Madrid Internship Program

This program is offered for those students who are looking to enhance their Spanish language skills while working abroad in one of Europe’s most important vibrant commercial centers. Students with sufficient language skills take three courses along with an internship, which ranges between 15 and 20 hours per week.

Program Curriculum

All students enroll in the three, four-credit courses from those offered through Level II or III of the Madrid Language and Liberal Arts Program (based on semester and language proficiency).

Internship Courses

Students enroll in a four-credit internship placement. Placements are contingent upon a student’s past experience, language abilities, and available opportunities in any given semester, so flexibility is essential. Course numbers depend on the fields of specialization in which the students complete their internship and the nature of the internship work.

CAS AH 505 Internship in the Arts/Architecture
CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
CAS PO 401 Internship in Politics
CAS PO 403 Internship in Comparative Law
CAS PO 405/IR 455 Internship in International Organizations
CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
COM CM 471 Internship in Advertising/Public Relations
COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Television
COM JO 411 Internship in Journalism
SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration

Internship Components:

The internship itself, including supervisor’s evaluation
A highly structured, mid-term oral briefing
Attendance and participation in seminars throughout the semester
A final paper relating to professional field of internship placement

Internship Areas

Please note these are examples of past internship placements only. While BU Study Abroad guarantees an internship to program participants, specific placements vary from semester to semester and may not always be available. Likewise, internship placements may be available in academic areas not listed.

Arts & Arts Administration

Study the current art market in Madrid. Gain an overview and learn about the funding bodies that support the arts and work in one of Madrid’s art galleries, museums, preservation projects, or local arts centers. Past internship placements have included Galería Durán, Museo de Artes Decorativas, and Sotheby’s.

Business/Economics

Study the current economic, political, and social issues affecting Madrid and work in an organization with an economic dimension. Internship placements have included American Express, AFI, Marsh & McLennan, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Vista Capital.

Film, Radio, & Television

Study communications and society in Madrid and work for one of the radio and television stations or film production companies. Internship placements have included Boca a Boca Films, CNN, Eco Casting, Madrid Film, Lua, Dos Mundos TV, and Rioja Films.

Health & Human Services

Study healthcare and human services issues and participate in the daily work life of hospital rehabilitation, therapy, or education programs; health center administration; social service departments; community care centers; or social activist organizations. Internship placements have included Centro de Mujeres Progresistas, Hospital de la Zarsuela, Interlab, Centro Dato, and PharmaGen. Download a description of the Health/Human Services Track.

Hospitality & Tourism

Study Spanish culture and learn how the tourism industry works in Madrid. Students intern in placement areas such as travel agencies, hotels, and restaurants. Past internships have included Groupo Zena, Hotel Ritz, and Travel Leader. Download a description of the Hospitality/Tourism Track.

International Organizations & NGOs

Work in social activist organizations, environmental organizations, human rights organizations, and associated government departments. Internship placements have included Amigos de la Tierra and Casa de América.

Journalism

Study news media in the context of the political, cultural, and social life of Madrid by participating in the daily life of a newspaper, magazine, publishing house, or broadcast news organization. Past internship placements have included The Broadsheet, Rolling Stone, InMadrid, LIPS, and The New York Times.

Politics & International Relations

Study the issues and institutions of Madrid’s culture and work in a political setting, including Parliament, party organizations, lobbying groups, or political public relations agencies. Internship placements have included Embassy of México (commercial office), Embassy of the United States (commercial office), Office of European Commission, INCIPE, and UNICEF.

Pre-law

Study the history and practice of the law in Madrid and participate in the daily life of an NGO working in human rights and immigration law. Internship placements have included Bufete J. Ruiz and Hombre y Tierra.

Program Details

Requirements	Minimum of fifth-semester college-level Spanish language or the equivalent (six semesters for Level III) Spring applicants must indicate on their application whether they are applying for the Madrid Internship Program with Level II courses (Instituto) or the Madrid Internship Program with Level III courses (Autónoma) Admissions requirements for all programs
Program Dates	Fall Semester: September 5 to December 13, 2013 Spring Semester: Level I & II: Depart U.S.: January 9, 2013 Program Arrival: January 10, 2013 Depart Spain: May 10, 2013 Level III & Management Internship Program: Depart U.S.: January 9, 2013 Program Arrival: January 10, 2013 Depart Spain: May 22, 2013 Academic Year: early September to mid May (early September to mid June for students enrolled in Madrid Level III coursework at the Universidad Autónoma)
Cost	2013/2014 Tuition and Fees: $28,795 Cost includes tuition, housing, board, airfare from New York, field trips, overseas medical insurance, and emergency travel assistance coverage. The cost for 2014/2015 has not yet been announced and will be subject to approval by the Board of Trustees at Boston University. Download an estimated program budget, including cost of living expenses. Financial aid is available.
Credits	Upon successful completion of the program, students earn sixteen Boston University credits. Students must enroll for a total of sixteen credits.
Housing	Boston University’s household accommodations facilitate the students’ language acquisition and integration into Spanish society through the daily usage of Spanish. All Madrid students are placed in Spanish households, where they have their own room and eat meals with their host families. Households represent a wide range of incomes and situations, from an older woman living alone to a professional couple living in the city to a large family with several children.
Application Deadlines	Fall Semester & Academic Year: March 15 Spring Semester: October 1 For the spring semester, preference will be given to qualified candidates who submit their complete applications by September 15. After that date, applications will be accepted on a space-available basis until October 15.

Download a description of the Madrid Internship Program.

Program Faculty & Staff

The Boston University Madrid Programs are administered by staff in both our Boston and Madrid offices. In Boston a program manager facilitates the admissions and pre-departure procedures, and maintains contact with students prior to their arrival in Madrid. The Boston office also houses administrative personnel who are responsible for everyday operations. In Madrid, the staff comprises a resident director as well as administrative, academic, and housing personnel.

Faculty & Staff Profiles

Heather York, Program Manager

Overseas Staff

Faculty

Spanish faculty members hold adjunct appointments at Boston University or at the university program for which they teach at the Instituto Internacional. The Universidad Autónoma Madrid does not publish a list of faculty biographies. All courses are taught in Spanish by fully qualified professors appointed to teach at the university level.