Located on the western shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and second largest city in Spain, with an urban area population of 4.5 million people.
Applications are now closed. However, applications to Florence, Italy, for spring 2026 are open!
Its more than 2,000 years of history as a center of trade and culture have left their mark on the city’s architectural, artistic, and cultural heritage.
Said to be the most cosmopolitan city in Spain, it’s not surprising that Barcelona has become one of Europe’s most popular venues for Study Abroad students, with its many café terraces, its 50 museums to choose from (including some that house Picasso and Miró), its narrow medieval streets in the Gothic Quarter, its plazas, theaters and concerts, its beaches, and, perhaps most colorful of all, its whimsical architectural creations of Antoni Gaudí, including his iconic Sagrada Familia.
Want to relax after your day of classes and homework? How about sitting at a table with some paella and people-watching along the Ramblas, or finding a spot on a mosaic sea serpent bench created by Gaudí at Parc Güell?
Barcelona 2025 Information
Important Dates
Applications will be accepted until June 6, 2025 OR until the program is full, whichever occurs first. It is strongly advised that applications be submitted as soon as possible.
- Friday, June 6, 2025: General Application Deadline
- Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025: Depart U.S.
- Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025: Arrive Barcelona
- Monday & Tuesday, Sept. 15-16, 2025: Orientation and workshops
- Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025: Classes begin
- Week of Oct. 27-Oct. 31, 2025: Mid-Semester Break
- Friday, Dec. 12, 2025: Depart Barcelona
Late Applications on Space Available Basis: May be accepted up to June 13, 2025 on a case-by-case basis only.
Program FAQ
Information on program courses, faculty, housing options, and frequently asked questions are available on the AIFS website.
Program Costs and Payment Schedule
The AIFS program costs will have a base price of $8,345. These costs will include all lodging, medical insurance, and AIFS services. They will not include airfare (there will be a group flight option for an extra fee), class tuition, books, and day-to-day expenses such as food.
Minimum Qualifications for CCCCD's Study Abroad Program
To apply for the Florence Study Abroad Program, the student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 and have completed at least 12 college units after high school graduation, at the time the student applies to the program. In addition, the student must be 18 years of age at the time of boarding the airplane.
Provisional Student Enrollment Deadline TBA
Students who do NOT meet the application criteria (of at least 12 units and at least a 2.25 GPA) may use their current semester progress report to assist with meeting the criteria. Students will be approved to the Study Abroad Program after the progress report has been reviewed by the Dean of the Study Abroad program. Contact email to htakanashi@4cd.edu with questions. Provisional students who finish the semester without meeting any of the minimum requirements will be dropped from the program.
Application Process
Enroll online to complete your application. Once you have applied online through AIFS and have placed your $450 deposit, you will be contacted by CCCCD’s Study Abroad Office.
Submit the Agreement Between the Foreign Study Student and the Northern California Study Abroad Consortium. You can get this form at the Study Abroad office.
Financial Aid Office
- Complete the FAFSA
- Contact Sonya Castro at the DVC Financial Aid Office at scastro@dvc.edu.
Scholarship Information
- AIFS Scholarships Application DEADLINE: Friday, June 13, 2025 (request application Harue Takanashi after you're approved)
- Gilman Scholarship DEADLINE: Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 11:59pm Pacific Time
- Contact Scholarship office
AIFS Program Cancellation and Refund Policies
Please see the important dates section at the top of this page when considering a refund and/or cancellation. You are responsible for checking the AIFS Agreement & Release form about any refund dates and potential cancellation fees! Students who withdraw after December 6, 2024, could be liable and billed by AIFS for any canceled bookings they signed up for (such as airfare & Scotland excursion, etc.). Students should therefore inform AIFS as soon as possible if they need to withdraw from the program.
-
AIFS provides details of its cancellation policies on its website; it is your responsibility to be familiar with them. AIFS will also recommend that you consider purchasing additional trip cancellation or interruption insurance with Travel Insured International (TII).
This policy includes options to cancel for any reason (CFAR) and interrupt for any reason (IFAR). Details of the Worldwide Trip Protector Plans with Travel Insured International is underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, rated A (Excellent) by AM Best. The policy is time-sensitive and must be purchased within 21 days of the deposit payment. TII is not affiliated with the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD), and questions regarding such insurance should be directed to the company.
-
Refund requests must be done in writing to AIFS. They accept emails and that is generally the easiest way (customizedfacultyled@aifs.com). See the official AIFS refund policy on your Agreement & Release form on AIFS application.
You are responsible for checking the AIFS Agreement & Release form about any refund dates and potential cancellation fees. Check the important dates section at the top of this page.
Students should therefore inform AIFS as soon as possible if they need to withdraw from the program.
Additional Information