Program Overview
Program Overview
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Popular Subject Areas
Design & Visual Arts
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Location
Barcelona
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Host University
Universidad de Vic - Elisava
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Term
Fall 6 2023
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Program Dates
Sep 02, 2023 - Dec 22, 2023
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Program Length
Semester
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Application Deadline
Jun 01, 2023
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Forms and Payment Deadline
Jun 15, 2023
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Credit
24 ECTS Credits
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Eligibility
2.75 Minimum GPA*
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Cost
$14,950
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Study Abroad Program Description
This program is ideal for students with a background in design, or for students with little design experience, but who have an interest in taking graphic design or visual arts courses in English. You will choose one of two tracks:
Track A
Students without a background in design will be required to take the three mandatory graphic design courses and can round out their enrollment with either one other design and visual art course or a Spanish language course.
Track B
Students with a background in design have the option of selecting any four courses from the graphic design and visual arts course offering list, or they may choose to take three courses from this list, along with a Spanish language class.
Visa Information:
Enjoy Flexibility with ISA Flex
We’ve partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to help you overcome common study abroad challenges by adding an ASU Online course to your ISA program. With more than 2,100 courses to choose from, ISA Flex minimizes academic challenges, like major requirements and limited course options, so you can make the most of your experience abroad. Once you’ve applied, access the Flex form in your ISA Student Portal for more information on how to add this to your program and enroll in the course you need.
*Eligibility
MINIMUM GPA
Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
MINIMUM ADMISSIONS PREREQUISITES
There is no language prerequisite for this program.
- You will use design programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign in many of your classes, so background knowledge or familiarity with several or all of these programs would be beneficial.
- In order to obtain your Elisava acceptance letter, which is necessary for the acquisition of a student visa, you must submit a copy of your passport. If you do not have a passport and are planning to participate in this program, please apply for your passport now.
What's Included

Comprehensive Advising and Support

24-Hour Emergency

Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support

Airport Reception

Tuition at the Host University

Spanish Visa Support

Housing

Meals and Laundry Service

Bridging Cultures Orientation

Full-Time Resident Staff

On-Site ISA Offices

Internet Access

ISA Discovery Model

Excursions

Cultural Activities

Insurance

Official Transcript from the Host University

Professional Development Toolbox

Scholarship Opportunities
Academics
Credits
ECTS Credits
24
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
24
Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
36
Academic Information
Students will use design programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign in many of their classes, so background knowledge or familiarity with several or all of these programs would be benificial.
COURSE AVAILABILITY
- Please note that the offering below is a sample, based on what Elisava has offered in previous semesters. Once the official offering has been received and the courses have been updated, this message will dissappear.
- Courses and course availability are subject to change. Requests for sample syllabi can be made to the Barcelona Program Manager.
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Track A
Students without a background in design will be required to take the three mandatory graphic design courses and can round out their enrollment with one other design and visual art course options, or a Spanish language course. -
Track B
Students with a background in design have the option of selecting four courses from the graphic design and visual arts course offering list, or they may choose to take three courses from this list, along with a Spanish language class.
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LANGUAGE COURSES AND PLACEMENT EXAM
- There is no language requirement for this program. No student, regardless of language level, will be required to enroll in Spanish language. However, it is strongly encouraged that students enroll in language in order to fully immerse themselves in the language and culture of the area.
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Enrollment in Spanish courses is determined by the results of a language placement exam administered by the host university. Please note that your performance on the placement exam may not reflect the number of semesters of language instruction you’ve already completed at your home university. We strongly suggest that students who are trying to place into any level of language beyond true beginning prepare for the language placement exam by reviewing previous coursework. Availability of Spanish courses is based on enrollment numbers. All students should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of last-minute cancelations.
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All students should prepare alternate courses in the event that a Spanish level is canceled due to lack of enrollment.
COURSE LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
- Determination of course equivalencies will be done by advisors and credential evaluators at participants' U.S. home institutions.
COURSE CREDIT
- Per the Universidad de Vic - Elisava 6 ECTS = 3 U.S. Credits
- ISA can recommend credit equivalencies, but credit transfer is ultimately determined by the student's home university.
TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION
- The transcript from the Universidad de Vic - Elisava will reflect ECTS credits for each course listed below. The contact hours for each course will not be reflected on the transcript but are listed in order to help determine transfer credit. Please be in touch with your U.S. university regarding transfer credit for this program.
Courses
select allclear all
Course Disclaimer
- Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
Support & Funding
U.S. Team
BARCELONA TEAM

Manuel Urí Martín
Resident Director, Spain

Cristina Canales Contador
Senior Cultural Activities Coordinator, Spain

Daniel Ostad
Senior Housing Coordinator, Spain

Janelle Forster
Senior Student Care Coordinator, Spain

Danielle Roberge
Strategic Programs Manager, Spain

David Pardos i Aybar
Student Services Coordinator, Spain

Rossella De Gregorio
Student Services Coordinator, Spain

Judit Solans
Cultural Activities Coordinator, Spain

Matthew Rizzo
Academics and Student Care Coordinator, Spain

Walter Uribe
Academic Coordinator, Spain
Funding Your ISA Program
Wondering how you’ll fund your program? ISA’s got you covered! If you receive financial aid for your home university, you will likely be able to use those funds for study abroad too. The first step is usually speaking with your home university. Check out the steps for using financial aid here.
Need to know how much to budget for a term abroad? Take a look at the additional expenses you might expect, depending on your program.
As an ISA participant, you have the opportunity to apply for scholarships and grants that can be applied directly to assist with your study abroad programs. We offer over $1,000,000 in scholarships and grants each year. To see what opportunities are available, visit the scholarships and grants page.
View all Funding OptionsHousing
Living in ISA housing will allow you the opportunity to experience aspects of the Spanish lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor. Regardless of your housing option, you will have a short commute to your university. Travel times to the various university buildings generally range between 15 and 35 minutes depending on housing and class locations. With an open and adaptable mind, the experience of living in another culture can be highly rewarding.
We strive to match your housing preferences with our available accommodations, however, housing preference requests cannot be guaranteed.

Homestay
Host families are a great choice if you are seeking full linguistic and cultural immersion during your time abroad. Each host family has been carefully selected by ISA’s resident staff in order to best accommodate your needs and to ensure a comfortable living situation. Homestays will provide two meals a day and laundry service once a week. You will typically share a room with another ISA student of the same gender. Single rooms may be available for an additional fee.

Apartment
Apartments are a great housing option if you are seeking complete independence during your time abroad. Apartments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is limited. Rent and utilities are included in the program price, and each apartment is fully furnished. Apartments, spread throughout the city, typically house four-six ISA students, and are made up of single and double occupancy rooms. Meals and laundry service are not included. In this ISA housing option, you will pay a $500 security deposit. ISA may retain some, or all, of this deposit in the event of damage to property, or if utility usage exceeds the allotted monthly amount.

Student Residence
The student residence is a great choice if you would like to be independent while living with other international and local students. With availability limited on a first-come, first-served basis, you will room with another ISA student of the same gender. Single rooms may also be available for an additional fee. Meals are not included and laundry can be done on-site with coin-operated machines. In this ISA housing option, you will pay a $500 security deposit. ISA may retain some, or all, of this deposit in the event of damage to property, or if utility usage exceeds the allotted monthly amount.

Independent Housing
You may elect to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price.
Excursions
THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA

Valencia
Valencia is famous for its beaches, oranges, paella, and the "City of Arts and Sciences", an eye-catching cultural complex hosting museums, performing arts, and the biggest aquarium in Europe. After exploring the city, you will have the chance to enjoy a fabulous day on the beach, taking part in water sports such as paddle boarding, surfing, canoeing, etc. A 100% Mediterranean experience!

Sitges
On this excursion you will visit one of the most emblematic towns on the Catalan coast, just south of Barcelona. Famous for its charming downtown and beautiful beaches, Sitges was also an important modernist center in the 1960’s. On the way you will visit a cava cellar where you will learn about the manufacturing process of the Catalan champagne.

Morocco * Optional
This multi-day, optional excursion takes you across Morocco, one of the most colorful and diverse countries in the world. It encompasses direct cultural encounters with locals, guided tours through the medina, and opportunities to learn the ins and outs of haggling with Moroccan vendors. You will have unforgettable experiences in the Sahara desert riding camels and waking up to see the spectacular views of the sunrise.

Cultural Activities in Barcelona
The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the city and culture of Barcelona. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcase what makes Barcelona special.
These activities vary each term, and previous offerings have included a soccer league, intercambios (language exchange with locals), cooking classes, and city tours (Sagrada Familia, City Bus Tour, Gothic Quarter, etc.).*
*These activities are available to students at little to no additional cost.