Curriculum

Students are required to enroll in one Spanish language course and then choose two additional courses from the electives offered in English or in Spanish, depending on their interests and proficiency level. Each course is four units.

All students are also enrolled in a four-unit internship course and a non-unit Hub co-curricular.

Core Phase

Required Language Course

All students are required to enroll in one Spanish language course from the list below. Students who have already completed four terms of Spanish, or the equivalent, are permitted to enroll in electives taught in Spanish.

*All students should confirm in advance with their academic advisors which courses may be taken for major, minor, and departmental requirements, and which courses may be taken for elective units.

Elective Courses

Students select two courses from the electives offered in English or in Spanish, depending on their interests and proficiency level. Each course carries four units. All students should confirm in advance with their academic advisors which courses may be taken for major, minor, and departmental requirements, and which courses may only be taken for elective units. 

Note: Syllabi are for course approval and reference only. Elective course offerings vary and may not be offered every term. Students will receive up-to-date syllabi when their courses begin.

Elective Courses Taught in English

Fall Only

Spring Only

Elective Courses Taught in Spanish

Language and culture courses are offered at the 300-level. Literature and film courses are offered at the 400-level.

Internship Phase

Internship Placement

The internship placement runs the duration of the program. Students intern between 15 and 20 hours per week with organizations and companies in the greater Madrid area. Study Abroad will enroll students in a non-unit Hub co-curricular and a four-unit internship course, which includes a classroom component. Placements are contingent upon the student’s past experience, professional interests, and available opportunities in any given term; flexibility is essential. Upon successful completion of the internship experience, students will receive a Hub requirement in the area Individual in Community from the co-curricular HUB SA 330.

Below is a list of internship areas where students have been placed. While BU Study Abroad guarantees an internship to program participants, specific placements vary from term to term and may not always be available. Likewise, internship placements may be available in academic areas not listed.

Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations

Study marketing techniques, media, and consumer behavior while working 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 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.

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.

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.

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 Organization (WTO), Hombre y Tierra, and Mundo Cooperante.

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 Commission, 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.

Health/Human Services

Study health care 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.

Note: Our internship placement availability is contingent upon students’ Spanish-level; thus, the opportunities for students with a lower level of Spanish may be very limited. Students should keep this in mind and be flexible when choosing their preferred areas of interest for their internship.

Internship Course

Madrid Internship Spanish & European Studies