Spain: Madrid - Spanish Language, Art, and Spanish & European Studies

Name: Spain: Madrid - Spanish Language, Art, and Spanish & European Studies
Brand: USAC
SKU: 19283
Rating: 4.94 (33 reviews)

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4.94 Rating

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Location

Spain
- Madrid

Term

Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer

Subject Areas

Anthropology Architecture Cultural Studies European Studies History Political Science

Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Housing

Apartment Host Family

Language

English

Last Updated: Sep 25, 2024

Last Reviewed: Oct 17, 2024

Wish List

16 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Study abroad at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, Spain with USAC! Students interested in pursuing studies in Spanish language or Spanish and European studies will have ample course options to do so. Students will have the exciting opportunity to practice their developing language skills with local Spaniards in one of the great capital cities of the world. Explore the city through field trips and free time, visiting museums, viewing magnificent architecture, eating amazing food, and attending cultural events with friendly locals.

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USAC Study Abroad Programs in Madrid, Spain

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Diversity & Inclusion 💙

LGBTQIA+ Support

There are LGBTQIA+ friends, colleagues, and allies throughout the world. However, cultural understanding of gender identity and sexuality does vary from country to country. USAC has compiled a lot of resources to help you through that learning process.

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Accessibility Support

USAC is dedicated to working closely with students with disabilities to ensure the best study abroad experience possible. You may request reasonable accommodations after your initial application is complete. We routinely receive requests for scheduling, material, and environmental accommodations for the classroom setting, which may include assistive technology, scribes and readers, printed material, and interpretation.

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Impact 🌎

Sustainability

Environmentally-conscious students choose USAC because many of our programs are held in some of the most sustainable countries in the world. There are options to take coursework in sustainability and the environment, as well as field trips and studies where students can leave a lasting impact on their host country.

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Program Highlights

Enjoy the benefits of living in one of Europe’s most vibrant (and comparatively affordable) capital cities: visit Madrid´s world-famous museums (must-sees for Art History students), experience its fabulous nightlife, explore its unique neighborhoods
Join field trips to see the famous windmills of La Mancha, the stunning medieval cities of Toledo and Segovia, the imposing monastery of El Escorial
Immerse yourself in Spanish culture: visit newly refurbished food markets and sample its delicious cuisine, join the language partner exchange program at the university, or volunteer at a local school
Take advantage of Madrid´s “Río”—an area where you can play sports or go for a walk

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating

based on 33 reviews

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Rating Spread Study

5 rating 93.94%
4 rating 6.06%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4.4
Support 4.75
Fun 4.75
Housing 4.6
Safety 4.85

Good for Students, Adventure travelers, Solo Travelers

Showing 33 - 33 of 33 reviews

Studying abroad in Madrid was the experience of a lifetime. The city is huge, diverse, and beaming with possibilities and opportunities. With its huge parks, expansive museums, wild night life, comic stores, concerts, art exhibits, soccer stadiums, shopping, and traditional and imported food from all over the world, no matter what it is that you are looking for, it is in Madrid. The program is made up of a huge array of people from all over the world, all there for different reasons, and all connecting with one another. Madrid is the capital of Spain and as such an absolute travel hub, enabling you to travel far and wide throughout Spain or across Europe with ease. The program directors are the nicest people you will ever meet, and the Spanish professors the most talented. You will learn so much about Spanish, yourself, and the amazing culture that you are sure to embody in Spain.

Questions & Answers

Is it reasonable to study in Madrid with limited Spanish?

Hi, great question! We would answer your question with a yes! To learn more about the experience you will have on this program, we recommend contacting the program provider directly, which you can do here: https://usac.edu/usac/contact-us.

By Go Overseas on July 30, 2018

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because it was the one connected to my university's international programs' office, and my study abroad advisor had tons of information about the process of applying to study abroad through USAC and had a plethora of knowledge regarding particular scholarships that would help aid me in affording to go on my program.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

My program provider/university assisted me with the application process to study abroad through USAC, advising me on what scholarships to apply for, advising me on revisions to send in my best possible scholarship essay, as well as an orientation program before traveling abroad with other students planning to study abroad the same time as you. So I met other program participants of Madrid from UNLV through our orientation. During orientation we went over culture shock before and after our program, safety measures, how to go about securing your visa, and how to secure your travel accommodations with as a group.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

My one piece of advice is to not be afraid to explore and travel on your own. Even though I made friends in my program and a few friends with locals, most of the time I spent abroad I went exploring the city on my own and planning excursions to special events and places around town.

It can be scary at first but it is also rewarding because you get to visit the sites that made you decide to study abroad for me that was the Museo de Traje: the Costume Museum of the History of Clothes and Fashion in Madrid, and visiting jazz clubs such as Sala Clamores, Cafe Berlin, or El Plaza where you can enjoy a copa: drink while listening to live music, and could end up seeing a flamingo dance performance like I did in Cafe Berlin.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The average day/week as a participant of this program is wake up early to use the metro to get to the stop for your host university Universidad de Rey Juan Carlos to have your schedule of classes probably around 3 or 2 each day. Then you'll have a break for snack and after your classes you can catch a lunch in the school cafeteria or travel on your own to a menu del dia at a restaurant of your choosing. Get your homework assignments done then the rest of the day is free to explore your host city and you can either plan to have dinner with your friends or with your host family. Just let your host parents know beforehand so they have time to prepare your dinner.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was living on my own and not knowing the language completely. My host family living arrangements helped me in some of those aspects because my host mom really tried her best those first few weeks to show me the main parts of the cities, suggestions on where to eat, how to use the metro, and obviously she only spoke Spanish to me so I was forced to learn new vocabulary and to converse in Spanish everyday.

What is your favorite aspect of Madrid?

I would have to say the night life there is so much to do like visiting friends for some cafe con leche and churros, nightclubs called disco tecas if those are your thing, and my absolute favorite activity to do was visit different jazz clubs for some live music with a glass of sangria. I also loved visiting the theatre at various sites to see performances like a classical ballet Swan Lake, classical concerts at a student discount, and seeing a Spanish Opera called La Villana as well as seeing the street performers. As well as the fabulous sight seeing at famous spots such as El Templo de Debod.

Lindsey Freitag

2016 Alum

Qundeel Khattak

Brent Kirkland

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Sara East

Program

Spain: Madrid - Spanish Language, Art, and Spanish & European Studies

Job Title

Digital Communications Specialist

Sara graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising and Public Relations and a Spanish minor. She studied abroad in Madrid, Spain in 2007 and now oversees the social media and digital content marketing for USAC.

What is your favorite travel memory?

traveling in Europe

My favorite travel memory is when I was studying abroad in Madrid in 2007 and I took a mini-vacation to Italy over spring break. We were in Rome and looking for the ruins and I will never forget leaving the subway and walking onto the street and looking to my right and seeing the city.

I thought to myself "where are these ruins?!" Then I turned to my left and boom, right in the middle of the city were these beautiful ancient ruins. It was so cool that I could be grabbing a cup of coffee at a modern day cafe and then 1/4 mile away walking through such a magnificent piece of history.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working for USAC has re-opened my eyes to the importance of traveling and getting to know other cultures. I was a changed person after studying abroad, but 10 years later and I haven't thought of a lot of the lessons I learned while abroad in a long time.

Working with USAC and engaging with students on a daily basis, you're reminded just how big the world is and the importance of staying current on what's happening in other countries.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Accra, Ghana. When I studied abroad I didn't do a ton of research on different places to go, I thought I just wanted to be somewhere in Europe where I could learn Spanish.

Seeing the pictures of Ghana and hearing the experiences from the students I definitely would be a little "braver" in my selection and go to Ghana! It's an incredible program that offers amazing volunteer opportunities and a head-first dive into South African culture.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Passion. Nearly every person in this office not only loves to travel but has studied abroad and personally benefited from the experience. When you can relate to your product on that personal level, you are successful.

About USAC

USAC is a non-profit consortium of U.S. universities that collaborates to offer affordable, academic and authentic study abroad programs. There are abundant opportunities to immerse in the culture, history, and academics of other countries providing an unforgettable experience. Each program is designed to help you grow into an engaged citizen of...