Spanish Language & Culture
Why Choose This Program?
Live the Language
Experience authentic immersion in the Spanish language and culture.
Network
Meet new friends and gain a new family. Make lasting memories and connections.
Get Inspired
Jump up a level in Spanish. Shine on college applications.
The Destination
Welcome to Madrid, a cultural hub for art, fashion, food, and sports.
With world-famous museums and soccer clubs, Madrid opens its arms to visitors of all kinds. In the exciting capital of Spain, stunning architecture, exquisite art, and historic sites will inspire you. The 9th-century Moorish Palacio Real, with its 3,148 rooms, is the largest royal palace in Western Europe. The famous 18th-century Museo del Prado has over 8,000 paintings, including works by Spanish greats Velazquez and Goya. El Retiro, the lung of Madrid, is a massive, peaceful green park in the heart of the city—row around the lake with your friends and go inside the Glass Palace sparkling in the sun!
Spain’s vibrant culture is on display all around, from the shops and markets, like the open-air market El Rastro, which sells anything and everything, to the cafés of its charming neighborhoods. Here, tasty food options abound. Madrid is considered a melting pot of cuisines from all over Spain. Fried squid sandwiches and churros con chocolate are student favorites. There are also tapas for every taste!
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Madrid.
Sample Itinerary
Sample Activities
Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!
- Row a boat at Retiro Park or bike along the Manzanares River where madrileños find tranquility from the bustle of the city.
- Wander from room to room at the house-museum of impressionist painter Joaquín Sorolla, known for colorful landscapes inspired by his Valencian roots.
- Take a day trip to Segovia with its incredible 1st-century Roman aqueduct, and visit the castle that inspired Disney, the Alcázar de Segovia.
- Waltz and count your steps as you practice dancing sevillanas, a traditional flamenco folk dance. Challenge your coordination with castanets!
- In Valencia, taste traditional paella at a restaurant surrounded by rice fields and hop on a boat to tour L’Albufera Lake.
Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
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Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to all current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors—who have completed at least one year of high school Spanish. Students who have completed at least two years of high school Spanish may qualify for the Honors Language & Culture program in Madrid or Seville.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. More details about tuition inclusions can be found here.
Optional College Credit Fee
$150
Learn more about how to get college credit for your future college degree.
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us!
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2025 4 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $7,400 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $7,400 |
Ready to change your life?
What’s Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Our Staff
Eero Jesurun
Center Director
Eero Jesurun, Ph.D. completed his B.S. and M.A degrees from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Eero studied at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid where he obtained a Ph.D...
Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.
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