Barcelona Study Abroad Program
The mission of the Barcelona Program is to provide students with a multicultural and cross-national approach that fosters the enrichment of their personal and professional development.
Hosted by the ETSAV, the Illinois’ Barcelona Program is located at Sant Cugat del Vallès, a beautiful and prosperous town that has a rich history dating back to the medieval period and is part of Barcelona’s metropolitan area.
A breakdown on what our program costs
Detailed look into the Barcelona program.
Junior and senior-level undergraduate students of the Illinois School of Architecture are eligible to participate in the Yearlong program of studies (the one-semester option is not available for undergraduate students). Graduate-level students are eligible to participate for one-semester (Fall or Spring).
Everything needed for daily life–groceries, supplies, entertainment and medical attention–is available within a 5-to-20-minute walking radius.
Learn more about the city you will be living in. Sant Cugat del Vallès (Catalan pronunciation: [ˌsaŋ kuˈɣad dəl βəˈʎɛs]) is a town and municipality north of Barcelona, Catalonia.
All courses are taught in English by professors appointed by the Illinois School of Architecture and are conceived to guarantee that all program participants continue on a regular path toward graduation.
In addition to the field trips and workshops integrated to the structure of the three core courses, the Barcelona Program offers a wide range of related curricular and extracurricular activities.
View past student work from 2016 to today.
Barcelona Program overview s by Professor Alejandro Lapunzina and student experiences over the years.
Perspectives on the Barcelona program from our alums.
Academic Calendars
Barcelona Program Instagram
We are very proud of all the great work at final reviews this week. A special thank you to guest Jaime Magén, to all our faculty, and to students for a wonderful year. #archatillinois @jaimemagen
Student Spotlight⭐️🎤 on Kevin Mei!
Kevin is a junior in architecture who likes Mallard ducks.
During the 2024-25 academic year in Barcelona, Kevin’s favorite field trip was to the Alhambra in Granada, Andalucía, Spain. His favorite drawing assignment was the independent sketching and analyses done on travel periods, and his favorite city to visit was Copenhagen.
Kevin’s favorite part of studying abroad has been getting to travel Europe with his friends.
Thanks for sharing, Kevin!
Student Spotlight⭐️🎤 on Flavio Ceja-Gutierrez!
Flavio is a junior in architecture who cherishes his small rock collection from his favorite places he has been throughout the year. From a volcanic rock from a Michelin Star restaurant in Olot, to a piece of the Parc Güell wall, he will never lose the opportunity to take a free souvenir!
During the 2024-25 academic year in Barcelona, Flavio’s favorite field trip was to Seville, Andalucía, Spain. His favorite drawing assignment was the Plaça Margarida exercise, as he really enjoyed collaborating with watercolor on a bigger piece of paper than our usual A4 sketchbook. His favorite city to visit was Rome!
Flavio’s favorite part of studying abroad has been exploring new territories! “Every street is an opportunity to discover something new, especially in Barcelona. Living in Barcelona has changed how I look at city life. I can’t think of one thing that this city doesn’t have. The sunset views of the sea and the views of the city from the mountains are my favorite.”
Amazing work, Flavio!
Student Spotlight⭐️🎤 on Ainsley Rothrock!
Ainsley is a junior in architecture who knows how to scuba dive!
During the 2024-25 academic year in Barcelona, Ainsley’s favorite field trip was to Sevilla, Andalucía, Spain. Her favorite drawing was at the Romanesque Monastery in Sant Cugat, and her favorite city to visit was Cardiff, Wales.
Ainsley’s favorite part of studying abroad has been getting to travel around several countries and regions of Europe.
Great job, Ainsley!
Student Spotlight⭐️🎤 on Pushpanjli!
Pushpanjli is a junior in architecture who enjoys reading in her free time. During the 2024-25 academic year in Barcelona, Pushpanjli’s favorite field trip was to Andalucía, Spain. Her favorite drawing assignment was the perspective exercise by visiting professor Juan Penabad, and her favorite city to visit was Munich, Germany!
Pushpanjli’s favorite part of study abroad has been meeting and connecting with people in Europe.
Thanks for sharing, Pushpanjli!
Student Spotlight⭐️🎤 on Zaree Ascan!
Zaree is a junior in architecture, who can often be found playing the piano between classes at the ETSAV. During the 2024-25 academic year in Barcelona, Zaree’s favorite field trip was to the Alhambra in Granada, Andalucía, Spain. Her favorite drawing assignment was making a plan and section of a vegetable, for which she chose broccoli, and her favorite city to visit was Athens!
Zaree’s favorite part of studying abroad has been experiencing it with both old and new friends.
“It’s been rewarding to navigate the challenges of living abroad together, especially after most of us are used to the independence of living in apartments back on campus. I’ve enjoyed taking on challenging assignments, learning new drawing techniques and photography, and studying Barcelona’s history, especially when we have the chance to visit the places we’ve learned about. Sharing both the highs and lows of it all with such great people has made the experience even more meaningful. It’s really shown me that there’s always something to learn from others and from my own journey.”
Wonderful work, Zaree!
Student Spotlight⭐️🎤 on Emilie Cooper!
Emilie is a junior in architecture with a minor in urban planning. During the 2024-25 academic year in Barcelona, Emilie’s favorite field trip was to Seville, Andalucía, Spain. Her favorite drawing assignment was at Casa Gomis in Barcelona, and her favorite city to visit was Paris!
Emilie has loved being able to explore and travel new areas, and learn more about the people and cultures around her!
Keep up the great work, Emilie!
Student Spotlight⭐️🎤 on Lindsey Huelsmann!
Lindsey is a junior in architecture with a minor in Spanish. During the 2024-25 academic year in Barcelona, Lindsey’s favorite field trip was to Andalucía, Spain. Her favorite drawing assignment was at the Plaça Margarida exercise, and her favorite city to visit was Paris!
Lindsey has loved our built-in independent study travel periods, where students take photos and make analyses of buildings and spaces throughout Europe! “Studying abroad has been so special because I have gotten to see so many historic places that I have learned about. Sophomore year, I did a precedent study of the Villa Savoye, watching videos of interior tours, learning it inside and out to make a series of drawings and build a model. This spring, I got to walk through it myself, which was amazing.
I have also loved talking to locals in Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, and the UK. Getting to hear about their lives, experiences, and recommendations is such an amazing way to learn about any country I visit. I am so grateful for all the lifelong memories I’ve gained in my time abroad!”
Permanent Faculty and Staff
