Important Note for Spring 2015 Applicants: The Smeal College of Business will not be accepting any additional applications for the Barcelona programs for the spring 2015 term.

This program offers a wide variety of courses in audio-visual communication, art history, biology, business, Catalán, communications, computer science, cultural studies, economics, environmental studies, history, journalism, labor sciences, law, political sciences, sociology, Spanish language, literature, telecommunications, translation and interpretation, and urban studies. Information about the range of courses for this program can be found at the IES website. Students must take the equivalent of 15 credits on this program, per IES requirements. Students planning to fulfill any requirements for the Spanish Minor are advised to obtain course approval from the adviser for Spanish Minors.

Education Abroad Credits
You will receive credit for all academic courses taken at this institution, and all of your grades from abroad will count toward your Penn State cumulative GPA. You may not take any courses overseas of a Pass/Fail basis. Students are required to take a minimum of 15 credits per semester; students can take a maximum of 19 credits per semester.

To see what kind of credit students in past semesters have received for courses taken on this program, visit the IES Barcelona Course Equivalency List. Keep in mind you will need to complete the course equivalency process once you have been accepted to your program and after you have completed your registration abroad. Students may not fulfill GHA (General Health and Activity) general education requirements abroad. To obtain specific instructions on this process visit our Course Equivalencies page.

Housing and Meals
Your housing will be arranged by IES. You will live either in a homestay, where two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) will be provided, or in a residential college or student apartment, where you will be responsible for providing your own meals. NOTE: Additional costs will be incurred for students staying in residence halls and student apartments.

Program Costs
For more information on program costs, please be sure to review the Budget Sheets listed above. These budget sheets include information on costs that are billable to the bursar bill, as well as estimated additional costs. Costs vary by program, so it is important to review this information carefully. Please note that tuition rates above may vary depending on major and class standing.

Financial Aid & Scholarships
Penn State students studying through Education Abroad can use most components of their existing financial aid packages toward the cost of study abroad. This may include federal and state grants, VA educational benefits, federal student loans, and University scholarships and grants. Notable exceptions include work-study awards and some athletic scholarships. 

The University Office of Global Programs also administers a number of grants and scholarships. Eligibility is based on academic excellence and/or financial need. There is also funding available for study abroad programs in diverse locations and for students from diverse backgrounds. In most cases, applicants should have a current year FAFSA on file with the Office of Student Aid. Funding opportunities. may also be available through Penn State academic departments. For detailed information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities and application procedures, please see Funding Study Abroad.

IES Public School Grant
As a Penn State student you will automatically be awarded a $1500 IES Public School Grant.  IES has created this award to make their programs affordable to you.  This award has ALREADY been calculated into the above Budget Sheet. 

For More Information
For more information about this program and education abroad at Penn State, we encourage you to meet with our Peer Advisers. These study abroad returnees can explain program options, give an overview of the education abroad process, as well as provide information about his/her program. Students at University Park can also contact their International Coordinator within their college. If you're not at University Park, students at Commonealth Campuses can contact their Campus Global Representative.

To learn more about the specifics of this program, schedule an appointment with Whitney Strickler, the education abroad adviser for this program. For the inside scoop on life in a foreign country, be sure to check out the GeoBlogs of Penn State students currently studying abroad. 

• Education Abroad Questionnaire
• 1 academic recommendation
• Signature Documents

Visit the How to Apply section of our website for more information.

Please note that you will also be instructed to complete an application with IES as a part of your Penn State application. Applications open approximately one year before the program term begins.