• Session 1
  • Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
  • Location: Wist 233
  • Time: 1:30 – 2:30pm
  • RSVP HERE

• Session 2
  • Date: Friday, October 16th, 2026
  • Zoom
  • 4-5pm 
  • RSVP HERE

• Session 3: 
  • Date: Friday, November 13th, 2026
  • Location: Wist 233
  • Time: 1:30-2:30pm
  • RSVP HERE

• Session 4
  • Date: Friday, January 29th, 2027
  • Location: ZOOM
  • Time, 4-5pm
  • RSVP HERE’

• Session 5: 
  • Date: Friday, February 12th, 2027
  • Location: Wist 233
  • Time: 1:30-2:30pm
  • RSVP HERE

Autonomous University of Barcelona

The history of the UAB began on 6 June 1968, when the decree on the creation of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) was officially promulgated. One month later the first four faculties are created: Philosophy and Arts, Medicine, Science and Economics. Teaching activities at the UAB began in October 1968 in two of the new centres: the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, which was located in the Monastery of Sant Cugat del Vallès, and the Faculty of Medicine, which was located at the Hospital de Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona.

The purpose of this course is to understand the political, economic, social, and cultural connections between Barcelona, Spain, and the wider world. Within this broad focus, we will be exploring: (a) the implications for each of us (i.e., our role in social and educational change), (b) the contributions of—and consequences for—schools, educational processes, and the communities they serve, and (c) the roles of many different kinds of organizations working at the intersection of the global and the local. This course is guided by a concern with the ways that micro and macro processes of social change are connected and reinforce one another. In order to grasp these issues, we will immerse ourselves in and study both the historical and contemporary context of Barcelona. We will visit major cultural sites and will participate in cultural activities, while also being attentive to how the evolving context of globalization has created challenges and opportunities that are playing out in similar ways around the world.

Through this class, you will not only learn about and experience Barcelona; you will also gain insights into contemporary challenges that are facing people around the world (and especially in Hawaiʻi), and you will have a chance to think together with your classmates, professors, and guest lecturers about how we can respond to these challenges. These challenges relate to rising immigration, increasing diversity, economic inequality, growing intolerance, social marginalization, religious discrimination, racial tensions, climate change, language policy, and political movements (e.g., related to national independence). By bringing together the global/local and academic/personal dimensions of the course, and by putting them into conversation with experiential and informal learning (through excursions, museums, cultural immersion), this course offers a powerful opportunity not only for intellectual growth but also personal transformation. In order to accomplish these goals, the course draws on readings as well as on guest lectures, group discussion, documentaries, field trips to cultural sites, and excursions to cities outside Barcelona.

Graduate Student Courses

• EDEF630 – Cultural Diversity and Education
• EDEF771 – Seminar in Comparative/International Education

Undergraduate Student Courses

• EDEF450 – Comparative Education
• EDEF360 – Introduction to Multicultural Education

With advisor approval, students can register for EDEF399 (Independent Reading), EDEF649 (Field Studies), EDEF699 (Independent Reading), or EDEF740 (Internship), if they have already taken the courses above.

Courses taken in Barcelona will appear on UH Manoa transcripts as UH Manoa courses.

Program Calendar

• See the schedule of classes, excursions, and activities for 2027 (subject to change).

Barcelona, city, seaport, and capital of Barcelona provincia (province) and of Catalonia comunidad autónoma (autonomous community), northeastern Spain, located 90 miles (150 km) south of the French border. It is Spain’s major Mediterranean port and commercial centre and is famed for its individuality, cultural interest, and physical beauty. Although Barcelona is sometimes windy, its protective semicircle of mountains shields it from the harsh, cold winds that blow out of the north and west. The average annual temperature is 61 °F (16 °C); January is the coldest month, averaging 49 °F (9 °C), and August is the hottest, at 76 °F (24 °C). Precipitation amounts to about 23 inches (600 mm) per year.

At the core of the city lies the Gothic Quarter. Located between the Ramblas, a series of connected boulevards, going southeastward to the sea, and the Via Laietana, it is a close-packed maze of narrow streets punctuated by magnificent medieval buildings. The cathedral, episcopal palace, and churches bear witness to Barcelona’s importance as a religious centre. For the visitor, the main attraction still tends to be in the city centre, particularly around the Ramblas. The famous promenade is separated from L’Eixample by the monumental Catalunya Square, and it leads down to the port and the Portal de la Pau Square, where the Christopher Columbus monument stands in commemoration of the discovery of America and the explorer’s announcement of it in Barcelona. The Ramblas form one of the most delightful aspects of the city, their broad, tree-lined centre strips given over to a series of stalls and kiosks selling items such as flowers, pets, and books and newspapers.

The Nodis residence hall offers premium services that include high-speed WiFi, gym, study rooms, maintenance, 24-hour state-of-the-art CCTV surveillance, centralised access control and personalised access code to enter the apartments and common areas. Additional pics and information about the residence hall can be found here.

In the Nodis residence hall, each student will have their own bedroom in a two-bedroom apartment. 

The student residence is located right in the heart of Barcelona’s university area. Just two blocks from the subway, the residence is also well-connected by public transport to the rest of the city–and only a few stops from the heart of downtown. Additionally, it is only steps away from FC Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou stadium, and you can reach the city’s main sights and the beach in just a few minutes.

On class days, students will walk 5 mins to the Ernest Lluch subway station and will take the train 10 mins (7 stops) to reach the centrally-located neighborhood around the Diagonal subway station. Class sessions will be held at the Ilustre Colegio de la Abogacía, just a few blocks from Gaudi’s famous Pedrera house, the Paseig de Gracia (the city’s main commercial thoroughfare), and Plaza Catalunya (the heart of the city).

The cost for the 2027 program is approximately $5500 per student. This included fees for 6 credits, instructors, classroom usage, housing, excursions, and travel insurance. Flight and food are not included in this figure.

Eligibility requirements:

• current student status at UH Manoa is not required. If you are not currently a UH student, you would only need to submit the paperwork to Outreach College to be a ‘non-degree-seeking’ student for the summer.
• fill out the Study Abroad in Barcelona Application form with the following information: biographical data, academic background, statement of purpose, financial plans, and transcripts.

1- What are the Program Dates?

 The first day of the program will be June 9, 2027. The last day of required class activities will be July 9, 2027. If possible, you are encouraged to arrive at least a few days before the first day. Given that the time difference will be 12 hours, it will take your body some time to adjust.

2- What are the program costs?

Approximately $5500, based on a group size of at least 25 participants.

3- Can students get access to the program syllabi, calendar, excursions and information about guest speakers?

Syllabi will be shared in the spring semester, after admission. 

4-  How can HIDOE teachers ask for professional leave?

1. Get it approved with your principal verbally or via written request. 
2. Fill out the DOE OTM 300-001
3. Turn it in to your Sasa/ Principal
4. When you make an absence on TSEAS you click: Absence Reason Required –> 17 PROFESSIONAL DEV LV
5. PD leave comes out of our sick leave bank contractually.
6. Administrators do have the discretion to use “administration leave” or ” School sponsored workshop” leaves that would not impact a teacher’s sick leave bank though this depends on school budget and admin willingness. 

5- Can students reach out to other participants to explore the possibility of sharing a two-bedroom apartment together? 

Yes, this is encouraged.

6- What about visas/passports?

If you are a US citizen, you can enter Spain for up to 90 days without a visa. Yes, you do need a passport, and it needs to be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date from Spain. For both of these issues, see here. If you are not a US citizen, be sure to check the visa requirements for the country that issued your passport.

A new travel authorization system is being developed by the EU. As of September 2026, it is not yet operational. We will keep an eye out for updates.

Your passport will need to be valid for 6 months beyond the end of the program.

7- What are the options for accommodation in Barcelona?

This program counts on Nodis, a company that specializes in apartments for university students. Each student will have a private bedroom in a two-bedroom apartment with a shared bathroom and shared kitchen. Steps for reserving rooms will be shared directly with participants.

8- Can students pick a different kind of apartment in the student housing? 

There may be a few single rooms available. Inquire with program leadership after admission.

9- What is the address where the classes will take place?

Classes will be held here.

10- What is the address of the Nodis dorm?

Travessera de Collblanc, 71, b, 08904 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España

11- How long does it take from the Nodis dorm to the class place?

It’s a 5 min walk to the subway, a 10-min subway ride, and then a 5-min walk.

12- How to get from the airport to the housing?

According to Google Maps, it takes 15 mins by car, 45 mins by public transport

13-How to Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona City Centre?

There are public and private transportation options. See this link for more information

14-What are the prices of transportation?

 It depends on what option you chose. See this website for Subway/busTickets and Fares 

15-  Are there food options near the school?

There’s a variety of restaurants nearby the school. See this guide and pick the ones you would like to visit!

16- What if students have a medical emergency? 

Plató Centre is one option they can visit.

17- Are there food options around the Nodis dorm?

– There are four grocery stores within 4-6 blocks. One. Two. Three. Four.

– There are some bakeries: One. Two. Three. 

– and a handful of restaurants, also within 5 blocks: One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

There are other options, these are just examples. If you walk 10 mins in the direction of the Collblanc subway station, just beyond that, the number of options for restaurants, etc. increases greatly. The area turns from residential to more commercial, with stores lined on both sides of the main street. And of course if you catch the subway (about 3 blocks from the apartment), you can access many other areas. The center of the city, where we will have class, has all kinds of options. 

18- What is the dominant religion in Spain?

Spain is a Catholic country, and many things are closed on Sundays or have restricted hours. This is true of the residential area where we will be staying. Just wanted to mention that in case you arrive on a Sunday.

19- What is the “siesta”?

The siesta is a period of the day, right after lunch, that people take to go home and sleep. As a consequence, in places that practice la siesta, commerce stops for a few hours in the middle of the day, and the streets become quite empty. Find more information here.

20- What is the procedure for UH students to register the credits of this course?

Students will register via the STAR system, once the classes have been created by Outreach College.

For undergraduates, you want to be sure that the credits for this program show up correctly in your STAR report. Study abroad courses often show up in STAR as ‘not in plan’ when they should, in fact, appear as ‘in plan.’ Be sure to check your degree program sheet to see if/where the courses for this study abroad program fit into your degree plan. These courses count as “DS” credits with the “W” (writing-intensive) and “E” (ethics) focus designations. See this webpage for links to all program sheets for all majors across UH Manoa. If the credits for this program show up incorrectly in your STAR report as ‘not in plan, you should contact your academic advisor. They have the power to change the designation in the STAR system

21- What is the procedure for NON UH students to register for credits?

This note only applies to you if you are NOT currently enrolled as a UH degree-seeking student. At a minimum, to participate in the program, you must be in the system as a ‘non-degree-seeking student.’ Reach out to Outreach College to ask for the form to apply to be student for the purpose of taking summer classes.

22- How do students pay the fee to the Department of Educational Foundations?

Students are able to make the payment by credit card online via their student accounts.

23- Can students have Amazon packages delivered to the student housing address? 

Yes, it is possible, once the students are lodged in the residence. Before students arrive, the residence will not accept any deliveries. The delivery address is:

Residencia Nodis Barcelona Carrer de Rafael Campalans, 15,  08903 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona

Students should contact Nodis if more information is needed. The contact persons are: Arantza Menchaca (amenchaca@grupomoraval.com) and Duna Oltra (duna.oltra@nodis.es).

24– Can guests sleep in the same room?

Someone can stay in the room with you for 3 days at no cost.  But, in a shared apartment, it would be required that the other resident approve of the visit. If the visit extends for more than 3 days, an extra payment of 20€ per night/person will be required. It is necessary that the students that want to have their partner over let the residence know at least 48h before the visit begins.

25- What is the check-in process in the Nodis dorm? 

The check-in process will be specified by the residence company once students make their reservation. Officially, students can check in the residence from 3pm on the day of their arrival, though it may be possible to check in earlier.

26- Can students check-in to the Nodis dorm at any time, even on a Sunday?

Yes, any day at any time, because students will have digital access to the building once they make their reservation. But, everyone must make sure to let Nodis know by email their date and time of arrival in advance.

27- Can International Students access federal Funding for financial assistance?

Students from Micronesia, Palao and Samoa can get some kind of Federal Aid, but they have to complete their FAFSA.

International Students from other countries will not be eligible for Federal Funding, but there might be some options available with the Office of International Student Services. 

Here is a link international students can explore for scholarships: https://www.hawaii.edu/issmanoa/?page_id=2533 

28- Are there any language requirements?

There is no language requirement. Two of the three trip leaders speak Spanish fluently and will be able to help you navigate language difficulties (e.g., when buying museum or train tickets, etc.). Barcelona is a city that receives many tourists, and so it is unlikely that significant language issues will arise.