Study + Internship in Madrid
Fall 2021 Semester - Early Start

About the Program

Put your Spanish language skills to daily use while gaining work experience that will set you apart as a future job candidate. The Study + Internship program in Madrid allows you to make progress toward your degree while gaining practical skills in fields such as business management, communications, design, engineering, finance, hospitality, information technology, journalism, marketing, mathematics, political science, urban planning, and more. Courses are taught in English and Spanish. Learn more about the benefits of a CEA internship.

Program Structure

You’ll enroll in an internship seminar course that includes an academic seminar and an internship placement. Your internship seminar meets for 12 hours and you’ll spend 150 hours at your internship placement. Together, your semester and internship placement are worth 3 credits/162 contact hours. In addition to your internship placement, you will enroll in 3 elective courses. You will choose between either a selection of English liberal arts & business courses or Spanish language & culture courses. Early Start students enroll in an additional language course. In fall semester, all elective courses meet for 45 contact hours/3 credits. In spring semester, elective courses meet for 45 contact hours/3 credits; spring Early Start language courses meet for 90 contact hours/6 credits.

Semester students may earn 12 (up to 297 contact hours); if you choose the Early Start option, you may earn 18-21 (up to 387 contact hours).

Your internship placement hours may take place Monday – Friday; the exact time of day and days of the week will be determined when you arrive. Elective courses may meet in the morning or afternoon, Monday-Friday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled for Fridays.

We strongly recommend that you apply as soon as possible. Internship positions are selective; students who demonstrate both professionalism and commitment throughout the process are most successful in securing placements. High intermediate working knowledge of Spanish is a requirement for an internship placement in Madrid.

The internship placement process will involve two video interviews: a screening interview with your Internship Coach and a job placement interview with the onsite placement coordinator. The host site retains the final decision regarding placements, so it’s important that your interviews reflect your maturity, adaptability, curiosity, and commitment to both your career interests and the host organization. All placements will be secured two weeks prior to arrival.

Upon placement, you’ll automatically be enrolled in your internship course. Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses and take a language placement exam to determine your language level. You'll be enrolled into courses based on their availability. 

It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home university pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Spain. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs*. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

Seville & Cádiz

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Your time in Seville begins at La Maestranza, an infamous bullfighting ring, followed by a visit to Reales Alcazares, a 14th century Moorish fortress. Tour La Giralda—one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedrals and (allegedly) the final resting place of Christopher Columbus—before enjoying a fabulous lunch in a restaurant set in a former Arab bathhouse. Let yourself be amazed by the incredible buildings that line Seville’s narrow streets and small plazas. Spend free time relaxing at the popular Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza de España, complete with fountains and rowboat-filled canals. You’ll also have time to take a pleasant stroll along the banks of the Gualdalquivir River.

In coastal Cádiz, Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, you’ll relax at Playa Victoria, considered by many to be Spain’s best urban beach. Spend the day enjoying the sand and sun, watching the surfers, and exploring Cádiz’s picturesque historic center.

Toledo

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For 200 years, Toledo was the capital of medieval Spain; today it’s the capital of Castilla la Mancha, the land of Don Quixote. Known as the "City of the Three Cultures," Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived together peacefully; their legacy is a city filled with diverse, impressive architecture. Enjoy a captivating train tour to Toledo’s most beautiful locations, narrated with tales from local legend and history. Art lovers will appreciate Toledo as the home of El Greco, the world-famous Renaissance artist whose most important pieces can be appreciated in the city, including his masterpiece, The Burial of Count of Orgaz, displayed in the small church of Santo Tomé. Toledo is particularly well known for its quality sword makers; many films, like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, feature swords made in Toledo. While students are welcome to handle and photograph the swords, you’ll need to start saving early if you want to purchase one of your own, as price tags range up to $600. As many people consider Toledo the most beautiful city in Spain, get ready to have a remarkable experience on this excursion.

Segovia

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The first thing that’ll catch your eye in Segovia is the massive 1,900-year-old Roman aqueduct that delivered water to this charming town until just a few years ago. You’ll also tour the Alcázar, an 11th century castle that’s rumored to be Disney's inspiration for the castle in Sleeping Beauty. The local cuisine is an experience in and of itself, particularly the cochinillo (a.k.a. roasted suckling pig). You’ll also have the chance to visit La Granja, an incredible royal palace and grounds just 10 km from Segovia.

Madrid Inside Out

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These morning trips allow you to explore other cities in the Community of Madrid, with visits to sites such as: Aranjuez, Alcalá de Henares, and El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen.