While enrolled in a Barcelona program, it is expected that participants will abide by the following Code of Conduct, the Onsite Code of Conduct Addendum, and the Code of Conduct of participants' home institutions. Any violation of this code will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program with no refund.
While abroad, participants act as representatives not only of their home country and home institutions but their study abroad provider as well. In addition to the program code, we expect all participants to behave in a manner that is respectful of all people, customs, laws, and property. As a student, you are responsible for researching and understanding Spain’s laws, as well as making yourself familiar with all relevant information related to safety, health, political, religious, and cultural conditions of the host country.
While in a foreign country, participants are subject to that country’s laws and regulations. The laws of a participant’s home country may differ from that of the host country and participant(s) will not necessarily have the same protections as they would in their home country. Any participant convicted of a crime abroad can expect incarceration and/or fines, and the program will not assist in legal matters caused by a participant’s use of alcohol or drugs.
Violation of any of the following may result in disciplinary action:
Violation of the Alcohol and Drug Use Policy
Criminal behavior or violation of local laws, including theft or vandalism
Violation of host university’s rules, including policies of academic integrity regarding plagiarism or cheating
Repeated intoxication
Discriminatory or abusive language, bias, or behavior towards our staff, university faculty/staff, host family members, or other program participants
Sexual harassment
Disorderly, indecent, or obscene conduct
Violent behavior
Damage to facilities, housing, universities, hotels, or transportation vehicles of Barcelona SAE and/or onsite partners
Falsification of documents or personal records submitted to Barcelona SAE or onsite partners as part of the application or acceptance process
Any inappropriate conduct including but not limited to any violation of Barcelona SAE or other provider policies
Participants who are of legal drinking age in Spain and choose to drink alcohol are responsible for their actions at all times. Excessive drinking may be grounds for dismissal, as it can affect the safety of the group and/or the individual.
Intoxicated participants will not be allowed to participate in any excursion or activity, and will not receive a refund for the missed excursion or activity. No drinking will be allowed during program activities, classes, or internship placements except for rare occasions in which tasting is part of the activity or an executive team staff member (or university partner) has made the decision to allow it. In these cases, participants are expected to show culturally sensitive norms related to alcohol use.
The use, sale, or possession of illegal drugs by participants is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action, up to and/or including dismissal from the program. The alcohol and drug policy is taken very seriously and any participants in violation will be appropriately disciplined. The study abroad provider reserves the right to request drug tests in the case of reasonable suspicion of illegal drug consumption during the program.
Please note that it is illegal for anyone under 18 to consume any alcoholic beverages in Spain. Participants who are under 18 years old are expected to refrain from drinking alcohol during the program’s duration. Should it come to the study abroad provider's attention that a participant under 18 has been drinking, returning home or to class intoxicated or hungover, or causes a behavioral disruption with reason to believe it was linked to consumption of alcohol or drugs, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
Our onsite staff will determine the seriousness of any given offense, issue the appropriate warning to the participant, and inform the participant's home university of the action taken. When necessary, our onsite staff will investigate and/or review an incident before taking disciplinary action.
If a student engages in violent behavior towards any member of the onsite staff, host family, university faculty/staff, or other participant(s), they will be immediately removed from the program.
Different actions will be taken depending on the severity of the breakages of the Code of Conduct.:
A severe offense will result in an official warning. With an official warning, a participant will be put on probation, meaning that any additional breach of the Code of Conduct will result in a loss of privilege (such as housing, attendance to activities,…)
Some examples might include but are not limited to:
A student intentionally causes damage to a property
A student does independent housing without the program’s permission
A student acts aggressively (physically or verbally)
A student puts themself or other participants at risk
A student fails to attend class or internship for several consecutive days without the program’s approval
Depending on the type of offense, it may lead to eviction from the program. This decision will be taken by BSA Executive Team alongside the student's home university.
Important: If a student is dismissed from the program there will be no refund
Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:
Notification: the study abroad provider will notify the participant’s home university of any violation of program policies.
Restitution: participant(s) may be required to pay for damages or theft.
Loss of privileges: participant(s) may be denied permission to participate in activities, excursions, and more, whether permanently or for a designated time period. No refund will be given for missed activities.
Housing termination: the study abroad provider has the authority to remove any participant from his/her residence and/or the program in the case of inappropriate behavior. If this occurs, the participant must then find alternative housing at his/her own expense. No refunds for housing payments will be given.
Probation: participant(s) may be given disciplinary probation in the case of inappropriate behavior. Any further violation during probation will result in dismissal.
Academic discipline: participant(s) may have disciplinary actions from their host institution, including expulsion from the institution depending on the infraction.
Dismissal: participant(s) may be permanently expelled from the program. The dismissed participant will not receive a refund of any kind.
Termination of participation does not diminish or otherwise affect the participant’s obligation to make any and all payments to the program. The dismissed participant will not receive any grades or transcript and may be required to reimburse his/her home university for financial aid received. The home university may take appropriate action in response to dismissal, such as denying registration, suspension, or dismissal from the home institution.
As a participant on a Barcelona program, I agree that it is my intention to act as a goodwill ambassador and conduct myself in an appropriate manner at all times. I have read the Code of Conduct carefully and I agree to follow the rules and regulations set forth.
In addition to this Code of Conduct, I agree to abide by the Onsite Code of Conduct Addendum that outlines further rules regarding Health & Safety, Activities & Orientation, Academics (When Applicable), and Internships (When Applicable).
If I violate any portion of the Code of Conduct, I understand that I will be subject to expulsion from the program and face possible disciplinary action upon returning to my home university. If I am sent home due to a violation of this contract, I understand that I will be sent home at my own expense.
I understand and agree that I and/or my family will be held financially responsible for any additional expenses incurred due to my behavior or actions.
I understand that Barcelona SAE reserves the right to communicate with the Emergency Contacts that I provided in the Emergency Contact & FERPA Form, in the event that the staff has a concern about my health and safety onsite. This may mean communicating the status of my physical or mental health, medical treatments, academic performance and/or behavioral incidents.