Barcelona 2024

Barcelona, Spain : Spring 2024

We are excited to announce Citrus College and the Southern California Foothills Consortium's (SCFC) return to Barcelona, Spain! During our spring 12-week program, students will experience Barcelona's eclectic architecture, beautiful coastline, and artistic sophistication while enrolled in CSU/UC transferable community college courses. Barcelona is home to Antoni Gaudi's fantastic Sagrada Familia church and Parc Guell, as well as major museums featuring modernists Miro and Picasso and Catalan art. Although the city's origins can be traced back to the first century BC, Barcelona is also a very modern city and transportation hub with easy access to all of Europe's popular destinations via its international airport and high-speed rail system.

Watch a short video of your faculty discussing their courses and the Barcelona program.
View a Citrus student’s amazing "My Spain Study Abroad Experience" Seville YouTube video.
Click here to watch Citrus and SCFC students discuss studying in Spain, homestays, finances and more.

Program Dates

Thursday, February 29, 2024 : Depart the United States
Friday, March 1, 2024 : Arrive in Barcelona, Spain
Saturday, May 25, 2024 : Depart Barcelona, Spain

photo of Barcelona street

Students from any community college or university can participate in our study abroad programs as long as they meet the following eligibility requirements: a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in at least 12 units of previous college-level course work at an accredited college. First semester students enrolled in 12 units may be accommodated if their campus coordinator approves a progress report. Students must be at least 18-years-old by the program start date.

Affording Study Abroad

Click here to watch our recent financial aid and study abroad workshop.
Click here to a watch a recording of the scholarship and fundraising meeting.
Click here to view the "AIFS Funding Your Study Abroad" meeting slides.

Upcoming Meetings+-

For program information and fundraising/scholarship workshops, attend the following meetings.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information+-

Financial Aid

Awards and loans are available for the spring 2024 semester through Citrus College Financial Aid. After applying and receiving a Citrus College student ID number, click here to complete the financial aid request form.

*IF YOU ARE USING LOANS, BE SURE TO REQUEST A FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN.

Scholarship

In order to minimize your reliance on financial aid/loans be sure to budget, plan, fundraise, and apply to as many scholarships as possible.

Review our "Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay" worksheet. Be certain make an appointment with your study abroad advisor, writing center, or faculty for essay review and assistance.

AIFS Ambassador Scholarship: five are available for Southern California Foothill Consortium college students. (See page 2 for application instructions.)

The Gilman scholarship awards Pell Grant eligible students (required) a maximum of $5,000 per program (usually $2,000-$3,000).
Deadline: first Tuesday of October for winter and spring programs (or you can submit early for summer and fall) and the first Tuesday of March for summer and fall programs (or submit early for winter and spring).
View the Gilman overview presentation slides as a PDF file.

Your college's financial aid web page will likely have information about internal and external scholarships. Citrus College's internal scholarships open in the spring and close in May.

Download our scholarship and fundraising information sheet (PDF) for resources. Additional scholarship resources and links are available for viewing in a spreadsheet format.

Click here to download the slides from our Funding Your Study Abroad presentation. (PDF file)

Why Choose this Program?+-

Academics and Eligibility Requirements

This program allows you to study in Madrid, Spain while enrolled in Citrus College courses; the courses are UC and/or CSU transferable. The onsite courses are limited to the faculty participating in the program but students may also enroll in Citrus College's online education courses. Click on the brochure button above for complete course information.

If you are a student veteran, be sure to check in with the Veteran Success Center or contact director Maria Buffo at (626) 852-6457.

Personal

Study abroad is a transformative, life-changing experience that will broaden students understanding of themselves and the world. There are numerous tangible benefits to study abroad alumni including: increased self-confidence, improved GPA, lower unemployment rates, and higher starting salaries.

Check out UC Merced's What Statistics Show about Study Abroad Students page for more information.

Program Costs: What is Included?+-

The AIFS program fee is $8645 (apartment option) or $9195 (homestay option) based on an enrollment of 45 or more participants.

See the timeline and fee schedule document for details.

Program Deadlines+-

Wednesday, November 21, 2023: $450 enrollment deposit deadline

Friday, December 28, 2023: Entire balance due (financial aid students will pay the majority of fees when they receive their awards/refunds)

Saturday, January 27, 2024: Mandatory orientation

AIFS Refund Policy+-

Email kwinslow@aifs.com and provide withdrawal intent.

Withdrawal on or before Wednesday, November 28, 2023
All fees paid less a $150 processing fee
Withdrawal after Wednesday, November 28, 2023 but on or before Friday, December 28, 2023
All fees paid less the $450 deposit and any non-refundable deposits paid by the student or by AIFS on the student's behalf
Withdrawal after Thursday, December 28, 2023
No refund and the total program fee is due
Withdrawal once the program has begun
No refund