European Studies Study Abroad Programs in Madrid, Spain

My study abroad in Cordoba helped me grow, pushed my boundaries, and highlighted the parts of my life that I deeply value. I was able to view the world through different perspectives and challenge my ideas of what normal was. Finding new ways in which I fit into communities that looked different from the ones I grew up around helped me find different parts of myself. The global variety of people I was able to meet, talk with, and form deep relationships with, helped me understand myself in brand new ways. Additionally, Spain has so many different places with their own distinct cultures, histories, and communities. Being able to explore the different parts of Spain enriched my study abroad beyond my experiences in Cordoba. Studying abroad completely transformed how I will approach new people and situations in the future and fueled my desire to learn more about the cultures, languages, and people that form the world.

I’ve found the Master’s in Bilingual Education at Nebrija to be a rigorous and intellectually engaging program. Several professors stand out for their clarity, strong grounding in theory, and practical classroom applicability—particularly in CLIL methodology and active learning approaches. The program requires a high level of autonomy and time management, especially for students who are also working. For those combining teaching responsibilities with full-time study, it is important to be prepared for an intensive schedule. However, the academic depth and exposure to bilingual methodology provide meaningful professional growth. One of the strongest aspects of the program is its emphasis on connecting theory to real classroom contexts. When students actively engage with the material and apply it in their teaching practice, the learning becomes especially valuable. Overall, the program offers solid academic preparation for educators seeking to deepen their understanding of bilingual education within a European framework. RVF also provided excellent support throughout the application process. Thank you.

I would recommend CIEE to a friend because of how streamlined the process is and how affordable the program is compared to other ones at my university. I also appreciate how there are a lot of opportunities within CIEE to grow, like internships and ambassador programs.

Madrid specifically has awesome staff, good schedule for classes with ability to travel and spend time exploring. Liked taking 2 classes at a time to be able to live fully too. Liked the internship seminar a lot.

When I decided I wanted to go abroad, I was nervous about a lot of things. First off, I was scared that when I went abroad I would have to settle for a location I did not want to be in because I needed my credits to transfer over. Luckily AIFS had a program in a wonderful city with a bunch of classes that would transfer back to my home university super well. When I chose this program, I was overjoyed but nervous about living in a homestay. When I got there I was happily surprised to find that my host family was amazing and provided me with an experience I would not have been able to have if I had been in a dorm/apt. The people that I met in the program were some of the coolest people I have ever known and am happy to call them my friends to this day. If you are looking for a great program in Paris where you have the freedom to meet new people, travel, and find yourself in a new place, I would 100% recommend this to you!

My time with RVF International as an English Auxiliary in Spain has been nothing short of fantastic. I am ethnically Spanish, but was adopted as a child, so this allowed me to get in touch with my roots. However, no one could have told me the extent to which I would fall in love with Spain and its people. Whether it’s tapas on the street, local dives, or beach trips to Alicante, everything is a lifetime adventure. There are places online that talk about the school experience in a stressful light. In my experience, it was a great chance to grow alongside the kids. Quickly, we adapted to each other, and I’ll miss all of them as I leave the school in San Lorenzo in the coming weeks. The area around my school is stunning, as the monastery is an authentic Spanish treasure. I am a little sad that you can only be in one school for two years, as I’ve formed strong bonds with the students and faculty during my time here. I came to Spain with a base level of Spanish that can only be achieved from an American High School. Needless to say, I wasn’t the strongest speaker. However, in Madrid, everyone was super nice and easy-going from the moment I stepped off the plane. My local alimentacion is run by a couple that speaks no English, but we crossed that divide and now check in with each other every few days if we don’t go to the store. While the city of Madrid offers the hustle and bustle and nightlife of a major city, it also has a sense of tranquility amongst the crowd. This program is 110% recommended for people of all ages looking to immerse themselves in a new culture.

As someone who was completely new to the process of applying for a master’s program—especially abroad—I was feeling pretty overwhelmed at first. I had no idea where to start or what steps to take. Then I found RVF!! They made everything so much easier than I expected. From day one, the team walked me through the entire process in a way that was clear and manageable. They explained everything I needed to know, helped me gather the right documents, and stayed in touch regularly to make sure I was on track. What seemed complicated at first quickly became doable thanks to their guidance and support. They answered all my questions, helped me write a strong application, and made sure nothing fell through the cracks. Because of them, I got accepted into a great master’s program and feel confident about this new chapter. If you're new to this process or just need someone to help you navigate it smoothly, I can’t recommend RVF International enough. They really made something that felt intimidating feel super achievable!!

I'd be likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a peer for a beginner international abroad experience. The program helped guide me through traveling international and the leaders guiding us were amazing throughout the process.

My semester abroad in Granada, Spain was absolutely unforgettable. I decided to stay with a host family and I lived in their home with another student in the same program. Living with a roommate, we became really close friends. My host family was so kind and welcoming, they included us in everything they did. I learned so much Spanish culture and tradition from spending time with the family. The school was called Center of Modern Languages and I had a mixture of Spanish and Business classes. I loved speaking Spanish in class and getting to know other students. AIFS provided a level placement test at the beginning of the semester so that everyone found courses that were appropriate for their knowledge of Spanish. The classes were very fun and I enjoyed going to class. The AIFS program excursions were some of the best experiences/trips that I went on. I was blown away by the Morocco trip as well as the Seville/Córdoba/Gibraltar weekend. The trips were well planned, affordable, and allowed for free time to explore with friends. I made so many connections with locals, got to experience once in a lifetime activities like riding camels next to the ocean, and tried amazing foods. The program application process was hassle-free and the program advisors in Granada are so helpful. I would often visit their office and just chat with them or ask their advice on where to visit on the weekend. They organized cooking classes, art classes, sporting events, and cultural activities like a flamenco show. Granada is such a wonderful city. It is very walkable and the people are very friendly. There are endless tapas bars in the city where you get free food with each drink purchase. I made friends with lots of locals and other students from across the US. I attended exchange club meetings where you get drinks and tapas, and you chat in whatever language you are trying to learn with people from around the world. AIFS did a wonderful job providing opportunities for all of the students in the program to get to know each other. I made a close-knit group of friends and we spent so much time together. I am so thankful for having met them thanks to AIFS. We even visited each other once we arrived back in the US! I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to experience Spain on a more personal scale compared to bigger cities. I think Granada is the most beautiful city, and the Alhambra is a must-see!

I lived with a host family during my time in Madrid with Middlebury College. It was amazing and I loved my host family. They cooked the best meals and cared a lot about me. I still am in contact with them. :) As much as it was challenging, the grammar class helped me perfect my Spanish whereas, in the other classes, I was using my Spanish and learning about a variety of subjects. These courses were very interesting and gave us the chance to immerse ourselves more in Spanish Culture with classes on the anthropology of Spain, literature and art of Spain, Arte del Museo del Prado, and more. Most importantly, I improved my Spanish so much and feel so comfortable in it. I loved this program and would have stayed for a second semester if I could!

Berlin is a really wonderful and historic city to live in. My German is basically nonexistent and I still felt like I was able to get around fine. The AIFs staff are very supportive, and the organized actives were well structured and thought out. If you weren’t interested in some or all of the activities, you didn’t have to participate and there was plenty of time to do your own thing around Berlin or travel throughout Europe. I didn’t particularly enjoy my academic experience at Humboldt, there were a few good classes but also a few really awful ones. So, if I could do it again I would probably do the AIFS program with Freie Universität academic program.

My colleague and I have had the pleasure of accompanying 21 amazing humans on a 3 month journey that will most certainly change them for the rest of their lives. Thank you to AIFS for sharing Rome with us and attending to every detail that made this an experience that will live with us eternally. The AIFS Rome center staff were excellent in providing impactful excursions, extra-curricular courses, and ensuring that all of us were well informed and provided for in every part of our journey.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Madrid, and also liked the experience of the Middlebury program. Those in charge of the Middlebury program were some of the most welcoming and kind people I have ever met. I do believe the program was very rigorous and demanding in terms of schoolwork, requirements, and grading. Their cultural engagement opportunities were amazing, and my time in Madrid was made better due to the Middlebury program

I had a lovely time here, although it was not without flaws. The amenities were not great especially considering how much we paid to be here. The company guilt tripped and body shamed us. But I made innumerable new friends and had experiences that I will cherish forever.

Very nice experience, learned a lot. People I’ve met here are now friends I will still be in contact with. The internship was where I learned new skills and networked with people within the fashion industry and got inspired by being here abroad

I definitely had a really exciting and wonderful trip. There were a few aspects like traveling and staying at more cities besides just Salzburg would have been a lot more fun. But the tours and field trips were absolutely incredible and the people who showed us around were amazing! Loved to see the history and beauty all over

From arrival to departure, AIFS made my study abroad experience a 11/10. Great staff through and through allowed for a complete cultural assimilation in the time I spent there. It was the experience of a lifetime that I would recommend to everyone.

I really loved the program and the staff associated with it; I found the staff to be really helpful, caring, and attentive to our needs. Also, the activities (i.e., day trips, academic/advising meetings, and social gatherings) were all very helpful/fun.

It is great how you can choose your courses and the courses were super interesting in the program. The CIEE Madrid, Spain staff is great and super helpful. I loved the excursions that facilitated learning.

I spent a summer studying abroad in Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of author Miguel de Cervantes and just a short train ride away from Madrid, Spain. This was the most memorable experience of my life, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to attend this program. CIEE staff were very supportive in my studies and always available for advice. They were easy to contact before going abroad and provided a detailed orientation upon arrival regarding safety and facilitating friendships. I took classes Monday through Thursday at the University of Alcalá, and classes were mixed with CIEE students and students from other universities and programs. I would take two classes each day and be done by siesta period to relax. I would visit local shops to get cafe con leche or freshly squeezed orange juice in between classes. The courses themselves were interesting and directly applicable to my experiences in Spain (going to Reina Sofia and El Prado and being able to analyze the artwork from the knowledge I gained in the history of the great painters class was awesome) but not overly demanding so I was never stressed about studying. My teachers were very kind and all of my classes were instructed in Spanish so I was able to use the language frequently. I gained so much confidence in speaking Spanish and now have an extensive vocabulary. CIEE also had an office space in the university so they were easily accessible and available to chat. On Friday, CIEE offered optional but exciting trips and activities. My personal favorite was our kayaking trip in a reservoir in Madrid, but others included day trips to Segovia and Toledo as well as guided museum, castle, and church tours. I felt that they genuinely cared about me having a good time while also immersing me in Spanish culture and promoting my education. I personally lived in the dormitory which was a great option as I had dining hall access and air conditioning. My room was huge with great storage, a private bathroom, and a kitchenette. There were also various study rooms, a courtyard with a soccer field, and a gym. I had to make this choice because I have food allergies, but the facility was incredibly accommodating and located only 2 minutes away from the university by walk! I made many friends in the dorm and lived with a roommate, although I have heard great things about the homestay options, too. I did not feel separated from my friends who opted to live in homestays as they were only a short bus ride away or walking distance. I was right by the Plaza de Cervantes which is surrounded by many restaurants and there is always something to do. I loved the free museums and concerts that the town offered. The easy access to Madrid allowed me to visit whenever I wanted. I felt this helped me build independence and I loved the Rastro market on Sundays. The selection of restaurants, parks, and activities is incredible, and there was always something new to explore. The menu of the day made meals with friends really affordable but still delicious - I miss the Spanish tortilla (omelet), Russian potato salad, and “broken eggs.” Further, the Atocha train station was convenient as it allowed me to travel to other places including Granada, Valencia, and San Sebastián. Public transportation was also widely accessible and made this easy to accomplish. Overall, I am so lucky to have spent the summer in Alcalá de Henares which is filled with such amazing history, beautiful sights, and close proximity to Madrid! I made many friendships that I will cherish forever and have developed a strong love for travel. I had previously never been to Europe but I am desperate to return.