Studying at NYU in Madrid
2008 marks the 50 year anniversary of NYU in Madrid making it the oldest study abroad program at NYU and one of the oldest study abroad programs in Spain.
Since it’s founding in 1958, NYU in Madrid has focused its curriculum on language acquisition and cultural immersion. Students of all language abilities will find classes suited to their needs.
Students at NYU in Madrid register for courses according to their language level, demonstrated either through previous coursework or placement tests administered in New York or upon arrival in Madrid. A language coordinator at the site assists students with language placement during orientation. All students are required to enroll in a language course based on their individual background as well as a two credit workshop, see below.
Students with no previous knowledge of Spanish, elementary language classes are offered along with a curriculum taught in English.
Students with elementary proficiency in Spanish choose from two options.
- The Fast-track Spanish for Beginners Program enables students with a beginner background in the language to complete three additional semesters worth of language training in one semester thus gaining fluency. This is the ideal program for students who are interested in acquiring Spanish as a second language and perfect preparation for completing a minor or major in Spanish. (Please mark appropriate box on the online application to show interest in this program when you apply.)
- The traditional NYU Madrid curriculum which requires the appropriate level of intensive language study while taking two to three content courses conducted in English focusing on Spanish culture, history, and politics.
Students at the intermediate level enroll in Intensive Intermediate Spanish (V95.9020) as well as two complementary content courses, Spain Today and Hispanic Culture in the U.S., specially-tailored to the language abilities of those at the intermediate level.
Students at the advanced Spanish level (V95.0100 - Advanced Grammar and Composition & above) choose from the program’s wide selection of courses in advanced Spanish literature, business, translation, cinema and politics conducted in Spanish at the NYU Center and/or the affiliated Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. (In order to achieve language immersion, students should plan to enroll only in courses conducted in Spanish. Should a content course conducted in English be required for the major or MAP requirement an exception will be made.)
Workshop: Spain Through its Culture and Language
(mandatory for all
students - 2 points)
Students at the NYU in Madrid program are exposed, through a series of
diverse activities, to the rich and captivating culture of Spain. After an
informative on-site orientation session, on day two of the program, students
are placed into language sensitive Survival Spanish or Todo en español as well
as a three-day mini course on the cultural history of Spain. Complementary
activities are visits to the Arqueological Museum, the Reina Sofía and Prado Museums,
the historic center of Madrid and a day trip to Segovia. Later in the semester,
students participate in one of three hands-on practical workshops on Spanish cuisine,
wine, or dance, before embarking on their final project which takes them out of
the classroom, using the streets of Madrid as a means to learn more about the city,
its urban make-up, its people, its economic activities, its Tertulias, its markets, and much, much, more.
Islam and Spain: Past and Present
Open to students with advanced Spanish language skills
This course offers an introduction to Islam, with reference to
both the Islamic religion as well as to the evolution of the Arab
world. Special attention is given to the history of Al-Andalus
(Islamic Spain) and its important contribution to Europe and
America. In the spring of 2008 a five-day trip to Morocco was
introduced to allow course participants to experience
firsthand significant sites in the history of Islam. Students
visited culturally exciting cities of Morocco, including Casablanca,
Rabat, Marrakech, and Ouarzazate. Click here to
view photos of the Spring 2008 Morocco Study Tour.