Spain Summer 2026 | Glendale Community College

Program Description

This five-week summer session program explores the economy and history of Spain from the base cities of Madrid and Barcelona. Coursework includes History 48 - Field Studies (one unit), an overview of the past 500 years of Spanish history with an emphasis on culture and art; and Econ 170 - Introduction to Global Studies (three units), an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Global Studies that explores key concepts of globalization, economic systems, and regional economies through immersive learning in Spain. After a week on the GCC campus covering material and orienting ourselves to the logistics of studying abroad, the program moves to Madrid with a 16-night stay in the exclusive Salamanca neighborhood. In the Spanish capital, we will visit the world-famous museums the Prado and Reina Sofia, sample delicious Spanish cuisine and take in the beauty of flamenco. Outside Madrid, we will also day-trip to the romantic medieval cities of Toledo and Segovia. We then take high-speed train to spend the remainder of the program in Barcelona, where we will visit Gaudí architectural masterpieces and stroll around the seaside Gothic Quarter.

Program Dates & Highlights

Spain 2026: Preliminary Shell Itinerary

Itinerary Note: While abroad, expect changes and go with the flow.

*Excursions and class session times TBA. Some events will be subject to weather conditions.

DATE	DESCRIPTION
15-18 June	Classes on GCC’s campus
22 June	Arrival in Madrid
22 June-8 July (16 nights)	Exploration of Madrid
25 June	Daytrip to Segovia
30 June	Daytrip to Toledo
8 July	Transfer to Barcelona
8-17 July (nine nights)	Exploration of Barcelona
17 July	Departure from Barcelona

Program Costs

$4,895 based on a minimum of 24 students
* Inquire about scholarships for regularly enrolled GCC students

Prices are based on the current USD/Euro exchange rate of approximately 1€ = $1.13. The price would need to be adjusted should there be a significant change in this foreign exchange rate.

Program Fee Includes:
-16 nights of accommodation in a centrally located student residence in Madrid with Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, kitchenette/utensils and no more than 2 students per room.
-Nine nights of accommodation in a student residence in Barcelona with Wi-Fi and air-conditioning.
-Transportation to and from Toledo from Madrid.
-Transportation to and from Segovia from Madrid.
-Transportation between Madrid and Barcelona.
-Group Airport Transfers (must arrive into Madrid and depart Barcelona at the same time as the group).
-Entry fees to selected sites and activities as part of the program itinerary, including:
---the Prado and Reina Sofia museums, Banco de España, and a flamenco performance (in Madrid)
---Casa Milà, Park Güell, and Sagrada Família (in Barcelona)
---Alcázar and Cathedral (in Segovia)
---Cathedral and Sinagoga de Santa Maria La Blanca (in Toledo)
-Welcome meal in Madrid.
-Farewell dinner in Barcelona.

Not Included:
-Airfare LAX-Madrid and Barcelona-LAX (estimated under $1,600 if purchased by January 2026)
-GCC tuition for four units of coursework (non-residents are required to pay out-of-state fees)
-Single room option (ask the study abroad director for pricing)
-Mandatory travel insurance (estimated $50 depending on coverage limits and age)
-Textbooks (if necessary)
-Most meals and beverages
-Visas (needed for most travelers)
-Any quarantine expenses (if required following a positive Covid test while abroad)
-Personal expenses
-Excursions and entry fees beyond the official program itinerary
-Anything not specified as “included”

Payment Schedule

DATE	REQUIRED
First-come, first-served	Application and Interview
Within 10 days after acceptance into program	Deposit of $695 due
November 26, 2025	Second payment of $2,000
January-February	Coordinate with Study Abroad to purchase your flight (not included in program price)
March 9, 2026	Final payment of $2,200
May 2026	Payment for the 4 units of coursework

Notes:
Students who will be enrolling at GCC during the Spring 2026 semester may be eligible to apply for one of several scholarships typically ranging from $500-$1000 or more. Details to follow.

If you cancel, all payments are considered non-refundable. However, if we find a qualified replacement for your space, a refund will be issued minus any non-recoverable costs.

Space is limited to approximately 24-26 students, so act quickly.

Additional charges may be incurred for late payments or returned checks.

Program Courses

As part of this program, students must enroll in these courses (four credit units):

HIST 48 (History International Field Studies) 1.0 unit taught by Prof. Maite Peterson
This course uses the vibrant cities of Madrid and Barcelona, as open-air classrooms to explore the complex layers of Spanish history and its ongoing resonance in the present. Through site visits, museum explorations, and cultural experiences, students will examine how history is lived, remembered, and represented in public spaces. The course encourages students to engage critically with major historical themes such as cultural conflict and coexistence, imperialism and colonialism, nationalism and identity formation, as well as fascism and the legacy of twentieth-century war. Spain’s diverse cultural sites, including architecture, music, dance, and art, offer firsthand encounters with the many forces that have shaped the region. Students will consider how religion, war, conquest, and creativity intersect in the construction of national, ethnic, and religious identities. The program will feature experiential learning opportunities beyond traditional tourist sites fostering a deeper understanding of the historical forces that continue to shape Spain and the wider world.

Transfer Credit: CSU

ECON 170 (Introduction to Global Studies) 3.0 units taught by Prof. Michael Gale
ECON 170 offers an interdisciplinary introduction to Global Studies by examining the complex and evolving impact of globalization in Spain. The course explores how global economic, political, cultural, and environmental forces shape and are shaped by local dynamics, with a focus on Spain’s transition from a colonial empire and Franco-era isolation to a modern, globally integrated nation. Students will investigate contemporary challenges such as tourism dependency, labor market shifts, foreign investment, migration, and environmental sustainability.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and experiential learning, students engage with the lived realities of globalization in key Spanish cities. In Madrid and Barcelona, students explore how international influences interact with national and regional identities. Day trips to historic cities like Toledo and Segovia provide further insight into Spain’s diverse cultural and political landscape, highlighting the country’s layered history and regional variation.

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC

Program Director

Program Requirements

1. Students are required to complete a formal application. The application may require a character reference, an academic reference, and personal information. Complete applications with the required deposits are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. Most participants will be 18 years or older. On certain programs accommodations can be made for those under 18 with parental permission and recommendation from a counselor or the equivalent.

3. A pre-departure conference with each student by the Study Abroad Director and/or program faculty director must be held.

4. Students are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and no history of disciplinary action at GCC or any other campus. Exceptions may be granted by the Study Abroad Director.

5. Students will be notified promptly in writing should they not be accepted into a program.

6. Program participants will be required to read and sign several forms including a “General Release of Liability” and “Assumption of Risk for Participation in Voluntary Activity.”

7. Students do not need to have a declared major in the classes they are taking abroad, and there are no language prerequisites for the programs unless a specific course has its own requirement.