UH Study Abroad Course 2025

The Department of Educational Foundations, together with the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Study Abroad Center, offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to study in Barcelona, Spain, and earn 6 credits through this Faculty-Sponsored Study Tour! In addition to being led by UH Professor Brent Edwards, the classes will entail guest lectures from faculty from Pompeu Fabra University, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and the University of Barcelona.

Watch this 3-minute video to begin the Barcelona experience!

Watch the recording of the information session.

Session 1

  • Date: Friday, September 27, 2024
  • Location: Wist 233
  • Time: 4-4:30pm

Session 2

  • Date: Friday, October 25, 2024
  • Location: Wist 233
  • Time: 4-5pm
  • Location: Zoom
  • RSVP HERE

Session 3

  • Date: Friday, November 22, 2024
  • Location: Wist 23
  • Time: 1:30-2:30pm
  • RSVP HERE

Session 4

  • Date: Thursday, December 12
  • Location: Zoom
  • Time: 4-5pm
  • 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 global processes of 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 in 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—challenges that are playing out in similar ways around the world.

Through this class, you will thus not only learn about and experience Barcelona, you will also gain insights into contemporary challenges that are facing societies around the world, 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, 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

  • EDEF667C – Global Governance of Education
  • EDEF771 – Seminar in Comparative/International Education

Undergraduate student courses

  • EDEF445 – Sociology of Education
  • EDEF360 – Introduction to Multicultural Education

Students can register for EDEF399/EDEF699 if they have already taken one of the courses above.

Each course will last 2 weeks.

See the syllabi

Courses taken in Barcelona will appear on UHM transcripts as UHM courses.

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 residence hall consists of two locations, with carefully designed studios that cater to the needs of all students. The residence halls offer premium services that include high-speed WiFi, gym, study rooms, maintenance, 24-hour state-of-the-art CCTV surveillance or centralised access control and personalised access code to enter the studio and common areas.

The student residence is Located right in the heart of Barcelona’s university area. From there, you’ll be able to cycle to the north and south campuses of the University of Barcelona. The residences are 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

The cost is $5318. This includes fees for credits, instructors, classroom usage, housing, excursions, and travel insurance. Flight and food are not included in this figure.

If 20 students register, each student will receive a $900 refund.

View more information on the cost breakdown

FINANCIAL AID

This course is considered full-time, so financial aid is available:

For more information on financial aid

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.
  • fill out the Study Abroad in Barcelona Application form with the following information: biographical data, academic background, statement of purpose, financial plans, transcripts.

1- What are the Program Dates?

 The first day of class will be Monday, June 2, 2025, beginning at 9am. The last day of required class activities will be Saturday, June 28, 2025. If possible, you are encouraged to arrive at least a few days before the first day of class. Given that the time difference will be 12 hours, it will take your body some time to adjust.

2- What are the program costs?

Here is the link to the updated cost table, with costs adjusted assuming

that at least 30 students participate.

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

Here is the slide deck with information about the program. 

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 use the “Meet the Community” doc to reach out to people and see if they’d like to dorm?

Yes, it is a good idea. 

6- Can students have access to the recordings of info sections?

Yes, Here 

7- 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.

8- What is the ETIAS permit and do I need it?

While the ETIAS isn’t a visa, it does require non-EU tourists to get pre-approval before their trip. Much like the United States’ ESTA system, the ETIAS is meant to track and monitor travelers to improve border security and reduce risks. The ETIAS is for citizens of countries outside the EU that don’t require a visa for short visits. For example, travelers from the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom will all need an ETIAS before authorization entering Schengen countries. Find more information here.

9- 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. Given that this is not a hotel, the process for reserving your room reflects the typical process for renting an apartment. Each student will make their own room reservation. The contact persons are: Arantza Menchaca (amenchaca@grupomoraval.com) and Duna Oltra (duna.oltra@nodis.es). You can go ahead and reach out to them to start the reservation process. Or, if you prefer to wait until we know exactly how many applicants pay the deposit, that is also fine.

The reservation process includes the following steps:

 (1) By April 1st at the latest, provide personal and bank information to Nodis and pay the 220 Euro reservation fee (note: this fee is already included in the housing expense in the cost table); 

(2) by April 8th, pay the security deposit of 1000 Euros (this will be returned to you upon checkout if no damage to the apartment); by May 1st, pay the monthly apartment rental fee (891 Euros). 

(3)  Nodis offers different kinds of apartments. When you communicate with them, be sure to indicate that you are requesting an “individual room in a silver apartment.” Also mention to them that you are part of the group coming from the University of Hawaii. 

Together, the reservation fee and the monthly rental fee total 1,111 Euros. As of December 29th, 2024, this equates to $1,155, which is the amount that you see in the cost table linked above. You want to make your reservation for the month of June 2025. If you want to arrive before the program begins or stay after the program ends, Nodis is open to this. Just let them know when you are making your reservation. Of course, if you stay for more than just the month of June, the cost for your housing will increase accordingly. 

If you know the person with whom you would like to share the apartment, both of you should indicate the name of the other person when communicating with Nodis in the reservation process. If you do not mention a specific name, you will be paired with someone from the group who is of the same gender. 

There are two Nodis apartment buildings. One is here (Travessera de Collblanc 71-75 B). The other is here (Rafael de Campalans 15). They are in the same area (13 minutes apart walking). I have reached out to Nodis to see if they are able to say at this point which building will accommodate our group. See here for pics of the rooms.

10- What is included in the Nodis apartment?

The apartment comes furnished but does not include some things that you will either want to bring or purchase in Barcelona. Specifically, I have been informed that the apartments come with neither bedding nor kitchen supplies. As such, you may like to bring a pillow and sheets. The good news is that Barcelona has temperatures in June that do not require either a lot of clothes nor a thick blanket at night. As you can see here, the temperatures generally range from 65F at night to a high of 79F during the day. For kitchen things, you can choose to purchase a “kitchen pack” from Nodis for 79 Euros. Or you may be able to purchase a few basic kitchen things for cheaper at stores in the area after you arrive. Separately, I note that two of the trip leaders will also be lodging in the Nodis apartments, so you will have support nearby if you need it.

11- Do students have to stay in the Nodis student apartments?

 No, it is not required. A couple of you, e.g., have family/friends in the area or will be traveling with your partner and so would like to stay elsewhere. That is fine. But you should let us know the address and the contact information in case of an emergency.

12- Can students pick a different kind of apartment in the student housing? Yes. We have suggested that participants share a two-bedroom apartment because it is more economical, but if you would like to reserve an individual apartment, that is okay.

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

Residència Universitària Resa Investigadors, Carrer de l’Hospital, 64, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, España

14- What is the address of the Nodis dorm?

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

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

It’s a 5 min walk to the subway and then 25 mins from there.

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

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

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

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

18-What are the prices of transportation?

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

19-  Arte 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!

20- What if students have a medical emergency? 

Plató Centre is one option they can visit.

21- 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. Actually, 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. 

22- 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.

23- 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.

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

The SAC will automatically register you for the 6 credits once they receive your Risk Management paperwork. This is a packet of required forms that you will be sent after you have paid the deposit.

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” (or writing-intensive) 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

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

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.’ I have been informed by Outreach College (the entity through which the 6 credits are offered) that you should reach out directly to the Study Abroad Center (uhmsac@hawaii.edu) about the paperwork necessary.

26- When (how soon) can students access summer financial aid?

The earliest is 10 days before the start of the program. The registration date does not affect the availability of funds. To receive financial aid it is required to be registered at least for 6 credits,  the amount of aid increases with the amount of credits. Financial Aid Process:

  1. Students pay their deposit to EDEF out of pocket
  2. The Financial Aid office will receive an official list of participants from the EDEF department
  3. In March, the Financial Aid office will send out a Google Form asking about if students want to do Summer Financial Aid
  4. Students fill out the form and allocated funds are calculated based on Department estimate of cost 
  5. Funds are released to students maximum of 10 days prior to the study abroad program
  6. All travel costs must be made out of pocket prior to the fund being released 
  7. If the actual cost of the trip differs from the Department estimate students can talk to the Financial Aid office to adjust amounts

27- Can students pay the fee to the Department of Educational Foundations to by money order or credit card?

 Yes, the Department of Educational Foundations can accept money orders. Credit cards are still to be confirmed. We hope to have more information about this soon.

28- Can veterans receive financial aid?

Veterans are eligible to receive financial assistance for study abroad. Undergraduate students receive ~$2800 for tuition plus a housing allowance. Graduate students receive $3900 plus a housing allowance. Contact this email address if you are a veteran: uhmva@hawaii.edu. In the subject line, put “Study Abroad Summer 2025”

29- 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). 

30- 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 approves 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.

31- 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. The information that we have now is that students can check in the residence from 3pm on the day of their arrival.

32- 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.

33- Can someone make the bank deposit on my behalf to secure the reservation with Nodis, the housing company? 

Yes. The bank transfer for the reservation can be made by another person, for example your partner, as long as the instructions on the form are followed in the concept: NAME and LAST NAME. For further questions about the housing reservation process, please don’t hesitate to to communicate with this address: reservas.barcelona@nodis.es.

34- 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 FATSA.

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 

35- 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.