Barcelona is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. This IU-administered summer program is led by faculty from the IU School of Art and Design. Alongside other IU students, participants complete an intensive design course and learn firsthand about the unique architectural elements found around the city.
Barcelona-IU
Comprehensive Design
Program Dates
Summer 2025: 5/26 - 6/13
- Program Organization
- This is an IU- Administered Program
- Classes conducted at the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IACC)
- Program Director: Jon Racek, IU Senior Lecturer, Comprehensive Design
- 12-15 IU students
- Academic Program
- "Furniture in the City"
- 4 IU credits (SOAD-C 481 Special Topics in Interior Design)
- The purpose of this trip is to explore design (architecture and urban design) through the filter of Barcelona, a center for European innovation and creativity. The overseas experience will be composed of two parts: one part is concerned with the history of design and architecture in Barcelona and a second part, a studio experience about public space. The two courses work together. The first part provides the context: how the city grew over time; the historical and social factors that have shaped the city; what is the current landscape of design in Barcelona today. The studio portion uses this context as a foundation for the students to create innovative design solutions to placemaking and urban problems. The program will take place in online for the 1st week and in Barcelona for the following three weeks. During the first week online, students will be listening to lectures about Barcelona and completing research that will compliment their studio in Barcelona.
- Online classes: May 15-19 (6 hours of classes this week)
- Travel to Barcelona May 22 to June 10
- Course Equivalencies
- Additional Information
- Housing
- Shared apartments with kitchen facilities
- Program Eligibility
You may apply if you:
- are an undergraduate student at any Indiana University campus who is making normal academic progress
- are in at least your third full-time semester of college
- have completed SOAD-C 380 Topical Issues in Comprehensive Design or the equivalent (with instructor approval)
- have approximately a 2.75 cumulative GPA
Students must have a passport valid for six months beyond program's end date.
Students must be able to demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and self-reliance.
Complete eligibility criteria and selection criteria are outlined within the Academic Policies and Procedures of Education Abroad. Selection is based on maturity, seriousness of purpose, and appropriateness of match between program and applicant. Students on disciplinary probation during program period are ineligible.
- Costs and Financial Aid
Summer 2025
See IU Fee Sheet for program cost and payment details.Initial prepayment of $500 due upon acceptance to confirm participation.Financial Aid and Scholarships:
- Most IU scholarships, grants and loans applicable to program costs.
- Education Abroad Scholarships, including Scholarships for Students from IU campuses other than Bloomington.
Please see our financial aid page for general information and links to additional scholarship opportunities.
- Program Contacts
For general information about this program, please visit or contact our office. To set up an appointment, please visit One.IU to access the Student Appointment Scheduler (SAS) tile.
Program Contact
For questions about costs, scholarships, and financial aid, please contact our office.
Faculty member who can provide detailed guidance and answer questions about logistics, program specifics, and coursework:
Prof. Jonathan Racek
School of Art, Architecture and DesignEmail: jonracek@indiana.edu
Student Services Coordinator
Helps students navigate the application process and coordinates with cosponsoring organizations.
Hope Gerber
Email: hmgerber@iu.edu