Location
  • Spain
    • Madrid
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Accounting Advertising Art History Arts Communications Cultural Studies Economics Education European Studies Film Health Sciences History Humanities International Business International Relations Journalism Law Liberal Arts Linguistics Mathematics Media Relations Natural Sciences Social Sciences Theater Tourism Visual Arts Women's Studies +17
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

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

Pricing

Starting Price
2000
Oct 06, 2023
Mar 04, 2024
19 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Madrid, the capital and geographic center of Spain, is a wonderfully vibrant city with rich cultural, artistic, and intellectual activity. ISA offers the chance to study at two great Spanish universities in Madrid, the Universidad Antonio de Nebrija and the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid!

The Universidad Antonio de Nebrija is a private and independent university which welcomes students from all over the world to experience modern Spain in a traditional university setting. The university aspires to maintain the highest quality of scientific investigation and academic instruction.

The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) is an innovative public research university that is focused on improving society through the highest quality teaching and research. Founded in 1989 and named for Charles III of Spain, the University has been ranked as a top 50 university under 50 years old by QS World University Rankings.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

Our team at ISA is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and ISA staff. We have developed our ISA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of ISA destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.

LGBTQIA+ Support

Our team at ISA is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and ISA staff. We have developed our ISA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of ISA destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.

Neurodivergent Support

ISA is committed to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of neurodivergence. Our Health & Safety team is available to answer questions about insurance and medication, as well as provide students with materials on overseas access to support.

Accessibility Support

ISA is committed to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of accessibility. With our wide portfolio of program types and locations we’re confident there is a suitable and accessible program for each student. Accommodations abroad can be complex and take time, so those with accessibility needs should inform ISA of any accommodations requests as early as possible in the advising process. Please contact accessibilityteam@studiesabroad.com with questions or for more information.

Impact

Sustainability

We have partnered with Fill it Forward to engage team members and program participants in waste reduction practices. The goal is to encourage the elimination of single-use waste. Every QR code scan shows the impact of reusable bottles and unlocks a donation to environmental impact groups.

Ethical Impact

WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

Popular Programs

Universidad Antonio de Nebrija

The Universidad Antonio de Nebrija’s main campus, Madrid-Princesa, is located in the heart of the city along Line 3 of the Madrid metro. ISA students at Nebrija can take courses in English and Spanish with other international students. Both international and local Spanish students share the same academic buildings and have access to libraries, computer labs, and cafeterias on campus. Universidad Antonio de Nebrija is fully accredited and recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

According to the annual QS ranking, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) is one of the top universities among those established within the last 50 years. It is recognized throughout Europe for its strong reputation and academic rigor, occasionally referred to as the "Harvard of Spain." The business programs at UC3M are particularly well-regarded internationally and their Department of Economics is ranked among the top 50 programs in the world.

Scholarships

ISA Scholarships

ISA by WorldStrides Diversity Scholarship

This scholarship is offered for summer and semester programs and is intended for students with identities historically underserved in education abroad. This can include, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Alaskan Native, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, LGBTQIA+, First-Generation College Students, U.S. Military Veterans, students with disabilities, and/or students at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Value
$2,500 - $5,000

Program Reviews

4.57 Rating
based on 14 reviews
  • 5 rating 78.57%
  • 4 rating 14.29%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 7.14%
  • Academics 3.8
  • Support 4.6
  • Fun 4.65
  • Housing 4.6
  • Safety 4.45
Showing 1 - 8 of 14 reviews
Default avatar
Polly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best semester abroad

I've studied abroad 4 different times, but Madrid with ISA was probably my most favorite experience. I got to practice my spanish in and out of class, experience the night life of Madrid, and connect with other abroad students and create some of my strongest friendships. My apartment stay allowed me to grow so close with the other girls I was living with and my next door neighbors. We had a built in family that laughed, cried, and traveled all around Europe together. I'd do it all over again if I could .

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Anyone wanting to do this program should save up money before coming!! I did that and it was the best decision ever. Take advantage of the time you have abroad! Try everything - food, dance classes, last minute flights. This program allows you to have the flexibility to travel and learn and that's a gift you can't let go to waste :)
Pros
  • No school on Fridays @ Universidad Nebrija
  • Intensive Spanish Course option to help with transitioning and learning the language
  • Awesome study abroad community
Cons
  • Class Attendance will count for or against your grade
  • End of the semester comes out of nowhere...
3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Laine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Four Months of my Life

To say that the ISA Abroad experience changed my life is an understatement. I came to Madrid in the spring of 2022 hoping for an immersive experience in Spanish to culminate my Spanish Minor from the University of Colorado. This program certainly exceeded my expectations. From the renowned education and hands-on coursework to the opportunities to bond, travel, and experience Madrid with my classmates, I couldn't have asked for anything better. With the flexibility of the course schedules, I was able to visit 11 different countries during my time abroad, my particular favorite being a week in the Sahara Desert in Africa (Morocco). This experience allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I became more comfortable being independent in a (large) new city, went out of my comfort zone to experience new food and culture, and worked hard in school to complete my Spanish minor. I wouldn't change a thing about the program: The housing and activities are well-established and organized. Study abroad.... It will change your life and perspective!

What was your funniest moment?
While I was in Spain, my roommates and I had the opportunity to attend the Madrid Open Tennis Tournament. We bought tickets for some of the pre-tournament activities, but I think we were all expecting it to be a lot more crowded than it was. Sometimes, when we would enter a game, we were the only ones in the stadium watching the players. Looking around at all of us, dressed nicely, and being respectful of the players was a funny moment in the sense that I realized how much everyone had matured over the course of the trip. It didn't matter what we were doing, we just loved all being together and experiencing new things.
Pros
  • Amazing housing
  • Rigorous but manageable coursework
  • Comfortable, safe city
Cons
  • If you are not used to a big city (like me) there is a little bit of a learning curve, but that is with all things.
11 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Madison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer experience in Madrid

Culture is Spain is amazing, especially for young students in the capital city! Great museums, excursions, clubs, and food. Weekend travel is also very easy. Studying in the morning, going to a museum or shop during the day, tapas for dinner, then clubbing til the next day. Trips to cultural sites and communities in Spain was very interesting and gave a lot of insight into the culture and history. Connecting with locals gave me lifelong friends and even deeper connection to Spain. The program overall was set up very well and organized. Felt like staff was just a message away and super nice!

13 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Isabella
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester Abroad in Madrid!

ISA offered the perfect balance of guidance and freedom in my study abroad experience, making their resources for student success crystal clear. I absolutely loved attending excursions as the ISA staff were very knowledgeable about the history and amenities of Madrid and each city we traveled to. Outside of these events, the staff and my host family gave great tips and tricks for exploring independently and on a budget. One of my favorite parts of going to Madrid with ISA is that they have students in two different universities and a wide range of majors, allowing me to interact with students I wouldn’t have met in class. If you love a new adventure every day, I highly recommend heading to a big city like Madrid and taking the metro to wherever the map calls you!

Pros
  • Central location for travel around Spain
  • Safe, never-ending nightlife environment
  • Many free or inexpensive city activities
Cons
  • Possible long commutes to school
24 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Elisabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Experience Possible

I would not change anything about my abroad experience. ISA was such an all inclusive program in which I felt fully immersed and had plenty of freedom while also having continuous support and guidance. I learned so much through the included excursions and cultural experiences offered frequently and when deciding to travel and explore on my own, was given plenty of recommendations and advice upon asking. Not to mention, Madrid is the most beautiful, incredible city ever full of so much diversity.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Don't waste time doing things you could do at home ie. napping or eating fast food. Explore everywhere possible, try new food, talk to strangers etc!
75 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Scott
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Semester Abroad

I was very apprehensive when I first arrived in Spain, but once I arrived the ies staff was very helpful and made the transition process much easier. In addition, my host family was extremely patient with my speaking abilities, and they gave me tips about the life in Spain. I made some of my best friends from other schools that I would otherwise not have met. This experience has opened up my mind as I am eager to continue traveling and meeting new people. I will definitely return to Madrid at some point in the future. I hope that anyone who has the opportunity to travel to study abroad takes these opportunities because for me, it was life changing, and I now view the world very differently. I really felt like I was involved in the culture that I lived in.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Arriving to the airport was extremely nerve-racking. I overcame this by remaining patient with the language and making new friends.
82 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Fabian
1/5
No, I don't recommend this program

AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!

I've been to Madrid 5 times before and studied abroad with 2 different companies prior to "studying" with ISA and I can honestly say ISA has been the worst company ever. Their policy is if something goes wrong it is your fault. If you find a problem with their substandard housing or education, then it's your problem not their. ISA Madrid and the main staff in Austin are completely useless, rude, and do not care about their students. Unwilling to help you, and in fact hide their shortcoming to make themselves look professional. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!!

76 people found this review helpful.
Response from ISA (International Studies Abroad)

Dear Fabian,

Thank you for taking the time to review our Madrid program. We are always open to constructive feedback from program participants so that we can continue to improve and provide the best student experience possible.

It's truly unfortunate to hear that you felt your experience abroad was inadequate, after all the assistance that ISA has provided to you. While we continue to assist you with ongoing matters, we wish you had shared these concerns while you were abroad, not after you returned home, so that we could have been in a better place to directly address them and help you have a great experience. While you also did not like the host university, historically, ISA students have felt differently. In fact many expressed a sense of pride in being a part of this particular university, with it over 700 years of academic excellence and it being ranked within the top 250 universities in the world according to QS. Again, we appreciate your feedback and will take it into account during the thorough program evaluations we administer each term.

Default avatar
Emily
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ISA Staff is the best!

International Studies Abroad is an incredible organization with FANTASTIC people working for them! They all helped me with every single thing I needed, were encouraging, supportive, fun, and great people to get to know!

What would you improve about this program?
I just wish I had gone with someone I knew, but that is a personal choice.
76 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers