Psychology 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 studied abroad in Madrid, Spain with AIFS in Spring 2024, and it was an amazing experience. The staff were supportive from the very beginning (before applying), always responsive and quick to help. When my roommates and I had an apartment issue, it was solved right away, and our director constantly checked in on us. Even months later, when I reached out to one of my directors, she remembered me, which shows how genuine the connections with staff really are. Some of my favorite moments were the cooking class, where we made paella and tortilla de patatas, and the friendships I built; I still talk to the people I met abroad every day. This program also helped me grow personally, especially in communication and problem-solving. I’d recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking for a program that helps you grow, build lasting friendships, and truly immerse yourself in a new culture.

IES Madrid was honestly such a great experience. Even though I signed up last minute, the staff made everything super easy and helped me get settled without stress. The classes were interesting, and the teachers really cared about you, not just academically but personally too. What I loved most was how immersive everything felt. The events and trips were fun, and the staff felt more like friends than just people doing a job. If you ever needed anything, all you had to do was ask. I also got to be a photo correspondent during the semester, which meant I helped capture moments from around campus and on trips. It was such a fun and creative way to experience something new and be more involved. I ended up spraining my ankle during the semester, and they were amazing about helping me with accommodations and transportation. I had a great time and would definitely recommend it! My Spanish improved so much while I was there, and I’d love to go back someday.

My name is Sebastian Aguilar, and I am currently a student at Texas A&M International University. In the summer of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain, through the Hispanic Studies Program at Universidad de Nebrija. If you’re considering studying abroad in Madrid, I highly recommend partnering with AIFS. My experience with AIFS was exceptional—they provided comprehensive support, opened doors to valuable networking and career growth opportunities, and laid the foundation for enduring professional relationships. During my time in Madrid, I was fortunate to have the support of Lucas Zugasti, the Madrid Student Services Advisor. Lucas ensured everything ran smoothly, from apartment check-ins to organizing engaging student activities, and he offered invaluable practical advice about student life in Madrid. Additionally, Barbara Franconi, the Director for Buenos Aires & Madrid, played a pivotal role in my journey by encouraging me to apply for the AIFS ambassador program. This role has been instrumental in my professional development, allowing me to expand my network, advance my career, and build lasting connections within the AIFS community. Academically, I enrolled in an International Management course taught by Professor Omar Espana Arrieta. His expertise in international business was evident through his innovative teaching methods, which included student-led projects and professional presentations. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the business world. The class also provided valuable networking opportunities with fellow students with similar professional goals. For those contemplating studying abroad, my advice is to take the leap and start the process. While everything may not align perfectly, the key is to begin. Whether it’s applying for scholarships, seeking grants, or exploring different program options, AIFS is there to guide you every step of the way.

I absolutely loved my experience in Madrid with the IES BESS program! The program in Madrid is a perfect size in my opinion (roughly 300 students I think) meaning that there are enough people to have options for friends and always be able to meet new people, but it still feels very small and manageable, and you always see many of the same people every day which I loved. I lived in a homestay for the entire semester and it was one of the best parts of my experience. The husband and wife treated me like family and cooked amazing Spanish food for me every night, and were very supportive and flexible whenever I wanted to travel or spend time out of the house. All of the classes I took were super engaging and the professors were all very passionate about the material so they drove me to want to be in class every week. My one word of warning is that there is a large variation in the difficulty of classes with IES Madrid (some have multiple choice exams and very little work outside of class vs others with difficult essays and exams and require a lot of time) so definitely look at the syllabus and ask the professors at the beginning, and don't be afraid to switch things around to keep it manageable! As a whole, all of the programming in Madrid was great and the city is super amazing for living for an extended period of time because it does not feel touristy at all, the Madrileños are eager to speak Spanish with you, and there are a ton of beautiful places to spend time with your friends. Couldn't recommend it enough!

I am so happy I chose AIFS program to study abroad in Madrid for summer 2023! I would recommend this program to my friends and family who have an interest in studying abroad, even consider it doing it again myself. The entire process went smoothly for me from applying, to the flight and transportation set up as well as living arrangements. I got to stay in an amazing neighborhood and the apartment was nice and big to accommodate my rooomates and I. This experience was life changing and one I would never forget, I was lucky enough to not have any issues at all with my study abroad experience which for me made this a smooth easy journey ! Don't even give it a second thought just go for it if this is something that interests you !

I really enjoyed the AIFS summer program in Madrid at the University of Nebrija. I took an invigorating class on the Spanish culture and was able to practice my Spanish language skills in many different settings. In addition to the classes, the program provided us ample opportunities to explore the city and immerse ourselves in the day to day lives of Madrilenos.

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!

My overall experience in Madrid in summer 2023 was life changing and changed my perspective on a lot of things. I learned a lot about myself and met some of the coolest people ever whom I am still friends with now. My experience was due to AIFS and although it had its faults like an outdated contract and some miscommunication, it was still a very good experience for me and everyone involved I feel. It really did feel like a mini community of friends but integrated in another culture, specifically spains. I would wholeheartedly recommend this experience.

Studying abroad was one of the best experience i’ve ever had! I was able to meet so many new people, travel easily, and experience so much. AIFS helped to make this experience this good. Everyone should study abroad and experience living in another country at some point in their life if they are able!

Being able to live abroad and getting the full cultural experience was life changing. I never wanted to leave! My roommates in the apartment were so nice and we are all still friends and it has almost been 2 years!

I absolutely loved my experience in Madrid. I made so many life long friends and had a wonderful time immersing in a different culture and experiencing a University outside of the United States. There were a plethora of things to do and experience on a daily basis and I truly recommend studying in Madrid, Spain. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to study abroad. I definitely recommend this program! My living accommodations were amazing and the program managers were wonderful as well. There are so many opportunities for students to experience life throughout this program.

I can honestly say my semester abroad was the peak of my life. This was with help from Lucas, the program manager, as well as meeting some really great friends. Some highlights were the aifs trip to Morocco, where we were able to meet the Barcelona and Sevilla students. The trip to Granada was amazing as well. I have recommended AIFS to everyone as I believe it is the best study abroad program that universities have to offer.

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 really enjoyed my time abroad in Madrid with IES! During my semester I was able to experience a new culture and immerse myself in the language. I really enjoyed that IES organized a lot of activities with local students so we could meet Spaniards and learn about what life is like in the city for them. All of the field trips were super cool and I learned a ton about the country while also getting to see beautiful places I wouldn't have gone otherwise. I lived in a dorm and although the dining hall wasn't the best, I had my own room and own bathroom that got cleaned twice a week, plus free laundry service, and it was in a super convenient location (all of my classes were in the same building). I would definitely recommend this program if you're looking to experience life in a big city and immerse yourself in the Spanish culture!

I had a wonderful time and learning experience this past summer studying in Madrid with IES Abroad! I took a course on the History of Madrid as well as one discussing women writers from Spain and Latin America, and I was pleasantly surprised by the extent to which I enjoyed the content and professors alike. In addition to mini "field trips" to notable museums or locations in the city via my history class, the larger program offered day trip excursions and events in the community, such as attending a Flamenco show, learning how to make paella and torte de Santiago, and regular meetings with Spanish students for conversation and fun. I experienced a great balance of coursework/guided activities and time to explore Madrid on my own. I got to tour castles, swim in the mountains, and learn a Spanish card game. I also got to shop local markets, see outdoor concerts, and even play pickup soccer in the park. I'm grateful for my time studying abroad...and I look forward to an opportunity to go back!

I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain in the semester of Spring 2022. It was quite literally one of the best periods of my life so far, both personally and also academically! I made some incredible friends, got to learn about a new culture, practice and improve my Spanish skills enormously during my time there. Madrid itself is also an incredibly city to live and study in. It's full of culture, life and things to do. It also has amazing transportation systems, healthcare and the people are super friendly and welcoming too. The IES staff were also so incredibly helpful during my time abroad. They were there to help with any issues I had, which was greatly appreciated. The classes were also fun and interesting, even though they were pretty different in comparison to how US classes work. My housing was great too, I had my own dorm with plenty of space and an en-suite bathroom. It was a 3 min walk away from my classes and a 10-15 min walk from the metro station, shops, etc. I couldn't have lived in a more central location. Overall, I would recommend this program to ANYONE interested in studying abroad, even if you feel your language skills are not that strong - this is a great chance to improve them whilst having fun doing it! It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you should do it.

From the moment I stepped off the airplane to the moment I boarded, I felt the support of the IES staff. It was a peculiar time when I was abroad; Spain had just begun to experience a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases before we were asked to repatriate. Nevertheless, the short time that I was in Madrid was a special and memorable one. I was placed with a warm and caring host-family that taught me a lot about the Spanish culture and with whom I built a relationship. Classes were from Monday to Thursday, so I always felt as if I had enough time to explore the city and its surroundings. IES often organized activities and trips to expose students to more aspects of the Spanish culture. For example, IES organized a weekend trip to Extremadura; a place where we were able to learn about history, food, and the regional culture. All in all, it was a culture enriching experience—even if it was for a short amount of time.

My Sevilla program through Adalante was amazing! I made some great memories, traveled a lot, and made some friends. Covid cut the semester short but for what it was, it was great. Adalante was cheap enough for me to enjoy my time, be well supported in Spain, and still save money. They were very accommodating and kind.

Being on this program has really changed me as a person. As a result of studying abroad in this dream location, I was able to experience many different types of environments in one location! From the mountains, to the beaches, to the many plazas and cultural festivities, I was happily immersed in my host city. Barcelona is such an amazing location to study abroad and I would highly recommend doing it with IES Abroad. They made sure from pre-departure to the last day in my host city, that all students were informed and prepared for anything. The staff were extremely helpful, welcoming and always open to sharing their favorite recommendable local gems for students to visit! IES helped students get on their feet and understand how and what types of things they could get themselves immersed in. Whether that was introducing us to tapas, encouraging us to take free dance classes, planning brunch at a beach restaurant, planning hikes, and taking us on trips to other cities outside of Catalonia such as Madrid, IES ensured that we were able to take advantage of such offered opportunities all while preparing us to create our own memories with our own desires to visit other destinations. For housing, I lived in a homestay with a very welcoming woman and other study abroad students from my program. Each night we all had dinner and talked about the upcoming weekend and things happening in the city, all in Spanish! She was always there to help us with any concerns we had regarding where to go, what to see, and how to get there in the best way. She encouraged us to hang out with friends and explore the city and its amazing culture! For classes, we had a good variety of options. We also had the option to take courses at a local university, which I took advantage of. I took some of my classes at and extension of UAB. By doing this, I was able to be in another neighborhood for classes, take the metro to class and really understand how to get in and around Barcelona. Unfortunately, my classes did not have local university students but it was still a valuable chance to get outside of the program classes.