IES Abroad: Madrid - Language & Area Studies
IES Abroad
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(For American Students)
It won’t be hard to fall in love with Madrid. Located in the heart of Spain, this capital city is especially unique because it has an urban pace and is well-known for its rich artistic, political, and business culture.Our program is designed for s... read more
All Reviews
I learned a lot about what I am looking for in a community and how to create one if I cannot find it. Carol K - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I gained an international perspective about life and I improved my spanish a lot. It was absolutely worthwhile. Jonah W - Brandeis University View Entire Review
Before I went abroad to Madrid, Spain, I had many reservations about what my experience would be. With only traveling out of the United States two times beforehand, I thought that living in Europe for an extended period of time was always going to be challenging. I was afraid that not only I would react poorly to my new surround... Miles Nabritt - Bates College View Entire Review
I learned so much about myself, improved my language skills and made a lot of awesome connections. It was extremely worthwhile. Olivia Browne - Franklin & Marshall College View Entire Review
It was 100% worthwhile, I would recommend it to anyone even considering going abroad. Not only is it a fantastic way to learn a new language and get to experience a new culture (and broadening your ideas beyond just those of your own country can be extremely enlightening and important), but you also learn so much about yourself.... Robin Granberry - Rice University View Entire Review
I was able to go out of my comfort zone with the help of IES. I learned a lot about Spanish culture and gained valuable experience with the language throughout my semester abroad. Katherine - Scripps College View Entire Review
I learned so much about the city and culture in Madrid, especially through my History of Madrid course, art history in the Prado, and my required language and culture course. I gained independence and confidence with solving unexpected problems. This semester abroad was certainly a worthwhile experience. A student - Hope College View Entire Review
The trip was so worthwhile. I came home with a new sense of independence, a suitcase full of olive oil, and friends that I will cherish forever. Lena Dennington - Trinity University View Entire Review
I improved my spanish, learned about culture, and most importantly learned about myself. It was definitely a worthwhile experience. Amanda Lack - Illinois Wesleyan University View Entire Review
I learned a lot about how to travel efficiently and thats a skill I will carry with my for the rest of my life. It required planning/time management skills and spontaneity. Marisa Fear - University of Michigan - Ann Arbor View Entire Review
I improved my Spanish and learned about Spanish history and culture. I learned a lot about the world and gained new perspectives through my interactions with others. It was definitely worthwhile. Mary Kate Winn - University of Michigan - Ann Arbor View Entire Review
I learned to keep an open mind at all times. I was immersed in an entirely different culture and I had to remain open minded and take in their culture as my own. I also learned to not be afraid to make mistakes and take risks. I traveled on the weekends, and even though I was still improving my Spanish I still tried to speak it... Selin Saka - Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State View Entire Review
I gained language skills, an understanding of local culture, a broader understanding of the world, travel experience, friends, and many learning experiences from my time abroad. I think that it was one of the most worthwhile things that I have ever done. A student - The Catholic University of America View Entire Review
I learned to be very independent and to adapt to new people, communities, and settings. I also learned a lot about Spain and its culture and people. It was a super enriching experience and I enjoyed it thoroughly. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I learned how to lean outside of my comfort zone and explore more. It was absolutely worthwhile. Cailin Stollar - Williams College View Entire Review
Academically I grew my language skills tremendously and personally I grew independence and the ability to travel and live on my own in a new city. Jeremy Griel - Franklin & Marshall College View Entire Review
I gained independence, organization when it comes to travel, more social skills, and of course, I saw an improvement in my Spanish. It was absolutely worthwhile! My school blessed me with money to travel, eat well, and explore my new favorite city in Europe, Madrid. It was unforgettable. Emily Bowen - Bates College View Entire Review
My experience was so worthwhile!!! I learned that the world isn't as big and scary as I thought it was! I gained so much self-confidence, personal freedom and independence and was able to explore and discover new parts of the world as an independent and unafraid person. I learned that there is far greater good than there is evil... Brianna Brullo - University of Redlands View Entire Review
I learned how to fit in with the Spanish culture and how to become more spontaneous. This experience was extremely worthwhile. I would do it again in a heart beat. A student - The Catholic University of America View Entire Review
I grew as a person and student. i learned more Spanish and a lot about the Spanish culture. Sydni - University of Michigan - Ann Arbor View Entire Review
I learned much more about European politics and economics. Also, I learned about Spanish culture and work life. A student - DePauw University View Entire Review
The biggest takeaways from my experience in Madrid were independence and learning the language. Living in a big city, with a host family was amazing and helped me gain this independence. My Spanish improved so much, which is so important to me. Natalie Sullivan - The College of Wooster View Entire Review
Madrid was truly a cultural blow. When I first arrived I was no stranger to museums, concerts and other types of cultural events—ever since I was a little girl my parents have encouraged my appreciation for such activities—but none of this compared to the magnitude and quality of what I discovered in Spain. Every minute of my ex... Adriana Z - Grinnell College View Entire Review
I really learned a lot about the Spanish culture and the city of Madrid. By the end of the trip, Madrid felt like home, a city I had grown to love. I also gained confidence in my Spanish speaking abilities. A student - University of Michigan - Ann Arbor View Entire Review
I gained a confidence in myself, not only with my Spanish language skills, but also in my abilities to be able to accomplish things and grow in a completely different environment in which everything was completely foreign. Meredith B - Macalester College View Entire Review
About
It won’t be hard to fall in love with Madrid. Located in the heart of Spain, this capital city is especially unique because it has an urban pace and is well-known for its rich artistic, political, and business culture.
Our program is designed for students who want to experience the vitality of Spain and the large urban university environment of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), one of the country’s most distinguished universities where our Center is located.
This program strives to immerse you in the culture of the Madrileños through its academic options, extracurricular activities with university students, and housing choices. In addition to a required Spanish course, you have the option to take a wide variety of IES Abroad-taught courses, as well as local university courses. You can also take a prep course for the Diploma de español como lengua extranjera (DELE), leading to a certificate. This award will be an asset to your résumé and can be earned at no extra cost. Several field trips take you beyond the city limits to sites of historic and contemporary interest. You can also add international work experience to your résumé while earning credit by participating in an internship placement and accompanying academic seminar.
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadProgram Length(s):
- Fall
- Spring
Instruction Language(s):
- Spanish
- English
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- Area Studies
Minimum GPA:
2.75Website
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