While You're There

Thank you for your interest in NYU Madrid’s Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, and Equity (IDBE) efforts! Check below to learn more about our unique and site-specific IDBE opportunities and resources.

IDBE Liaisons

The liaisons are your go-to people for all things IDBE in Madrid if you want to get involved or just chat!

Dr. Soledad Gálvez

Soledad Gálvez received a Ph.D. in Spanish (Latin American Literature) from Stanford University in 2002. Her research focuses on literary responses to projects of modernization and modernity in 19th and 20th century Peru, from a historical perspective. She has taught Latin American literature and culture at Hamilton College in NY, at the Tufts University-Skidmore College Program in Spain, and at the Hamilton Academic Year in Spain Program. Currently she is Assistant Director of Academic Affairs at NYU Madrid, where she also coordinates the M.A. Program in Spanish and Latin American Literary and Cultural Studies.

Global Equity Fellow

The Global Equity Fellow (GEF) is your student representative on issues of IDBE. Stay tuned for their events and programs!

Liliana Flanigan, NYU Madrid

My name is Liliana Flanigan (she/her/ella), and I am a Junior in the College of Arts and Sciences studying Politics and Spanish. I am from Grand Junction, Colorado, and I am studying on the Washington Square campus at NYU. I am deeply passionate about the arts and centering marginalized voices in policy and investment decisions. I hope to spend my career centering on IDBEA and incorporating equity and belonging in public policy.

Coming from a small town in Western Colorado, I have seen how identities and the rural-urban divide can marginalize entire populations. I have experienced a lack of inclusion creating harm in communities through inefficient investment and legislation, and my interest in IDBEA has stemmed from bridging divides and eliminating barriers.

As a Venezuelan-American, my identities result from the diffusion of many cultures. I am excited to experience cultural diversity in a European context and understand how we fit into a global community while addressing harmful colonial legacies. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to facilitate equity and belonging for my peers at NYU Madrid. I hope to continue to focus on helping students experience their semester abroad within the context of their own identities.

David Gutkowski, NYU Madrid

Hi, I’m David Gutkowski. My pronouns are he/him/his. I was born in the Philippines and moved to America in 2009, where I grew up in New Jersey. Now, I’m a sophomore at NYU Gallatin concentrating in Creative Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Human Rights. I’m extremely excited to be studying abroad at NYU Madrid this spring, and serving as one of the site’s two Global Equity Fellows!

I am invested in being a Global Equity Fellow because I want to create a safe space for students across all backgrounds while abroad. It also doesn’t hurt that Human Rights is a part of my Gallatin concentration, so being a GEF would provide me with relevant leadership experience for my studies. Having already studied away at NYU Paris this past semester, I am familiar with the difficulties of getting used to life abroad. This is especially true when acclimating to a different society with multiple salient identities. As such, I hope to make an impact at NYU Madrid by creating these safe spaces and being a resource for my peers.

Religion & Spiritual Life

NYU Madrid provides information to students about religion and spiritual life resources, places of worship and/or meditation space, and related support services.

Religion and Spiritual Life at NYU Madrid

The staff at NYU Madrid have created the NYU Madrid Hub, an excellent resource for students living in Madrid. In the section, "Life in Madrid & Spain," students will find information on places of worship and options for dietary restrictions.

Ramadan Resources and Interfaith Celebrations

Giving students the opportunity to celebrate their religious holidays is a crucial component of NYU Madrid’s commitment to IDBE. To learn about all the holidays happening during your time abroad, we recommend you to check out The Diversity Awareness Partnership’s calendar of observances and holidays celebrated across 25 traditions (PDF).

Because Ramadan is coinciding with our academic calendar this year, we wanted to provide additional resources on how you can worship and observe fast throughout it. Here’s a little of what you can expect:

The majority of events will take place after sundown and food will be included
The Mosque Al Huda (15 to 20 minute walk) and Islamic Cultural Center are a couple of the mosques in the NYU Madrid area
The Islamic Cultural Center hosts iftars and community gathering events throughout Ramadan

Stay tuned for more celebration-specific information!

Worship and Meditation Space

The NYU Madrid Hub features a section on Faith & Spirituality where students can find information on English-speaking places of worship and centers of spirituality or meditation. Current listings include Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Muslim organizations.

Religious Accommodations

Students observing a religious holiday during regularly scheduled class time are entitled to miss class without any penalty to their grade. This is for the holiday only and does not include the days of travel that may come before and/or after the holiday. Information regarding absences due to religious observance must be provided to the professor and Assistant Director of Academics at NYU Madrid at least seven days before the date(s) in question.

Dietary Considerations: The NYU Madrid Hub "Restaurants in Madrid" section offers an extensive list of vegetarian and gluten-free restaurants in the city. There are also halal and kosher restaurants in Madrid, as well as stores that sell kosher products. Students in need of dietary accommodations should list this in their housing application and email their Study Away Advisor.

Questions to Keep In Mind

You may also want to reflect on the role religion and/or spirituality play in your life now, and what your expectations or needs are for your time away. Questions to consider:

Do you have a strong connection and/or sense of belonging to a religious or spiritual group?
Do you have a prayer or meditation space?
Do you go to certain places for dietary needs?
Do you celebrate certain holidays? Are these holidays you would want to celebrate during study away?

Get Involved!

NYU Madrid IDBE Council

NYU Madrid's IDBE Council is an action-oriented body comprised of members of the NYU Madrid community. The primary purpose of this council is to advance diversity and inclusion efforts at NYU Madrid.

"Breathing Room"

NYU Madrid, several semesters ago, created a space for conversation regarding salient social issues. Students have the opportunity to lead a convening on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Diversity-Related Course Offerings

For a full list of courses offered at NYU Madrid please see the course list website.

Migrations & Cultural Diversity in Spain (in Spainish)
Contemporary Perspectives on the Civil War and the 'Recovery of Historical Memory' in Spain
Islam and Spain (In Spanish)
Spanish Culture Through Cinema (in Spanish)

Dinner and Conversation Series at NYU Madrid

NYU Madrid has a student dinner and conversation series. Two or three time during the semester students have the opportunity to meet with a faculty member over dinner in a small group and discuss issues related to diversity in Madrid.