PART 6: 

Planning Your Arrival

ARRIVING IN BARCELONA: fall, spring, and summer term students

TIP: PRINT THIS PAGE AND CARRY IT WITH YOU ON THE FLIGHT!

The below infographic will show you what to do when you arrive in Barcelona (whether you're arriving early or on the program start date) based on whether you're living in an apartment, residence hall, or homestay.

Note: If you are on a CUSTOMIZED PROGRAM (typically with a faculty member of your home university), you should double check your arrival info provided via email as your arrival instructions may be different from the information below.

BOOKING YOUR FLIGHT:


AT THE AIRPORT (TERMINAL 1):

Once you arrive at the airport, you'll have to go through passport control and get your luggage. Once you've done that, follow the signs to the Arrivals Hall, where there are lots of people holding signs with names on them. 

On the program start date, we will have a welcome table at La Tramoia Café (on the right hand side when you enter the Arrivals Hall after getting your checked luggage) from 9am to 2pm. Look for the Barcelona SAE signs - our staff will be waiting for you! If you cannot find La Tramoia Café or need to reach us for any other reason on arrival day, please send an email to arrival@barcelonasae.com or in the case of an emergency, call the program's emergency phone: (0034) 675 23 56 56.

Students should have a credit card or cash ready to pay for their transportation from the airport to the next destination to meet Barcelona staff. You can see all your options for getting from the airport into the city here (we recommend a taxi, which will cost around 35 euros). 

FROM THE AIRPORT:

Students living in A HOMESTAY OR A SHARED APARTMENT should come to our office (Carrer de Casp, 130) directly from the airport. You'll have a chance to meet other students, ask staff any questions you may have, and participate in a welcome session. Later in the day, we will help you get to your program housing via transportation paid by the program. Students living in a Homestay or in a Shared Apartment might need to wait in the office for their roommates to arrive in order to go together to their accommodation. If you have any questions, please contact your Barcelona SAE advisor for further instructions. 

Students living in A RESIDENCE HALL will go directly to their residence hall on their arrival day directly from the airport to check in and get settled. One of our program staff members will be in the lobby to help answer any questions and there will be a welcome session hosted by the Residence Hall staff. 

early and late arrivals

ARE YOU ARRIVING IN BARCELONA EARLY? 

If you're arriving in Barcelona before the official arrival date:

IS YOUR FLIGHT DELAYED OR CHANGED?

If your flight is delayed or changed, please email arrival@barcelonasae.com with your new information, and we'll respond via email to let you know where to go. If you haven't heard from us by the time you land in Barcelona, please call the emergency phone number (0034) 675 23 56 56. 

LATE ARRIVALS 

In order for students to have the best possible adaptation, it is critical that they arrive on the program start date. Furthermore, Barcelona SAE expects students to attend the required orientations. Late arrivals may be allowed only in very extenuating circumstances. Please note that requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and approval is not guaranteed. We advise that students do not finalize any travel arrangements until their Barcelona SAE advisor has confirmed that permission for a late arrival has been granted.

LOST BAGGAGE

If your luggage is lost, don't panic. Unfortunately this happens more than it should, but most participants get their bags back 24-48 hours later. DON'T leave the baggage hall and DO fill out a lost luggage claim form. 

IF YOUR LUGGAGE IS LOST

Fill out the lost luggage claim report with the airline and ask that your luggage be delivered to:

IF YOU'RE IN A STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL: your housing address

IF YOU'RE IN AN APARTMENT OR HOMESTAY: our office (you can find the address here). Please note that our office building is closed on the weekends, so if your luggage is set to arrive over the weekend, you should put the address of your apartment or homestay and you need to be sure that you are home throughout the weekend to receive the luggage). 

In either instance, be sure to alert either your residence hall front desk staff, homestay family, or our onsite staff that your luggage will be delivered.

The airline baggage claim service will usually give you a website and a code where you can track your misplaced bag if you want updates.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Occasionally, parents and family members will accompany their student to Barcelona before the start of the program. Please know, parents and family members are always welcome to visit Barcelona, but they will not be able to join you during the orientation activities or housing check-ins. We want you to have a seamless start to your new routine and have maximum opportunity to connect with the friends you'll be spending your study abroad semester with. Part of your success depends on you being able to navigate this transition independently. Should your parents or family members be in Barcelona during the program start date, they are welcome to stop by our office to meet our team, but they will be responsible for doing their own thing in the city while you participate in orientation and housing check-in. Of course, you are welcome to meet up with your parents and family members after the orientation activities are done for the day, but most students want to use this time to connect with friends.