Spend five weeks exploring the cultural and technological transformation of three coastal Spanish cities — Cádiz, Málaga, and Barcelona — through the lens of sustainability, community development, and urban innovation. The program examines how Spain is reimagining the “Smart City” across different contexts, from historic ports to global hubs of digital governance.
Highlights include:
- Cádiz: Guided bicycle tour, flamenco performance, culinary workshop, and day trips to Seville and Morocco. Field visits to Navantia and Titania explore shipbuilding and aeronautics innovation.
- Málaga: Coursework combined with visits to the Contemporary Art Center, excursions to Granada and Gibralfaro, and workshops on art, leisure, and sustainability in public space.
- Barcelona: Walking tours of the Gothic Quarter, a visit to the Sagrada Familia, and final projects on sustainable development, identity, and urban transformation.
Students enroll in two 3-credit Spanish courses, which may count toward the Spanish minor, certificate, or ALIS, IAML, or GEML majors, and may also fulfill International Plan requirements. Homestays in each city provide immersion in Spanish language and culture. All instruction and activities are conducted in Spanish. This program may be combined with other Spanish-language LBAT programs, such as Santander or Madrid, for a total of 12 credits.
Location
Cádiz, Málaga and Barcelona, Spain
Dates
May 16 – June 20, 2026
Host Institution
CLIC International House Spanish Language School in Cadiz and Academia Internacional de Lenguas (AIL) Málaga
Accommodations
Students will live with host families, offering both a welcoming home environment and a direct connection to Spanish culture.
- Cádiz: Housing is arranged with a gaditana family in apartments within walking distance of the school.
- Málaga: Students stay with a malagueña family during the second portion of the program.
- Barcelona: During the five-day excursion, housing is provided with a local family.
All homestays include breakfast and dinner daily, Wi-Fi, and access to laundry facilities.
Courses
- SPAN 3690 (3 credits): Commerce and Sustainable Communities – Instructor: Juan Carlos Rodríguez
- SPAN 3692 (3 credits): Business and Culture in the Hispanic World – Instructor: Osvaldo Cleger
Total credits: 6
Note: Students may participate in both LBAT Smart Cities: Cadiz-Málaga-Barcelona and LBAT Smart Cities: San Sebastián during the same summer for a total of 12 credits.
Prerequisites
SPAN 2002 or equivalent and good academic standing (this program is conducted entirely in Spanish).
The program director makes decisions on acceptance after reviewing all applications. Acceptance is based on academic standing, language background, and reasons for overseas study.
Cost
- The program fee is TBA. This includes ground transportation for excursions, transfers and company visits, housing with host families in Cádiz, Málaga, and Barcelona, two meals per day (breakfast and dinner), guided tours of cities and cultural sites, professional visits, and health, evacuation, and repatriation insurance.
- The program fee does not include the $500 non-refundable application deposit, 6 credit hours of tuition, international airline tickets, or the Georgia Tech technology fee.
Scholarships
Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid. Georgia Tech students may apply to the School of Modern Languages' Campoamor scholarship (approximately $400). HOPE scholarship does apply.
Application and Payment Deadlines
- Apply via Atlas by Feb. 1. Apply by Nov. 15 for early decision.
- If you are a non-Georgia Tech (transient/special) student, you are required to submit TWO separate applications to the Office of International Education.
- A $500 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of application and is applied to the overall program fee.
- The first half of the program fee is due Feb. 15 and the balance is due March 15. Payments are withdrawn directly from the student's OSCAR accounts on the deadline.
Fee Payment Information: Please adhere to the deadlines stated for the program. Please observe the information in Payment Options to ensure that your payments are processed at the Bursar’s Office on time. Fees will be charged to your Oscar account on the due dates. Make sure you make all necessary payments on time in order to avoid a hold on your account. Students expecting financial aid must submit a letter from the Financial Aid Office stating the allocation and date of payments expected. Tuition and student fees are due according to the Registrar’s schedule for summer tuition.
Cancellation Policy
Students who cancel their participation in the program after being accepted will be subject to the following non-negotiable fee schedule:
- Students canceling before Jan. 15 will lose their $500 deposit.
- Students canceling after Jan. 15 must pay 25% of the program fee.
- Students canceling after Feb. 15 must pay 50% of the program fee.
- Students canceling after March 15 must pay 100% of the program fee.
Program descriptions and fees are subject to final approval by educational units and the Office of International Education. Georgia Tech reserves the right to alter or cancel this program due to low enrollment, unavailability of a professor to teach a planned course or other unforeseen circumstances. Once Georgia Tech has made payments to service providers, or if Georgia Tech cancels the program before departure or while the program is in progress for reasons beyond its control, such as political unrest or danger to participants' safety, only those fees that Georgia Tech is able to have refunded by service providers will be returned to participants.
Informational Meetings
There will be at least two informational meetings in October and November and two orientation meetings for participants in February and March. Dates will be advertised at a later date.
Quick Links
Program Contacts
- Osvaldo Cleger
ocleger3@mail.gatech.edu
Program Application
- Apply by Feb. 1
- Early Decision Deadline Nov. 15