Construction Management Students Go Abroad for European Site Visits, Cultural Immersion
Wentworth Construction Management students at Ohla’s headquarters in Spain
As part of the Spring 2025 Construction Management Study Abroad Program, students participated in a week-long series of Wentworth Institute of Technology faculty-led site visits, organized and led by Professor Payam Bakhshi.
The itinerary featured visits with two leading international construction firms—Casais Group in Portugal and OHLA Group in Spain—and was designed to expose students to global construction practices while also offering curated cultural experiences that contextualize the built environment across Europe.
Casais Group in Portugal
Casais Group is a multinational construction company headquartered in Braga, Portugal, with operations in more than 20 countries. The company is known for its innovation in industrialized construction and sustainability-focused building solutions.
The visit with Casais Group provided students with insight into both traditional construction techniques and advanced prefabrication systems. The two active sites featured:
A conventional build with unique challenges that encouraged discussion around on-site problem-solving and sequencing
A modular construction project utilizing prefabricated components and off-site production strategies
Students interacted with engineers and site managers to discuss sustainability, quality control, and off-site construction approaches.
OHLA Group in Spain
OHLA Group is a global infrastructure and construction firm headquartered in Madrid, Spain, with a strong presence across Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. The company is known for its expertise in complex urban projects, civil infrastructure, and hospital and rail construction.
OHLA Group hosted students for a comprehensive look at urban and infrastructure megaprojects. Sites included:
Canalejas Gallery: a sophisticated redevelopment maintaining a historic façade
IE University’s new tower: a modern educational facility
Emperador Castellana Tower: OHLA Headquarters and an MEP learning opportunity
A high-speed rail infrastructure project outside Madrid
These visits exposed students to a variety of real-world challenges and through conversations with professionals across departments, they gained a deeper understanding of how multidisciplinary teams collaborate to deliver major projects.
Cultural Activities
In Portugal, students visited Lisbon’s iconic neighborhoods (Baixa, Chiado, Alfama), historical landmarks like the Castelo de São Jorge, Belém Tower, and Jerónimos Monastery, and traveled to Sintra for a tour of the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace.
In Spain, cultural highlights included a day trip to Segovia to explore the Alcázar and the Roman Aqueduct, and attending a UEFA Champions League match—Real Madrid C.F. vs. Manchester City—at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.