Known the world over for its culture, food, festivals, and sun, Spain is a modern country, with a flair for the exciting! Vibrant and intriguing, Spain offers everything from white sandy beaches to rugged mountains and everything in between. As one of the leading and most popular study abroad destinations for US students, FIE study abroad programs in Spain offer opportunities for a wide variety of majors, and, with options in two of Spain's most popular cities, you are sure to have the experience of a lifetime.
FIE programs for study abroad in Madrid and Barcelona are delivered in partnership with Active Learning Abroad (ALA), a leading and local expert Spanish organization that has worked with US universities for nearly 15 years. With FIE and ALA, you have the opportunity to choose to study at two different universities (Universidad Nebrija in Madrid and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona [UAB] in Barcelona) ensuring you have a top-notch educational experience while letting FIE and ALA take care of the day-to-day, including housing, orientation, extra-curricular activities, and excursions.
As specialists in Spanish life and culture, our local staff and partners on the ground are proud to help students realize their potential abroad. While the Spanish way of life may take some getting used to (yes, there really is a siesta period in the middle of the day!), an FIE program will serve as the perfect bridge for connecting with the locals in no time. Study abroad in Spain and experience for yourself what it’s like to be front and center on the global stage.
Program options
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Study (semester and summer program options) in Barcelona
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Study (semester and summer program options) in Madrid
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Study & Internship (semester and summer program options) in Madrid * requires upper-intermediate Spanish speaking skills
language options
- UAB Barcelona - A wide variety of courses are available, taught in English and Spanish, including an array of Spanish-language classes from beginner to advanced and also Catalan, the local language in Catalonia.
- Universidad Nebrija in Madrid
- Hispanic Studies Program – all courses taught in Spanish
- Spanish Plus Program – all courses taught in English; students can combine with Spanish-taught courses
ACADEMIC Options
Barcelona with UAB
- Spanish-taught* courses across all levels of Spanish language, including Spanish for Business, Spanish for Healthcare, and Introduction to Catalan, as well as courses in Business, Art, and Culture and Civilization.
- English-taught courses in Art, Architecture, Communication, History, Politics, Literature, Economics, Business, Finance, Marketing, Management, and more.
- Example of academic courses available at UAB
*All students who wish to take Spanish-taught courses will take a placement exam before arrival in Spain to determine their language proficiency
Students will receive an official transcript from their chosen Spanish institution.
All courses are subject to minimum enrollment.
Madrid at Universidad Nebrija
- English-taught courses through the Spanish Plus Program in Architecture, Art, Business, Cinema, Communication, Culture, Engineering, Finance, Liberal Arts, Management, Math, Physics, Psychology and Sport
- Spanish-taught* courses through the Hispanic Studies program include a beginner, low, intermediate, high intermediate, and advanced and proficient Spanish-language classes, plus courses in Art, Literature, Theatre, and more. Language Preparatory courses are also available.
- Students can combine English and Spanish-taught* courses
- Example of academic courses available at Universidad Nebrija
- Course syllabi for Universidad Nebrija all courses
*All students who wish to take Spanish-taught courses will take a placement exam upon arrival in Spain to determine their language proficiency
Students will receive an official transcript from their chosen Spanish institution.
All courses are subject to minimum enrollment.
INTERNSHIP OPTION in madrid
About the Internship Option
Internships are available in Madrid at Universidad Nebrija, as part of a semester or summer study abroad program.
- In a global labor market, employers demand flexible candidates who can adapt to multicultural contexts. Madrid, as the political, business, and economic capital of Spain is just the place to gain international professional experience.
- The Nebrija Internship program is for students who want to develop their professional competencies while studying abroad. The program offers a strong academic component with individual assessments and constant follow-up to make sure participants make the most of their experience.
- A variety of different industries are available, including Business, Marketing, Arts, Politics, Language, Media, Tourism and Hospitality, Music Industry, Communications, Public Relations and more.
- All internships are run in Spanish, therefore participants must be able to communicate fluently in the language (minimum B2 upper intermediate level of Spanish).
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Your Program Fee Includes:
- Pre-departure support: Our staff will advise our students on all important matters before they depart to their final destination. Practical and official information on country and city of program will be provided as well as guidelines on visa procedures.
- Airport meet and greet service: Our in-country staff will be waiting for students at the appropriate airport, on the designated day, and at the arrival time to transfer them to their accommodation
- Housing: Housing is included, and students will have a choice of two different types of housing in either city, (depending on availability) – either an apartment or a homestay.
- On-site orientation: Our team will provide a comprehensive orientation to inform students about health and wellbeing, local customs, and the local city they are studying in.
- Registration and Official Transcripts. We will assist with course registration at your Spanish university and facilitate an official transcript upon successful conclusion of your program from the host Spanish university.
- Access to University Services. FIE in Spain students will have access to regular university services such as libraries, sports facilities, clubs and societies, computer labs, and more.
- Travel Medical Insurance: Available from FIE unless already included by your home U.S. university
- Personalized advising: Our staff will pay close attention to all our students and provide advice to guarantee a smooth adaptation to local culture and to help solve any possible academic and/or personal problems that arise.
- Cultural Activities: Students will participate in a series of programmed cultural activities that will help them become familiar with local customs and tradition, both during their comprehensive arrival orientation and during their semester or summer program
- Immersion activities: Our on-site partner ALA will provide conversation sessions with Spanish students to practice the language and know more about Spain, and also provide volunteer opportunities for students who want to do this philanthropic activity.
- Excursions: All semester, year, and summer students may participate in programmed excursions arranged by ALA.
Your Program Fee Does Not Include:
- Transatlantic airfare
- Passport and visa fees
- Meals, depending on housing options selected
- Optional field excursions
- Personal expenses
- Independent travel and expenses
- Textbooks, lab fees, and academic materials
HOUSING
In both Madrid and Barcelona, students have a choice of housing types, either an Apartment or a Homestay. Distance from campus varies, anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, so students should expect to do both a lot of walking as well as commuting via the excellent public transportation networks in each city.
Homestay
Homestay
- Homestays are typically located in residential neighborhoods.
- Includes 2 meals per day, breakfast and dinner, and typically one laundry load per week
- The hosts are most commonly divorced or widowed women who routinely host foreign students. The host may or may not have children living at home.
- There may or may not be more than one international student staying with a given host
- Students are not required to speak Spanish, but of course, it helps if students know a little. However, Spanish is not mandatory.
Apartments
Apartments
- Typically house mostly international students, and some Spaniards may also choose this option. Overall it’s a great choice to meet other students from all over the world.
- Each apartment may have 2-5 bedrooms, which may be shared or single, with 1-3 bathrooms, and a shared kitchen and living room space.
- Utilities are typically included
- Spanish is not required, but of course, it helps if students know a little.