Berlin & Barcelona
Dates
May 21 – June 16, 2024
Subjects
Graphic Design, Art & Architecture, Communication
Deadlines
Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline
Program Overview
KIIS Berlin & Barcelona takes full advantage of two diverse and vibrant cities in Germany and Spain. The program begins in Berlin, in the vibrant and centrally located Prenzlauer Berg district. Here students have a unique chance to explore Germany’s thriving art, culture, and history. The program then moves to 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. 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 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.
Berlin is a foodie’s dream! From traditional Wurst stands to many different types of Asian, Italian and Russian, and Vegan restaurants, the food and coffee scene in Berlin offers a lot to explore!
Pergammon Museum, Martin Gropius Bau, Hamburger Hauptbahnhof, KZ Contemporary, the Berlin Biennial, and as many more as we can squeeze in. Berlin is the museum capital of the world, many of which are world class.
If tickets are to be had, we will be attending the last concert performance of Sir Simon Rattle, the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, accompanied by his famous wife, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená, in the outdoor stadium in the Olympic Park.
Spreewald is a lush reserve on the river Spree south of Berlin. This land consists of 200 small canals that wind their ways through quaint old German towns. We will stay overnight in the small town of Burg and canoe or hike in the Spreewald.
Designed to rival Versailles, Sanssouci was the summer palace of Frederick the Great. Its name means “without a care”. Potsdam itself is markedly different from Berlin in architecture and feel. We will explore both.
Berlin’s Jewish Museum is one of the best memorial museums in the world. We will visit the Jewish museum, the Holocaust Memorial, a massive outdoor installation near the Brandenburg Gate, as well as the Sachsenhausen concentration camp on the outskirts of Berlin.
Markets are vibrant, cultural hubs of contemporary German culture, and we will visit several in various parts of the city including the Mauerpark Fleamarket, held in the shadow of the Berlin Wall, making sure to visit the Berlin Wall Documentation Center and Church.
We begin our trip with several walks around Berlin that will highlight World War II history, the Holocaust of the Jewish culture in Berlin, the Soviet occupation and Berlin’s rebirth as the center of modern Germany.
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.
Pilgrimage site since the 11th century with spectacular views of the mountains and valleys. A day of hiking (up to students how strenuous) outside the city.
What's Included
Program Cost: $4,995 + 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.
Student Voices
“So far we have encountered several excursions on this trip, thanks to the wonderful KIIS program and our fantastic professors. One of the more vibrant excursions that we went on was a trip to the Berlin Wall Flea Market. The flea market was an exciting melting pot of all sorts of people, food, and vendors.”
– Xena, Berlin
“You can read hundreds of textbooks and see thousands of pictures. But if you don’t breath the air, walk the streets and talk to the people, have you truly learned?”
– William, Barcelona
“Studying abroad pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me truly see that life and the world begin there.”
– Megan, Berlin
“Study abroad opens up opportunities of a lifetime to see other parts of the world, and some of us find our life’s passion in the middle of an ancient ruin.”
– Shellae, Barcelona
“You may think you are diverse in the United States, but you never know what diversity is until you have traveled with the KIIS program. It’s more than an educational experience it is an experience that will change your views about yourself and the world in a very positive manner.”
– Tonya, Berlin
“Berlin is a city steeped in history, yet the city is still very young. Having been bombed at the end of World War II the city is filled with buildings that are reconstructions, thus modern, but that carry the weight of their history. In the course of four days one can barely scratch the surface of everything there is to do in Berlin.”
– Michael, Berlin
“I can’t even begin to explain how blessed I am to have this opportunity. I may never come home!”
-Lindsey, Barcelona
“The Berlin trip has helped my graphic design skills more than I ever would have thought. Coming back to the states and working on graphic design projects and even just viewing the world around me, I am more aware of design in my daily life and the Bauhaus principles I was taught have definitely shown in the work I have done since I have returned.”
– Angela, Berlin
Take Your Education Further
Description
Dates
May 21 – June 16, 2024
Subjects
Graphic Design, Art & Architecture, Communication
Deadlines
Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline
Program Overview
KIIS Berlin & Barcelona takes full advantage of two diverse and vibrant cities in Germany and Spain. The program begins in Berlin, in the vibrant and centrally located Prenzlauer Berg district. Here students have a unique chance to explore Germany’s thriving art, culture, and history. The program then moves to 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. 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 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.
Berlin is a foodie’s dream! From traditional Wurst stands to many different types of Asian, Italian and Russian, and Vegan restaurants, the food and coffee scene in Berlin offers a lot to explore!
Pergammon Museum, Martin Gropius Bau, Hamburger Hauptbahnhof, KZ Contemporary, the Berlin Biennial, and as many more as we can squeeze in. Berlin is the museum capital of the world, many of which are world class.
If tickets are to be had, we will be attending the last concert performance of Sir Simon Rattle, the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, accompanied by his famous wife, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená, in the outdoor stadium in the Olympic Park.
Spreewald is a lush reserve on the river Spree south of Berlin. This land consists of 200 small canals that wind their ways through quaint old German towns. We will stay overnight in the small town of Burg and canoe or hike in the Spreewald.
Designed to rival Versailles, Sanssouci was the summer palace of Frederick the Great. Its name means “without a care”. Potsdam itself is markedly different from Berlin in architecture and feel. We will explore both.
Berlin’s Jewish Museum is one of the best memorial museums in the world. We will visit the Jewish museum, the Holocaust Memorial, a massive outdoor installation near the Brandenburg Gate, as well as the Sachsenhausen concentration camp on the outskirts of Berlin.
Markets are vibrant, cultural hubs of contemporary German culture, and we will visit several in various parts of the city including the Mauerpark Fleamarket, held in the shadow of the Berlin Wall, making sure to visit the Berlin Wall Documentation Center and Church.
We begin our trip with several walks around Berlin that will highlight World War II history, the Holocaust of the Jewish culture in Berlin, the Soviet occupation and Berlin’s rebirth as the center of modern Germany.
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.
Pilgrimage site since the 11th century with spectacular views of the mountains and valleys. A day of hiking (up to students how strenuous) outside the city.
What's Included
Program Cost: $4,995 + 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.
Student Voices
“So far we have encountered several excursions on this trip, thanks to the wonderful KIIS program and our fantastic professors. One of the more vibrant excursions that we went on was a trip to the Berlin Wall Flea Market. The flea market was an exciting melting pot of all sorts of people, food, and vendors.”
– Xena, Berlin
“Study abroad opens up opportunities of a lifetime to see other parts of the world, and some of us find our life’s passion in the middle of an ancient ruin.”
– Shellae, Barcelona
“You may think you are diverse in the United States, but you never know what diversity is until you have traveled with the KIIS program. It’s more than an educational experience it is an experience that will change your views about yourself and the world in a very positive manner.”
– Tonya, Berlin
“Studying abroad pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me truly see that life and the world begin there.”
– Megan, Berlin
“I can’t even begin to explain how blessed I am to have this opportunity. I may never come home!”
-Lindsey, Barcelona
“Berlin is a city steeped in history, yet the city is still very young. Having been bombed at the end of World War II the city is filled with buildings that are reconstructions, thus modern, but that carry the weight of their history. In the course of four days one can barely scratch the surface of everything there is to do in Berlin.”
– Michael, Berlin
“The Berlin trip has helped my graphic design skills more than I ever would have thought. Coming back to the states and working on graphic design projects and even just viewing the world around me, I am more aware of design in my daily life and the Bauhaus principles I was taught have definitely shown in the work I have done since I have returned.”
– Angela, Berlin
“You can read hundreds of textbooks and see thousands of pictures. But if you don’t breath the air, walk the streets and talk to the people, have you truly learned?”
– William, Barcelona
Take Your Education Further
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