Consider studying during the summer in Madrid, the geographic center of Spain and the historic center of the entire Hispanic world. The city of four million is a modern European hub with state-of-the-art transportation and cyber cafés, but its Old World charm shines through in its long afternoon siestas, its warm and friendly people, and its majestic monuments to Spain's glorious past. Students will have the opportunity to visit flamenco clubs, the bullfight, tapas bars, and world-class museums, as well as to participate in Madrid's seemingly endless nightlife, as the streets overflow with people having a glass of sangría, talking to neighbors, and in general enjoying life in this vibrant city.
The group departs from Atlanta for Madrid on July 4, 2013, and returns on August 9, 2013. All classes are held at the Colegio Mayor de Padre Poveda, where the program is housed. All courses are three-hour courses, with class sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays (9:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.). Mandatory field trips are scheduled for Tuesdays (morning classes) and Thursdays (afternoon classes). Students are also required to participate in a one-credit hour mandatory culture course held once a week. On the first weekend, the program organizes group excursions, but all weekends thereafter are free so that students may explore Madrid or other parts of Spain, Europe, and Africa.
The Colegio Mayor de Padre Poveda is one of many student residences located in the ciudad universitaria, or the University City, on the western side of Madrid. The area reflects the presence of the almost one hundred thousand students who live and study there during the academic year at the Complutense University, with its myriad cafés, shops, bookstores, and night spots. Nearby subway and bus stops connect students to downtown Madrid as well as all major points of air, rail and bus travel.
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Health Matters and Insurance
Participants are provided with health-care insurance that covers them while they are abroad. The policy has a $50 deductible for doctor's visits and a $250 deductible for hospitalization.
Information about local doctors and medical facilities will be available from the program director.
Students with special medical problems may be required to provide a physician's assurance of their ability to undertake foreign travel and study. It is not possible for the European Council to guarantee accessible facilities abroad for students with special needs.
Participants should bring medications they regularly depend upon and should have copies of prescriptions in generic form in case they need to acquire additional medications.
No special immunizations are needed to enter Spain, and the International Immunization Certificate is not required.
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Passports and Visas:
Everyone who travels to Spain must have a valid passport. Participants who have old passports should have them renewed. Participants who have never had a passport should begin the process of obtaining one immediately; it sometimes takes six to eight week to get a passport. Local post offices have information on where to get application forms and directions for obtaining a passport.
Holders of U.S. passports do not need visas to enter Spain for summer study. Participants traveling on passports of other countries should contact their campus representative for assistance in determining whether they will need to acquire a visa.
For everything you may need to know about getting a passport click on the link below:
State Department - Passport Services and Information