Program Description

The University of Wisconsin-Madison program at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Complutense) in Madrid, Spain is jointly sponsored by Indiana University and Purdue University. On this program, students take some regular university courses alongside Spanish students at the Complutense as well as courses specially designed for American students. The program courses for American students are taught by Complutense faculty at Universidades Reunidas, a consortium of American universities with programs at the Complutense. This program is primarily a full academic year program, though a limited number of spaces are available in the spring.

The Complutense traces its history back to 1499. Located on an old estate known as La Moncloa, Complutense has a full range of facultades (or “schools”), each housed in a separate building with its own library and offices. The program is affiliated with the Facultades de Geografía e Historia, Filología y Filosofía.

At the crossroads between Europe and Africa, Spain offers a unique, distinctive flavor. Madrid, home to approximately five million inhabitants, is both a historically rich city as well as a modern metropolis. Visit the world famous Prado Museum, which showcases the works of the prominent artists Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. Explore a variety of parks and plazas, the Royal Palace, or Madrid’s colorful flea market.

Academics

In Madrid, the academic year program begins with a four-week intensive language and culture course (worth three credits) to improve language proficiency and introduce students to Spanish life. For the spring program, the Resident Director and Assistant Director provide a one-week, non-credit orientation.

The program office is housed in the Facultad de Geografía e Historia. The Resident Director, a faculty member from one of the sponsoring U.S. institutions, a local Assistant Director and a Student Services Coordinator are available to assist in academic and other matters throughout the year.

The Resident Director helps students work out a class schedule from the Reunidas and Complutense courses available. A variety of Reunidas courses are offered in the areas of arts and philosophy, Spanish literature and language, history, and the social sciences. Complutense course offerings span a full range of depth and breadth in world geography and history (including area studies), world literature, anthropology, philosophy, and economics. Participants must take a minimum of one Complutense course during the fall semester and two Complutense courses during the spring semester.

Housing

Academic year participants live with other program participants in a college residence hall during the first month while they explore the types of housing available in Madrid. Students move into their new housing after the orientation course. Spring participants live with a host family for the first month then the choice is given to remain with the family for the remainder of the semester or find their own housing in Madrid.

Excursions and Activities

The program organizes several excursions to popular locations throughout the year. Several extended periods of vacation throughout the year as well as convenient public transportation allow students to travel outside Madrid on their own. Located in the geographical center of the Iberian peninsula, Madrid provides an excellent starting place to explore the entire country as well as its neighbors before or after the program.

As part of the program, students receive a membership in the Círculo de Bellas Artes, a cultural center in downtown Madrid that offers concerts, shows, and lectures. Many of the facultades have active sports clubs that students can join. Volunteer opportunities are also available to students.