Madrid Internship, Summer

The Madrid Internship Program is designed for those students who are looking to gain experience working abroad in one of Europe’s most vibrant, cosmopolitan cities.

Students who participate in an internship will be able to hone their language skills while having the unique opportunity to experience true cultural immersion within Madrid’s professional community.

Students will intern approximately 20 hours per week for seven weeks in the morning and take one course at the Instituto Internacional in the afternoon. 

The Madrid Summer Internship Program is open to students who have completed a minimum of five semesters of college-level Spanish language or the equivalent. Internships are available in the following areas:

    • CAS AH 505 Internship in the Arts/Architecture
    • CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
    • CAS PO 401 Internship in Politics
    • CAS PO 403 Internship in Comparative Law
    • CAS PO 405/IR 455 Internship in International Organizations
    • CAS PS 495 Internship in Health and Human Services
    • COM CM 471 Internship in Advertising/Public Relations
    • COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Television
    • COM JO 411 Internship in Journalism
    • CAS CS 219 Internship in Information Technology
    • SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration

    HUB SA 330: Study Abroad Internship Course 

    Hub Area: The Individual in Community

    Taken in tandem with a work placement, the course allows students to gain a greater understanding of workplace culture within the host country. It provides a framework to explore and reflect on the professional and cultural practices observed in the internship. The course and placement form an intercultural learning experience in which students can examine socio-cultural differences, beliefs and values while immersed in a diverse organizational and professional community. Through class sessions and assignments, students address the ways in which culture influences both work and learning. This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community.

    *Students will be enrolled concurrently in the non-credit HUB SA 330 Study Abroad Internship unit through which they will, on successful completion of the concurrent 4-credit academic internship course, earn 1 Hub Unit in the area of ‘The Individual in Community’.  The course HUB SA 330 does not award credit, but rather modifies the learning outcomes to facilitate the goals of the Individual in Community unit. Students will see two entries on their transcripts: one for the HUB SA 330 Study Abroad Internship (0 credits, 1 IIC Hub unit) and the other for the credit-bearing internship course (4 credits, course code dependent on the field of specialization in which the students complete their internship).

    *Students should note that attendance at the internship itself is mandatory. While your final grade will be determined by your academic work in the class, your performance at your internship will be also taken into consideration.

    **The internship, completed in Spanish, counts towards the Spanish major, but not the minor. As always, students are encouraged to check with the Spanish department regarding major/minor credit, as the dept. has the final word.

    Examples of courses typically offered in Summer Term (course offerings vary each year, the following are examples): 

    • CAS LS 312 Spanish through Cultural Destinations: Paseando por Madrid (Spanish language)
    • CAS LS 350 Introduction to Analysis of Hispanic Texts: Exploring Madrid through Literature (Spanish language)
    • CAS AH 364 Art and Architecture in Madrid: 1561 – Today (taught in Spanish)
    • CAS AH 258 The Spaces of Art: from Velazquez to the Private Gallery in Spain (taught in Spanish)
    • CAS LS 241 Cultures of Spain Past and Present (taught in English)
    • CAS HI 342/RN 343 Camino de Santiago: A Pilgrim’s Way Yesterday and Today  (taught in English, *NEW!)

    Electives taught in Spanish are only open to those students enrolled in Spanish language 300 and above. Electives taught in English are geared towards students in lower levels of Spanish. Enrollment in English electives for students in higher level Spanish classes will be on a space-available basis only. 

    Students are highly encouraged to reach out to BU Madrid staff  (amaliapj@bu.edu or dgannon@bu.edu) prior to registering for classes. 

    Students are also encouraged to consult with their academic advisor prior to enrolling in the BU Madrid Summer Term.

    HUB SA 230 The Individual in Community with Study Abroad

    HUB SA 225 Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy with Study Abroad

    Burgos trip

    The group field trip for the Summer 2022 session will take place on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James)! The Camino de Santiago was a Christian pilgrimage in the Middle Ages, starting from your front door and ending in the city of Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia. Now a cultural path recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, students on this trip will be surrounded by various historical sites and the natural beauty Northern Spain has to offer. Don’t miss out on this important piece of Spanish culture. As this is an outdoors field trip, we ask that you bring sneakers fit for walking.

      Additional Links

      Instituto Internacional Spanish Language & Culture Classes + Internship Seminar: Syllabi – Schedule

      bu.edu/abroad- Summer Internship