Spanish at Home

Spanish language learning does not only take place in the classroom. One of the greatest differentiating factors in Study Abroad is the opportunity to learn even during routine, day to day activities. Here are a few of the key factors which make the difference to your learning in Barcelona:

Resident Assistants

The Resident Assistant is a local Spanish Student who lives with some of the IES Barcelona students and will support others in various aspects of day to day life. On arrival in Barcelona your RA takes you on a guided tour of your new "Barrio" so you can find out where to do your weekly shopping, where the nearest newspaper store is, which are the best local restaurants and where to go for your morning coffee.

Take advantage of your RA to practice Spanish, learn about local food, customs, popular music, cinema and much much more. Our RAs are sort of a living textbook of Spanish Culture that is available to the residents on a continuous manner.

Dorms

In a local university dorm you will feel part of the local community and live, eat and study with local Spanish students. You can make study pals and share note-taking. Most local students will be more than happy to improve their English or have you double check their written language skills and they will be able to do the same for you. Furthermore, you will experience what makes the typical Spanish university students tick, the music they like, their outlook on life and politics, the food they prefer, the schedule they keep, etc. By experiencing this culture and interacting with the Spanish students, you will indeed complement your language learning experience whilst at Barcelona.

Homestays

How does the shower work?

What time is dinner?

What are you doing this weekend?

Daily communication with your Spanish Señoras will be a steady, continual learning experience. The Señoras who look after our home stay students can show you new vocabulary for day to day life and are always willing to engage in lively conversation. In a way they provide a window into the culture through their cooking, their views, their comments, their interaction with students becomes one more integral part of your learning experience.

Independent Housing

At IES Barcelona we also want to allow room for you to grow in your knowledge of the culture and the language in a more independent fashion. Independent housing is an arrangement provided by yourself, with the people that you want and in the location that you choose.

Some of the more advanced students may want to research their future apartment, roommates, etc. We believe that that is a first contact with the culture that is very positive, and we further believe that during the stay, the sustained necessary interaction with the roommates and possible neighbors will provide you with a unique cultural vision of Spain and of Catalonia.

We have a program that will fit your needs or your aspirations whether you choose one option or another option. It is our intention to create the ideal housing scenario so that our students can further enjoy their stay and maximize the amount of learning Spanish Language and Culture. Let us now if there are is any question about housing at IES Barcelona.