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Is this program right for you?

Drawing on a wealth of resources in Barcelona, this program at the CIEE Study Center in Barcelona aims to offer students a unique cultural perspective on the history and practice of architecture and design in contemporary Spain. The Architecture track is offered in English. For the Design track, students must have four semesters of college-level Spanish and their coursework is in English and Spanish.

Program Snapshot

  • Study architecture and design in the dynamic European metropolis of Barcelona
  • Explore the Catalonia region and participate in educational activities designed for architectural and design students, including visits to architectural and design studios and build sites; enjoy excursions to Madrid, Valencia, or Bilbao
  • Let CIEE Guardian Angels guide you through the city and help you feel at home
  • Partake in lectures, films, and discussion groups that enhance language learning
  • Get credit and real work experience through an internship

Subject Areas

  • Architectural History
  • Architecture
  • Art History
  • Design
  • Graphic Arts
  • Internship
  • Spanish Language

About Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain with its own distinctive history, culture, and language. Its metropolitan area has a population of 2.8 million and is set between the mountains and the Mediterranean. Walking though the city, one can observe 2,000 years of architectural history—Roman remains, the network of narrow streets in the Gothic quarter, the 19th century Eixample district with its original examples of Modernista architecture—contrasting with the ultramodern showpieces that continue to redesign its skyline.

Where You'll Study

ELISAVA School of Design

ELISAVA School of Design, an independently operated branch of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, is the leading Spanish design school. It was founded in 1961 by a group of architects, designers, and theoreticians with the goal of teaching design with a cross-disciplinary approach. ELISAVA offers undergraduate degrees in arquitectura técnica (a hybrid between construction management, building engineering, and architectural design), design (graphic, industrial, and interior), and technical engineering in industrial design. The school has more than 1,500 students and over 500 teachers and collaborators.

Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura

Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura is the School of Architecture of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC). UIC is a private, non-profit institution founded in 1997 with the aim of providing individualized university training with an international approach and a focus on research. ESARQ provides instruction oriented towards innovative professional practice with the main priority of providing architects with international training while also giving them a good working knowledge of the most innovative technology. At present, ESARQ offers an undergraduate degree in architecture as well as several master’s degrees in architecture.

Thoughts From Abroad

Few cities in the world offer modern art, architecture, and design lovers as engaging a combination of assets as Barcelona. Like an artist’s muse—“the great enchantress,” art critic R. Hughes calls it—Barcelona has provided inspiration to many, from Catalan-born architect Antoni Gaudí, to Andalusian painter Pablo Picasso or Valencian designer Javier Mariscal. Their work, like that of so many others, is inextricably linked to Barcelona.

Barcelona’s welcoming and, as a consequence, cosmopolitan character doesn’t end there. In the last 20 years, the city has experienced a radical change in many aspects, and some of the most renowned international artists and architects—Roy Lichtenstein, Norman Foster, Frank Gehry, and Jean Nouvel—have played a leading role in the reshaping of the city’s image. They have all left an unmistakable trace in the city. I am sure this is exactly the kind of lasting imprint Barcelona will leave on you.

— Magdalena Bernaus, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Magdalena Bernaus, Resident Director, has a B.A. in Tourism Management, an M.A. in Art History, and is currently completing a dissertation in Architectural History at the Universitat de Barcelona. She has extensive experience teaching Spanish and American students. She has served as an Assistant Curator and Researcher with the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya and the Barcelona City History Museum. Magdalena is currently researching the medieval buildings of trade and commerce, as well as development of the Mediterranean wooden pitched roofs.

Clara Rodes, Center Director, holds an M.B.A. from DePaul University and has extensive business and academic experience. She has worked in the financial, consulting, and education sectors in the U.S., Argentina, and Spain. Prior to joining CIEE, Clara worked for over eight years at the European campus of The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, where she held the positions of Academic Advisor and Director of Administration. In addition, she has relevant teaching experience, having taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

In addition, students interact with Nicola Heath, Housing Coordinator; Anna Sánchez, Registration and Grades Coordinator; Rebeca López, Administrative Coordinator; Dionisio Sanchez-Loring, Language Coordinator; Tali Leizerovitz, Internship Coordinator; and Elizabeth Pogoloff, Cultural Activities Coordinator.

Recommended Credit

semester: 15-16 semester/22.5-24 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • 3.0 GPA
  • Architecture Track: Architecture or related major or minor and 1 semester of design studio
  • Design track: Design or other art-related majors and minors and 4 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent

Program Dates

Fall 20099/7/2009 - 12/18/2009
Spring 20101/3/2010 - 4/24/2010

Application Deadlines

Fall 20094/1/2009
Spring 201010/15/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200914 weeks
early September - late December
Spring 201016 weeks
early January - late April

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2009 $15,500
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, two meals per day in the homestay option, orientation, organized cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.*No meals are included for students staying in the Residencia option.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$11,176
    Housing and Two Meals Daily (homestay only)*$4,250
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$15,500

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, two meals per day in the homestay option, orientation, organized cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.*No meals are included for students staying in the Residencia option.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Potential Travel to Consulate for Visa$400
    Visa Fee$100
    Books and Supplies$500
    Local Transportation$400
    Additional Meals (homestay option)**$750
    Personal Expenses$2,800
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,300
    Total$6,250

    **Students living in the residencia are responsible for all meals estimated at $2000 per semester.


  • Spring 2010 $15,500
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, two meals per day in the homestay option, orientation, organized cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits. *No meals are included for students in the Residencia option.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participant Confirmation Fee)$11,176
    Housing and Two Meals Daily (homestay)*$4,250
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$15,500

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, two meals per day in the homestay option, orientation, organized cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits. *No meals are included for students in the Residencia option.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Books and Supplies$500
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,350
    Personal Expenses$2,800
    Additional Meals (homestay option)**$750
    Local Transportation$400
    Visa Fee$100
    Potential Travel to Consulate for Visa$400
    Total$6,300

    **Students living in the Residencia are responsible for all meals estimated at $2000 per semester.


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.