Detailed ItineraryEurope - Study Abroad - Summer 2016
The full program:
Shorter Sessions available:
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LAST YEAR'S
STUDY ABROAD ITINERARY:
Curious what to expect? Here is a summary of last year's program (shown here to give you an idea about what to expect). Details might change, but the overall flow of the program will be similar...
Barcelona
Thursday 11th, 2015 (last year)
Friday 12th, 2015
Saturday/Sunday 13-14th, 2015
Monday 15th, 2015
Tuesday 16th, 2015
Wednesday 17th, 2015
Friday 19th, 2015
Saturday/Sunday 20/21st, 2015
Monday 22nd, 2015
Tuesday 23rd, 2015
Wednesday 24th, 2015
Saturday 27th, 2015
Monday 29th, 2015
Paris
Tuesday 30th, 2015
Wednesday 1st, 2015
Thursday 2nd, 2015
Friday 3rd, 2015
London
Weekend 4th/5th, 2015
Monday 6th, 2015
Wednesday 8th, 2015
Berlin
Thursday 9th, 2015
Saturday 11th, 2015
Prague
Monday 13th, 2015
Wednesday 15th, 2015
Wednesday 22nd, 2015
Vienna
Friday 24th, 2015
Budapest
Saturday 25th, 2015
Sunday 26th, 2015
Monday 27th, 2015
Tuesday 28th, 2015
Wednesday 29th, 2015
Thursday30h, 2015
Thursday 11th, 2015 (last year)
- An intense first day as students arrived at Barcelona's airport throughout the whole morning.
- After a short break to recover the energies after a long flight, we had our first meeting at the IQS facilities. The meeting went along as we covered schedule, classes, safety, tips, and documentation.
- At the end of the day, it was time to sleep as everyone was tired from all the flying.
Friday 12th, 2015
- Today we had our first day of class. Students already knew how to get to the university by train so it was a smooth morning.
- After class, we went to our first tour of the program. It was a Barcelona's old city tour. For about two hours, the guided walk took us around the labyrinth streets of the gothic neighborhood in Barcelona's old town.
- After all that walking it was time to eat. We all had lunch together and afterward, some went exploring and other went back to the hotel.
Saturday/Sunday 13-14th, 2015
- Our first weekends of in Barcelona was great for exploring the city and its surroundings. Some students adventured in a hike to Montserrat, other played some volleyball at the beach and another group went for lunch at a further beach, reachable by train. Sitges is this small little beach village full of life. Colorful bars and restaurants are everywhere on the main street. It was a perfect day trip to enjoy the beach and relax :)
Monday 15th, 2015
- Today we had our first professional visit. We visit the biggest winery in Spain (Torres Winery). The whole visit lasted for about 90min. We started with an introduction on the Torres company and its history, right after we went on a ride on it's Solar-powered train around the area and got to see the vineyards and the storage barrels. At the end of the visit we got to try some of their wine and of course, shop for souvenirs.
Tuesday 16th, 2015
- A full day today, starting with a Gaudi tour around the city in the morning. We were able to see some of Gaudi residential buildings as well as the park Guell and some other pieces of his other works, followed by a full day of classes.
Wednesday 17th, 2015
- Very early this morning for professional visits. We visited the Barcelona Activa Headquarters, a municipal entity created to help startups as a company incubator. We were able to see different companies which are being hosted at the Activa building. It was an interesting day to talk about entrepreneurship. Afterwards we went to the City Hall for a historical tour of the Catalan government, then lunch followed by free time for exploration.
Friday 19th, 2015
- After the morning classes, it was time to head to the beach. This time we went to Mortgarad Nord, the farthest beach you can go with the regular one-way subway ticket :)
- Beautiful sunny day, the beach actually has some basic infrastructure like bathrooms and a bar for drinks and small snacks. We stayed until sunset and took the train back for some Friday night fun.
Saturday/Sunday 20/21st, 2015
- Our second free weekend in Barcelona. It is a great opportunity to explore some other areas like Ibiza or Madri.
Monday 22nd, 2015
- After classes, we all went for lunch at a nearby local restaurant, very nice and typical place, In the sequence we went on a visit of the Barcelona Museum. They have a standard tour that allows you to go to the field museum and store. Nice place to buy some souvenirs :)
Tuesday 23rd, 2015
- This morning we had a visit to the TV3 studios. It is a public tv station that broadcasts in Catalan (the local language) to the entire region of Catalunya. It was a really interesting visit. we went around the studios and learned a lot about Catalunya and the station. At night, it was celebration time. Many families gathered around different squares in town to celebrate the local saints date. There were lots of families around different square throughout the city, different styles of bands and acts paraded across town including a grand final fire dance show performed in front a downtown church. After it was over, everyone headed to the beach where there was an amazing party all over the sand.
Wednesday 24th, 2015
- Today was a holiday and most of the stores and services were closed, so it was time to relax. A group of us headed to a different village called Saint Pol de Mar. Really nice place with very good restaurants and amazing beaches. It was the perfect day trip to relax and enjoy the European summer.
Saturday 27th, 2015
- We had a unique guided tour at the most famous postcard in tow, the Sagrada Familia. It was perfect since we had a group appointment and didn't need to catch those enormous tourist lines.
Monday 29th, 2015
- The entire day was dedicated to moving to our new city. We started with an early checkout and group breakfast, went over everything and everyone to ensure all had their passports, general belongings and all. We took the subway to the train station, that's when you realize why you should have packed light, we waited for our train to arrive. It was a Double deck TVG brand new and was supposed to cross from Barcelona to Spain in 6 hours. The journey was pretty smooth and delivered us right at Gare du Nord, in the heart of Paris. From there, another subway ride and we were at the hotel. Then, it was time to rest for an early start in Paris on the next day.
Paris
Tuesday 30th, 2015
- For our first day in Paris, we had prepared a private walking tour for our group. Our guide took us through different parts of the city, told us different histories and for the best part, told a lot about cultural issues US/France, it was really funny and useful. At the end of the tour, he recommended us various things to do and see around the city. The rest of the day was off and we all went on exploring.
Wednesday 1st, 2015
- Another really cool day in Paris as we had our classes in the morning and afterward we went on a picnic by the scene. It was a beautiful sunset, we had some wine and cheese, a marvelous experience.
Thursday 2nd, 2015
- Today we had our French professional visit. We visited "La Maison Du pastel" the first pastel factory, opened in 1720 and still operated by the same family and follows the same organic and artisanal process from 1720.
Friday 3rd, 2015
- Time to move to London as we take on our train through the euro channel. An undersea tunnel that connects France to the England.
London
Weekend 4th/5th, 2015
- We started our stay in London with a visit to the BBC studios Saturday. A very cool and interactive visit where they show you different studios, facts and allow you to participate in different media experiments.
- The rest of the weekend was off for everyone to enjoy its Favorite parts of London.
Monday 6th, 2015
- The week started with a full day of classes held at Middlesex university, after classes we went on a visit to the Tower Garden ( Taller London's public garden.
Wednesday 8th, 2015
- Time to move on again. Today we took a plane from London to Berlin, It was about a 02 hours flight. After an easy bus from the airport to the hotel, it was time to rest and gathered our energies for next days of adventures.
Berlin
Thursday 9th, 2015
- We started our stay in Berlin with classes in the morning and our first German professional visit in the afternoon. We went on visiting the BMW Motorcycle factory
Saturday 11th, 2015
- As a cultural visit, we all went to a scheduled tour at the Bundestag ( The german Parliament ). This really interesting visit not only told us the functions of the parliament and how it works nowadays but also showed us a little of the history in the city which is contained inside the build as we visited some areas which were vandalized by red army when invading Berlin at the WWII.
Prague
Monday 13th, 2015
- Today we moved again, now it was from Berlin to Prague. We took an easy train ride of about 2 hours and right there in Prague we were :)
- We all settle in the apartment. The group has different apartments spread around Prague1. It will give us some space for the work while at the university and also some extra space to do some laundry and cook some food.
Wednesday 15th, 2015
- As a professional visit, we went to the Skoda factory. One of the oldest car factories of Europe. At this interactive tour, we learn about the company's history as it passed to and from soviet hands as well as the production of a car,
Wednesday 22nd, 2015
- The professional visit this week was in another city. We went Pilsen, in order to visit the Pilsner factory. The oldest one in the country. It was a complete tour, it showed us all the steps on beers production. A great visit!
Vienna
Friday 24th, 2015
- Day off, Student had the option of leaving Thursday night or Friday morning to Vienna on their own and catch the bus to Budapest with the group on Saturday.
Budapest
Saturday 25th, 2015
- Today we moved once again, this time it was a little different since we had a strategic stopover in Vienna for one afternoon. Some of the students who had come to Vienna earlier joined our group and we all arrived in Budapest for our final destination on this adventure.
Sunday 26th, 2015
- Free day in Budapest to explore on your own. Here were some of the suggestions for the day:
- Suggested activity - hike up to Castle and see the Castle Museum (History of Budapest Museum)
- Suggested activity - take TRAM #2 along water (voted most scenic tram ride in Europe!)
- Suggested activity - visit one of the famous Budapest BATHS! http://visitbudapest.travel/activities/budapest-baths/
Monday 27th, 2015
- As an introduction to Budapest we had a 30 minutes history facts about Hungary and went on a 3-hour walking tour, our group explored the whole city and much of its history in this very enlightening educational tour.
Tuesday 28th, 2015
- Today we had our first class in Budapest, it was held at one of the oldest universities located right downtown in an amazing building. After class, we headed to the terror museum a very interesting but intense museum about the double occupation lived by Hungary, Germany then soviet.
Wednesday 29th, 2015
- As a final professional visit, we had an entrepreneurship roundtable with local entrepreneurs from Budapest. Great conversation that covered different topics on EU, world issues and entrepreneurship.
- In the evening, we had our last dinner together in a closing ceremony held at a local restaurant. It was the time for speeches, tears, and goodbyes.
Thursday30h, 2015
- Students are flying either home or to different vacation destinations all over.
About the Summit Cities:
Barcelona:
- Itinerary: Students should arrive in Barcelona on June 9th (or on June 11th), and be ready for almost two and half weeks of classes, professional visits and cultural activities in this fantastic city. Classes will be held on the camps of the prestigious IQS School of Management, of the Ramon Lull University, our host university in Spain.
- Travel tips: "Barcelona is Spain's most cosmopolitan city and one of the Mediterranean's busiest ports. Restaurants, bars and clubs are always packed, as is the seaside in summer." - Read more
- About Barcelona: "Barcelona is one of the world's leading tourist, economic, trade fair/exhibitions and cultural-sports centres, and its influence in commerce, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. It is a major cultural and economic centre in southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula), 24th in the world (before Zürich, after Frankfurt) and a financial centre. In 2008 it was the fourth most economically powerful city by GDP in the European Union and 35th in the world with GDP amounting to €177 billion." - Read more
Paris, France
- Itinerary: Students will arrive in Paris by train from Barcelona on the evening of June 27th, and will be taken to the hotel for check-in, a brief freshen up, and then will be led on a city tour of Paris. The next two days will be filled with academic and cultural activities in Paris, before departing for London on the 1st of July.
- Travel tips: "Paris probably has more familiar landmarks than any other city in the world. As a result, first-time visitors often arrive in the French capital with all sorts of expectations: of grand vistas, of intellectuals discussing weighty matters in cafés, of romance along the Seine, of naughty nightclub revues, of rude people who won’t speak English. If you look hard enough, you can probably find all of those. But another approach is to set aside the preconceptions of Paris and to explore the city’s avenues and backstreets as if the tip of the Eiffel Tower or the spire of Notre Dame wasn’t about to pop into view at any moment. You’ll soon discover (as so many others before you have) that Paris is enchanting almost everywhere, at any time" - Read more
- About Paris: "Today, Paris is one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, science, fashion and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major cities. The city has one of the largest GDPs in the world, €607 billion (US$845 billion) as of 2011, and as a result of its high concentration of national and international political, cultural and scientific institutions is one of the world's leading tourist destinations. The Paris Region hosts the world headquarters of 30 of the Fortune Global 500 companies in several business districts, notably La Défense, the largest dedicated business district in Europe" - Read more
London, England
- Itinerary: Students will arrive in London on Friday July 1st. A free weekend will be filled with suggested sight-seeing and optional activities. Students will then have two days filled with academic and cultural activities in London, before departing for Berlin on the 6th of July.
- Travel tips: "One of the world’s most visited cities, London has something for everyone: from history to culture, art to architecture. English may be the national tongue, but over 300 languages shape London’s linguistic soundscape. These languages also represent cultures that season the culinary aromas on London’s streets, the clothing you glimpse and the music you hear. It can seem like the whole world has come to town. Museums, such as the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum, have collections as diverse as they are magnificent, while flavours at markets such as Notting Hill and Maltby Street range across the gourmet spectrum. London’s diverse cultural dynamism makes it quite possibly the world’s most international city, while still being somehow intrinsically British." - Read more
- About London: "London is a leading global city, with strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport all contributing to its prominence. It is one of the world's leading financial centres and has the fifth-or sixth-largest metropolitan area GDP in the world depending on measurement. London is a world cultural capital. It is the world's most-visited city as measured by international arrivals and London's 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education in Europe." - Read More
Berlin, Germany
- Itinerary: Students will arrive in Berlin on Wednesday July 6th, and are certain to love this city! The 7th and 8th of July will be busy days, filled with academic and cultural activities. There will be a free weekend in Berlin, and students will be give a chance to explore Berlin on their own, or to engage in our optional organized activities. On July 11th, we will depart as a group to Prague.
- Travel tips: "Twenty years after its post-Wall rebirth, Berlin is a scene-stealing combo of glamour and grit, teeming with top museums and galleries, grand opera and guerrilla clubs, gourmet temples and ethnic snack shacks. Whether your tastes run to posh or punk, you can sate them in Berlin. When it comes to fashion, art, design and music, the German capital is the city to watch. A global influx of creatives has turned it into a cauldron of cultural cool reminiscent of New York in the ’80s. What draws them is Berlin’s legendary climate of tolerance, openness and experimentation infused with an edgy undercurrent that gives this ‘eternally unfinished’ city its street cred." - Read more
- About Berlin: "Berlin is a world city of culture, politics, media, and science, hosting 147 foreign embassies. Its economy is primarily based on high-tech industries and the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, research facilities, media corporations, and convention venues. Significant industries include IT, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, electronics, traffic engineering, and renewable energy. Berlin is home to renowned universities, research institutes, orchestras, museums, and celebrities and is host to many sporting events. Its urban setting and historical legacy have made it a popular location for international film productions. The city is well known for its festivals, diverse architecture, nightlife, contemporary arts, public transportation networks, and an extremely high quality of living." - Read more
Prague, Czech Republic
- Itinerary: After spending a few weeks traveling, students will now have the chance to slow down, and spend two weeks in one of our favorite cities on the planet: Prague! We will arrive from Berlin on July 11th, and will spend the next two weeks exploring Prague, and engaging in academic and cultural activities. On July 27th, we travel by bus to Vienna, and then on to Budapest.
- Travel tips: "Prague is the equal of Paris in terms of beauty. The history goes back a millennium. And the beer? The best in Europe. Prague's maze of cobbled lanes and hidden courtyards is a paradise for the aimless wanderer, always beckoning you to explore a little further. Just a few blocks away from the Old Town Square you can stumble across ancient chapels, unexpected gardens, cute cafes and old-fashioned bars with hardly a tourist in sight. One of the great joys of the city is its potential for exploration" - Read more
- Events in Prague: What's happening this month in Prague? Take a look here for upcoming events, festivals, music shows and more...
- About Prague: "Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Its rich history makes it a popular tourist destination, and the city receives more than 4.4 million international visitors annually, as of 2011. In 2011, Prague was the sixth-most-visited city in Europe. Prague ranked fifth in the Tripadvisor world list of best destinations in 2014." - Read more
Vienna, Austria
- Itinerary: Vienna is quick stop-over on our journey from Prague to Budapest. On July 27th, we will leave Prague early in the morning by bus to Vienna, where we will spend the day exploring, and then will continue on to Budapest, where we will spend the final week of our program.
- Travel tips: "Vienna is packed with imperial history; at the same time it has exciting contemporary museums, lively eating and nightlife scenes, and many quiet corners to explore." - Read more
- About Vienna: "Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria. Vienna is host to many major international organizations, including the United Nations and OPEC. The city was ranked 1st globally for its culture of innovation in 2007 and 2008, and fifth globally (out of 256 cities) in the 2011 Innovation Cities Index, which analyzed 162 indicators in covering three areas: culture, infrastructure and markets" - Read more
Budapest, Hungary
- Itinerary: On July 27th, we will arrive in Budapest in the evening for a late check-in and then will go out to explore the city. Throughout the next week, students will have a chance to explore one of the great-historical cities in Europe. Our days will be filled with academic and cultural activities, and then we will have a graduation ceremony and celebration on August 1st, before flying home on the 2nd.
- Travel tips: "Straddling the Danube River, with the Buda Hills to the west and the Great Plain to the east, Budapest is a gem of a city. Architecturally, Budapest is a treasure, with enough baroque, neoclassical, Eclectic and art nouveau (Secessionist) buildings to satisfy anyone’s appetite" - Read more
- About Budapest: "Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary, and one of the largest cities in the European Union. Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, and more. The city attracts about 4.3 million tourists a year, making it the 25th most popular city in the world (and the 6th in Europe) according to Euromonitor. Considered a financial hub in Central Europe, Budapest is also the highest ranked Central/Eastern European city on Innovation Cities' Top 100 index. Budapest is home to the headquarters of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), and the first foreign office of the China Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA)." - Read more
Note: Program (itinerary, courses, professors, prices and more) subject to change without prior notice
