Barcelona, Spain
Study and explore in Barcelona during your summer break!
Spend three weeks immersed in the history, culture, art, and museums of Barcelona, Spain!
Through classroom discussions, site visits and hands-on cultural experiences, students will explore how museums shape our understanding of history, culture, identity and memory. From world-renowned institutions and historic neighborhoods to some of Barcelona's most iconic cultural landmarks, this program offers students the opportunity to experience history beyond the classroom.
Program Dates: May 26 – June 17, 2027
Estimated Program Cost: $3,565*
The program fee includes:
- Housing in Barcelona
- IES Abroad on-site orientation and support
- Barcelona public transportation pass
- Program-sponsored museum and cultural site visits
- Guided Gothic Quarter walking tour
- Welcome reception
- Farewell dinner
- 24/7 on-site emergency support
- *Program cost does not include round-trip airfare or summer tuition. Students enrolled in the Honors Program may be able to use their free Honors credits toward the cost of summer tuition.
From trying new foods to interacting with locals, Barcelona taught me that learning isn’t just in the classroom; it’s always in your grasp.
-Alina Denaut ’26
Read More about Alina's Experience
COURSE OVERVIEW
HST 240 – A Summer at the Museum: History and Heritage Institutions in Spain
*Course fulfils DCCG requirement or History Dept. Upper-Level Elective
This three-credit course examines the historical development and contemporary role of museums from the mid-19th century through today. Students will explore art, archaeological, ethnographic, natural history and national museums while considering how these institutions construct knowledge, represent cultural diversity and address questions surrounding authority, memory and power.
Students will also examine some of the most important issues facing museums today, including decolonization, social justice and digital transformation, while considering how museums can remain relevant, ethical and socially engaged in the 21st century.
Throughout the program, Barcelona itself becomes an extension of the classroom. Students will engage with museums, cultural institutions and historic sites while developing their own perspectives on what museums are, whom they serve and how they preserve and interpret the past.
Sites we'll visit include:
- Museu d'Història de Barcelona (MUHBA) – Explore Barcelona's history through a guided visit to the city's history museum.
- Picasso Museum – Experience one of the world's most extensive collections of works by Pablo Picasso.
- La Sagrada Família – Visit Antoni Gaudí's internationally renowned basilica and one of Barcelona's most recognizable landmarks.
- MACBA – Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona – Explore modern and contemporary art within Barcelona's vibrant cultural landscape.
- Catalan Museum of Archaeology – Examine archaeological collections that illuminate the history and cultural heritage of Catalonia and the surrounding region.
REQUIREMENTS
- HST 240 – A Summer at the Museum: History and Heritage Institutions in Spain
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the time of departure
- Students under any active form of academic or disciplinary probation at the time of departure will not be permitted to participate in the program.
HOUSING
Students will live in residence hall accommodations with single bedrooms for the duration of the program.
Apply Today
Apply for Barcelona (SUMMER) Study Abroad
CONTACTS
- Dr. Jimena Perry, jperry@iona.edu
- Study Abroad Office, studyabroad@iona.edu
