Global Architecture + Design
Designed for students with a background in architecture, design, and sustainability, the Global Architecture + Design program invites students to experience Barcelona's countless cultural wonders while earning college credits.
When class is in session at CIEE Barcelona's partner school IaaC (Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia), students will focus on creating model cities that address climate change by reducing the environmental footprint of buildings. Experts from Barcelona's architecture and design community will deliver all seminars, hands-on workshops, and courses in English and provide students with access to today's cutting-edge technology. Additionally, required courses are complemented with CIEE electives, taught in English or Spanish, that feature co-curricular activities and excursions organized by CIEE.
Outside the classroom, you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy all Spain's most popular city has to offer. From indulging in mouth-watering tapas at Mercado de La Boqueria to exploring the Picasso Museum, you will discover firsthand just how magical Barcelona is during your semester abroad in this beautiful Spanish beach city.
Unique Experiences
USE FABLAB FACILITIES
at the cutting-edge Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia.
GET TO KNOW THE CITY
with guided tours to important historical sites and monuments.
PARTICIPATE IN A GROUND-BREAKING DESIGN PROJECT
and develop innovative, sustainable ideas that improve living conditions in the city.
66
MUSEUMS
14
GAUDÍ MASTERPIECES
73
NEIGHBORHOODS
Your Destination
Culture, sport, fashion, finance, media, and entertainment – Barcelona is brimming with it all. The largest city on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is home to 1.6 million in the city proper and 4.5 million in the broader metro area. It is edged with a river on either side and backed by the Serra de Collserola mountains to the west.
Castilian Spanish and Catalan are the official languages. Both are regularly used in all aspects of life, and Catalan is not imposed. Taxi drivers, shopkeepers, professors, and host families all speak clear Castilian when Spanish speakers are present. Spanish is widely used in the streets. Students don’t need to speak Catalan but learning a few words can open doors to making new friends.
CIEE Barcelona is conveniently located in a historical pedestrian passageway in the heart of the city. In it, students will find staff offices, classrooms, and open-air terraces. It is close to the host universities and to the city’s main attractions.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Barcelona.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- One of our popular day trips takes you to Montserrat, a Benedictine monastery retreat high atop one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Catalunya. Not only is its history of significant religious importance but the surrounding natural beauty is nothing short of breathtaking. There you can visit the monastery to see La Moreneta (the black Madonna), listen to the world-renowned Boys’ Choir (whose history dates back to the 14th century), and trek any of the numerous mountain trails where you’ll take in incredible countryside views and see the most unusual rock formations in all of Catalonia. Are you ready? Let’s go!
- Discover the Gràcia neighborhood, famous for its bohemian and artistic style and streets filled with color and culture.
- Visit the oldest preserved garden, reflecting both Neoclassical and Romantic styles – and try your luck in the park’s labyrinth maze!
- Eat like a local and try popular traditional dishes like churros, patatas bravas, tortilla de patata, tapas, and pinchos.
- See a flamenco show!
- Hike the Carretera de les Aigües for amazing views over the city.
CIEE LOCAL STUDENTS
Local university students welcome our visiting students and help them get to know the city and meet new friends. You’ll join them in small groups for fun city tours, a flamenco night, and more.
PROJECTS
- Build on classwork with open lectures and design critique sessions conducted by IAAC professors, visiting lecturers, architects, historians, and researchers.
- Volunteering. Connect with Spaniards as you give your time. You might help kids with homework, assist kids with special needs, or collect food for community projects.
- Collaborate on design projects in small groups with people from diverse backgrounds.
Program Blogs
How to Cope with Culture Shock and Homesickness
By: Alexa Levy Studying abroad can be a daunting—frankly, even terrifying—adventure. Leaving behind what’s familiar to embrace the unknown is a lot easier said than done. My first study abroad... keep reading
Barcelona cultural shock advice
By: Masani Salazar Going abroad to Spain is my first time outside of the United States. I have encountered many new cultural shocks so I wanted to compile the most... keep reading
Fieldtrips in the Future Cities Studio
In the context of the Future CIties Studio, students participate in 6 fieldtrips in order to better know first hand the urban transformation of barcelona in the last 150 years... keep reading
HOUSING & MEALS
HOUSING
CIEE Barcelona offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. From homestays to shared apartments, we will strive for your accommodation preferences to be met. Additionally, all housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation and shops.
Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay within 35 minutes of CIEE Barcelona or a single room at a residence hall within 50 minutes from CIEE Barcelona. Homestays feature a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family. Residence halls boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students.
Select Housing: Includes a twin room at a shared apartment located within 30 minutes from CIEE Barcelona. Apartments boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students. Select housing requires an additional fee.
Select Plus Housing: Includes a single room at a residence hall or shared apartment (limited availability) located within 30 minutes from CIEE Barcelona. Residence halls boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive.
MEALS
Homestays: Students have breakfast and dinner with their host families, and they are responsible for lunch. Students do not typically have access to use the kitchen at the host family home.
Residence Halls/Apartments: Meals are not included.
Academics
CIEE designed this program with Maria Aiolova, award-winning educator, architect, urban designer, co-founder of Terreform ONE, and chair of the ONE Lab NY School for Design and Science. The program is intended to help students develop a language of technological design that links individual responsibility and the global environmental crisis through the study of places, cities, and cultures. The program includes the Future Cities Design Studio; a Future Cities seminar; a Science, Engineering, and Technology workshops; and an elective class. Students have access to cutting-edge facilities at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC).
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC). This international center applies research and development to architecture and urbanism, welcoming students and investigators from more than 60 countries. IAAC collaborates with the City Council of Barcelona, Collserola Natural Park, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Centre for Information Technology and Architecture, Southern California Institute of Architecture, and companies like CISCO, Endesa, and Kuka Robotics. Together they develop research programs that bring together experts in architecture, engineering, biology, sociology, anthropology, and other fields. Read more information on IAAC.
Architecture and design courses and workshops are taught in English by CIEE-contracted IAAC faculty members. Elective courses are taught by CIEE faculty.
Arizona State University: Enhance your international academic coursework with optional online courses that best align with your degree requirements and interests. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar, so you can study abroad with CIEE while continuing to meet all your academic goals.
View projects made by students on this program.
Course Information
- The three required courses are independently taught but the content is interconnected. Work developed in the Future Cities Seminar and the Science, Engineering, and Technology Workshop will inform and feed the main project developed in the Future Cities Design Studio.
- If students would like to select a Spanish language course as an elective, their official proficiency level and final class placement will be determined on-site.
Architecture
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Agriculture
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Psychology
Architecture
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Literature, Linguistics, and Writing
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Psychology
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2025 14 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $20,950 |
| Program Fall 2025 16 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $20,950 | |
| Program Fall 2024 15 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $20,950 |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $14,956**
Housing = $5,500***
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $20,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,120†
International Airfare = $1,250††
Local Transportation = $65†††
Books & Supplies = $50
Visa Fees = $160
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500
Personal expenses = $260††††
Total Costs = $3,405Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
Select Housing Fee = $1,500
Select Plus Housing Fee = $2,500
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†The listed estimated cost is for students in homestays. Families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) and students purchase lunch (there isn’t usually access to a kitchen). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local transportation: t-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43) / Local transportation: t-usual (1 month) = 20€ ($21)
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $14,956**
Housing = $5,500***
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $20,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,120†
International Airfare = $1,250††
Local Transportation = $65†††
Books & Supplies = $50
Visa Fees = $160
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500
Personal expenses = $260††††
Total Costs = $3,405Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†The listed estimated cost is for students in homestays. Families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) and students purchase lunch (there isn’t usually access to a kitchen). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local transportation: t-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43) / t-usual (1 month) = 20€ ($21)
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $15,706**
Housing = $4,750***
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $20,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,120†
International Airfare = $1,250††
Local Transportation = $65†††
Books & Supplies = $50
Visa Fees = $160
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500
Personal expenses = $260††††
Total Costs = $3,405Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
Select Housing Fee = $750
Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***homestay includes two meals daily; no meals are included for students in the Residencia option. Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†The listed estimated cost is for students in homestays. Families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) and students purchase lunch (there isn’t usually access to a kitchen). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local transportation: t-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43) / t-usual (1 month) = 20€ ($21)
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Andrés Tabárez
Center Director
Andrés Tabárez is Center Director at CIEE Barcelona. Andrés holds a Ph.D. in Classical Studies from the University of Barcelona (UB).
José Luis Espinosa
Academic Director
José Luis holds a Ph.D. in Modern Languages and Gender Studies from the University of Salamanca (USAL).
Fernando Janeiro
Senior Program Manager
Nando holds a Master's Degree in Humanities from Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona) and is certified as a Spanish as a Second Language instructor (International House/ Universitat de Barcelona).
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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