Madrid Internship Program (Summer)

This program is offered for those students who are looking to enhance their Spanish language skills while interning abroad in one of Europe’s most important vibrant commercial centers. This intensive program combines a professional internship with a liberal arts course, focusing on either contemporary Spanish culture or modern Spanish writers. Cultural reimbursements pay students’ admission to approved cultural sites and activities, and homestays offer greater linguistic and cultural immersion.

Program Curriculum

This eight-week program takes place at the Instituto Internacional en España. Students intern four days a week in the morning and take one course at the Instituto Internacional in the afternoon. Students will intern approximately 20 hours per week, for seven weeks. Note: Syllabi are for course approval and reference only. Students will receive up-to-date syllabi when their courses begin.

Required Courses

Students enroll in one of the following courses and the internship course. Each course carries four credits. Students must enroll for a total of eight credits.

CAS SP 302: Topics in Contemporary Spanish Culture (4 credits)

(Prerequisite: CAS LS 303, fifth-semester college-level Spanish, or the equivalent.) Explores the major social, political, economic, and artistic trends in Spain since the end of the Franco dictatorship, with a focus on the country’s emergence as a key player in Europe and the world. Syllabus

CAS SP 400: Topics in Hispanic Literature: El Cuento Hispano (4)

Syllabus

Internship Areas

Please note the following are examples of past internship placements only. While BU International Programs 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. Certain placements may require fluency in the target language.

Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations

Study marketing techniques, media and consumer behavior, work in the marketing/PR department of a Spanish company, multinational firm, or advertising agency. Previous internship placements have included OM Premium, Procter & Gamble, Elipse Iniciativas, IFEMA (convention center), and JBan.

Arts/Arts Administration

Study the current art market in Madrid. 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 Spain and work in an organization with an economic dimension. Past internship placements have included American Express, AFI, 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. Past internship placements have included Boca a Boca Films, 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. Past internship placements have included Cento de Mujeres Progesistas, Hospital de la Zarsuela, Interlab, Centro Dato, and PharmaGen.

Hospitality/Tourism

Study Spanish culture and the Spanish tourism industry. Students intern in hotels, restaurants, and the travel industry. Past internships have included Groupo Zena, Hotel Villa Real, Forocio, and CEA.

International Organizations/NGOs

Work in social activist organizations, environmental organizations, human rights organizations and associated government departments. Past internship placements have included Amigos de la Tierra, World Tourism Organzation (WTO), Hombre y Tierra, and Mundo Cooperante.

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 a broadcast news organization. Past internship placements have included The Broadsheet, Rolling Stone, In Madrid, Lips, and Associated Press Bureau Madrid.

Politics/International Relations

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

Pre-law

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

Internship Courses

Course numbers depend on the field of specialization in which the students completes the internship and the nature of the internship. Placements are contingent upon a student’s past experience, language abilities, and available opportunities in any given semester, so flexibility is essential. Syllabus

CAS AH 505 Internship in Arts/Architecture
CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
CAS PO 451 Internship in Politics
CAS PO 453 Internship in Comparative Law
CAS PO/IR 455 Internship in International Organization
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
A highly structured, midterm oral briefing
Assigned readings
A research paper

Program Details

Requirements	Open to students who have completed a minimum of fifth-semester college-level Spanish language or the equivalent Admissions requirements for all programs
Program Dates	Summer Term: May 21 to July 13, 2012 Depart US: May 20, 2012 Program Arrival: May 21, 2012 Program End: July 12, 2012 Group Depart: July 13, 2012
Cost	Summer 2012: Tuition & Fees: $8,200 Cost includes tuition, housing, internship placement, board, field trips, and emergency travel assistance coverage. The cost for Summer 2013 has not yet been announced and will be subject to approval by the Board of Trustees at Boston University. Additional expenses for the summer. Financial aid is available. BU Study Abroad arranges a trans-Atlantic group flight that is not included in the program fee. It is recommended that students take this flight.
Credit	Upon successful completion of the program, students earn eight Boston University credits. Students must enroll for a total of eight 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	Summer Term: March 1

Download a description of the Madrid Summer Internship Program.

Program 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.

Staff Profiles

Shannon Williams, Interim Program Manager

Overseas Staff

James Ray Green, PhD, Director

Faculty

Courses are taught by local Spanish faculty and visiting Boston University faculty.