Duke in Spain
6-week summer advanced Spanish language and culture program
STUDY A CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL SPAIN
Apply NowThe Duke in Spain summer program, hosted in the capital city of Madrid, is designed to offer its participants an introduction to the history and culture of Spain through a combination of course work, lectures, visits to cities, villages, and landscapes and other on-site experiences (flamenco events, concerts, nightlife, gastronomic experimentation). It also provides an ideal opportunity to hear and speak Spanish in a number of cultural environments. Academic guidance is provided by Duke Department of Romance Studies Visiting Assistant Professor, Marcos Canteli Vigón. In addition, Spanish professors and lecturers will expose participants to a rigorous understanding of the unique historical experience of Spain both in its imperial history and as a modern nation. Special attention will be paid to examining Madrid as a global epicenter and primary destination site for migrants from Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Program Fast Facts
Location: Madrid, Spain
Term: Summer I
Dates: May 18, 2023 - June 30, 2023
Application Deadline: February 1
Academic Theme(s): Spanish language, history, and culture
Credit Type: Duke Credit
Eligibility: The program is open to students who have completed four semesters of college Spanish or the equivalent, which will place them above the INTERMEDIATE LEVEL (at Duke, above SPANISH 204). Non-Duke students are welcome to apply.
Duke Affiliation: Co-sponsored by the Duke Department of Romance Studies
Housing: Residence Hall
Primary Contact: Claudia Milian
ACADEMICS
Students will take one course, which offers two Duke credits. The team-taught course is taught in Spanish. Duke students may apply the two Spanish courses towards their Spanish major or minor. No pass/fail option or auditing is permitted.
SPANISH 439SA / LATAMER 439SA / LSGS 439SA
Global Spain
2.0 Duke credits
CZ, CCI, FL
Prerequisite: Spanish 204 or the equivalent (4th semester of Spanish)
Instructors: Dr. Claudia Milian; Dr. Pablo Lopez-Carballo
The course draws from comparative perspectives across countries and cultures. It links Madrid’s socio-cultural turning points vis-à-vis national and international migration to other geographies where Spanish is spoken. Forming a nexus with broader Spanish-language mobile circuits, this seminar explores the Spanish capital as a global urban epicenter. Experiential in nature, the course challenges students to consider how they see and encounter global Spain, global Madrid, and global Spanish in their day-to-today interactions on the program.
EXCURSIONS
In addition to coursework, students will participate on cultural excursions in Madrid, such guided city tours, visits to museums and historical landmarks, and musical performances. In addition, students will participate on several day trips and excursions outside of Madrid. Past locations have included Toledo, Cordoba, Asturias, and Mallorca.
HOUSING & MEALS
Housing
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
After admission to the program, a housing questionnaire will be sent to collect more information about preferences and needs so that the program can best place you in your housing.
Meals
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.
VISA & PASSPORT
VISA
No visa is required of U.S. citizens to participate in this program. However, you must have proof of a return ticket in order to enter Spain.
Non-U.S. citizens should pay special attention to the visa requirements for your specific citizenship by contacting the Spanish embassy. GEO can provide a letter that may be required as part of the visa application process. Please begin the visa process as soon as you have been admitted to the program to ensure you receive your visa in time for the program start date.
PASSPORT
All participants must have a valid passport. 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.
Costs
These costs are estimated based on previous years’ programs and the current exchange rate. All costs are subject to change.
Summer 2023
Duke Students | Non-Duke Students | |
---|---|---|
Tuition | $5410 | $5410 |
Program Fee | $5400 | $5400 |
Transcript Fee | N/A | $120 |
Other Costs | See Cost Sheet | See Cost Sheet |
TOTAL (Estimated) | $15010 | $15130 |
Explanation of Costs
The program fee for this program includes:
- Accommodations
- Some meals while on excursion
- International SOS coverage
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- Orientation program
- Internet usage
- Laundry
What is not included?
Use the following list to assist with budgeting for expenses outside the program fee. This list contains common examples but should not be considered exhaustive.
- Meals (for residence hall option)
- Airfare
- Airport transportation to/from program site
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Visa (if needed)
- Passport
- On-site accident and health insurance policy
- Textbooks and class materials
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
- Mobile phone
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: Upon acceptance to the program, you must submit the Summer Participation Agreement found in your MyExperientialEd application to confirm your enrollment. A parent/guardian’s co-signature is required. This form takes the place of a deposit.
NOTE: If you withdraw after March 15, you will be charged a cancellation fee for voluntary withdrawal. Fees range from $1,500-2,000.
Step 2: Summer invoices will be sent via email to your Duke email address and 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.
Scholarships
This program offers the following scholarship opportunities:
DATES
Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events. Given the intense nature of this program, late arrival and/or early departure is not permitted.
- Arrival: May 18, 2023
- Departure: June 30, 2023
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. Once you have a flight itinerary, log in to MyExperientialEd to update your travel registry.
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
MADRID FACULTY & STAFF
The Duke in Madrid academic center located 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. Contact information for the staff will be provided upon acceptance.







ADMISSIONS
Deadline: February 1
This program has rolling admission. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served 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. Application opens November 1.
Eligibility: Students must have completed Spanish 204 or the equivalent.
Priority: Priority is given to applicants who apply early and meet the prerequisites.
Minimum GPA: There is no minimum GPA.
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.
GEO policy for graduating seniors who wish to apply for a Duke summer study abroad/away program:
Students must be active, matriculated students in order to participate in any Duke-in summer programs, including Duke’s domestic summer programs. All program courses must be taken for graded credit. If seniors plan to graduate in May of the year they plan to study abroad in the summer, they will not be eligible to participate on any of our summer programs unless they receive approval from their academic dean at Duke to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended.
Non-Duke students planning to graduate in May in the year they plan to study abroad in the summer must provide approval to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended from the appropriate official at their home institution. Such approval must be furnished in writing to GEO before the student will be allowed to participate in the summer program. This approval may be sent via email to the appropriate program assistant at GEO.
Duke students who defer their graduation to participate in study abroad should consult with their financial aid advisor in the Duke Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid to determine whether they are eligible for a summer aid package and/or a GEO summer scholarship.
APPLY NOW
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:
- Online 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, no longer than one page, explaining why you would like to participate on this program, and what you hope to gain from it. This can be written in English or Spanish.
- One language recommendation*
*If you have not taken a Spanish course at Duke, please request a letter of recommendation from a non-language professor. Then email marcos.cantelivigon@duke.edu, to set up an interview to assess your language level. Recommendation letters from high school teachers will not be accepted.