The Institute of European Studies offers full year as well as semester study options in Madrid and Salamanca. IES provides many opportunities for students to integrate themselves in the Spanish culture. A system of intercambios is organized by both programs. Students studying in IES Madrid have the opportunity to do volunteer work in Spanish organizations and institutions where they are continually speaking Spanish and truly become a part of the community. Cultural activities are organized which include theater productions, Spanish film, lectures, visits to the Parliament in Madrid, etc. Each semester the Madrid art faculty organize several visits to art exhibits.

In addition to regular IES courses such as language, Spanish literature, art, history, politics, etc., IES encourages students to take at least one course at the local university. All IES Madrid students are registered at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. In order to facilitate the students' integration in the Universidad Complutense and to help them overcome the language and cultural barriers, IES provides a six week Writing Workshop especially designed for those students taking University courses.

Students in Salamanca register for courses at the Universidad de Salamanca.

IES Madrid is located in the Colegio Mayor San Agustín in the Ciudad Universitaria where students are in constant contact with Spanish university students and they have the opportunity to participate in the many cultural activities organized by the Colegios Mayores such as lectures given by novelists, poets, politicians, etc., theater productions, concerts, flamenco, jazz, etc. Students participating in the IES Madrid program are exposed to the political, cultural and academic life of a large city. Students may register for a ceramics course at the Escuela de Cerámica de la Moncloa.

Internships are offered in business, government agencies, private foundations, various museums and galleries, and the media.

In addition to the excursions organized during the orientation program to Segovia and Pedraza, El Escorial and Toledo, field study is emphasized as an integral part of some courses. Two major field trips are organized during the year, in the fall to León, the Picos de Europa and Asturias and in the spring to Trujillo, Cáceres and Mérida. Day trips are also organized to nearby places of interest such as Cuenca, Ávila and Salamanca.

An intensive language orientation program is held in Madrid including visits to the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection.

Students are housed in carefully selected private homes throughout Madrid. Breakfast, seven main meals per week and laundry are provided with the housing arrangements.

The IES Salamanca Center is located in the Universidad de Salamanca allowing the students to participate in the many cultural activities and academic activities organized by the University. Salamanca is one of the oldest and most respected university towns in Europe. IES Salamanca founded in 1991, focuses its curriculum on Portugal and Morocco, making the program a unique one. International Relations majors find the program particularly valuable given the Western Mediterranean thrust of the courses. Field trips are organized to Portugal in the fall and to Morocco in the Spring as well as one day excursions to nearby historical sites such as Toledo, Ciudad Rodrigo, La Alberca, etc.

An intensive language orientation program is organized each semester including visits to historical sites and places of interest in Salamanca.

Students are housed in carefully selected private homes throughout Salamanca. All meals are included in the housing arrangement.