CUAbroad

Madrid, Spain
with IES Abroad

Dates
Fall semester: September 7 - December 19, 2009
Spring semester: January 18 - Mid-June, 2010

Introduction
The IES Abroad Madrid program is designed for students who want to experience the vitality of Spain through its capital city and the large urban university environment of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), one of the country's most distinguished universities. Founded in 1964, the IES Abroad Madrid program consists of a wide range of courses taught at the IES Abroad Center in Spanish by Spanish faculty, and also at UCM. IES Abroad Madrid also organizes many optional field trips to various locations around Spain, as an integral part of the program.

The City
Madrid, with a population of about 4.6 million, is an ideal place to connect university studies to the city's business, culture, and politics. The art scene cultivates up-and-coming filmmakers, dramatists, and writers in this capital city.

Facilities
The IES Abroad Madrid Center is located in the heart of the Universidad Complutense's main campus, inside the San Agustín Residence Hall. The facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, student lounge and garden with WiFi Internet access, library, small gym, classrooms, and offices. There are two museums-The Museo de América and the Museo del Traje within walking distance of the Center. You have full access to the Residence Hall snack bar, gymnasium, and common areas, providing opportunities to interact with the Spanish students living in the Colegio.

Academics and Curriculum
Students are required to enroll in one Spanish language course, and then take additional Spanish-taught Area Studies courses in such subjects as Communications, Economics, History, Political Science, and more. Students also have the option to take courses in Spanish at UCM. All students must be enrolled full time.

For a more comprehensive list of course offerings, visit the IES Abroad Madrid Enrollment Options website.

Accommodation and Meals
Students may choose between the following accommodation options in Madrid:
Homestays: In Madrid, most students live in Spanish homes with señoras or families. Breakfast and the main mid-day meal is provided for you when the program is in session. In many cases, more than one IES Abroad student is placed with a señora or family. If you are a vegetarian or follow a strict diet, you will be assigned to homes with kitchen privileges where you will be responsible for preparing your own meals. Commute time to the Center varies between 15 and 45 minutes.

Student Apartments: Space is available in apartments arranged by IES Abroad in residential areas near the IES Abroad Center and the Universidad Complutense. The apartments are furnished and have a fully equipped kitchen; utilities and regular cleaning are included, as well as the support of a Spanish resident assistant. Apartments are also equipped with wireless Internet. Spanish university students may share the apartments with you. Meals are not included. Commute time to the Center varies between 15 and 25 minutes.

Residence Halls: Housing for a limited number of students is available at an additional cost at student residence halls (also called Colegios Mayores) on the campus of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and in the city. This housing option includes all meals with the exception of Saturday night dinner. Meals are eaten in the dining room of the Colegio Mayor. Accommodation in residence halls cannot be guaranteed, and residence halls cannot accommodate vegetarian diets. If you are interested in living in a residence hall, you must complete a Residence Hall Housing Form by the deadline noted on the form. Additional costs will apply.

Program Costs
CUA tuition and a $5,000 program fee to cover most overseas expenses. Round-trip airfare, some meals, passport, visa, additional field trips and excursions, required cell phone, and personal expenses are not included. Contact CUAbroad for an estimated cost breakdown sheet.

What's included
• Tuition
• Housing and some meals if in homestay
• IES Abroad on-site staff support
• Selected field trips
• On-site orientation and all pre-departure advising and services in the US.
• Emergency evacuation insurance
• An official CUA transcript for non-CUA participants

Note on IES Abroad and cell phones: Since IES Abroad is first and foremost committed to student safety and security, we require you to have a cellular phone while enrolled in our programs. Throughout the program's entirety, you will be required to have your cell phone turned on, charged, and with you at all times to enable IES Abroad staff and/or family to reach you in the event of an emergency. IES Abroad staff members use students' cell phone numbers to broadcast text messages with instructions during emergency situations.

IES Abroad gives you the option of obtaining a cell phone while still in the U.S. or once you arrive at your program location. You choose your own cell phone provider and negotiate the best terms and conditions for the cellular service you choose. Once admitted to an IES abroad program, you will receive further information about acquiring your cell phone.

Eligibility
Applicants must have completed three semesters of college-level study by the time the program begins, enrolled full-time at the time of application and in good academic standing, and not on disciplinary probation. A minimum cumulative G.P.A. requirement is 2.8. A minimum of 4 semesters of Spanish is required for Fall semester students, and 5 semesters of Spanish is required for Spring semester students. IES Abroad will give priority to students who will have taken Spanish during the semester preceding their anticipated study in Spain.

How to Apply
All applicants must follow the CUAbroad application guidelines and submit the CUAbroad online application with all required supplementary documentation. For details, please click on the How to Apply guidelines link.

Additional application materials to submit to CUAbroad:
• IES Online application
• IES Authorization and Evaluation Form
• IES Foreign Language Assessment Form
• For Students with GPAs lower than 3.0 only, the IES Professor Recommendation Form, and a personal essay addressing your GPA, any particular academic challenges faced, and goals for studying abroad.

Application Deadlines
Spring semester: October 1
Fall semester: March 1

Questions? Contact Madison Bolls, CUAbroad Program Manager