Barcelona SAE

What Barcelona SAE does

Barcelona SAE (Barcelona Study Abroad Experience) is a boutique education abroad provider founded around 2009-2010 and headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, with U.S. operations based in Phoenix, Arizona and an additional office in Easthamptorn, Massachusetts. The company specializes exclusively in Barcelona as a study abroad destination, offering semester programs at the Barcelona SAE Academic Center (SIS) and through partner universities (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and Universitat de Vic), summer programs starting at $5,595, and 12-week customized internship placements priced at $8,990. Program fees range from $14,395 to $18,695 per semester and include tuition, housing, cultural activities, orientations, insurance, and support, with credit transfer managed via Jacksonville University as the U.S. School of Record.

The business operates on a B2B2C distribution model anchored by an Affiliate Partnership Program with over 60 U.S. colleges and universities that channel students through their home study abroad offices, supplemented by direct-to-consumer applications via the company website. Technology infrastructure is standard SaaS rather than proprietary: HubSpot CRM for student advising and enrollment, Stripe for payment processing, a custom student portal for applications and communication, and Alitu for podcast hosting of the "Beyond Las Ramblas" content series. The company has invested in content marketing, alumni ambassador programs, and TikTok presence to drive top-of-funnel awareness. The TODOS (Outcomes-Driven Diversity Outreach Strategy) framework disburses nearly $400,000 annually in grants and scholarships targeting HBCU, MSI, and Pell Grant-eligible students, functioning as both an access initiative and a competitive differentiator in the diversity-focused segment.

In July 2025, Barcelona SAE was acquired by CEA CAPA Education Abroad, a portfolio company of Infinedi Partners, alongside CIS Abroad and CISaustralia, transitioning the company from independent founder-led operation (under Rich Kurtzman, now Advisor to the Board) into a multi-brand education abroad platform. Post-acquisition, lead capture on the Barcelona SAE website now redirects to ceastudyabroad.com, signaling operational integration into the parent network. Customer ratings consistently place the company among the top-rated Barcelona study abroad providers (4.9/5 GoOverseas, 9.2/10 GoAbroad, 4.6 Abroad101), and the company maintains industry affiliations with NAFSA and IIE Generation Study Abroad.

Name

Barcelona SAE

Legal name

Barcelona Study Abroad Experience

Website

https://barcelonasae.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Barcelona SAE is a boutique education abroad provider exclusively offering semester, summer, and customized internship programs in Barcelona, Spain to U.S. college students through 60+ university affiliate partnerships, with nearly $400,000 in annual diversity scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Study Abroad and Internship Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Direct Enrollment & Third-Party University Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Thematic & Discipline-Specific Study Abroad Programs (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAAAC), Study Abroad Program Management & Administration (for Institutions) (EDAIAAAJ)

Keywords

• Study abroad programs
• Internship programs
• Education abroad services
• Cultural immersion programs
• Academic credit transfer

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Semester Study Abroad Programs: Students pay program fees for semester-length study abroad programs at partner universities in Barcelona. Fees range from $14,395 to $18,695 depending on the program track, with tuition, housing, cultural activities, and support services included.
2. Summer Study Abroad Programs: Shorter summer programs starting at $5,595 for students seeking condensed study abroad experiences in Barcelona
3. Customized Internship Programs: 12-week internship programs in Barcelona priced at $8,990, providing professional experience with academic credit
4. Grants and Scholarships Disbursement: Barcelona SAE awards nearly $400,000 annually in grants and scholarships to students. While this represents funds disbursed to students (reducing net revenue), it enables higher program accessibility and enrollment volume.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Barcelona SAE is a boutique study abroad and internship program provider specializing exclusively in Barcelona, Spain. It designs and delivers semester and summer academic programs at partner universities, customized professional internship placements, and hybrid academic-internship experiences for primarily U.S. undergraduate and graduate students seeking academic credit and cultural immersion abroad. Program fees include tuition, housing, cultural activities, orientations, insurance, and on-site support.

Product overview

Barcelona SAE (Study Abroad Experience) is a boutique study abroad and internship program provider specializing exclusively in Barcelona, Spain. The company offers a portfolio of academic programs including semester and summer study abroad options at multiple Barcelona universities, customized professional internships, and hybrid programs combining classroom learning with experiential components. Core programs include the Barcelona SAE Academic Center (SIS) semester programs, SIS + UPF combined programs, UPF's Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS), University partnerships with UAB and UB for Spanish language and business studies, and professional internship placements. Supporting services include TODOS diversity-focused scholarships and grants (nearly $400,000 annually), housing options (homestays, residence halls, shared apartments), cultural activities, and the Beyond Las Ramblas podcast. In July 2025, Barcelona SAE was acquired by CEA CAPA Education Abroad as part of Infinedi Partners' portfolio expansion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Barcelona SAE Academic Center (SIS) Semester Program Immersive academic semester at the Barcelona SAE Academic Center (SIS) with small classes, personalized support, and diverse high-quality courses taught by local and international faculty. Students earn 12-18 credits.
• SIS + UPF Semester Program Hybrid semester combining courses at Barcelona SAE Academic Center (SIS) city center campus and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) Ciutadella campus. Students earn 12 credits total with 6 credits at each institution.
• UPF Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS) Interdisciplinary semester at UPF fostering collaboration between international and local students through STEM, Communication, Humanities, and Social Sciences courses taught in English and/or Spanish.
• Customized Internships Professional internship placements in Barcelona across various fields available for academic credit, including career development, resume building workshops, and networking events.
• SIS + Internship Semester Program Combined program offering 9 academic credits through coursework at SIS plus a 3-credit professional internship in a variety of fields, with options in English and/or Spanish.
• SIS + UVic Semester Program Hybrid experience blending small personalized courses at SIS with hands-on business and design options at Universitat de Vic (UVic) cutting-edge campus.
• UAB International Business & Humanities Program Semester program at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona focusing on international business and humanities studies through partnership between Barcelona SAE and UAB.
• UB Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies Program Semester program at Universitat de Barcelona offering Spanish language courses at all proficiency levels combined with Hispanic studies academic content.
• Barcelona SAE Academic Center (SIS) Summer Program Intensive summer study abroad option at the Barcelona SAE Academic Center (SIS) with world-class professors, small class sizes, and signature Barce-Local curriculum providing immersive academic experience.
• UMiami Start Abroad Specialized study abroad program in partnership with University of Miami allowing UMiami students to start their international education experience abroad in Barcelona.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.9/5 average rating on Go Overseas from student reviews
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CEA CAPA Education AbroadcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 July 2025Barcelona SAE was acquired by Infinedi Partners' portfolio company CEA CAPA Education Abroad, which also acquired CIS Abroad and CISaustralia from Global Educators. CEA CAPA is a leading provider of education abroad programs, and Barcelona SAE now operates as part of their network of study abroad and career readiness organizations serving students from the US and Australia across multiple continents.
• Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary university partner for the Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS) and hybrid semester programs. Founded in 1990, UPF is Spain's #1 ranked university (2022) and provides the campus facilities and faculty for international students. Barcelona SAE offers SIS + UPF combined programs where students take courses at both institutions.
• Universitat de Barcelona (UB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university for Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies semester programs. UB, founded in 1450, is one of Barcelona's oldest and most prestigious universities, offering courses for international students alongside local students.
• Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for International Business & Humanities semester programs. UAB offers international students opportunity to study alongside Spanish and international peers in business and humanities disciplines.
• Universitat de Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for SIS + UVic hybrid semester programs, offering hands-on business and design options at UVic's cutting-edge campus alongside SIS courses.
• Jacksonville UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S. School of Record for Barcelona SAE Academic Center (SIS) courses. Jacksonville University, accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), provides official transcripts for SIS coursework, ensuring credit transfer to students' home institutions.
• Homestay FamiliescoreOthersLocal Barcelona families who host students in their homes, providing breakfast and dinner daily. Homestays offer students authentic cultural immersion, Spanish language practice opportunities, and a support network during their time abroad.
• Affiliate Partner Universities (60+)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 60 U.S. colleges and universities in Barcelona SAE's Affiliate Partnership Program. Partners include University of Michigan, UC Riverside, DePaul University, University of Georgia, and many others. Partner institutions receive automatic grants to offer their students ($250-$1,000 per student).
• FundMyTravelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline fundraising platform partnership allowing Barcelona SAE participants to create campaign pages and raise funds for their study abroad experience. FundMyTravel provides tips, insights, and sharing tools for campaign exposure.
• Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship ProgramcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBarcelona SAE supports Gilman Scholarship applicants by offering additional grants ($500 for semester, $250 for summer/internship) to eligible students who successfully apply for the federal scholarship. The Gilman program has made education abroad attainable for generations of students.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CEA Study Abroad: CEA Study Abroad is the legacy flagship brand of CEA CAPA Education Abroad and a direct study abroad competitor — both organizations were combined under the same parent (Infinedi Partners) in 2025. They overlap on Barcelona offerings, US university partnerships, and academic-credit structures.
• ISA (International Studies Abroad) by Worldstrides: ISA, part of Worldstrides, is a multi-destination study abroad provider with extensive Barcelona programming. It targets the same US undergraduate audience via university partnerships and offers comparable semester, summer, and internship products.
• API (Academic Programs International): API is a US-focused study abroad provider with significant Barcelona offerings and a comparable multi-university partnership model. It competes directly for affiliate university relationships and for-credit semester enrollments.
• CIS Abroad: CIS Abroad is a US-focused study abroad provider offering semester, summer, and internship programs across multiple destinations. It was acquired alongside Barcelona SAE by CEA CAPA / Infinedi Partners in July 2025, making it a direct sibling competitor.
• USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium): USAC is a nonprofit study abroad consortium affiliated with the University of Nevada, Reno, offering programs in dozens of locations including Barcelona. It targets the same US university partner and undergraduate student base.
• CISaustralia: CISaustralia is a study abroad provider focused on Australian students and was acquired alongside Barcelona SAE by CEA CAPA / Infinedi Partners. While geographically complementary rather than directly overlapping in destination, it shares the same parent and similar boutique operating model.

Broad incumbents

• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is the largest and oldest US study abroad provider, operating programs across dozens of cities including Barcelona. It competes for the same US undergraduate student and university-affiliate demand, but at significantly larger scale and with a multi-destination portfolio.
• IES Abroad: IES Abroad is a large nonprofit study abroad organization operating across multiple European cities including Barcelona. It competes on academic quality, credit transfer, and university partnerships with a broader portfolio than Barcelona SAE.

Emerging players

• SAI (Study Abroad Italy): SAI is a boutique single-country study abroad provider specializing in Italy. It is a structural analog to Barcelona SAE in operating model — narrow geographic focus, US affiliate partnerships, semester and summer offerings — making it a useful comparable for the boutique single-destination thesis.
• Academic Studies Abroad (ASA): ASA is a boutique study abroad provider with strong Barcelona and other European programs. It competes for the same US undergraduate audience and similar price points, with comparable university-credit arrangements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Barcelona_SAE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/barcelona-sae
• Instagraminstagram.com/barcelonasae
• Facebookfacebook.com/BarcelonaSAE

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Barcelona SAE