BCA Barcelona, Spain

Enjoy churros and hot chocolate – a favorite snack in Valladolid – as you meet with your language exchange group, which includes study abroad students and local English-language learners of all ages. You’ll quickly share your country’s customs, traditions, slang words and sense of humor with each other. Spend time with your host family sharing meals, learning about their traditions and experiencing some of Valladolid’s celebrations, such as La Feria, a fall celebration dedicated to the patron saint of Valladolid, or the spring celebration of Semana Santa, one of the largest holy weeks in the world. You can also volunteer with organizations working in the community.

Your BCA Valladolid Resident Director was born and raised in the city and is committed to helping you find all the treasures it offers – even some unknown to many residents! Your RD helps you plug into festivals and activities going on in area. You’ll also venture outside of Valladolid with your RD as a guide. Excursions vary each semester but in the past have included Segovia, known for its iconic ancient Roman aqueduct; and Salamanca, home to one of the most beautiful plazas mayores in Spain

As an educational center focused entirely on Spanish language and culture, Universitas Castellae offers individualized attention to its students. The school hosts a small number of U.S. and other international students each semester. Universitas is in the heart of Valladolid with classrooms in the historic and culturally significant Plaza del Viejo – the city’s first bullring. Classes usually occur in the morning, so you can use the afternoon to pursue volunteer or internship opportunities in a variety of disciplines or interact with native speakers and explore the city independently. 

Community Connections

Cheltenham is a cultural hub! The city hosts more than 40 festivals throughout each year, attracting top international professionals. During the fall literature festival, Cheltenham welcomes more than 600 of the world’s best writers, actors, politicians and poets. In the spring, the city premiers international jazz legends and rising artists. Cheltenham is also home to the famous horse race, “The Cheltenham Gold Cup.” During one week in March, this event attracts more than 200,000 people from around the world – turning the whole city into one big celebration. 

Cultural Activities & Excursions

Experience Cheltenham and England as a local with the help of your Resident Director, who was born and raised there. Journey with your RD to different local treasures, historic sites and famous landmarks, designed to enhance and deepen your understanding and appreciation of your new home. Excursions outside of the city vary by semester but in the past have included Bath, with its famous Roman bathhouses, the infamous Neolithic stone formation Stonehenge, and London, the capital of the UK and one of the most famous cities in the world. 

Academics

At the University of Gloucestershire, you will study alongside British students and be among a diverse student body comprising international students from more than 40 countries. BCA students are often the only American students in their classes, making it easy to connect to local students and faculty. The university’s wide array of courses in many disciplines makes it an excellent location for you to fulfill major or general education requirements. Film studies, Sport & Exercise Science and Education are some of the top disciplines at the university.