium

I have been so lucky to have the opportunity to study in Barcelona over a summer semester and spring semester. Though very different, they were both amazing experiences and I learned so much about the city, culture, and myself and this experience would not have been the same without the kind, knowledgeable, and profound staff at Academic Solutions. I got to participate in cooking classes where we cooked local dishes such as paella and crema catalana, hike the Tibidabo mountain with the most surreal view of Barcelona at the top, go on amazing day trips around Spain to places like Sitges, Figueres, and Girona with tour guides to teach us about the culture, architecture, and food in these cities, and much more with the staff and other University of Maryland students. The staff at Academic Solutions was always at hand, whether it be just for recommendations for local cafes or bars, or if needing medical help. Lastly, I formed friendships and relationships with so many people while studying in Barcelona with the staff, other UMD students, and even locals, and I know these friendships will last forever. I am so thankful for the staff and this opportunity and hope many others get to experience Barcelona as well!

CHARLI COHEN
Spring 2024 program
Loc: Plaza Sant Jaume (Christmas)

Everyone in Academic Solutions is truly so friendly, kind and always willing to help. Not only are they an excellent group of people but they also arrange enriching cultural experiences for us! I have taken full advantage of their recommendations; from restaurants to cultural events happening in Barcelona that I didn’t know of before! The cultural activities, specifically the Flamenco Queer show, the guided tour through the Gothic Quarter, the Barcelona fútbol game and the cooking workshop have been great opportunities to meet new people and learn more about Barcelona that I wouldn’t have experienced had it not been for Academic Solutions. In addition, they send weekly updates with festivities happening in the city! While abroad, I sometimes feel overwhelmed with all the places I simply must go to or things I just have to experience. Academic Solutions helps me manage all these circulating plans and select the most valuable ones.

ALEX HOYHER
Spring 2022 program
Loc: Congost de Mont-rebei

Moving to Barcelona was an exciting adventure from the start, and I want to give credit to the Academic Solutions team for providing extra resources that allowed me to experience life in Spain to the fullest extent! Some of my fondest memories of my semester in Barcelona come from the excursions that AS orchestrated for us. They took us to a FC Barcelona in a home game, also organized an overnight trip to see beautiful Girona, as well as a day trip to historical Tarragona, and a number of other excursions I will not forget. The program provided me with countless recommendations for restaurants, popular sights in the city, and anything from where to buy groceries to the best spots for Wifi. I am very grateful for their dedication to my program, they gave me the experience of a lifetime!

JOSEPH PAOLETTI
Spring 2020 program
Loc: Museo del Prado

I studied abroad with a program cohort from the University of Maryland and we were led by an amazing team of advisors from academic solutions. During my time in Barcelona, academic solutions led us through various excursions that allowed us to be immersed in the Catalan culture while building everlasting bonds with one another. While abroad in Barcelona I was able to intern at a local community center in Pla D'Acollida. At my internship, I got such an authentic experience and was able to be immersed in the Catalonian culture. At my internship, I taught three English classes and was able to make connections and bind with locals in Barcelona. Teaching English also allowed me to get professional immersion and improve my Spanish-speaking skills. 
Furthermore, studying abroad in Barcelona and being in such proximity to other European nations I was able to travel abroad frequently. I absolutely loved the flexibility and affordability of travel in Barcelona. This allowed us to immerse ourselves not only in the Catalonian culture but also allowed us to explore the neighboring countries. I felt as if I got the most out of my experience and I was able to experience so many different cultures, I would not trade it for the world.

MARLINA TADESSE
Fall 2019 program
Loc: Bcn panoramic view

My three and a half months abroad in Barcelona truly gave me some of the most amazing moments of my life. Completing an internship and living in a city where English is not the primary language forced me out of my comfort zone. This was daunting at first, but it also opened my eyes to how much I can accomplish by not being afraid to fail. By the end of my internship, I was participating in Spanish conversations between my coworkers during lunch, and I had a memorable conversation about life in Basque Country with a local while waiting for a bus outside of Bilbao. While I was able to travel and explore many amazing cities including Rome, Vienna, Brussels, Madrid, Valencia and more, I also made sure to dive deep into discovering Barcelona. The on site staff at Academic Solutions were also incredible, taking us on a bus tour of the city upon arrival, to a Barca game, and on some amazing trips including one to the historic city of Tarragona.

SHAWN LINZER
Fall 2019 program
Loc: FC Barcelona stadium

The staff in Barcelona were so incredibly kind, supportive, and accessible. In addition to providing you with academic and housing support, as well as really fun and cool excursions, they are also easily reachable if you ever need them and send frequent emails with updates on what is going on through the program and in Barcelona at large. It is comforting to know that even while you’re far from home, you still have a support system here in Barcelona through the staff!

ABRIL S.
Fall 2019 program
Loc: Sagrada Familia

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to live in Barcelona for three months. It is such an amazing city and one of my favorite things about it is that there is so much to do! On the weekends, it was very easy and accessible to use public transport and visit any type of museum, restaurants, bars, shows, etc. There is something in Barcelona for everyone. The program's staff on site was amazing and super approachable, going above and beyond to make sure we felt supported and had a great experience.

SOFIA CASTELLANO
Fall 2019 program
Loc: Pyrenees