A once in a lifetime opportunity of studying abroad in Barcelona this upcoming fall is offered to the students at Los Medanos College.

Barcelona has a huge number of attractions that can be seen in this study abroad program including a city center which retains its medieval street plan with some stunning modernist architecture that includes several buildings by Gaudí, Spain’s most famous architect. Students can experience the electric feel of a FC Barcelona soccer match at the Camp Nou or bask in the location’s Mediterranean climate.

“Students who haven’t studied abroad should understand this is a well structured opportunity and will be taken care of every step of the way,” said Honors Director and Barcelona trip advisor Jennifer Saito. “It’s a great location for students who have never even been out of the country at all.”

“It was life changing to say the least. I now have so many stories and beautiful memories to look back on because of this trip. I didn’t want to leave,” said LMC student Ariel Miller, who has previously studied abroad in Barcelona. Miller added that students should take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to experience the Catalonia culture.

“Everything about the city was beautiful, I fell in love with the white sandy beaches, the art museums, and the tapas … don’t even get me started” said LMC student, Marcelo Clark whose been to Barcelona as well.

“It’s important to study in another country because it forces you out of your comfort zone and makes you realize that what we would consider a norm in American society is not a norm in another country,” said Clark.

Study abroad will run from Sept. 8 through Dec. 8 and will cost students $7,545 which covers medical and program fees, accommodation, activities and travel pass. Meals, class enrollment and textbook fees are included.

There is also the Shared Homestay option which is $8,345 which covers all the same items but exclusively has a twin-bedded room in a family homestay and has daily breakfast and dinner five nights a week.

Financial aid and scholarships are available as well at DVC, but the program fees do not include the round trip airfare from San Francisco to Barcelona, textbooks or personal expenses.

“Who wouldn’t travel to Europe the cheapest way for three months,” said Saito referencing statistical data comparing the costs of the study abroad trip here at LMC with other colleges like San Jose State that costs over $10,000 and UC Berkley coming close to almost $15,000.

To participate in the Barcelona Study Abroad Program must at least be 18 years or older, must have a GPA of 2.25 or higher and have completed 12 or more units.
Numerous courses will be offered. HUM 105: Introduction to Humanities – Arts & Ideas will offer students the opportunity to study Gaudi’s Park Güell, the roots of the Catalan Movement and the impact of Spanish Civil War. There will be many field trips and possibly an optional outing to Paris.

MATH 124: Mathematics for Liberal Arts is specifically designed for students majoring in a non-STEM/non-statistics based fields, and explores the world of voting math and processes the difference between countries’ election systems.

More information and descriptions on the courses offered can be found at the Honors Center and in the Barcelona brochure. All classes will help students stay en route in getting 12 IGETC units and will be taught in English. The application deadline is May 5, 2017.

For more information go to http://www.dvc.edu/current/study-abroad/barcelona.html or contact Jennifer Saito at [email protected] or visit her office at the Honors Center.