Madrid Summer

This program is temporarily suspended for Summer 2021. Explore our other study abroad programs for 2021, as well as details on our health & safety protocols, travel guidelines, refund policy, and more.

Summer 2021

As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to cautiously assess how we can deliver safe, quality programming this summer.

While some of the details of this program may need to shift for Summer 2021—such as housing and field trips, based on changing travel/quarantine regulations—you can rest assured knowing that the essence of this program will stay the same, including the academic focus and the opportunity to learn both inside and outside the classroom.

As always, every decision we make for this term will be guided by our Students First philosophy, which puts you, your well-being, and your academic and personal growth at the forefront. Our advice? Give yourself the chance to study abroad this summer by submitting an application, and know that we’re planning for all of the what if’s so you can have a safe, healthy, and study abroad-filled summer. We and our refund policy have your back.

Why Madrid?

Imagine yourself studying abroad in Spain’s capital and largest city—Madrid. Warm summer evenings attract throngs of Madrileños to the streets of the city, where they sip coffee on terrazas and watch a parade of fashionable Spaniards—now is your chance to experience it, too. Madrid is a leading cultural center in Europe and home to many world-famous museums including the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza.

What You'll Study

This program offers intermediate and advanced Spanish language courses and area studies courses taught in Spanish. Classes integrate the best of Madrid’s historic and cultural opportunities, allowing you to improve your Spanish skills while also discovering Spain’s rich artistic, theatrical, and film heritage.

Learn More

$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

Learn more

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.

We offer unique courses that explore Spanish language learning and area studies courses through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

You enroll in one Spanish language course and one area studies course for a total of 6 credits.

Highly advanced students, as determined by the language assessment taken on-site in Madrid, may enroll in a second area studies course instead of the required Spanish language course. Our goal is to make sure your academic needs are met.

Courses

Courses are taught at the IES Abroad Center by local faculty.

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.

Art History
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
AH 221 - Art in the Prado	Summer	Spanish	3

Film Studies
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
FS 324 - Spanish Society, Political Culture and Film	Summer	Spanish	3

History
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
HS 303 - Madrid The City	Summer	Spanish	3

Literature
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
LT 376 - Contemporary Spanish Theater	Spring, Fall	Spanish	3
LT 388 - Cultural Myths and Spanish Literature	Summer	Spanish	3
LT 480 - García Lorca and His Time	Summer	Spanish	3

Spanish
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
SP 201 - Spanish Language in Context: Novice Abroad III	Summer	Spanish	3
SP 303 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad III	Summer	Spanish	3
SP 351 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad I	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spanish	3
SP 353 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad III	Summer	Spanish	3
SP 401 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad I	Fall, Spring, Summer	Spanish	3
SP 403 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad III	Summer	Spanish	3

Field Trips & Events

Even though your adventure starts in Madrid, our field trips take you outside the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country and beyond. Here are a few possible destinations.

Alarcón & Valencia
3 Days | Summer
Visit Spain's third-largest city, Valencia, rich with delicious cuisine, excellent weather, and countless cultural outlets, including the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (the City of Arts & Sciences), one of Europe's most unique cultural and scientific complexes. Includes a stop in the beautiful town of Alarcon for a delicious breakfast at its 8th-century Moorish Castle.

Segovia & Sierra de Madrid
1 Day | Summer
Famous for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture, Segovia has one of the longest and best preserved Roman aqueducts in all of Europe.

IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.

Daily Life

Part of making you feel at home in Madrid is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.

Orientation

Your program begins with a two day orientation with an introduction to Spanish culture, extracurricular activities, a tour of the city, visits to local museums, and a day trip to a historic site nearby.

Housing

We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Madrid, it will feel like home.

Homestays - Live in Spanish homes with a señora or family, sometimes with another IES Abroad student. You have breakfast and one additional meal daily with your hosts.

Homestays with Kitchen Privileges - If you prefer to purchase your own food and prepare your own meals, you may wish to consider this housing option. If you choose this option, you receive a meal credit. A very limited number of these placements are available.

Apartments - Share apartments located in residential areas near the IES Abroad Madrid Center. Apartments are furnished, including a fully equipped kitchen. Utilities and WiFi access are included. Space is limited, and meals are not included.

Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events

Take advantage of the cultural events we organize in Madrid, such as:

Visit the Palacio Real
Lessons in Spanish cooking and dance
Tour local museums

Get to Know Your New City

Visit La Tabacalera

Catch a free concert or art show at La Tabacalera, an old tobacco factory turned funky cultural center.

Take a Walk in the Park

Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon walking down la Gran Via and la Calle, then picnic and people watch in Parque del Retiro.

See La Plaza Mayor

Witness the breathtaking architecture and history found in la Plaza Mayor—Madrid’s central square. A must-have photo!

Enjoy Fresh Foods

Stop by the farmers' market in Casa de Campo the first Saturday of every month to taste the best local products.

Explore Must-See Museums

Include Museo del Prado, Museo Thyseen-Bornemisza, and Centro de Arte Reina Sofía on your to-do list while in Madrid. You don’t want to miss some of the top art museums in the world!

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.

Term: Summer 2021
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Summer 2021	$5,545	$1,570	$135	$7,250

Scholarships & Aid

Program-Specific Scholarships

Summer Need-Based Financial Aid

Up to $1,000

Open to students who apply to and attend an IES Abroad or IES Internships summer program.

Criteria reviewed to determine award:

Level of financial need as determined from infromation provided on the application. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
IES Abroad program location.
IES Abroad membership status of home campus

Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs

Learn More

$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

Learn more

Our Center

While in Madrid, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Madrid Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Madrid experience.

The IES Abroad Madrid Center is located in the heart of Universidad Complutense’s main campus, inside the Colegio Mayor Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe residence hall. It’s in easy walking distance of two museums—the Museo de América and the Museo del Traje.

Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.

Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center’s classrooms
Meet with staff in their offices
Study in the student lounge
Have lunch in the cafeteria
Relax with the friends in the garden
Burn some steam off in the small gym

Other features include WiFi, printer access, and a library.

Our Staff

Elvira Munoz, Ph.D.

Center Director

Dr. Elvira Muñoz has been the IES Abroad Madrid Center Director since 2005. She served a two-year appointment as Associate Director for the Education Abroad program at the University of California Madrid. Her association with the University of California began at UCLA, where she was a Lecturer and Associate Undergraduate Vice Chair of the Mathematics Department, 2000–2002, and visiting Assistant Professor, 1995–2000. Dr. Muñoz received two Distinguished Teaching awards during her career at UCLA. She also has taught mathematics at State University of New York at Stony Brook, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, and Universidad Complutense de Madrid. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Mathematics from Université Paris XI, and a B.S. in Mathematics from Universidad de Salamanca. Her considerable experience abroad also includes work and study in Germany, Sweden, and Brazil.

IES Abroad Madrid Staff

María José Cacho
Assistant Administration and Student Services

Marta Camacho
Academic Advisor

Yolanda Charlán
Student Affairs Coordinator

Angel López
Student Affairs Coordinator

Gemma Muñoz Garcia
Senior Academic and Internship Coordinator

Yolanda Real
Assistant Director of Administration

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.

In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.

programpage-Granada_Sevilla_Sunset at Orientation_Hannah Geller.jpg

student in denim jacket looking over shoulder and smiling

How We Support You

We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:

International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
And more!

LEARN MORE