The Madrid Internship Program, offered in the spring semester, allows students with advanced Spanish to enhance their language skills through direct enrollment at a Spanish university while interning in one of Europe’s most important vibrant commercial centers.
Students take a required course in an advanced-level seminar on contemporary Spain at the Instituto Internacional and directly enroll at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid for two elective courses, chosen from a variety of topics.
The internship depends on students’ interests and field of study. Students will either study the issues and institutions of Madrid’s culture and work in a political setting or study the history and practice of law in Madrid. Students intern across a range of placements from activist organizations to lobbying groups to an NGO working in human rights or immigration law.
All students have the unique opportunity to experience life in a Spanish homestay.
Requirements & Considerations
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-credit internship course and a non-credit Hub co-curricular.
Required Course
Students enroll in the following course:
Required Course
- CAS PO 249 Contemporary Spain: Political and Social Movements in the 21st Century (4 credits)Effective
Spring '25
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Critical Thinking
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Writing-Intensive Course
- The course examines the Spanish Political System and takes a comparative approach while also focusing on current political reality and its influence on the daily life of Spaniards and vice versa. The course will look at Spanish political institutions in the context of Spain’s membership in the European Union and will also examine social movements and current challenges: unemployment, public policies, migration, historical memory, etc.
- Syllabus
Note: Syllabus is for course approval and reference only. Students will receive an up-to-date syllabus when their course begins.
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 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-credit Hub co-curricular and a four-credit internship course, which includes a classroom component. Placements are contingent upon the student’s past experience, professional interest, and available opportunities in any given semester; flexibility is essential. Upon successful completion of the internship experience, students will receive a Hub unit 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 semester to semester and may not always be available. Likewise, internship placements may be available in academic areas not listed.
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
- Non-credit Hub Co-curricular: HUB SA 330 Study Abroad Internship
- This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area:
- CAS PO 401 Internship in Politics (4)
- CAS PO 403 Internship in Comparative Law (4)
- CAS PO 405/IR 455 Internship in International Organizations (4)
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
Syllabus
Housing & Student Services
Local Homestay
- Individual bedrooms in local family home. Each room has a bed, a desk, and some storage space. Linens are provided and washed regularly. Kitchen access is not guaranteed. Students will have the ability to reheat food.
- Board included: All meals (3 meals per day/ 7 days per week) will be provided by the host family. A packed lunch will be provided by the host family if the student is unable to commute home for lunch.
- Host families provide laundry, internet.
- Gyms at the university and in town but may be expensive.
- Students can study at the Instituto or the Autonoma. Many students study at home, as university libraries have more restricted hours than in the US.
Program Dates
- Spring Semester: Late-January to late-May
Application Timeline
This program follows rolling admissions and may fill before the official deadline.
Fall Semester
- Applications Open December 15
- Applications Deadline March 15
Spring Semester
- Applications Open June 1*
- Applications Deadline September 15
*Applications for the Spring 2025 semester will open on June 12
This program is rolling admissions; applications are reviewed once all application materials are received, prior to all deadlines. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the BU Study Abroad office. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible as some programs and internship tracks have limited space and may fill up before the deadline. Submitting a complete application prior to the application deadline, does not guarantee acceptance. Students will be emailed an admissions decision within three weeks of a completed application.
Information for BU Students Awaiting an Admissions Decision and exceptions to the standard admission calendar for all students can be found here.
Cost & Financial Considerations
