Multilingual and Multicultural Spain
Barcelona, Spain
Why you should go
Come study in Barcelona, Spain on the Mediterranean coast! This Global Seminar is a perfect way to expose yourself to the rich multilingual and multicultural communities of Spain. Barcelona is located in the region of Catalonia, home to the Catalan language, which like Spanish, derives from Latin. In this community, both languages (Spanish-Catalan) thrive. The bilingual/bicultural nature of Catalonia creates a wonderful learning experience, especially for Latinx students, because unlike Spanish in the US, Catalan in Spain (and especially in Catalonia) has political, social, and economic power, creating a much different dynamic than the one we see in the US Southwest. We will make parallels to the bilingual/bicultural situation of the Southwest US and Catalonia. Both courses in this Global Seminar are project-based and will allow students to engage in the local community! Students will explore Barcelona, Tarragona and Valencia during multiple cultural excursions.
Learn about a returning student's experience here 🎥: Studying Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
Courses
- LTSP 123GS: Identity and Culture in Multicultural Spain (PDF draft syllabus)
- LTSP 174GS: Language and Ideologies in Multilingual Spain (PDF draft syllabus)
Faculty Leader
Ryan Bessett: (email: rbessett.ucsd.edu)
Ryan Bessett received a PhD in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of Arizona. His research interests center around language variation and change, Spanish in contact, bilingualism, Spanish as a heritage language, language acquisition, and Spanish phonology. He is especially interested in the Spanish spoken around the US-Mexican border and through variationist methodology differentiating contact-induced change from language-internal variation by comparing the Spanish of monolingual speakers in Sonora, Mexico to the Southern Arizona bilingual Spanish of speakers who come from families from Sonora.
Who should go
Any student with Spanish comprehension (including Spanish learned at home and in the community) will be considered based on an interview with Dr. Ryan M. Bessett (rbessett@ucsd.edu). LTSP 2C or 2E will also be considered based on an interview. Students who have completed the prerequisite of LTSP 100A or LTSP 100B do not need to conduct a Spanish interview. Courses will be taught in Spanish.
The courses in this Global Seminar will count for a variety of majors and minors including the following: Literature in Spanish major and minor, World Literature and Culture major, Intensive Language track of any Literature major, Language Studies major and minor (Spanish concentration), as well as fulfill upper-division electives for any major that includes free electives.
Information Sessions
- Program "Meet the Professor" session: Thursday, Oct. 29, 3:30 - 4:30 PM
- Register here for the live Zoom link, and/or to get the post-session recording.
Dates
| Departure from U.S.: | Thurs., June 24, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Arrival: | Friday morning, June 25, 2027 |
| Mandatory Orientation: | Friday afternoon, June 25, 2027 |
| First Day of Class: | Mon., June 28, 2027 |
| Last Day of Class: | Fri., July 30, 2027 |
| Departure for the U.S. (or personal travel): |
Sat., July 31, 2027 |
Flight Information
- You will be responsible for purchasing your own airplane tickets, and your program coordinator will provide guidelines and resources during the pre-departure process to help you find an appropriate flight.
- Do not purchase plane tickets until the program is confirmed. All approved applicants will be notified by e-mail when the program has reached minimum enrollment.
Global Seminar Fees
All fees subject to change. See https://summersession.ucsd.edu/tuition/tuition.html for current tuition and campus-based fees.
| UCSD | Other UC | Non-UC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Cost: (includes $500 administrative fee) |
TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Estimated Tuition and Campus-Based Fees: |
$2,623.24 | $2,673.24 | $3,675.24 |
| Total: (not including airfare or personal expenses) |
TBD | TBD | TBD |
Budget Calculator
- Coming soon!
Funding Options
See the funding options page to learn how financial aid and scholarships can help you pay for this program.
Local Site Visits
- Gothic Neighborhood Walking Tour: including la Catedral del Mar, Roman structures, and architecture
- Guided tour of MUHBA
- Guided tour of La Sagrada Familia
- Guided tour of el Park Guell
- Guided tour of Picasso Museum
- Guided tour of Museu d’Història de Catalunya (MHC)
- Montjuïc and Mies Van Der Rohe pavilion
Overnight Excursion to Tarragona and Valencia (3 days/2 nights)
- Tour of historic Valencia with local tour guide
- Tour of Roman structures in Tarragona with local tour guide
- Roundtrip transportation and hotel accommodations included
Excursions are subject to change without prior notice. No refunds are possible.
Housing
- Double room in a shared apartment with shared kitchen and bathroom near the city center.
- Apartments may have their own washers or may have laundry facilities for a fee. Dryers are not common abroad, so students should plan to hang dry their clothes. Students will be provided with a pillow, sheet, comforter, and comforter cover, and towels.
- Internet access is included.
- Housing for the overnight excursion is included.
- No more than 40 minutes by public transportation from the classroom.
- Housing arrangements are subject to change based on local circumstances without prior notice. No price adjustments are possible.
Included Meals
- Welcome meal upon arrival
- Farewell meal at end of program
Classroom and Computer Access
- Classroom space is located in Plaça de Catalunya.
- Wireless internet connection
- A few computers and a printer available in our partner's study center, but you should also plan to bring a laptop.
- Wireless access may be intermittent due to local conditions. No refunds or price adjustments are possible.
Transportation
- Airport transportation on arrival and departure days is offered.
- Local transportation card in Barcelona for program duration.
- Ground transportation for all out of town excursions.
Phones
- Information about how to obtain a local SIM card will be provided at the pre-departure orientation.
- Students will be responsible to purchase their own calling time/minutes.
Insurance, Health, and Safety
- An in-depth orientation will be given on the morning after arrival, including health and safety procedures.
- Program partner staff will be available by telephone after hours.
- All students must register for UC travel insurance. This is free coverage, but registration is required prior to departure.
