Duke in Madrid–Intermediate Track
A Semester Language and Culture Program
Program Alert
Due to the high volume of priority applications, Duke in Madrid - Intermediate applications are now closed for the fall 2024 term.
Explore Spanish Culture Through Gastronomy
Apply NowCommitted to a cultural studies perspective, the Duke in Madrid program aims to improve participants’ Spanish fluency and deepen their understanding of Spain and its many cultures within a global context. Founded in 1989, Duke in Madrid is one of Duke’s most established study abroad programs.
The Duke in Madrid–Intermediate Track combines advanced intermediate Spanish (SPANISH 204) and advanced level Spanish (SPANISH 300) in a two-credit signature course, making it possible for students with just three semesters of college-level Spanish to study for a semester in Madrid!
PROGRAM FAST FACTS
Location: Madrid, Spain
Term: Fall or Spring
Dates: August 27, 2024 - December 21, 2024 (Fall); January 17, 2024 -June 5, 2024 (Spring)
Spring 2025 dates TBD
Application Deadlines:
Fall Semester and Academic Year Priority Deadline: December 15
Fall Semester and Academic Year Regular Deadline: March 1
Spring Semester Priority Deadline: August 15
Spring Semester Regular Deadline: October 1
Academic Theme(s): Spanish language and culture
Credit Type: Hybrid Credit Structure
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed lower intermediate Spanish (SPANISH 203) or have equivalent proficiency based on an oral interview. Priority is given to students with a 3.0 GPA or above. Non-Duke students are welcome to apply.
Language of Instruction: Spanish, English
Duke Affiliation: Co-sponsored by the Duke Department of Romance Studies
Housing: Residence Hall or Homestay
GEO Advising: Request an appointment
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Cooking traditional Spanish tapas
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Visiting the Museo Gastronomico (Gastronomy Museum) of Segovia.
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Outside of the Palacio Real while touring Madrid
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Learning about olive cultivation at Basilippo Olive Grove near Seville
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Students touring Toledo with their Spanish professor
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Enjoying a Spanish meal students prepared
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Touring San Sebastian in northern Spain
ACADEMICS
With the Duke in Madrid–Intermediate Track, you can pursue a semester of study in Madrid if you will have completed SPANISH 203 by the time the program begins. The program is designed with a hybrid credit structure. Students are required to enroll in one Signature Course worth 2.0 credits, and two electives at the host university. The four course credits offered on the program include:
Duke Signature Course
SPANISH 314A
Gastronomía de España
(CZ, CCI, FL), 2.0 Duke credits
Pre-requisite: SPANISH 203, or the equivalent (3rd semester of college Spanish)
This course is the equivalent of advanced intermediate (SPANISH 204) and advanced level (SPANISH 300) Spanish combined. Course teaches Spanish culture through gastronomy. Class is held at the Duke in Madrid academic center downtown.
Transfer Courses
You’ll select two transfer courses from offerings in a wide array of subject areas at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). Intermediate Track students take courses offered in English. All courses offered by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), will convey to the Duke transcript as transfer credits, provided the U.S. equivalent of a C- or higher is earned in the course. For these courses only, letter grades will not appear on the Duke transcript and will not count in the Duke GPA.
- Courses
- Credits
- Course Registration
Courses
What Courses Can I Take at UC3M?
UC3M announces its course offerings at the beginning of each semester. You’ll be able to get a sense of what courses you might take based on past course offerings, but your actual course schedule won’t be finalized until you are in Madrid.
The UC3M Tentative Course List is not a definitive list of offerings, but it can give you a good idea of what courses may be offered and how those courses normally count at Duke. Actual course offerings are announced at the beginning of the semester. The list shows the Duke equivalent department(s) and number(s) for each course approved. Curricular codes are also included.
If a course is not listed, it is important that you follow these steps to get courses approved by the Duke departments for transfer credit. This information must be officially recorded by the GEO in the GEO Approved Course Database in order for proper credit to be awarded. Please make sure any course approvals by Duke departments are forwarded to the GEO.
The list of approved UC3M courses for transfer credit can also be found in the GEO Approved Course Database. If a course cannot be approved at Duke in a certain department, you will find that information in the database as well.
Credits
Hybrid Credit Structure
The Duke in Madrid program uses a hybrid credit structure, meaning you’ll earn a mix of Duke credit and transfer credit.
You are responsible for ensuring all courses taken at Universidad Carlos III convey to the Duke transcript as transfer credits. Program staff are available to help you—both at Duke and in Madrid—but it's up to you to understand the process and satisfy all the requirements:
How do I get transfer credit for my UC3M courses?
Spanish Majors/Minors
The Signature course, Gastronomía de España, may be counted toward the Spanish major or minor.
Non-Duke Student Transcripts
Please note that transcripts will not be sent automatically by any of the Duke-In programs. It is your responsibility to request transcripts from the Duke University Registrar.
The Duke transcript will list all Duke and transfer credits. Upon request, GEO can provide a transcript from UC3M with Spanish grades listed along with a Duke conversion of the Spanish grades. Please email the Duke program manager to request the UC3M transcript.
For more information for Non-Duke students participating on Duke In programs, please review the Guide for Non-Duke Students.
Course Registration
Registering for Courses
Please keep the following policies in mind:
- You are required to enroll in four full credits/courses (including the 2 credit Signature course).
- No underloads and no overloads are permitted.
- All courses must be taken for graded credit. Do not take courses pass/fail.
Duke in Madrid Signature Course – GEO staff will register you for the signature course once you are officially enrolled in the program per your status in MyExperientialEd. You will not be able to register for Duke in Madrid courses on DukeHub during registration on the Duke campus prior to departure for Spain.
UC3M Transfer Credit Courses – Actual course registration will take place in Madrid at the beginning of the semester. Duke in Madrid staff can help you register for courses and assist you with getting courses approved for transfer credit back to Duke.
Be prepared to be flexible: Please note that Duke University has no control over the course offerings at UC3M in a given semester, so you should not arrive in Madrid absolutely determined to take a specific course. There is no guarantee that a given course will be offered by UC3M or that it will fit into your course schedule.
EXCURSIONS
Program participants will experience trips to various locales in Spain, all included in the cost of the program. Excursions include transportation, lodging, guided tours, and some meals. Below are some possible group excursions with Duke in Madrid. Excursion destinations are subject to change each semester.
- FALL
- SPRING
- BOTH SEMESTERS
FALL
Galicia
Our Galicia trip will broaden our cultural and linguistic knowledge, offering an Atlantic perspective of deep singularities and global connections. The group will tour the city of Santiago de Compostela, end of the “Camino De Santiago”, as a historical and cultural nodal point, but we will also explore Galicia’s rural settings or the dramatic cliffs of San Andrés de Teixido, allowing ourselves to immerse in the vast folklore and long prevailing traditions of the region. The group will stay at Casa Alvarella, an ecologically-designed rural guest house located in Las Fragas do Eume Natural Park.
Andalucia: Sevilla and Cádiz
There are no doubts that Andalucía is one of Spain’s most iconic, magical destinations. This semester, DIM will visit two cities, Sevilla and Cádiz. Seville, or Sevilla in Spanish, is one of the largest Spanish, and capital city of Andalucía. The city of Seville is famous worldwide for its culture, monuments, traditions and artistic heritage. Our trip to Andalucía will also include a visit to the ancient city of Cádiz, founded by the Phoenicians and official port of trade with the Americas during the 16th century. The group will spend a total of four days/three nights traveling across southern Spain, including guided visits to the Cathedral and Giralda, the magnificent Alcázar (filming location for Game of Thrones), or a Flamenco workshop in Seville; and the historical Old Town of Cádiz with its giant trees allegedly brought to Cádiz by Christopher Columbus from the New World. Travel will be mainly by train.
SPRING
Sevilla
Seville, or Sevilla in Spanish, is one of the largest cities in Spain and serves as the capital of Andalucía. The city is famous worldwide for its culture, monuments, traditions, and artistic heritage. Sevilla is home to Real Alcázar, a palace compound founded in the early Middle Ages (and a filming location for Game of Thrones) but with renovations and modifications reflecting many of Spain’s artistic periods.
Granada
Granada is considered one of the most charismatic cities in the world. In Granada, the group will visit the Cathedral, built on the site of an early mosque and known for its blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles. Granada is also the site of the Alhambra, the most visited monument in Spain and one of the most famous and best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world.
Northern Spain/Basque Country
We will also familiarize ourselves with Green Spain, visiting the Basque Country, surrounded by mountains and the fierce Cantabrian Sea. The field trip to Northern Spain consists of 3 days/2 nights and includes guided tours of the elegant and culturally charged city of San Sebastian (home to the International Film Festival and the San Sebastian Jazz Festival, for instance) and surrounding areas. The program participants will stay in a downtown hotel in San Sebastian.
BOTH SEMESTERS
Toledo
The group will spend the day in the hilltop city of Toledo where it will tour sites related to the three religions that once coexisted in Spain. Transportation will be by bus from Madrid.
Segovia
The group will spend the day on guided tours of Segovia's highlights, including the Roman Aqueduct, Alcazar, and the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. Transportation will be by bus from Madrid.
ACTIVITIES
Duke in Madrid-Intermediate students are able to participate in a variety of activities while in Madrid, ranging from cultural events to classes held at museums. The program publishes a weekly newsletter advertising program-sponsored cultural events, university news, and information about potential activities in Madrid and beyond.
In order to explore in-depth the wide variety of cultural activities available in Madrid, the program sponsors the Cultural Passport for all participants. Students will choose among several activities organized on a weekly basis selecting those that interest them. Program staff will select events to expose students to Madrid's most vibrant cultural and intellectual life.
- Program Sponsored
Program Sponsored
Program-sponsored activities
As part of the coursework for the required language course, Gastronomia de España, you will take part in a number of activities related to Spanish gastronomy. These activities will be determined closer to your arrival date and will follow the latest COVID-19 guidelines. They may include:
- Tapas cooking class
- Bread making class
You will also take part in Duke in Madrid sponsored activities available each semester.
- City tours and walking tours of Madrid’s neighborhoods
- Museum visits to Museo del Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
- Visits to avant-garde cultural spaces such as Casa Encendida, Matadero, Circulo de Bellas Artes, CaixaForum
- Academic conferences and cultural workshops
- Spanish films and theater outings
- Flamenco show
- Culinary events
- Conversation exchange with university students
HOUSING & MEALS
Housing
Students will have the option to be housed in either a residence hall or homestay. Due to availability at either the residence hall or homestay, housing choices cannot be guaranteed and students may be placed in their second option as an alternative.
Homestay
Students live with Spanish families who are carefully selected by the administrative director. Each student is individually placed with the selected family. Living with a family fully immerses students into the Spanish lifestyle, language, and culture, providing access to the city in ways that campus life cannot provide. Students will live in a single room with their own bed, desk, and closet. They may share a bathroom with other family members. Duke in Madrid host family homes have wireless internet access.
Residence Hall
Students live in the residence hall Alojamiento para Estudiantes: Claraval. The residence hall is centrally located, five minutes walking from the Duke in Madrid Center and a one-minute walk to the San Bernardo Metro Station.
Housing Form
Students must submit a housing form with their choice of housing option at the time of application. After admission to the program, an additional housing questionnaire will be sent to collect more information about preferences and needs so that the program can best place you within your choice of housing.
Meals
Homestay
Host families provide three meals per day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition, students are given a stipend to have two meals a week outside of their homestay in place of a meal taken with the host family. Students will need to provide their own snacks.
Residence Hall
Students will be responsible for purchasing all their meals on the program. Each suite in the residence hall has a full-kitchen.
Some meals are provided during program excursions. The program is able to accommodate most dietary restrictions.
COSTS
These costs are estimated based on previous years’ programs and the current exchange rate. All costs are subject to change.
Fall 2023 or Spring 2024
| Duke Students | Non-Duke Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $31,725 | $31,725 |
| Program Fee | $3,300 (homestay) $1,000 (residence hall) |
$3,300 (homestay) $1,000 (residence hall) |
| Transcript Fee | N/A | $120 |
| Other Costs* | ||
| TOTAL (Estimated) | $40,655 (homestay) $42,255 (residence hall) |
$40,755 (homestay) $42,375 (residence hall) |
*A customizable program cost sheet that includes a breakdown of other costs is available on the program's MyExperientialEd brochure page.
FAQ Costs
The program fee for Duke in Madrid includes:
- Accommodations
- International SOS coverage
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- Orientation program
- Local transportation
- Access to educational facilities at host university
- Some meals during program excursions
- Homestay option: all meals
The following items are NOT included in the program fee and will be the responsibility of the participant to fund. This list contains common examples to help you budget for your program, but the list should not be considered exhaustive:
- Airfare
- Airport transportation to/from program site
- Residence Hall option: all meals
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Immunizations
- Visa
- Passport
- Textbooks and class materials
- Mobile phone
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
U.S. citizens are required to obtain a student visa for this program. The student visa costs approximately $160 (this does not include BLS fees).
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may also need a visa. Please be sure to research the cost of obtaining a visa, including any required travel to a consulate or embassy.
If you receive financial aid, and need assistance with travel costs to a consulate or embassy, please contact your financial aid counselor.
Personal expenses can fluctuate greatly depending upon habits and preferences of the individual. It’s also wise to budget for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies. You can use a cost-of-living comparison tool to get an idea of what daily life costs in the program host location.
Step 1: Within 3 weeks of acceptance to the program, confirm your enrollment by submitting the non-refundable $1,000 deposit ($1,040 for non-Duke students). Deposits are payable by check or Student Account E-Check. If you receive Duke financial aid, submit the Deposit Waiver Form in lieu of the deposit. Log in to MyExperientialEd for remittance instructions or waiver form.
NOTE: If you withdraw after committing to the program, there may be financial consequences.
Step 2: Complete all post-acceptance items listed on your MyExperientialEd application, including the Participation Agreement, Pre-Departure Orientation, International Travel Registry, and any program-specific forms.
Step 3: Semester invoices will be sent via email to your Duke email address and to your home email address. Remit payment to the Bursar per due date and address indicated on your online statement. Consult the Duke Bursar's office billing schedule for payment due dates.
Financial Aid
Duke students receiving institutional need-based grant aid are eligible for aid for this program; work-study funds are converted to grants. Students are individually responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support and the Duke Bursar’s Office.
Non-Duke students are not eligible to receive financial aid at Duke and should contact their home institutions for financial aid information.
Dates
All dates are tentative and may change with the administrative calendar of the Universidad Carlos III. Final dates will be confirmed at orientations for Duke in Madrid students in early April (for Fall Term/full year students) and in early November (for Spring Term students).
- Fall 2024
- Spring 2024
Fall 2024
Fall 2024
- Arrival: August 27, 2023 (if departing from the US, you will have to depart August 26th to arrive in Spain on the 27th)
- Departure: December 21, 2024*
*The departure date is driven by the final exam schedule, which you will receive during orientation..
All students must stay for scheduled final exams. Students may not request an early exam date and all papers must be turned into instructors before the student's departure from Spain.
Specific dates for events in a particular semester, including holidays and excursions, will be sent to applicants as soon as they are available.
Flights
You will make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. You are expected to arrive on the arrival date cited above, which usually means departing the U.S. one day prior.
All students must stay for scheduled final exams. Students may not request an early exam date, and all papers must be turned into instructors before the student's departure from Spain.
Once you have a flight itinerary, log in to MyExperientialEd to update your travel itinerary.
Housing Before/After
You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date or leaving later than the program end date.
Spring 2024
Spring 2024
- Arrival: January 17, 2024 (if departing from the US, you will have to depart January 16th to arrive in Spain on the 17th)
- Departure: June 5, 2024*
*The departure date is driven by the final exam schedule, which you will receive during orientation.
All students must stay for scheduled final exams. Students may not request an early exam date and all papers must be turned into instructors before the student's departure from Spain.
Specific dates for events in a particular semester, including holidays and excursions, will be sent to applicants as soon as they are available.
Flights
You will make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. You are expected to arrive on the arrival date cited above, which usually means departing the U.S. one day prior.
All students must stay for scheduled final exams. Students may not request an early exam date, and all papers must be turned into instructors before the student's departure from Spain.
Once you have a flight itinerary, log in to MyExperientialEd to update your travel intinerary.
Housing Before/After
You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date or leaving later than the program end date.
VISA & PASSPORT
VISA
All students will be required to obtain a student visa to study in Spain. * (See note for European Union citizens)
Duke's Global Education Office for Undergraduates will send you instructions on how to obtain your student visa and make this information available in MyExperientialEd. It will be your responsibility to follow these instructions and gather all documentation required by the Spanish consulate assigned to your home jurisdiction. Please note that you will need to appear in person BLS Offices in Washington DC to submit your application, which will be reviewed then sent to the Spanish consulate. The processing of your application and return of your passport with the Spanish visa can take between 4-8 weeks, so please keep this in mind if planning international travel prior to the program start date. We encourage all students to be in possession of valid passports and to begin the visa process as early as allowed by their individual consulates. You must obtain a Spanish student visa prior to your departure in order to participate in the program.
Your student visa will allow you to study in Spain for a semester or year. You will not be allowed to work on this type of visa.
EU Citizens
If an EU citizen also has a US passport, the program highly recommends they apply for a student visa in the US using their US passport. This is due to significant delays within Spain of the official procedure of registering an EU citizen’s stay. Otherwise, students who are EU citizens must officially register their stay in Spain after arrival in Madrid. Duke in Madrid staff will provide information about this process
PASSPORT
All participants must have a valid passport. Passport processing is taking 10-13 weeks, sometimes longer, so please begin the application process early. Also, make sure your passport has at least six months of validity beyond the program end date to avoid unintended disruptions. For instructions on obtaining or renewing your U.S. passport, visit passports.state.gov.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IDENTITY CARD
An International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is optional. ISIC is the only internationally recognized form of student ID, endorsed by UNESCO. If purchased in the U.S., the card also carries with it a supplemental insurance policy, which can prove to be very helpful in the event of serious injury. You may purchase this card through www.myisic.com. Processing of the card takes between 4-15 days.
FACULTY & STAFF
In Madrid
The Duke in Madrid academic center in downtown Madrid features classrooms, a library, and student workspace, a conference room, and staff offices. The resident director is available year-round for academic or personal assistance. The administrative director and assistant coordinator place participants with families in Madrid and help students resolve everyday problems. Staff contact information will be provided upon acceptance into the program.
At Duke
Admissions
Deadline:
Fall Semester and Academic Year Priority Deadline: December 15
Fall Semester and Academic Year Regular Deadline: March 1
Spring Semester Priority Deadline: August 15
Spring Semester Regular Deadline: October 1
This program has a priority deadline. Students who apply by the December deadline for the Fall and Academic Year semesters will receive an admission decision before the end of the Spring semester drop/add period. Students who apply by the August deadline for the Spring semester, will receive an admission decision before the end of the Fall semester drop/add period. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered on an individual basis until the program fills; after that, qualified students are added to a waitlist and notified of openings. Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered.
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed at least one Spanish course at the lower intermediate level (Duke SPANISH 203) or have equivalent proficiency based on an oral interview.
Priority: Priority will be given Spanish majors/minors and students who meet the prerequisites.
Minimum GPA: Priority will be given to students with high academic standing (normally with at least a 3.0 GPA). The minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) required for Duke students wishing to study away during the semester is 2.7 (3.0 for Pratt students) on a scale of 4.0.
Non-Duke students: Non-Duke students are welcome to apply for this program. You must be a degree-seeking student in good standing at an accredited college or university. Consult your university’s registrar and/or study away advisor for assistance with transfer credit. Students who are not matriculated at a college or university are not eligible to participate in Duke’s study away programs.
Late applicants: After published deadlines, qualified applicants will be considered on a space-available basis.
Apply
Start your application early to ensure that it is complete by the deadline! Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the program directors for consideration.
Submit the following items using MyExperientialEd:
- On-line application.
- Transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended. First-year students should wait for fall semester grades to be posted before submitting their transcript.
- Personal statement, written in Spanish, explaining your interest in and goals for studying in Spain with the Duke in Madrid program.
- Language recommendation.*
- Duke in Madrid Housing Questionnaire
- GEO Language Program Questionnaire
*If you have not taken a Spanish course at Duke, please email Joan Munne in the Spanish Language Department to set up an interview with a Spanish language instructor. Recommendation letters from high school teachers will not be accepted.
GEO ADVISING IS HERE FOR YOU
Get advice on choosing a program, exploring courses and credits, and covering the costs of study away when you engage the Global Education Office's advising network.