From 7 to 18 July 2025, UIC Barcelona hosted the first edition of the UIC Barcelona Summer Programme, an international initiative designed to offer a unique educational and cultural experience to students from around the world. The programme was launched this summer with the participation of students from South Korea, Libya, Canada and the United States, representing prestigious institutions such as Ewha Womans University, Berenice University of Architecture and Urbanism, Western University and DC International Public Charter School.

With the aim of promoting internationalisation and intercultural connections, the Summer Programme offered two educational pathways: Barcelona Unveiled: A Mediterranean Tapestry of Art, Architecture, and Culture and Spanish Course for Beginners. The courses were held on the Barcelona Campus and taught by lecturers from UIC Barcelona, combining theoretical sessions with cultural excursions to iconic sites across the city.

Dr Judith Urbano, dean of the Faculty of Humanities, introduced students to the city’s history from the Roman era to the Gothic period, while Dr Blanca Reguant and Dr Yomna Abdallah explored the Renaissance, Modernism and Gaudí’s legacy in depth. The programme also featured a session by architecture lecturer Dr Alberto Estévez, who analysed the urban transformation of Barcelona from the Olympic Games to its current Smart City model.

For language learning, Dr María Aragón led the Spanish Course for Beginners, providing participants with a practical introduction to Spanish aimed at fostering everyday communication and cultural integration.

Students from three continents

A total of 19 international students took part in this first edition, hailing from countries including the Republic of Korea, Libya, Canada and the United States. This diversity of backgrounds created a rich and collaborative environment in which cultural exchange was as integral as the academic content.

Thanks to the location of the Barcelona Campus and the personalised support of the organising team, the students experienced full immersion in the city, seeing it not just as a place to study, but as an open classroom connecting heritage, creativity and innovation.