On-Site Staff for Madrid, Spain

The Madrid program has a Resident Director (RD) who is responsible for the USAC office abroad and overall operations of the program, including organizing the mandatory on-site orientation, securing appropriate student housing, hiring outstanding faculty, organizing exciting field trips and optional tours, and overseeing your general well-being.

Meet the Resident Director

Sara Elso, Ph.D., a Spain native, is the Resident Director for the Madrid program as of 2021, and has worked with USAC since 1997 in the role of Valencia, Spain Resident Director. She did her graduate work at the Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea and is fluent in French, Spanish, Basque, and English.

Program Assistant Gabriela Fernández, a native of Madrid, has been working at USAC Madrid since 2007.

Sara and Gabriela will meet the group flight at the airport, provide the mandatory on-site orientation, and are always ready and willing to assist students and provide an important support system while you become acclimated to Spanish culture. You are always welcome in the office and are encouraged to visit on a regular basis.