This jointly-sponsored program offers both juniors and seniors the opportunity to spend a full academic year or Spring semester studying at the University of Madrid in the capital and cultural center of Spain. The Program is located in the College of Philosophy and Letters, where participants may study a wide range of courses (literature, language, art, history, social sciences, etc.) taught by Spanish university faculty, distinguished poets and intellectuals. In addition to selecting courses from the offers of the "Universidades Reunidas" (described elsewhere), students are required to enroll in regular university courses with Spanish students.
In order to qualify for admission a student must present a GPA in excess of 3.0 and have completed at least five semesters (or its equivalent) of college Spanish. The program welcomes applicants from all disciplines from the three sponsoring schools and their regional campuses. Participants are required to carry a full load of at least four courses as well as take part in the four-week orientation session given in Madrid in September. Program fees include tuition and group activities and pre-session classes and housing (for the first month). Credits with grades are awarded directly by the sponsoring institutions. The Program helps to arrange housing for students either in private homes, boarding houses or residences according to individual preferences at the most economical price available.
During the course of the year the Program organizes group excursions for those who wish to participate to such points of interest as Segovia, Córdoba, Extremadura, and Salamanca. In addition, the Program staff aims to keep the students constantly informed of cultural events within the city and is available to help them solve whatever problems they encounter. Finally, there are ample opportunities to explore Spain on week-ends as well as to travel throughout Europe and Africa during the longer vacations at Christmas and in the Spring.
