IAU Barcelona

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of students from California Lutheran University to IAU Barcelona for their "Experienceships in Barcelona" program.

Designed as an intensive, hands-on academic experience, the program combined classroom learning at IAU-Institute for American Universities with Francesc Muñoz, with direct exposure to key sectors such as food & wine, sports, and entrepreneurship. Throughout the week, students engaged in sessions with faculty, visited companies, and explored how innovation and sustainability are shaping these industries in a global context.

But beyond the academic component, the experience was equally about immersion. From exploring landmarks like the Sagrada Familia to visiting Girona, attending a FC Barcelona match, and participating in a cooking class, students were able to connect their learning with the cultural and social fabric of the city.

The program was led by Carmina Bech, whose guidance helped bridge academic content with real-world application, creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment throughout the week.

Experiences like this reflect what we value most: learning that goes beyond the classroom, connecting students with professionals, ideas, and places that challenge and expand their perspective.

Thank you to the students and faculty for an inspiring week in Barcelona, we hope to welcome you back soon!!

Sometimes, the most meaningful learning moments are made possible by the generosity of a community that stays connected beyond the classroom.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Gunnar Evenstad, former student of Rubén Pol Ramon, and to Chase Field, IAU Barcelona Spring'26 student, both from SMU, for their generous donation of wines from Domaine Serene Vineyards & Winery and Château de la Crée.

Thanks to their contribution, students in Rubén's course "Wine Marketing & Sensory Analysis" have the opportunity to taste and analyze wines that carry not only exceptional quality, but also strong regional identity and craftsmanship. Experiences like this allow students to engage more deeply with the subject, connecting theory with sensory understanding in a way that is both tangible and memorable.

What makes this gesture especially meaningful is the continuity it represents: an alumnus giving back to the same academic experience that once shaped his own learning, and a current student contributing to enrich that shared environment.

Thank you, Chase and Gunnar, for your generosity and for reinforcing the spirit of a community that defines IAU-Institute for American Universities.

🧳 At IAU Barcelona, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door, it expands into the streets, coastlines, and historical landscapes of Catalonia. Our immersive field trips are not simply excursions; they are academically grounded, culturally rich experiences that connect students to the places, people, and perspectives that define this region of Spain.

Here’s what makes our Fall 2025 field trips exceptional:

🏞️ Montserrat | Sept 26 (Sign up by Sept 12: https://luma.com/udir6ir2)
More than just a mountain, Montserrat is a spiritual and cultural symbol of Catalan identity. Home to a centuries-old monastery and breathtaking natural views, this day trip introduces students to the religious and historical significance of the site while exploring Catalonia’s complex relationship with autonomy, culture, and tradition.

🏛️ Tarragona | Nov 14 (Sign up by Oct 3: https://luma.com/87yho0ys)
Once the Roman capital of Hispania Citerior, Tarragona offers a rare glimpse into Roman urban planning, architecture, and civic life. From the amphitheater to the aqueducts, students discover how ancient histories still shape modern Catalan life, while engaging with archaeological preservation, Mediterranean geography, and local narratives of identity.

🌊 Costa Brava | Oct 15–17 (Mandatory 3-day trip)
This extended trip is more than scenic coastline; though the views are stunning. Through guided visits and discussions, students explore topics such as environmental sustainability, regional development, and tourism’s cultural impact. The Costa Brava experience is also an opportunity for students to build community, reflect on their study abroad journey, and connect deeply with both landscape and peers.

🔍 Why It Matters
Our trips are curated with intention: to foster intercultural learning, historical understanding, and personal growth. Each destination is chosen not just for its beauty or popularity, but for its ability to spark curiosity, academic dialogue, and lasting memories.

This is Learning by Living in its purest form: local engagement, immersive education, and a chance to see -and experience- Catalonia through a multidimensional lens.

As the Summer term comes to a close, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to the incredible students who served as Social Media Ambassadors at IAU Barcelona:

Jazmine Chung, Breana Caton, Lily Volmer, Madison Allen, Tahlia Peffly, Makenna Jolley, and Mia Butler.

Through creativity, commitment, and authenticity, these students brought the study abroad experience to life, sharing real moments, reflections, and insights from their time in Barcelona. Their work has given a voice to the international student experience and has helped incoming students, families, alumni, and our community understand what studying abroad truly looks and feels like today.

At IAU-Institute for American Universities, we believe that education goes beyond the classroom: "Learning by Living". This voluntary role offers students the opportunity to develop skills in storytelling, content creation, cross-cultural communication, and digital literacy; while leaving behind a legacy of authentic student-centered content for future participants.

We invite you to discover their work and follow future ambassadors via our Instagram profile, where real students continue to shape and reflect the IAU Barcelona experience: https://www.instagram.com/iaubarcelona_acm/

Thank you again to our Ambassadors. You've left a lasting impact, and we're grateful for your dedication!

ACM IAU Barcelona (@iaubarcelona_acm) • Instagram photos and videos 796 Followers, 121 Following, 137 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from ACM IAU Barcelona ()

In this new interview, IAU Barcelona professor Willow Star Frederick shares her journey from suburban Pennsylvania to teaching Psychology & Sexuality in Spain - and the powerful impact of bringing openness, humor, and real-life skills into the classroom.

This article was written by our Social Media & Comms Intern, Jazmine Chung, as part of her communications work during Summer 2025.

Read the full interview here 👇
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/being-open-minded-abroad-can-change-your-entire-outlook-nu0xe

"Being open-minded abroad can change your entire outlook on life" - An interview with Willow Star, Psychology & Sexuality Professor at IAU Barcelona Written by Jazmine Chung, Social Media & Comms Intern As part of my internship with IAU Barcelona, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Willow Star Frederick, an inspiring psychologist and s*x therapist from the U.S.

At IAU Barcelona, we're proud to have faculty who not only teach with passion but actively shape the cultural and academic landscapes beyond the classroom.

Dr. Mauricio Molina, Head of the Art and History Department at IAU Barcelona, is also the director of Na Rota do Peregrino, an innovative medieval music ensemble based in Portugal. Since its founding in 2017, this international project has been dedicated to reviving and reimagining medieval music from the Iberian Peninsula, performed in Latin and Galician-Portuguese.

Na Rota do Peregrino brings together artists from over 12 countries, performing in Romanesque churches and heritage sites across Portugal and Spain, including Santa Eulália de Arnoso, Igreja de Santiago in Palmela, and Saint Climent in Coll de Nargó (Catalonia).

One of their most acclaimed programs, "O Peregrino Medieval", explores the music made by and for pilgrims in the Middle Ages.
Music was not just spiritual, it was communal, protective, and expressive. Pilgrims sang of miracles, dangers, and faith along the road to Santiago, often using storytelling, dance, and group response to strengthen their shared experience.

This unique project has been featured in the FeMAP - Festival de Música Antiga dels Pirineus and recorded by Catalunya Música. You can tune in to the full concert, O Peregrino Medieval, on Wednesday, June 18 at 8:00 PM via Els Concerts de Catalunya Música:
https://www.3cat.cat/3cat/

We celebrate Dr. Molina for continuing to bridge music, history, and education through world-class research and performance.

IAU-Institute for American Universities

From May 30 to June 1, our students had the opportunity to explore one of the most breathtaking regions of Catalonia: Costa Brava.

Over the course of three days, students immersed themselves in coastal landscapes, cultural heritage, and local cuisine, all while building friendships and unforgettable memories outside the classroom.

At IAU Barcelona, we believe that experiential learning is key to global education. These moments of connection, discovery, and reflection are just as important as what happens in lectures.
Because learning doesn't stop at the city limits, it expands with every step students take!