| Overview |
The Wake Forest Barcelona Program is specifically designed for business, economics, entrepreneurship, and global trade and commerce students, but it also appeals to those students interested in history, political science, and international studies in general. Based at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona's (UAB) Casa Convalescència campus, the program places students the heart of this city of 1.6 million inhabitants. From this central location, students are encouraged to become Barcelonians for a semester and experience everything that makes Barcelona a city of global significance.
For students applying to a fall semester program, there is a priority deadline of January 15. For more information visit the Selection tab above.
Students participating on the WFU/Barcelona program are required to obtain a visa prior to the program's start date. To help students and families understand the Spanish visa process, the Center for Global Programs and Studies has created a useful website.
Students should also check their passport's expiration date and ensure that it will be valid for at least 6 months after the program's end date. If students need to renew their passport, they should visit the U.S. Department of State's passport website for information on this process. Students can also contact their study abroad advisor with any questions about this.
|
| Location |
One of the world's most dynamic and vibrant cities, Barcelona offers endless possibilities for cultural, historical and social exploration. From the Roman-era walls of the Gothic Quarter to the Modernista architectural wonders that line the elegant Passeig de Gracia, the city is one of the contrasts which blend effortlessly into a single, beautiful Mediterranean tapestry. With a major port, high speed train station and international airport, Barcelona is the gateway to southern Europe and a hub from which business, economic and entrepreneurial activity thrives.
Students will also have access to the Wake Forest in Barcelona Center where they can meet up with other students on the program, study, have a coffee break or meet with the on-site staff. The WFU Barcelona Center is located at:
Avinguda Diagonal, 343
08037 Barcelona
Spain |
| Program |
A Wake Forest University on-site administrator will oversee the program administration and Wake Forest's academic center. Courses are taught at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona's (UAB) Casa Convalescència campus by UAB professors. The courses are primarily taught in English, with no prior knowledge of Spanish required.
Students on the program are required to enroll in one course taught in Spanish or Catalan. Students interested in taking a Spanish class on the program should have completed SPA 212 at Wake Forest before going on the program. These students will need to take an online placement test prior to arrival. If a student doesn't place into their desired Spanish course, then they will be switched into the Introduction to Catalan course. There are no pre-requisites or placement tests for students planning to take Introduction to Catalan.
The Autonomous University of Barcelona uses the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages to help place students in the appropriate level of Spanish.
Courses provide a contemporary perspective on business, economics, entrepreneurship, environmental studies, global trade & commerce studies, international studies, political science, and Spanish language.
Below is a listing of the currently approved courses:
It is the student’s responsibility to speak to their major and minor advisor(s) regarding their abroad coursework and how (or if) it will count towards their degree plan.
NOTE to Global Trade and Commerce Studies Minors:
In many cases, students can complete four courses towards the five required for the Global Trade and Commerce Studies minor.
NOTE to Political Science students:
This program offers POL courses which will not count towards the in-residence ("at Wake Forest") POL credit for Politics and International Affairs majors and minors. For more details about taking POL courses on this program, students must consult the Department of Politics and International Affairs study abroad page or contact the department directly (wfupol@wfu.edu).
NOTE on Transcripts:
If you are applying for a fall program, you will need to upload your transcript showing your grades from the previous fall. If you are applying for a spring program, you will need to upload your transcript showing grades from the previous spring. |
| Faculty |
|
| Accommodations |
Accommodation will be provided by the program. You will have the option to live in an apartment, student residence halls or homestay. All housing options will require a reasonable commute to class via public transportation. Your choice of housing will have a significant impact on your study abroad experience, so think carefully before deciding which option is your preferred choice.
You may want to consider the following questions:
- What goals have I set for my semester abroad?
- How will my choice of housing help me to attain those goals?
- How will I maximize my opportunities to get to know people and students from Barcelona and Spain?
For more information on the different housing options refer to this WFU/Barcelona: Housing Information document. |
| Excursions |
Throughout the semester, students will travel together with the Wake Forest on-site administrator on a variety of excursions, local and throughout Spain. In Barcelona, students will stroll down the beautiful avenue of La Rambla, detour into the city's medieval Gothic Quarter, and visit la Iglesia de la Sagrada Família, Gaudí's masterpiece.
In addition to local excursions, students will also have the opportunity to participate on an international trip provided by the program during the semester. Fall semester students will travel to Portugal. Spring semester students will travel to Morocco.
Students may also travel to Girona, Madrid, Montserrat, Salamanca, Tarragona, and more. Organized outings may include musical performances, art museums, and sporting events, Entertainment and cultural activities within walking distance of Wake Forest academic center include famous sites like the Sagrada Família, La Rambla, La Boqueria, Museu Picasso, Park Guell, Barcelona Zoo, and the Olympic village. |
| Selection |
Most successful applicants have a GPA of 2.75, a strong application and faculty reference provided. If your GPA is lower than 2.75, you are still encouraged to apply and to discuss your application with a study abroad advisor. The admissions committee considers a number of factors into account as well your cumulative GPA.
Students hoping to study on the WFU/Barcelona program for a Fall semester should follow this time:
January 15th: Priority deadline for the WFU/Barcelona program.
Students that complete their application by this date will hear if they have been accepted to the program by January 25th.
Accepted students will then need to commit to the program by February 15th.
March 1st: Final deadline for applications to the WFU/Barcelona program.
Students submitting their application for the second deadline will be admitted as space remains available.
Students hoping to study on the WFU/Barcelona program for a Spring semester should follow this time:
September 25th: Deadline for the WFU/Barcelona Spring program
Students that complete their application by this date will hear if they have been accepted to the program by October 1st.
Accepted students will then need to commit to the program by October 15th.
|
| Costs |
Current Wake Forest tuition and room fees, which covers tuition and academic fees, fully furnished housing, orientation, airport pick-up, health insurance, e-mail and Internet access, group activities and excursions, and farewell dinner. Visa fees, meals, airfare, personal travel and expenses not included. Students choosing the homestay option may have an additional charge to cover meals included with their housing. |
| Scholarships |
Federal and institutional financial aid may be used. Additional funding is available through the Center for Global Programs and Studies with over half a million dollars in study abroad scholarships award annually. Detailed information and applications can be found here. Please note scholarship deadlines may be earlier than application deadlines. |
| Visa & Passport |
|
| Contact |
Cody Ryberg
Senior Study Abroad Advisor
Center for Global Programs and Studies
Reynolda Hall, Room 116
Phone: (336) 758 6194
E-mail: rybergcj@wfu.edu
Feel free to read through the current version of the program handbook for general program information.
WFU/Barcelona: Pre-departure Handbook
Barcelona Global Ambassador:
Cara Willison
E-mail: willcg19@wfu.edu
|
| Testimonials |
|
|
