Overview
This exchange is located in the lively Spanish capital, Madrid. The city is a favorite destination for study abroad students from all over the world, so you will be able to experience many different cultures and languages here. Madrid is also the center of government, home of the Spanish Parliament (las Cortes), the Spanish Stock Exchange (la Bolsa), and an important cultural and educational center. Madrid is known as an artistic center and as a city with intense cultural activity and an active nightlife, with over 3 million inhabitants. The character of the madrileños is known to be open and hospitable. This exchange focuses on Spanish language and culture, with many Spanish language courses with the possibility of being paired with courses in other popular subjects, like communications and social sciences, depending on your level of fluency.
As with all exchanges, you will be largely independent during your exchange, but there is a thriving Erasmus student group (the students on exchange from other parts of Europe) that will offer opportunities to engage with other students and the Nebrija University Hispanic Studies programs include 6 complementary activities, including movies, conferences, guided walks through old Madrid, visits to the Prado Musem, Archaeological Museum, Royal Palace, Senate, Congress, etc.. Find out what
U of A students had to say about this exchange on Abroad101.
Location
Home of the 10pm dinner time, Madrid is known for its nightlife, which can mean you will have plenty of opportunities to socialize, but can spell trouble for the easily distracted student. Madrid is a great location for students who want to have access to tons of historical and modern museums and cultural celebrations. You’ll also pick up a different pronunciation in addition to the standard Spanish taught at the U of A, as locals in this region use Castilian Spanish. And, in case you’re interested in trying all of the different dialects in Spain, Madrid has excellent access to all of Spain and the rest of Europe with its location in the center of the Iberian Peninsula.
Academics
This exchange offers an educational experience that allows U of A undergraduates to experience the lifestyle, language and culture of Spain for a semester, while keeping on track to graduate from the U of A. Students interested in Spanish language and culture will find a large variety of courses to choose from. Students who are comfortable taking courses in Spanish have the option to do an integrated program in many social sciences. Students must have completed SPAN 2013 in order to be considered for this program.
Students can find more about the study track options for this exchange here:
http://www.nebrija.com/programas-internacionales/study-abroad-madrid-spain/internacional-term.php.
Costs
Students will be assessed U of A tuition and fees for 15 credit hours during each semester they study abroad on this exchange. Additionally, students are responsible for their round-trip airfare, housing, meals, local transportation, books, passport, student visa, and personal expenses. The independent nature of this program allows students to determine their own housing and extracurricular activities, leaving flexibility not only in free time but also in the budget. Click on the Budget above for a break-down of expected costs.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Financial aid and scholarships are available to U of A students. Students receiving a Pell grant should look into the
Gilman International Scholarship. And all students should read through our
scholarship page for more info on funding opportunities and deadlines. Additionally, in most cases, you can also
use your current scholarships and financial aid to help finance your semester in Spain.
Additional Information
Housing
The Housing Service can place students in home stays, university residences, or colegios mayores, all convenient to campus (subject to space available). For more information, please see:
http://www.nebrija.com/programas-internacionales/study-abroad-madrid-spain/accommodation-madrid.php
