The cosmopolitan capital of Madrid offers endless opportunities for studying abroad! When you're not grabbing a bocadillo de calamares on the go near Plaza Mayor, you might be able to catch a Real Madrid game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
With the vibrant streets of Madrid as your classroom, you can revel in all the familiar landmarks — the Royal Palace, Gran Via, and Plaza de Cibeles, while taking in the history and culture during your courses.
FIE’s study abroad programs in Spain seize the best of both worlds. With an emphasis on co-curricular activities to ensure you contextualize your academic learning, Spain offers extensive and authentic exposure to the local culture. Our academic partner (Universidad Nebrija) and on the ground partner (ALA) serve as not only as your homebase, but also as your launchpad to adventure (but not just any kind of adventure — the juicy kind that leads to boundless inspiration and profound lifelong lessons).
UNIVERSIDAD NEBRIJA - MADRID
In Madrid, your options for academic immersion can be as custom as you want it to be! Universidad Nebrija is a private and independent university officially accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The University takes its name from the 15th-century humanist who published the first grammar of the Spanish language in 1492. Nebrija is a small, private university (5000 students) with a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1 ensuring students are given individual attention.
The historic Madrid Princesa Campus is located in the thriving city center, with easy access via metro and bus.
Universidad Nebrija is an ideal setting for students looking for a comfortable, close-knit community, international student atmosphere, and a vibrant social scene in the “university area” of Madrid.
TERMS
- Spring Semester
- Fall Semester
- Summer
academics
Universidad Nebrija has it all. In addition to a variety of English-taught courses, the university has a Hispanic Studies Center exclusively dedicated to the teaching of Spanish Language and Culture. Students with Spanish-language proficiency can also do an internship too.
All students will take FIE's signature "Spanish Life and Cultures Course" (CH3661 – Present-Day Spain: Living in Spain) to connect with others on the program, similar to the Life and Cultures courses offered at FIE London and Dublin.
Spanish Plus Program
The Spanish Plus Program – all courses are taught in English and you can combine with Spanish-taught courses – features subjects in the following academic areas:
- Business and Management, including International Marketing, Finance, Trade, and Consumer Behavior
- International and Intercultural Communication
- Liberal Arts, including Psychology, Sports, Art, Architecture, International Relations, and Women’s Studies
- Engineering, including Thermodynamics, Physics, Calculus, and Algebra
Example of academic courses available at Universidad Nebrija
Course syllabi for Spanish Plus Program courses at Universidad Nebrija
Students can combine English and Spanish-taught classes.
All courses are subject to minimum enrollment.
*All students who wish to take Spanish-taught courses will take a placement exam upon arrival in Spain to determine their language proficiency
Hispanic Studies Program
The Hispanic Studies Program features a robust offering of courses taught in Spanish, including all levels of language and additional academic subjects:
- Beginner, Low Intermediate, Intermediate, High Intermediate, and Advanced and Proficient Spanish Language
- Conversation, Composition, and Grammar
- Spanish for Business
- Spanish for Tourism
- Health Spanish
- Spanish in Mass Media
- Art and Architecture
- Literature and Cinema
Example of academic courses available at Universidad Nebrija
Course syllabi for Hispanic Studies Program courses at Universidad Nebrija
Students can combine English and Spanish-taught classes.
All courses are subject to minimum enrollment.
*All students who wish to take Spanish-taught courses will take a placement exam upon arrival in Spain to determine their language proficiency
Spanish-speaking internship option
While enjoying your coursework at Nebrija University, you’ll have nothing but "Buen rollo" (good vibes!) and be able to take serious advantage of the city experience unique to Madrid. Students with upper-intermediate Spanish speaking skills also have the option to undertake an internship with local or national companies and organizations of all sizes.
Internships are available in a variety of industry areas, including:
- Business
- Finance
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Communications
- Marketing and Public Relations
- Music Industry
- Others may be possible, let us know what you are looking for!
The internship programs allow students to participate in our regular study abroad programs by adding an internship component, so students gain invaluable experience in an international working place and atmosphere. If you believe you have the necessary language skills to immerse yourself into the fluent local working culture in Spain, please indicate this on your program application.
Structure
For Fall and Spring Programs, Students Take:
- Required Internship Course (3 US credits)
- Required Spanish Life and Cultures Course (3 US credits)
- Two English and/or Spanish Courses (6 US credits)
For Summer Programs, Students Take:
- Required Internship Course (3 US credits)
- One Spanish Course (3 US credits)
All courses are subject to minimum enrollment.
Key Internship Dates
Universidad Nebrija Internship Program Key Dates
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Program | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required Internship Documents Due to FIE | Week 2 May | Week 2 September | Week 1 February |
| Online Interviews | June & July | October & November | March & April |
| Program Begins | Week 1 September | Week 2 January | Week 1 June |
| Spanish Intensive Course | Weeks 1&2 September | Weeks 2&3 January | Weeks 1& 2 June |
| Internships Confirmation | Week 2 September | Week 2 January | Week 3 May |
| Internship Start | Weeks 3&4 September | Weeks 3&4 February | Week 3 June |
| Internship Ends | Internship end dates depend on the established work schedule. Internships cannot exceed the program end date | ||
| Program Ends | Week 3 December | Week 3 May | Week 4 July |
Internship Specific Requirements
Once participants have been accepted into the program by FIE, and prior to arrival in Madrid, you must submit the following information:
- Resume in Spanish – maximum 1 page
- Motivation Essay or Personal Statement in Spanish, indicating expectations and objectives for your internship experience – maximum 1 page
- Select 3 internship industry areas from the list provided. Selecting 3 gives the best flexibility of securing a placement for you
Pre Departure Interviews
Nebrija Internship Staff will schedule individual Skype interviews in Spanish with candidates to review your resume, objectives, and interests to find the best placement for you. In cases where your Spanish language level does not reach the minimum required, other options may be explored, but language level is a program requirement.
Internship Orientation, Placement, and Development
All internship students take part in Professional Orientation sessions that will take place on-site in Madrid at the beginning of the program. Detailed information about the Spanish work environment will be given and intercultural issues will be discussed to help students prepare for their internships.
On the first day of the internship, Nebrija Internship staff will accompany each student to their placement.
Students are required to attend internship seminars scheduled for the program as part of the Internship Course.
HOUSING
FIE in Madrid offers two housing options for students to stay in during their study abroad experience.
Apartments
Example residences:
Homestays
Homestays are with a local vetted family and are in typical Spanish-style homes within a 60-minute commute of the university. The safety of the housing, location, amenities, ease of use of all included appliances and/or access points, and overall suitable fit for incoming students is carefully selected along with the appropriate background checks.
ELIGIBILITY
- Upper-intermediate Spanish required for the internship option
- GPA: 2.75
- NOTE: Your home institution may require a higher GPA and other prerequisites
- If you currently attend an FIE partner institution, contact your study abroad advisor on campus to learn of any additional requirements
- If you do not currently attend one of our partner institutions, for any clarifications or to express questions/concerns, please email us at
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CREDIT AND TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION
- Check with your study abroad advisor for course equivalencies, credit approval, and transcript information on your campus
- Based on your campus requirements, you may receive a transcript from your home university or from the host Spanish university
- Depending on courses selected and approval on your campus, you will earn:
- 12-16 credits/semester
- 6-9 credits/summer
- Quarter school students should check with their registrar’s office to determine their credit equivalents
