Amsterdam & Barcelona
Dates
May 27 – June 22, 2025
Subjects
Graphic Design, Zine, Art & Architecture, Art & Food, Art History
Deadlines
Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline
Program Overview
KIIS Amsterdam & Barcelona takes full advantage of diverse and vibrant cities in The Netherlands and Spain. The program begins in Barcelona, a cosmopolitan seaport on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Walking through this city reveals its Roman past, distinct gothic quarter, sublime modernist expansions, and experimental contemporary architecture. The program then moves to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, two northern port cities, that like Barcelona, reflect a history of maritime power and expansion. The region is below sea-level and is well known in the public imagination for its many canals, picturesque windmills, colorful flower fields, and an abundance of art, culture, and history. It is equally renowned for its cutting-edge transportation network, design and merchandising, engineering and environmental practices, international criminal court, and global multicultural hotspot. Classes are divided between formal classwork, field workshops, and guided excursions that provide students direct contact with the cities, and their museums, galleries, cafés, and parks.
Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.
All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Please speak to your home campus advisor or study abroad office for course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.
Program Excursions
The Netherlands is internationally famous for the quality and variety of its cheese. We visit a family-owned Gouda cheese farm to learn about the steps involved in the cheese-making process, from cow to table to export. The husband and wife owners explain how cheese is produced and distributed, their sustainability practices, and the overall joys and challenges of cheese farming.
The Dutch have built and crafted Rotterdam to be at the forefront of urban planning. A city that has cubed houses, an indoor market hall, modern sculptures, and the iconic Erasmusbrug bridge is bound to have a strong identity in terms of place.
Amsterdam Noord, often described as a village within a city, is just a quick ferry ride from the Amsterdam train station. There we can explore historic villages, museums, cafes, and scenic countryside on a leisurely walk or bike ride.
The works of Modernist architect Antoni Gaudi mark the city and transformed the development of architecture in the region. The Güell family patronized Gaudi and gave his imagination free reign at their personal and professional sites. We will visit two of these, marking early and late Gaudi work, as well as the extraordinary basilia of the Sarada Familia.
Dance performance is set in the extravagant Modernist concert hall. The stained glass and glazed tile are a feast of their own.
The MUHBA includes an archaeological site that traverses the history of the city from Roman to Gothic streets. This visit to the museum introduces the city center and historic sites as well as navigating the city on your own through public transportation.
We willl walk through the Pedralbes area around our program housing to help you get your bearings for landmarks, local restaurants, grocery stores, shops and so on.
The MNAC is a signature museum with a collection of Catalan art from Romanesque to 19th century. It is situated on Montjuic, the Mount of Joy, overlooking the city.
We will attend a candle lit classical guitar concert in the 14th century gothic chapter house of the church of Santa Ana.
What's Included
Program Cost: $5,575 + airfare
To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of obtaining a passport ($165), two meals per day + personal expenses (approx. $600-$1100 depending on your food tastes/spending habits/optional independent travel preferences), any class readings/materials, and any fees from your college/university.
Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.
Description
Dates
May 27 – June 22, 2025
Subjects
Graphic Design, Zine, Art & Architecture, Art & Food, Art History
Deadlines
Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline
Program Overview
KIIS Amsterdam & Barcelona takes full advantage of diverse and vibrant cities in The Netherlands and Spain. The program begins in Barcelona, a cosmopolitan seaport on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Walking through this city reveals its Roman past, distinct gothic quarter, sublime modernist expansions, and experimental contemporary architecture. The program then moves to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, two northern port cities, that like Barcelona, reflect a history of maritime power and expansion. The region is below sea-level and is well known in the public imagination for its many canals, picturesque windmills, colorful flower fields, and an abundance of art, culture, and history. It is equally renowned for its cutting-edge transportation network, design and merchandising, engineering and environmental practices, international criminal court, and global multicultural hotspot. Classes are divided between formal classwork, field workshops, and guided excursions that provide students direct contact with the cities, and their museums, galleries, cafés, and parks.
Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.
All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Please speak to your home campus advisor or study abroad office for course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.
Program Excursions
The Netherlands is internationally famous for the quality and variety of its cheese. We visit a family-owned Gouda cheese farm to learn about the steps involved in the cheese-making process, from cow to table to export. The husband and wife owners explain how cheese is produced and distributed, their sustainability practices, and the overall joys and challenges of cheese farming.
The Dutch have built and crafted Rotterdam to be at the forefront of urban planning. A city that has cubed houses, an indoor market hall, modern sculptures, and the iconic Erasmusbrug bridge is bound to have a strong identity in terms of place.
Amsterdam Noord, often described as a village within a city, is just a quick ferry ride from the Amsterdam train station. There we can explore historic villages, museums, cafes, and scenic countryside on a leisurely walk or bike ride.
The works of Modernist architect Antoni Gaudi mark the city and transformed the development of architecture in the region. The Güell family patronized Gaudi and gave his imagination free reign at their personal and professional sites. We will visit two of these, marking early and late Gaudi work, as well as the extraordinary basilia of the Sarada Familia.
Dance performance is set in the extravagant Modernist concert hall. The stained glass and glazed tile are a feast of their own.
The MUHBA includes an archaeological site that traverses the history of the city from Roman to Gothic streets. This visit to the museum introduces the city center and historic sites as well as navigating the city on your own through public transportation.
We willl walk through the Pedralbes area around our program housing to help you get your bearings for landmarks, local restaurants, grocery stores, shops and so on.
The MNAC is a signature museum with a collection of Catalan art from Romanesque to 19th century. It is situated on Montjuic, the Mount of Joy, overlooking the city.
We will attend a candle lit classical guitar concert in the 14th century gothic chapter house of the church of Santa Ana.
What's Included
Program Cost: $5,575 + airfare
To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of obtaining a passport ($165), two meals per day + personal expenses (approx. $600-$1100 depending on your food tastes/spending habits/optional independent travel preferences), any class readings/materials, and any fees from your college/university.
Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.
Additional information
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Term | |
| Subject | Art & Architecture, Art & Food, Art/Art History, Graphic Design, Zine |
