Study Abroad in Barcelona
- Dates: June 01 – June 28, 2025
- Apply By: April 1, 2025
- Cost: USD $ 5980
Why Study Abroad in Barcelona?
Spain has actively committed to implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on prioritizing actions towards goals like SDG 3 (health), 6 (clean water), 7 (affordable energy), 11 (sustainable cities), 12 (responsible consumption), 13 (climate action), 14 & 15 (life below water and on land), and a particular emphasis on sustainable energy and water management initiatives.
Barcelona has proven itself a leader in the implementation of the SDGs, ranking first in SDG 11 (making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable) and SDG 17 (strengthening partnerships to achieve the goals). This reflects Barcelona’s commitment to creating a sustainable urban environment and fostering global collaboration to achieve the SDGs.
With its youthful, vibrant, Mediterranean culture and entrepreneurial spirit, Barcelona offers an ideal venue for the intersection of sustainability and career development. Though coursework, co-curriculars, and professional development, students can leverage their time in Barcelona to cultivate skills for a global workforce and a deep understanding of and engagement with critical global issues.
Curriculum
Summer (6 credits)
- Innovation in Action: Project-Based Learning - 3 credits
- Sustainable Development in Context: Spain - 3 credits
Semester (12-15 credits)
- Internship or Innovation in Action: Project-Based Learning - 3 credits (Required)
- Sustainable Development in Context: Spain - 3 credits (Required)
- Language & Electives - 6-9 credits
Course Descriptions
Sustainable Development in Context: Spain
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) offer a roadmap for a global future that promotes human flourishing and healthy ecosystems. They are multidisciplinary in nature, spanning human rights, public health, education, gender, economics, energy, urban design, and ecology. Though the SDGs are global in their aim and vision, how they are engaged and achieved varies according to national and regional factors. Using Barcelona as classroom and case study, this course examines the aspirations and realities of the UN SDGs through the lens of Spain and the greater European context. Through lectures, field visits, and project work, students engage deeply with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications related to sustainable development, developing their analytical, research, and practical problem-solving skills and preparing them to engage effectively with the global sustainability agenda.
Innovation in Action: Project-Based Learning
Innovation in Action: Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a hands-on course designed to explore the emerging field of social entrepreneurship and innovation while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of how innovation drives sustainable and impactful solutions to social and environmental problems. Through real-world, team-based projects, students will engage with innovation in three essential contexts: the public, private, and citizen sectors, social enterprises (nonprofit, for-profit, and hybrid models), and social transformation across entire systems. Students will have the opportunity to apply theories and methodologies learned through prior coursework and their experience abroad, developing practical solutions that foster social change on local, national, and international levels.
Electives
Students can select from various electives that align with the SDGs, depending on their academic interests. These may include courses in international relations, business ethics, global health, sustainability, and more.
Language
Language learning is essential for cultural immersion and building a deeper connection to the local community. Students in non-English speaking location will complete language courses to enhance their experience.
Locations & Housing
Students are housed in co-ed shared apartments or homestays.
Co-Curriculum
To enhance and enrich the formal curriculum, we offer a robust slate of co-curricular programming focusing on SDGs, professional development, and experiential learning. Field visits in and around the city expose students to SDG-related issues, organizations, and initiatives they would not otherwise have access to. Workshops, seminars, volunteering, and networking events focus on sustainable business practices and professional development skills. This co-curriculum is crafted to enrich students’ understanding of critical global issues while preparing them for the workforce.
Co-Curricular Activities
1) Mirador Torre Glòries – Enjoy the view of Barcelona – Mirador Torre Glòries
Experience a 360º view of the city from the Observation Desk at Torre Glòries, crowned by the installation Cloud Cities by Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno, and visit the Hiperview Barcelona artistic installation: a representation of the ecosystems, infrastructures and technologies that interact in our 21st century to turn Barcelona into a sustainable city.
2) Barcelona Design Museum – Disseny Hub Barcelona
Visit the permanent collection, displayed through the exhibition Matter Matters, a journey through the history of design and an analysis of contemporary challenges faced by designers to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
3) Barcelona Museum of Natural Science – Home | Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
Visit the permanent exhibition Planet Life, which explores the interaction between physical and chemical environments and human beings, while contemplating the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
4) Boquería Market – Boqueria Market Barcelona
Touring the most famous food market in Barcelona since the XIII century, a hub where local fresh products and contemporary high cuisine chefs meet.
5) Park Güell – Choose your experience | Web oficial Park Güell | Barcelona
Visit the stunning park, designed by world famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, and discover Barcelona’s natural and organic shapes reflected in history and architecture.
6) El Born Center of Culture and Memory – Home | El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria
Visit the permanent exhibition Planet Life, which explores the interaction between physical and chemical environments and human beings, while contemplating the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
7) Ciutadella Park – Parc de la Ciutadella – Visit Barcelona
Visit Barcelona’s urban green lung, which houses the city’s biggest glass made greenhouse, and the original buildings and waterfall from the 1888 International Exhibition.
8) Palau de la Música Catalana – Choral and classical music concerts | Palau de la Música Catalana
Visit the city’s concert hall, an amazing example of Catalan Modernisme and a symbol of local culture. The palace was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
9) Day trip to Delta del Ebro Natural Park
Visit the permanent exhibition Planet Life, which explores the interaction between physical and chemical environments and human beings, while contemplating the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
10) Day trip to Girona
Member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, Girona is known as the city of the four rivers. Dive into its history through Roman, medieval and modernist architecture, visit the Cathedral with the widest Gothic nave in the world and walk along the Onyar river, crossed by ancient and contemporary buildings.
11) Day trip to Sitges
Visit the city’s concert hall, an amazing example of Catalan Modernisme and a symbol of local culture. The palace was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Program Dates
- June 01 – June 28, 2025
Price
- USD $ 5980
Application Requirements
Matriculation in a US-accredited college or university. Good academic and disciplinary standing. 2.5 GPA.
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Need help? Contact our student advisor at gina@authentica.com or +1480-628-8843 | +1800-414-4138