Gap Year Programs in Madrid,Spain

Your First Year Abroad program in Madrid lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses and courses taught online through CIEE’s global academic partner, Arizona State University (ASU). Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Spanish culture. Live and learn in Madrid! Madrid is Spain’s cultural capital, beaming with energy and creativity – the perfect backdrop for students with any interests. Spend 12 weeks exploring the gardens of El Retiro Park, catching live music in Malasaña, and wandering through the colorful stalls of El Rastro market. Whether you’re studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Madrid is the perfect place to study abroad.

As a volunteer on the Special Needs Support project in Spain you have the opportunity to work alongside teenagers and adults ​with a variety of special needs​​,​ outside of a classroom environment. Work can include; vocational-skills development in a bicycle refurbishment program or clothing donation center which distribute donations to communities in need, providing companionship to children undergoing healthcare treatment, and working with youth and adults who have physical and mental disabilities.​ Volunteers provide valuable companionship and guidance on this project and do not need to have any previous experience in working with individuals who have special needs. ​

Get the chance to work with injured animals from the Amazon rainforest or at a shelter for sea turtles in one of our internships abroad. At the Institute for Global Studies, we help students gain invaluable work experience in their field from an international context. Wildlife shelter work can bring out the best of human nature. Connecting with abandoned animals instills a sense of accomplishment that few tasks provide. Apart from bonding with animals, gain insight into local communities and their interactions with wildlife in their area. Meet with students, residents, and the general public to learn about their customs. Common duties include food preparation, checking in animals, interpretation to the public, medical assistance, and community outreach.

Spend a rewarding summer during this award-winning internship opportunity abroad. Develop your professional skills while taking on full-time responsibilities in a real work environment. Live and work in the Spanish capital, building a unique experience that will help you stand out in an increasingly competitive job market. Choose from over 30 industries including Entrepreneurship, Marketing/PR, Business, Finance, Fashion, and Tourism. Develop your professional skills at career workshops, company visits, and career speaker events. Explore Madrid on cultural visits and day trips whilst discovering more of Spain on weekend trips to either Barcelona or Seville. Ours is an all-inclusive program, including high-quality housing in central Madrid with breakfast and dinner, cultural activities and 24/7 on-site support from our Program Coordinator. Absolute Internship has been featured in the New York Times, BBC News, Bloomberg, and Forbes Magazine. We have placed 4000+ interns at over 800 companies worldwide.

Sunny Madrid! Spain's most populous and capital city is arguably also the most well-known. It has a population of 6.7 million and is the second-largest city in the European Union. It is the country's political, economic, and cultural epicenter, located in the central region, right off the River Manzanares. Madrid is a European city with the highest number of trees and green surfaces per inhabitant and the second-highest number of aligned trees in the world, with 248,000 units, only exceeded by Tokyo. Its citizens have access to a green area within a 15-minute walk. Since 1997, green areas have increased by 16%. Presently, 8.2% of Madrid's grounds are green areas, meaning there are 16 m2 (172 sq ft) of green area per inhabitant, far exceeding the 10 m2 (108 sq ft) per inhabitant recommended by the World Health Organization. As for culture and the arts, Madrid is considered one of the top European destinations concerning art museums. Best known is the Golden Triangle of Art, located along the Paseo del Prado and comprising three major museums: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum.

Studying abroad in Spain with IES Abroad means immersive cultural excursions, hands-on classes, afternoon siestas, and evenings strolling through winding streets to find your favorite tapas. You will explore UNESCO world heritage sites, wander through acclaimed art museums, and marvel at unique architecture as you stroll through winding streets, all while experiencing the wonders of this diverse country when you study abroad in Spain. The extensive Atlantic and Mediterranean coastline has made Spain one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, but beyond the veneer of tourism, Spain has a long and complicated history of Roman, Catholic, Jewish, and Arab influences. This mix has produced stunning and varied architecture, a strong tradition of academic scholarship, some of the 20th century’s most influential artists, and a complex sense of modern national identity. From the modern European cities of Madrid and Barcelona, to the medieval university of Salamanca and the Moorish flavor of Granada, Spain has a place for everyone to explore and better understand Spanish culture, which is far from easy to define. If you're looking for adventure, Spain will not disappoint!

Gain a global perspective on legal practice, justice, advocacy, and social equity with Intern Abroad HQ, the world’s most affordable and top-rated provider of Law & Human Rights Support internships. Our programs offer aspiring legal and human rights professionals meaningful, real-world experience in diverse cultural and legal contexts. Choose from impactful placements in Argentina, Belize, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Morocco, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Tanzania, and the USA. Whether you're studying law, international relations, political science, or social justice, our internships are designed to match your academic and career goals. Programs range from 2 to 24 weeks and include guaranteed placements with vetted organizations, quality housing, airport pickup, orientation, and 24/7 in-country support. You also have the possibility of earning up to 16 US academic credits through our School of Record or receive guidance to gain credit through your home university. Start building a career that creates positive change. Apply today to begin your transformative legal or human rights internship abroad with Intern Abroad HQ.

Have you always dreamed of living in Spain? Whether you are a soccer fanatic, a Flamenco aficionado or a foodie in search of the best paella – you will surely fall in love with the deeply rooted Spanish culture. Join World Explorers to teach English in Spain. You will live with a local host family where you will be considered part of the familia for one to three months. You will have the opportunity to exchange your language and culture with the locals. We want you to come back from your trip with a Spanish lisp! In exchange for a clean and comfortable room and full board, all you have to do is share your native language with your hosts for 15 hours per week. The goal for your family is to practice their conversational English. This is not about teaching them reading, writing and grammar. To them, this program is about engaging in conversation and feeling comfortable communicating in English with you. No prior teaching experience is necessary! CHI works with trusted overseas partners in Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville to find the best host families possible. You will have a local coordinator throughout your stay in Spain and make new friends that will last a lifetime!

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is a leading Spanish public university, known for academic excellence, international focus, and a diverse student body from over 100 countries. 70% of our bachelor’s degrees are taught in English across a wide range of fields. Gap Year CIS-UC3M is a joint program between CIS University and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, offering a unique four-month experience in Spain focused on culture, personal growth, and academic development. From February to May 2026, students will study in Madrid and Getafe, join workshops, volunteering, and trips, and build their soft skills with personalized mentoring. Fee: €8,500. Optional Camino de Santiago experience available!

TtMadrid's Program I is the perfect choice for non-EU citizens who want to earn an accredited TEFL qualification, obtain a student visa for Spain, and immerse themselves in Spanish life. Delivered in partnership with Universidad Europea del Atlántico, this one-year postgraduate program combines world-class teacher training with cultural and language learning. You’ll begin with our 180-hour, Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL course. The hybrid format comprises 65 hours of online study and a two-week intensive in Madrid, plus six observed teaching practices with real students. This ensures you graduate with a qualification that is globally recognized and practical skills that make you classroom-ready. You'll also study Spanish: four weeks of intensive classes followed by seven months of evening lessons. These will help you connect with the culture and feel at home in Madrid. With your University student visa, you can legally work up to 30 hours a week while studying. We provide lifetime job assistance, including CV guidance, guaranteed interviews, and ongoing job alerts. This program is a comprehensive package with everything you need to launch your new life in Spain.