Housing
All housing is prearranged by staff in Barcelona before departure. You have the option to live in a homestay with a Spanish family or a student residence hall. The homestay option is recommended to not only help with language learning but also provide local support as you get acquainted with life in a new city.
Homestay (recommended option)
Homestays can provide daily Spanish language practice and a link to the local culture. When looking for a homestay, it’s important to know what you’re looking for and communicate that with the homestay coordinator so they can you with a host. Some homestays will be very welcoming and include you in family meals and activities. Some will feel more like you’re renting a room. Some may be a family with younger or teen children, some may be a couple or a single person with grown children who have moved out and they're now renting the rooms either for a connection with students or for financial reasons. Keep in mind your homestay host may speak varying levels of English (including little-to-no English).
Accommodations
- Single or double bedroom (shared with another student), depending on availability
- Shared bathroom (up to four people per bathroom)
- Off campus
- Meal plan (daily breakfast and dinner)
- Wifi, sheets and towels, and weekly cleaning are included
- Laundry once per week (students are responsible for doing their own laundry with assistance from hosts), dryers not guaranteed
Live with
- Local residents
- Other UC or international students (some homestays have room for one student and some host multiple students)
Commute
Homestays are located in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, most commonly in the neighborhoods of Eixample, Ciutat Vella, Sagrada Familia, Gracia, Sants-Montjuïc, Les Corts, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, and Sant Martí, with a maximum commute of 40 minutes to the study center by public transportation.
Dorm
Residence halls are a great option for international students because the environment provides opportunities to engage with peers, which can help you settle into life in a new country. Residence halls in Spain are a bit different than in the US, as not all residence halls are associated with a university. Private residence halls are open to any student studying in the area, no matter the university they attend. This is an interesting option for meeting a variety of students who are having different experiences in the city.
Accommodations
- Single or double bedroom (shared with another student), depending on availability
- Single or shared bathroom (shared with roommate if in a double bedroom)
- Off campus
- Meal plan: Some residences have cafeterias with meal plans that can be purchased on site, while others have shared kitchens or kitchenettes for cooking. Specifics cannot be guaranteed
- Wifi, sheets and towels, and weekly cleaning are included
- Laundry facilities with coin-operated or pay with app washers and dryers
- Access to common areas, such as study rooms, game rooms, and/or gym (specific amenities depend on the residence hall)
- Student residences have 24/7 reception
Live with
- Other UC or international students
Commute
Student residence halls are located in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, most commonly in the neighborhoods of Eixample, Ciutat Vella, Sagrada Familia, Gracia, Sants-Montjuïc, Les Corts, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, and Sant Martí, with a maximum commute of 40 minutes to the study center by public transportation.