Curriculum

Students are required to enroll in an advanced-level seminar on contemporary Spain, taught at the Instituto Internacional. Students then enroll directly at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) for two elective courses.

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

Core Phase

Required Course

Students enroll in the following course:

Elective Courses

At the UAM, students enroll in two elective courses. Courses are offered in a wide variety of subjects, including:

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Courses

  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art History
  • Cinema
  • Economics
  • History of Philosophy
  • Latin American Literature
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Spanish Language
  • Spanish Literature
  • Spanish Philosophy

For a complete list of courses, visit the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid website.

Please note: Students are required to submit additional application materials for the UAM following admission to the Boston University program. Admission to the UAM is not guaranteed.

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 interest, 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.

Health & Humn 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. Internship placements have included Centro de Mujeres Progresistas, Hospital de la Zarsuela, Interlab, Centro Dato, and PharmaGen.

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 broadcast news organization. Past internship placements have included The Broadsheet, Rolling Stone, InMadrid, LIPS, and The New York Times.

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.

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.

Internship Course

Internship Components

  • The internship itself, including supervisor’s evaluation
  • Participation in the internship seminar
  • A highly structured, mid-term oral briefing
  • Assigned readings
  • A final research paper relating to the professional field of the internship placement

Madrid Internship University Studies