Your Summer Abroad: Four Cities, One Program
Students begin in Lisbon, Portugal, spending twelve days studying globalization, history, and politics at Universidade Nova de Lisboa and the Observatorio Político. Site visits include Cascais and Sintra, and coursework examines themes such as the relationship between political power and art/architecture and models of local development.
The group then travels to Madrid for four days before continuing to Barcelona on the high-speed train, where students explore sustainable cities, urban branding, and the challenges of mass tourism. We then train to Valencia, the program’s home base. In Valencia, students live in apartments, take their core classes, and immerse themselves in Mediterranean culture and student life.
Academics: Soccer, Politics, and More
With the 2026 World Cup underway, the program uses soccer as a lens to better understand the intersection of soccer, business, and politics — connecting issues of gender, race, identity, corruption, economics, and globalization with the cultural life of Spain and Portugal.
All students enroll in three core courses (two of which are cross-listed) for a total of 9 credit hours. Students may also complete 3 additional credit hours of undergraduate research — bringing the total to 12 credits — by finalizing a research project after the program ends.
Graduate-level course options are available upon request.
INTA 2220: Government and Politics of Western Europe
Study history, culture, and politics in Spain and Portugal through lectures, site visits, and guest speakers. From ancient cave drawings to the Spanish Civil War, Franco era, and EU integration, the course traces how past and present shape Iberian politics. Soccer serves as a lens for exploring regional vs. national identity.
INTA 3321/MGT 4803: Political Economy of European Integration/Economics, Business, Migration in Southern Europe
Examine Europe’s current political and economic challenges: financial crises, the euro, shifting business climates, and the movement of migrants and refugees. Gain insight into how integration reshapes Southern Europe today.
INTA 3303/MGT 4803: The Political Economy of Development/Sustainable Cities, Mega-events, and City Branding as Development Strategies
Use Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, and Valencia as living laboratories for sustainable development. Explore urban design, energy, transportation, mega-events, museums, smart cities, and start-up culture. Includes a 5-day research trip to Barcelona focusing on regionalism and growth strategies.
Costs and Housing
The program fee is $5,500, covering housing, instruction, host university fees, cultural activities, site visits, insurance, and transportation between Lisbon, Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona. Some meals are included.
Students are responsible for airfare (approximately $1,500), local transport, books, tuition, and most meals.
In Valencia, students live in shared two- to three-bedroom apartments with kitchens. Housing in other cities includes hotels, pensions, or hostels. Financial aid and HOPE scholarships apply. Students have shared rooms unless students pay an additional fee.
Policies and Deadlines
A $500 deposit is required to secure a place. Half the balance is due February 15, with the remainder due March 15.
- Withdrawal by Feb. 1: Deposit only
- Withdrawal by Feb. 15: 25% of program fee
- Withdrawal by March 1: 50% of program fee
- Withdrawal by March 15: 75% of program fee
- After March 15: No refunds
Apply Now
Applications are managed through the Georgia Tech Office of International Education.
For questions, contact Kirk Bowman at kbowman@gatech.edu.