API Study Abroad: Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Why did you decide to study with API?

Justin: I initially decided to study abroad with API because they offered a quarter-long program in addition to a semester-long one. Since I knew I had four months to spend abroad, I liked the idea of studying for three of those months, and then having a full month at the end to travel around Spain and the rest of Europe. I could tell even before my experience that API was an incredibly flexible program that could be tailored to my specific needs. I wasn’t forced to conform to any cookie-cutter standard program.

What made this experience unique and special?

Justin: The study abroad experience was unique for several reasons: the small, intimate nature of our program (which resulted in a great level of personal attention from the staff) and also because of the level of immersion it provided into Spanish culture.

Some of the study abroad programs in Spain are massive! People might be in a program with up to 200 people in one city. API isn’t nearly as big, as there were about 40 people in Madrid with me. The small nature of the program meant we had so many great opportunities that others didn’t have—to take trips with our program, attend cultural events, and receive quick help whenever we needed it from the staff members. The staff sat down with us individually to craft our class schedules and to address any concerns and questions we had. I doubt the larger programs are able to offer such personal help abroad.

API also places a huge value on cultural immersion. Unlike anyone I know who has studied abroad, I actually lived in a Spanish dormitory in the heart of Madrid. I wasn’t surrounded by Americans all the time, but rather by people from all corners of Spain. I was amazed by the cultural differences seen in each region of Spain, the result of thousands of years of history. I studied Spanish at Spain’s premier public university, surrounded not by Americans, but by students from around the world: Brazil, Greece, Germany, China, and Japan, to name a few.

Like I referenced earlier, API was also unique in the trips they provided within Spain, and also in providing us with cultural events to attend every week or every other week. As a group, we’d see Spanish movies on Gran Via, go salsa dancing, and learn how to make delicious paella.

How has this experience impacted your future?

Justin: The experience has already impacted me. My Spanish improved dramatically, and I made Spanish friends with whom I am still in touch. I have been interviewing with law firms in Texas for summer internships, and they are thrilled to see that I have studied abroad and speak some Spanish. Interviewers constantly ask about my experience there.

What position do you hold at API? What has been your career path so far?

Quique: I began working with API in 1999 as the Resident Director for our Madrid programs. When I first started, we worked with two universities - Universidad Complutense and Suffolk University. Since then, we've added two other schools, Universidad Antonio de Nebrija and Universidad Francisco de Vitoria.

Did YOU study abroad?

Quique: When I was in college, study abroad wasn't given as much emphasis as it is today, but I can say I did "study abroad" because my father worked for the Spanish government, so I got to live in different parts of the world. I was born in Uruguay and from there we lived in Brazil for short period of time, and then moved to Morocco. I have also lived in New York City, and since 1997 I have been living in Madrid.

What does the future hold for API - any exciting new programs to share?

Quique: We have just added a new program to Madrid. It's not like any other program we have in Madrid, as it combines Spanish language learning with Internship opportunities.

What about the future of the industry? How do you think study abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?

Quique: I think it has changed already in the past 10 years and it will probably keep growing. A few years ago students just studied abroad to learn a second language but now they also want the opportunity to broaden themselves overall.

What country have you always wanted to visit?

Quique: I consider myself a world citizen, but I have never been to Australia and I would really like to visit soon!

Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?

Quique: From my own experience I believe that learning another language helps you travel and better understand other cultures. Cultural immersion is very important and I always tell my students that even if they don't seem they have "grown" while they're abroad - once they go back home they will see things with a different perspective and also be more appreciative of what they have.