Orientation Information

Students fly into Madrid where they will meet the Resident Director and the other ISA Barcelona participants. Students will participate in an orientation and several cultural activities during the two day/two night excursion in Madrid. The ISA Barcelona Resident Directors will provide students with an introduction to Spain's history and culture while also letting students know what to expect regarding living with a homestay or in a Spanish apartment/residencia, taking classes at a Spanish university, and adjusting to life in Spain. After the initial excursions in Madrid and Toledo, students depart for Barcelona where they will meet their homestay or be acquainted with their apartment/residencia. Students will then be given time to orient themselves with the city.Prior to their departure and on-site orientation, students will receive a lengthy and detailed pre-departure orientation handbook which serves as a primer for their study abroad experience in Spain. This handbook is designed to be used in conjunction with the Online Orientation in the Student Portal. Although the on-site orientation will cover the nitty-gritty of life in Spain, the handbook allows students to read up on pertinent information before their arrival in Barcelona. The handbook covers academics, culture, gender relations, useful phrases, food, housing, the university, ISA facilities, money matters, visas, and numerous other details that students also learn about during their on-site orientation. Of course, students are always welcome to contact the Barcelona Site Specialist with any questions.