Location
  • Spain
    • Madrid
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Dormitory Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Price Details
Contact IES Abroad or see website for details.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Classes Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Visa
Nov 27, 2023
Mar 23, 2023
28 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Madrid will be your classroom. Take an architectural walking tour to see Madrid’s many beautiful buildings, churches, and structures. Enjoy trips to research centers. Visit the city’s famous museums like the Prado and Sorolla to inspire your coursework.

Our academic courses leverage the unique and rich history and culture of the country, taking advantage of all that Spain has to offer. Can you imagine taking an Art History course inside the world-famous, 200-year-old Prado Museum? IES Abroad Madrid can make this a reality!

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

LGBTQIA+ Support

Today, and every day, we celebrate who you are and who you will become. We take pride in simply getting to know you, and look forward to adventuring through this incredible world with you.

Studying abroad as part of the LGBTQIA+ community can present unique opportunities and challenges in exploring a new culture, so we have compiled resources on sexual orientation, gender identity, and allyship to help prepare you and support you along the way.

Neurodivergent Support

Going abroad, whether this is your first time or your umpteenth, can be a trip both literally and figuratively. Seeing something new or being someplace unfamiliar has its own challenges, especially when it comes to mental health and physical accessibility. With IES Abroad, you won't handle these concerns on your own.

We have not only compiled resources on mental health, physical health, and self-care to help prepare you and support you along the way, but we also have a dedicated Student Affairs staff that are available for you to contact from the United States and once in your host country.

Accessibility Support

Going abroad, whether this is your first time or your umpteenth, can be a trip both literally and figuratively. Seeing something new or being someplace unfamiliar has its own challenges, especially when it comes to mental health and physical accessibility. With IES Abroad, you won't handle these concerns on your own.

We have not only compiled resources on mental health, physical health, and self-care to help prepare you and support you along the way, but we also have a dedicated Student Affairs staff that are available for you to contact from the United States and once in your host country.

Impact

Sustainability

As part of IES Abroad's Global Good Commitment, IES Abroad employs sustainability measures in the following ways:
-Moving toward more sustainable Headquarters and Centers abroad
-Producing printed materials mindfully
-Hosting events and conferences in LEED-certified buildings
-Purchasing carbon offsets for staff air travel
-The formation of the IES Abroad Sustainability Team - a dedicated group of volunteers responsible for implementing sustainable practices across our organization. The team comprises of members across our Centers, departments, teams. It is truly a global effort, and we are better for it.

Program Highlights

  • You have an individual IES Abroad Program Advisor to guide you before your study abroad adventure. From visa requirements to travel details, they are your #1 resource for preparing to study abroad.
  • Enjoy IES Abroad Center amenities such as wireless internet, printer access, an outdoor swimming pool, a small library, and more.
  • Choose between housing options including homestays, residence halls, and shared apartments.
  • Take field trips to locations such as Valencia, the royal palaces, the gardens in Aranjuez and Chinchon, and others.
  • Customize your schedule with courses options taught by world-class professors at our IES Abroad Center and at a prestigious local university.

Popular Programs

three students standing in a plaza in Madrid with the Almudena Cathedral behind them

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. Our Center is located on the UCM campus, and this program strives to immerse you in the culture of the Madrileños through its academic options, extracurricular activities with university students, and housing choices.

Street in Madrid at night

This program is designed for engineering, math, and science students who want to take courses taught in English or Spanish at a prestigious and academically-challenging university — Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Specialize your studies with a range of engineering courses, from aerospace to mechanical. Science courses provide you with the chance to study pharmaceutical science as well as food sciences, with courses in biology and chemistry, too.

student smiling, wearing sunglasses in Madrid

Make this summer an unforgettable one when you study abroad in Madrid. Open to all majors, this program offers courses in Environmental Studies, Film Studies, and History among others. Starting at the IES Abroad Center in the heart of the Universidad Complutense's main campus, this program will help students gain a meaningful cultural experience and a deeper knowledge of what it means to be a citizen of the world.

two students laughing at a lookout point with buildings and mountains behind them

Madrid is a center for business, economic, and financial activity in Europe, making it the perfect city in which to study Business, Economics, and Social Sciences. Depending on the courses you choose, you may visit international businesses, financial organizations, and even an animation studio in Madrid, as part of your coursework. Other course-related trips include architectural walking tours and visits to the city’s museums like the Prado and Sorolla that will round out your experience.

Group of students standing on a balcony with the Paris skyline and Eiffel Tower behind them

This seven-week summer program offers a unique opportunity to examine how art and architecture have affected urban development, life, and culture in three fascinating European capitals: Paris, Rome, and Madrid. Start your program in Paris, where you'll begin to appreciate how these cities have developed around the central idea of cultural heritage and patrimony. It's here you'll start your two cross-center courses that will then take you to Rome and Madrid for two weeks in each city.

Scholarships

IES Abroad Scholarships

IES Abroad Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financial limitations shouldn't prevent you from studying abroad with us. That's why IES Abroad offers more than $6 million in scholarships and aid. IES Abroad offers a number of diversity scholarships and grants to provide opportunities for traditionally underrepresented communities in study abroad.

Value
$500 - $5,000

Program Reviews

4.95 Rating
based on 97 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.85%
  • 4 rating 5.15%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.1
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.85
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 97 reviews
Default avatar
Melissa
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great program!

This was a great program! Throughout my semester abroad I got to experience so many cool things and meet a ton of great people! IES organizes field trips to different cities around Madrid where you get to learn about the history of Spain and its culture. There were activities organized pretty much every weekend that gave me opportunities to get to know local students and experience life in Madrid. My housing was in a very convenient location close to a bus stop, metro stop, and lots of stores and restaurants. I definitely recommend this program to anyone looking to immerse themselves in the Spanish culture and experience life in Madrid!

56 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Regina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thankful for this program!

I studied through IES Abroad in Madrid, and I had a wonderful time, learning a lot along the way! As it was a short term, I took two classes - both of which gave me extra insight on the city and were taught by fantastic profes. In addition to mini "field trips" to notable museums or locations in the city via my history class, the larger program offered day trip excursions and events in the community, such as attending a Flamenco show, learning how to make paella and torte de Santiago, and regular meetings with Spanish students for conversation and fun. I experienced a great balance of coursework/guided activities and time to explore Madrid on my own. I got to tour castles, swim in the mountains, and learn a Spanish card game. I also got to shop local markets, see outdoor concerts, and even play pickup soccer in the park. By the end of the program, I felt that I knew Madrid's city center and a few outskirts extremely well. I'm grateful for my time studying abroad...and I look forward to an opportunity to go back!

Pros
  • Time to explore the vibrant, active city
  • Guided tours and day trips
  • Great public transport and other services
Cons
  • Some administrative issues difficult to navigate
  • Originally unexpected heatwave
78 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Stefanie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I'm Obsessed with IES Abroad

I studied abroad in Madrid during the spring semester of 2022 and it was the experience of a life time. Actually getting abroad was a little rocky, but from talking with other friends who went abroad, this seems to be a universal experience. I ended up accidentally arriving a week early for my program, so I spent some time in Spain by myself. This accident was great for my transition from home to abroad life because it gave me the chance to explore and come out of my comfort zone without the frenzy of the start of school and orientation activities. IES had a lot of resources set aside for students that I used frequently throughout the year. I had weekly tutoring for both of my biology classes, when I became sick during my time abroad, a physician came to my room to treat me, and the organized field trips throughout the semester really helped keep all of the abroad students close and connected. Over some weekends, I would travel with my friends to other countries. From this independence, I learned so much about myself and the way I fit into the world. I came to learn what empowers me and what I value/lean on in the midst of change. Going abroad was a huge period of consistent adjustment and readjustment. As stressful as this sometimes was at first, I am so much more flexible in the way I live my life, and my life is easier. As I was initially adjusting to the new stresses of life abroad, it was really important for me to have a safe space. I needed to create my own home. Having a really safe and homey bedroom was important for my relaxation and decompression from daily life. My apartment provided by IES was perfect. It was called “Mi Casa Inn,” and it was basically a hotel that only students lived in. There were other abroad students, and Spanish locals who lived there. This was amazing for integration and quick connections with other students. This was also really safe when going out at night because I always had friends who were going back with me. I am one hundred percent sure that IES was the best choice for my abroad program.

Pros
  • Safety
  • Housing
  • Academic Support
Cons
  • Miscommunication (translational error)
  • Disorganization
71 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester in Spain!

I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain in the semester of Spring 2022. It was quite literally one of the best periods of my life so far, both personally and also academically! I made some incredible friends, got to learn about a new culture, practice and improve my Spanish skills enormously during my time there. Madrid itself is also an incredibly city to live and study in. It's full of culture, life and things to do. It also has amazing transportation systems, healthcare and the people are super friendly and welcoming too.

The IES staff were also so helpful and easy to reach out to during my time abroad. They were there to help with any issues I had, which was greatly appreciated. The classes were also fun and interesting, even though they were pretty different in comparison to how US classes work. Expect more lecture based classes, as well as the classes being entirely in Spanish!
My housing was great too, I had my own dorm with plenty of space and an en-suite bathroom. It was about a 3 min walk away from my classes and a 10-15 min walk from the metro station, shops, etc. I couldn't have lived in a more central location.

Overall, I would recommend this program to ANYONE interested in studying abroad, even if you feel your language skills are not that strong - this is a great chance to improve them whilst having fun doing it! It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you should do it.

Pros
  • Great social life
  • Improve your Spanish skills
  • Travel frequently
Cons
  • Food was different
  • Culture shock
71 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lisset
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A wonderful experience!

From the moment I stepped off the airplane to the moment I boarded, I felt the support of the IES staff. It was a peculiar time when I was abroad; Spain had just begun to experience a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases before we were asked to repatriate. Nevertheless, the short time that I was in Madrid was a special and memorable one. I was placed with a warm and caring host-family that taught me a lot about the Spanish culture and with whom I built a relationship. Classes were from Monday to Thursday, so I always felt as if I had enough time to explore the city and its surroundings. To mention: my art history class took place in The Prado Museum; instead of spending the class hours inside a classroom we learned about art in the museum. I saw paintings from El Greco to Goya to Picasso. Additionally, IES often organized activities and excursions to expose students to more aspects of the Spanish culture. For example, IES organized a weekend trip to Extremadura; a place where we were able to learn about history, food, and the regional culture. All in all, it was a culture enriching experience—even if it was for a short amount of time.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Keep an open mind! Try new food, visit new places, and talk to people! Do not expect things to be done as they are in the US; you will have a lot of adapting to do. However, everything will result in a more enriching experience.
125 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Autumn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Short but Sweet

My experience in Madrid was amazing. I got to meet a lot of people, learn all about a foreign culture, and travel to new places. One of my favorite parts of being abroad was being able to travel easily. Madrid was incredible, but smaller places outside of the city were breathtaking. The longest excursion we took as a program was to Córdoba. It was such a beautiful trip I'll never forget! It was also easy to travel outside of Spain; Berlin was my favorite.

Another thing about Madrid in particular is that their public transportation systems are very clean and easy to use. I live in a fairly rural area, and do not have much experience with using a Metro or taking a city bus. However, it was very simple once I figured it out!

Unfortunately, my experience was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. It was heartbreaking, which speaks to the unforgettable adventure I was having. I am very grateful for my abroad experience and for the IES staff that helped along the way. Everything was well organized and, even when disaster struck, I felt safe with my program. I hope to revisit the beautiful country of Spain in the future.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moment for me was immediately after I got to my apartment the first day. The exhaustion from travel and the emotional toll of leaving my comfort zone finally caught up to me. I was not expecting to feel so overwhelmed because I was never on the fence about studying abroad; it was something I always knew I wanted in a college experience. Funnily enough, I overcame this deep homesickness by going to the supermarket! It was something so normal and manageable. It took away from everything else that seemed so abnormal and unmanageable!
114 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Cailin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Immersive Language Experience with IES Abroad: Madrid

I had a great time in Madrid with IES Abroad. This program was perfect for me because my focus of my abroad semester was immersing myself in a different language and a new culture. IES paired me with an amazing host family, who I am still in contact with. Additionally, they did a great job making sure that I continued studying hard but also exploring the city and country that I was in. Additionally, the group of students studying under IES was big enough that I felt as though I could meet many people like me, but not too large to the point where I didn't know everyone.

What would you improve about this program?
At some times, the program felt a little unorganized. Many pieces of information were relayed to the students closer to the date that I'm typically comfortable with, but it was overall fine.
122 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Miles
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Abroad In Madrid, Spain: A Time Of Wonder And Excitement

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 surroundings but also I would not enjoy being away from home for so long. However, as I adjusted to life in Madrid I found that the reservations that I had were simply doubts. Throughout my time abroad, I was able to become immersed in the city’s culture by eating at various restaurants, visiting many important monuments and public sites, and learning about the historical significance of Spain in my program’s classes. Most importantly, I met a wide variety of people who were kind, generous, sympathetic, and open. Through study abroad, I was amazed by how I became more aware of the world around me as I was able to make life long friends and have many memorable experiences. I am incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to have studied abroad in such a beautiful, dynamic, and encapsulating country.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would have more trips around Spain and throughout Europe. Earlier in the program, IES led weekend trips to Segovia, Bilbao, and San Sebastian. It would be great if I had more time to travel around Spain and to travel to other countries around Europe such as France or the UK.
131 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Yes—all my classes were taught in English except my intermediate level Spanish class. I went through IES and it was a wonderful trip provider. IES was there for me throughout my entire time abroad from everything to receiving packages sent from home to comforting participants through homesickness. I studied engineering at Carlos III and all of those classes were taught in English. Enjoy Madrid!!