De Anza has run a summer study-abroad program most years since 2014, according to the college’s Office of Institutional Research and Planning. In summer 2025, students spent three weeks studying in Paris from July 7 to July 28. This coming summer, the college will offer the program in Barcelona for 2026
Sal Breiter, humanities professor, and Kim Palmore, English professor at De Anza, along with John Swensson, the college’s Global Education Partnerships coordinator, hosted an information session for the Barcelona trip planned for summer 2026; Breiter said going on the trip would generally cost $3,600 to $3,900.
Swensson said the costs may be high, but scholarships are available.
“We have donors who donate money, and we’ll give you $500, unless your parents made a million dollars last year,” Swensson said.
Breiter said once students fill out the scholarship application, it will bring the final cost down to between $3,200 and $3,600.
According to the study-abroad program’s webpage, the program will focus on literature, composition and psychology, with Paris as the backdrop. Some courses also fulfilled general education requirements, including composition, reading and introductory psychology.
The Barcelona program this summer will focus on English and humanities, but is open to any major as most of its classes meet general education requirements.
Rowan Martinez, 19, psychology major, said she first learned about the program at last year’s orientation.
“I saw a little card and I jumped at it. I needed to sign up right now,” Martinez said.
Martinez said that studying in Paris helped her grow personally as well as academically.
“It’s made me more independent and more social. I’ve opened up more,” Martinez said.
The previous summer program began with classes at De Anza from June 30 to July 3. Once in Paris, students attended three weeks of instruction.
Breiter said students are required to take two classes (8 units) but are encouraged to take three (12 units).
“We’ll have a few days in a classroom in Barcelona. Those days will be primarily for you to share your projects, the things that you’re excited about the things you’re documenting,” said Breiter. “Weekends will be open and free to you, so you will be able to choose to do whatever you want.”
Anthony Perez, 18, business major, said the trip in Paris helped him build friendships and confidence.
“It was the most talkative I’ve been in years,” Perez said. “I don’t usually talk but I made more friends than I have (before).”
Outside of class, students were given free time to explore the streets of Paris.
“After (class) we either had an excursion or the afternoon off,” Martinez said.
Julie Pesano, an English professor at De Anza, has led study abroad programs in Paris, London and at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland.
“Leading the Paris program last summer was one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching career,” Pesano said. “Watching students connect what we read and wrote in class to the streets, museums, and cafés of Paris was extraordinary.”
In summer 2026, students will have the opportunity to study humanities and English with Sal Breiter and Kim Palmore in Barcelona.
More information about the program is available on De Anza’s webpage.
“I don’t want anybody not going on the trip because of money,” Swensson said “We have a limit on our scholarships, but between financial aid, which you can use for a lot more than tuition and our scholarships, we’ll get you there.”
