The ummah of tomorrow in the Spain of today.
Apply for December 2026We came from greatness and we’re building it again.
A second annual retreat, this winter break.
A leadership journey for remarkable young Muslims aged 18–24. Queen City University returns to Andalusia for a full week, December 24 to 31, 2026.
“QCU was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It allowed me to connect with young Muslims from many different walks of life. I left feeling inspired by the passion, warmth, and sense of purpose I witnessed.— Aasiya, Freshman, University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
See it for yourself.
If our history is this expansive, our future can be too.
Andalusia isn’t just a beautiful backdrop. It’s where Muslim civilization reached extraordinary heights in philosophy, science, architecture, and coexistence. When young Muslims walk the Alhambra’s courtyards, stand where Ibn Rushd taught, and see what our ancestors achieved, something shifts. This is about showing them what’s possible when Muslims invest in learning, creativity, and community, and giving them the tools and the network to build that future themselves.
A leadership retreat. Not a tour.
Queen City University is so much more than a tour, and bigger than any study abroad. It is a vision of Muslim community that balances our diversity with our purpose, potential, and moral consciousness.
Religious Growth
Guided discussions on faith, identity, and navigating contemporary life as young Muslims.
Professional Development
Skills workshops on networking, communication, and leadership, taught by accomplished mentors.
Community Building
A global alumni network that becomes sounding boards, collaborators, and partners for decades.
Unlike study abroad programs, we’re limited to 16 participants for deep, personalized attention. Every session, every site visit, every conversation is built around one question: how do we help you step into your potential?
A week, built to change how you see yourself.
Learning & Development
- Sessions with accomplished leaders in tech, law, entrepreneurship, religion, and the arts
- Skills workshops: networking, professional communication, leadership
- Guided discussions on faith, career, and building community
- Peer collaboration on real projects
Cultural Immersion
- Granada’s Alhambra, Córdoba’s Mezquita, Seville’s Alcázar
- Architecture, poetry, calligraphy, and Islamic contributions to civilization
- We pray together, make dhikr together, and make time to reflect
Independent Exploration
- Built-in free time to discover Spanish cities on your own
- Freedom to grab meals, explore neighborhoods, and make your own adventures
- Practice navigating the world with mentors nearby
Community
- Two halal meals eaten together every day
- Shared accommodations with roommates matched by gender and interests
- Conversations that last long after the trip ends
What they took home.
The conversations that matter, together.
What explains the rise and fall of the old Muslim world?
What lessons can we take from Muslim Spain into our lives today?
How can young Muslims balance faith and career, belief and belonging?
How does Islam help us build strength, resilience, and perspective?
How can Muslims do more to enrich and empower our societies?
What skills help young Muslims realize their professional potential?
How should we think about the biggest decisions of our lives, and make better ones?
Young Muslim leaders, connected across the world.
The bonds our alumni built in Andalusia become sounding boards, collaborators, and partners for years to come.
Our growing alumni network includes students and graduates of Harvard University, the University of Texas–Austin, the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, the University of Maryland, the University of Cincinnati, Loyola University, and Queen Mary University of London.
Program details.
What’s included
- All hotel accommodations, with roommates matched by gender and shared interests
- All ground transportation between cities and for tours; staff travel with participants
- Two daily halal meals, eaten together for community
- All program sessions, activities, expert instruction, and mentorship
- Entrance fees to all sites and museums
- Entry into a growing alumni network spanning the US, UK, and beyond
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses, such as gifts, snacks, and one daily meal
Led by people who have done this for decades. By people who are invested in our faith and our future.
Haroon Moghul
Muslim Chaplain at Xavier University and author of How to be a Muslim and Two Billion Caliphs. For over twenty years he has poured his heart into empowering Muslim communities as an educator, chaplain, and guide.
Elias Keeler
Raised between Syria, Spain, and Morocco, where he memorized the Qur’an and studied the Islamic sciences. He guides travelers through Andalusia’s Islamic history, fluent in Arabic, Spanish, and English.
Sadia Malik
Pursuing an MSc in International Development at SOAS, University of London, and Youth Director at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati (ICGC). She also holds roles with the American Pakistan Foundation and Islamic Relief USA.
Travel Safina
Our dedicated travel partner, handling the logistics on the ground so participants can focus on the experience.
Our leadership team travels with the cohort, arriving with your students and remaining with them in Spain across the journey.
A thoughtful, personal process.
Submit your application
Our application is designed to help us build a retreat that reflects each cohort. No two Queen City University retreats are the same.
Interview
Selected applicants meet our leadership team over a friendly Zoom conversation.
Decision
We notify you within two weeks of your interview.
Pre-trip planning
Accepted participants join a session to help shape the programming.
Travel support
We help arrange flights and share packing lists, emergency contacts, and trip details.
Cost should never be a barrier.
Thanks to generous supporters, we hold a limited scholarship fund for participants who would benefit from financial assistance.
You, if this sounds like you.
- Currently an undergraduate, or a recent graduate
- Curious and eager to grow in your faith
- Ready to build deep connections with like-minded peers
- Open to complex questions and diverse perspectives
- Eager to serve your communities with intention and impact
- Excited to invest a week in becoming who you want to be
We know this is a big decision.
We’re glad to answer questions about program structure, participant responsibilities, and emergency protocols; to discuss what makes a strong candidate; to connect you with parents from our January 2026 cohort; and to share detailed itineraries and daily schedules.
Talk with usThe ummah of tomorrow in the Spain of today.
A week-long leadership retreat for young Muslims, ages 18 to 24.
Apply for December 2026