Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS) – Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona, Spain

Spring Semester (February 1 - June 1, 2010)

Spring Semester 2010 closed

Sponsored by The Eli Broad College of Business

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program takes place in the capital of Cataluña in one of Spain’s most distinctive cities – Barcelona.  It is an exchange program for upper-level Broad College students only who will attend the Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS), an AACSB International peer institution and a federated member of the Universitat Ramon Llull.  The program will provide a high-quality academic experience in the Iberian Peninsula helping students complete Broad College requirements and electives.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll for a minimum 12 credits and may study:

• marketing
• international business
• logistics management
• negotiation
• The Spanish economy

These subjects will be taught in English.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 3.3 at the time of participation. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Students must be upper-level Broad majors.  Demonstrated Spanish language competency at no less than SPN 202 or SPN 250 (SPN at 300-level would be best, but native-like proficiency is highly preferred) is also required.  A personal interview will also be required of all applicants, as well as a written essay, in Spanish.

This program is open to MSU Broad College students only.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

There are two student residence options (Lessesps and Erasmus that maintain a relationship with the Universitat Ramon Llull) apart from privately-owned apartments and rooms.  Assistance on the later would be provided by the Barcelona Centre Universitari (the BCU is a non-profit government agency) that assists foreign students, as well as students from other regions in Spain, in locating housing across the city.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Reinaldo Torres-Borrero
The Eli Broad College of Business
332 Eppley Center
Phone: (517) 355-7605

Do I need a passport or visa?

All participants must have a valid passport and student visa for this program.

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.  It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

Funds paid directly by the student include:

• transportation to Spain
• accommodations
• meals
• books and supplies
• MSU tuition and fees*
• passport application fee
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visit
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees, a total for these costs is approximately $11,460 (SS10) per semester.

A program fee of $128 (SS10) is required and includes pre-departure orientation and requisite accident and sickness insurance

Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is October 15th for spring semester programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

How do I apply?

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).