The UAB Barcelona Summer School opens its doors
24/06/2019
The UAB Barcelona Summer School, summer courses lasting three weeks offered mainly in English and aimed at foreign students interested in studying in Barcelona, opened its doors on Tuesday 25 June with a welcoming session at the UAB Cinema Hall. This year's international students enrolled in one of the 18 courses come from the United States, CAnada, Egypt, Mexico, France, South Korea, Italy and Morocco, to name a few.
At the welcoming session, Vice Rector for International Relations Màrius Martínez thanked the students for their interest in the UAB and encouraged them to make the most out of their time here, both academically, personally and culturally. Graham Mortyn, Academic Director of the UAB Barcelona Summer School, offered more detailed information on some of the academic aspects, while Fiona Megan, lecturer at the UAB Language Services, gave a brief introduction to the language and culture of Catalonia. A representative from the Mossos d'Esquadra police force gave them basic tips on safety and finally, Vice Rector for Students Sara Moreno presented the Buddy Programme as well as a few buddies, volunteers who will accompany students on their stay here and help them will all non-academic aspects.
Three-Week Courses Offered in Two Different Periods
The courses offered include a variety of different academic areas and, although the majority are offered in English, international students also have the chance to enrol in Spanish as a foreign language. Classes are held at the UAB campus in two different periods: from 25 June to 12 July and from 15 July to 2 August.
Students have free access to the Physical Activity Service (SAF) during their three-week stay. A maximum of five places have been reserved for UAB students in each of the courses offered in the UAB Barcelona Summer School.
These courses can later be validated for six ECTS credits per course. A large amount of academic areas are covered and although many courses are offered in English, students can also opt for learning and improving their Spanish as a foreign language. Courses will be offered at the UAB campus in two different periods: the first period will take place from 25 June to 12 July, and the second period will take place from 15 July to 2 August.
The offer includes courses on economics, geography, the environment, history, etc. New courses this year focus on bioethics, Spanish as a foreign language (levels A2 and B1), behavioural neuroscience, journalistic genre and visions of contemporary Spain through the cinema. All courses will take place in the morning and the afternoon will be dedicated to complementary basic level Spanish courses (level A1) worth two ECTS credits and to a set of fun activities to help students get to know each other and discover the UAB and its surroundings.
Throughout the three weeks, students will be able to practice languages, stroll around campus, take part in sports activities, meet people at the international pot luck, and discover the UAB's human tower builders Ganàpies. The UAB Barcelona Summer School also includes the Buddy Programme, which aims to help foreign students to come into contact with other students from abroad and from the UAB with the aim of discovering the campus and familiarising themselves with the cultural activities and local associations.
Refugee students currently living at the UAB Vila Universitària and who are originally from Honduras, Syria and Egypt will also be attending courses.
This international initiative by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona has grown year after year: it began in 2016 with 5 courses and some 50 students; in the second edition in 2017 there were already 12 different courses and the number of students reached 100; while last year the UAB offered 15 courses and this year there are 18 different courses available.
More information:
UAB Barcelona Summer School