Your trip itinerary is being carefully developed to ensure the best possible learning experience in-country. As companies are confirmed, they will appear on the itinerary together with the topics around which the visits & presentations will focus. As all itineraries are subject to change, we recommend you check back regularly to get the most up-to-date version of the itinerary.
Day 1:
Saturday, May 15
Sat May 15
Day 1:
¡Bienvenido a Barcelona!
Barcelona, Spain
Welcome to Barcelona, a captivating seaside city known for its culture, stunning architecture, and exceptional dining scene. Barcelona is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. Catalonia plays a crucial role in attracting foreign investment in Spain and Europe. The region has been recognized by the Financial Times for having Europe’s best foreign investment attraction strategy. That demonstrates the high degree of stability, satisfaction, and return on investment enjoyed by foreign firms. A talented proactive workforce in a dynamic business climate offers new companies numerous competitive advantages with workers enjoying Barcelona, a Mediterranean city with the highest quality of life in Southern Europe. Beyond its beauty, Barcelona is also a leader in sustainability, implementing a zero-waste strategy, and as the first city in the world, Barcelona obtained the Biosphere certification.
morning
intercity transfers
arrive in Barcelona
meet ISP Program Manager at the airport
air
transportation
transfer to hotel, store luggage
bus transfer
late morning
orientation talk
with ISP Program Manager and university faculty
Get familiar with the upcoming schedule and activities, uncover the secret ingredients for a successful trip, and learn some useful tips from where to take the best photographs to what’s happening in the cities.
hotel lobby
meals
lunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
own arrangements
early afternoon
check-in, free time to freshen up
Get out of your hotel room, and let yourself be charmed by a different culture. Use this time to familiarize yourself with the area of your hotel, find the closest ATM, and map out the best restaurants and stores in the neighborhood.
free afternoon
ISPer's recommendation: sunset at the beach! No better way to end your first day in the city.
Day 2:
Sunday, May 16
Sun May 16
Day 2:
exploring Barcelona
breakfast
hotel
free morning
Get a late breakfast to recover after your travels and start your activities later like a true Spaniard on a Sunday!
morning
optional cultural event
Sagrada Familia - the jewel in the crown of Gaudí’s works
Visit the temple that is a synthesis of Gaudi's overall conception of architecture; learn about the meaning of the façade - which explains a chapter of Jesus’ life; the basilica - observe the curved columns resembling trees, the light that dances and plays across the hall in a constant change of colors; and visit the museum - an essential aspect to see to understand how Gaudí worked and thought.
sts pay individually
meals
lunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
transportation
meet in hotel lobby, depart for city tour
public transport/walk
afternoon
cultural event
Barcelona through the eyes of a local
Embark on an exciting journey of discovery through the charming city of Barcelona. Marvel at the stunning architecture of La Sagrada Familia and immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Gothic Quarter and many other sights. Your knowledgeable guide will bring the city to life, sharing fascinating stories and perspectives that will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this incredible destination. Get ready to be captivated by the lively spirit of Barcelona and its vibrant mix of art, food, and student life. Finish the tour at La Boqueria market to browse the stalls or find a seat to taste more of Spanish gastronomy!
transportation
meet in hotel lobby, depart for welcome dinner
public transport/walk
evening
meals
welcome dinner - tapas, tapas, tapas!
The word tapa harks back to the days when these small dishes meant for sharing had to be covered with a “tapa,” or lid, to protect them from the swarms of flies that inhabited the dive bars that served them. Discover today's Barcelona’s tapas scene which has evolved into a sophisticated culinary movement, with many of the city’s top chefs applying their talents to these bite-size tidbits.
restaurant
rest of the day at leisure
Day 3:
Monday, May 17
Mon May 17
Day 3:
first meet-ups with the companies
breakfast
hotel
transportation
meet in hotel lobby, depart for company visit
public transportation/walk
morning
consulting project
consulting project work: in-person meeting
New Tech Capital
RCD Espanyol
Hesperia World
Beyond Form
nanimarquina
Each team will connect with its assigned company, one they've already been in contact with to get acquainted, review the scope of the project, discuss challenges, and agree on next steps.
management presentation, discussion, brainstorming session
meals
lunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
afternoon
time to work on projects
This afternoon is designed to allow time for each team to review the feedback and info received earlier in the morning and continue the work on projects.
evening at leisure
evening
optional cultural event
soccer game / Formula 1 TBC
Experience one of the favorite activities of locals as you join them in cheering on their team subject to schedule and availability own arrangements
sts pay individually
Day 4:
Tuesday, May 18
Tue May 18
Day 4:
introduction to the local business context
breakfast
hotel
transportation
meet in hotel lobby, depart for company visit
public transportation/walk
Many national economies have pivoted from economies of production to economies of service, the US being a prime example. But where does Spain sit on this spectrum? 50 years ago, most of Spain's economy would have been comprised of agriculture and production, but today the banking and tech sector are booming. Where does production and manufacturing stand, and where is it going?
presentation, discussion
meals
lunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
afternoon
visit
the evolution of AI in the banking sector
AI has transformed the banking sector by streamlining operations, enhancing customer satisfaction, and mitigating risks. Visit a Spanish bank that has been actively exploring and implementing artificial intelligence technologies in various aspects of its operations. Autonomous technology has long been used in software and computing within asset management and stock trading, so where next for AI's capabilities in finance?
management presentation, discussion
rest of the day at leisure
ISPer's recommendation: Barcelona is famous for its buildings being works of art; this is one of the few examples of a garden stepping up to that level. On the wilderness spectrum, Barcelona’s oldest park, Parc del Laberint d'Horta, is beauty-salon manicured: splendid temples, lily-glazed ponds, sculptures of mythological figures, and a cypress maze that’s clearly given the gardener’s pruning shears a workout. The labyrinth is definitely the standout feature, a maze made of elaborate swirls of thick foliage. It recreates the Greek myth of Theseus destroying the Minotaur (a part-human, part-bull monster) to fall in love with Ariadne. A similar fate awaits those who make it to the center—no bovine slaying required, but you will find love in the form of a statue of Cupid.
Day 5:
Wednesday, May 19
Wed May 19
Day 5:
Barcelona activa
breakfast
hotel
transportation
meet in hotel lobby, depart for company visit
public transportation/walk
Join an engaging and interactive session at Octagon Barcelona, where you'll discover the essential elements of sports marketing and athlete representation. Dive into both the practical and theoretical aspects of managing sports business effectively, including key strategies for brand partnerships and talent management. Throughout the visit, you'll have the opportunity to explore how to build sponsorship deals, enhance athlete and brand value, and cultivate strong client relationships. Octagon will equip you with invaluable tools and techniques for the successful management of sports marketing campaigns and talent representation.
management presentation, discussion, brainstorming session
meals
lunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
Join an engaging and interactive session at Barcelona Sport Academy, where you'll discover the essential elements of sports leadership and team management. Dive into both the practical and theoretical aspects of leading sports teams effectively, including key strategies for motivation. Throughout the visit, you'll have the opportunity to explore how to manage team dynamics, enhance player performance, and cultivate a positive team culture. The academy will equip you with invaluable tools and techniques for the successful management of sports organizations and coaching teams.
management presentation, discussion
ISPer's recommendation: try traditional Spanish tapas
Take a stroll by "Carrer de Blai" - also called the tapas street, and taste the delicious varieties of these little bites.
Day 6:
Thursday, May 20
Thu May 20
Day 6:
for the love of fashion
breakfast
hotel
transportation
meet in hotel lobby, depart for company visit
public transportation/walk
Spain is internationally recognized for its craftsmanship and luxury heritage, and LOEWE stands at the heart of this tradition. But did you know that LOEWE began as a collective of artisans and grew into one of the world’s most influential luxury fashion houses? Discover how the brand blended Spanish leather craftsmanship with contemporary design, expanded across global markets, and established a strong presence in fashion, retail, and creative industries. You will also gain insight into LOEWE’s production processes, supply chain, and commitment to innovation and sustainability.
management presentation, tour of facilities
meals
lunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
afternoon
visit
from Barcelona to the world: expansion strategies of a local company
Roca Barcelona Gallery is a family-owned company with a unique approach to business, making sustainability and design key pillars of its brand. The gallery provides a space to explore the intersection of sustainability and design through exhibitions of the latest sustainable technologies and trends. The company's management is committed to sustainable strategies, from energy-efficient buildings to eco-friendly products, making it a leader in sustainable business practices. Visit to gain a new perspective on sustainable business practices and make a positive impact on the environment.
management presentation, discussion, tour of gallery
free time to explore and relax: suggestion - Barrio Gotico
Do you want to travel back in time? Take a chance to visit “Barrio gótico” – the Gothic Quarter and explore the hidden gems, picturesque squares and narrow streets of this unique district, one of the biggest of its kind in the world. Or discover and enjoy the atmosphere of the most famous street in Barcelona - La Rambla street! This busy street is always lively and has numerous terraces and restaurants to enjoy, as well La Boqueria, Barcelona’s most iconic street market that will be the perfect place to buy local products as souvenirs to take back home to your loved ones.
Day 7:
Friday, May 21
Fri May 21
Day 7:
time to present and learn flamenco!
breakfast
hotel
morning
last prep before final presentations
Time for one final look at your slides to lock in any last-minute tweaks and get ready to present your results to the company reps. They're excited to hear from you!
meals
lunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
transportation
meet in hotel lobby, depart for company visit
public transportation/walk
afternoon
consulting project
consulting project work: final presentations
New Tech Capital
RCD Espanyol
Hesperia World
Beyond Form
nanimarquina
Each team will meet again their respective company and share with them the results of their consulting work.
management presentation, discussion, brainstorming session
transportation
meet in the hotel lobby, depart for farewell dinner
public transport/walk
evening
meals
farewell dinner with flamenco show
Savour the flavours of traditional Catalan cuisine and discuss the key takeaways and experiences throughout the trip before saying adiós to this beautiful country.
restaurant
Day 8:
Saturday, May 22
Sat May 22
Day 8:
depart for the USA
breakfast
hotel
transportation
check out/transfer to the airport
bus transfer
late morning
intercity transfers
depart for the USA
air