Cultural Expeditions

The City is Your Classroom.

At ICS, we view Seville and Andalusia as a Living Laboratory. While other programs rely on optional add-ons, we include the largest offering of cultural activities and excursions directly in your tuition. We connect your coursework to the real world so you don’t just see history and culture. You understand it through living it!

Regional Field Studies

Faculty-led journeys designed to explore the diverse history of Southern Spain and North Africa.

Led by ICS faculty, these mobile seminars serve as an extension of the classroom, connecting your coursework directly to the region’s geography and history.

Morocco: A 3-day expedition crossing the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangiers and Tétouan. We explore the «Three Cultures» and the deep historical, social and religious ties between Andalusia and North Africa. (Fall, Spring, Summer)
Granada: An overnight exploration of the Alhambra palaces and the Generalife gardens. We examine the art, engineering, and fall of the last Muslim kingdom in Spain. (Fall and Spring)
Córdoba: A study of the Umayyad Caliphate, centered on the architectural masterpiece of the Mosque-Cathedral. We analyze the coexistence of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian history. (Fall, Spring, Summer)
Jerez & Bolonia: We begin with an immersion into the economics of the modern sherry wine industry in Jerez —complete with a traditional wine tasting— before exploring the roots of ancient trade at the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia. Afterward, we leave dedicated leisure time to relax and enjoy one of the best beaches in Spain! (Fall)
Ronda: Famous for its breathtaking, dramatic location atop the deep El Tajo gorge, connecting the old Moorish town with the new town via the massive 18th-century Puente Nuevo bridge, Ronda offers a unique mix of intense history, romantic scenery, and is renowned as the birthplace of modern bullfighting. (Spring)

The Urban Laboratory

On-site seminars held at the landmarks that define the city.

Step out of the lecture hall and into history. Our professors conduct on-site seminars directly at Seville’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, transforming the city’s ancient landmarks into your active classroom.

The Cathedral & Giralda: We analyze the world’s largest Gothic Cathedral to understand Seville’s «Golden Age» as the global trading port of the Americas.
The Royal Alcázar: We trace the history of Europe’s oldest active royal palace, examining the unique blend of Islamic and Christian art (Mudéjar) that defines the region.
Itálica: An archaeological seminar at the birthplace of Roman Emperors Trajan and Hadrian, featuring one of the largest amphitheaters in the Empire. (Fall and Spring)
Plaza de España & María Luisa Park: Just steps from the ICS Villa, we explore the monuments of the 1929 Exposition to understand modern Seville’s relationship with the Americas.

Cultural Immersion

Active participation in Andalusian traditions to build true cultural competence.

We believe that understanding a culture requires doing, tasting, and listening.

Welcome Week Orientation: Your introduction to life in Seville, featuring a guided city orientation, a cruise on the Guadalquivir River, a traditional breakfast to settle you into the local rhythm and the most spectacular flamenco show in town.
Gastronomy Workshops: Hands-on cooking classes where you learn the history of Spanish ingredients while mastering local dishes like Paella and Tortilla de Patatas.
Flamenco Appreciation: An introduction to the complex rhythms and emotional roots of Flamenco, featuring interactive dance workshops and a live professional performance at the iconic Museo del Baile Flamenco.