Internships for Madrid, Spain
USAC internships are rich resources for your academic and professional development particularly in your study abroad setting. USAC internships are considered courses and count as part of your credit load. They can be time-consuming, but are very worthwhile. Students are placed in a Spanish-speaking environment, with high exposure to culture and language, and must be able to communicate at the Track IV level. Interns earn credits but no financial compensation. The schedule and the number of work hours will be determined by the schedule of USAC courses.
USAC will attempt to place students in a field related to the student’s interest, although placement depends on availability and qualifications. Previous placements have included: an art gallery, a primary school, a business incubator, a local high school, non-profit organizations, and extracurricular activities/tutoring for disadvantaged youth. If you are interested in a particular field that is not mentioned above, it is of utmost importance that you contact the USAC office at least three months in advance so that the internship coordinator can attempt to find something that suits you. Placement is not guaranteed by USAC, rather it will be determined by your application and supporting materials and an interview with the internship sponsor on site. For most positions, students will be required to attend orientation training sessions at the beginning of the internship.
Eligibility—enrollment in the Madrid program, a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and junior standing at the time of the internship. Students must submit their resume in English and Spanish and the application forms at least eight weeks in advance, and include a short essay in Spanish describing what they hope to achieve as an intern. A refundable fee of 100 EUR is charged and returned upon successful completion of the internship.
For most positions, students will be required to attend orientation training sessions at the beginning of the internship. Previous placements have included:
- Castilla-Leon Tourist Office
- T-Ogio, a non-profit organization that supports families with hearing impaired children
- art galleries
- pre-schools and primary schools
- business incubator
- local high school
- a drama school
- CESAL, a community center for immigrants
- non-profit organizations
- assistance for the physically and mentally disabled
- extracurricular activities/tutoring for disadvantaged youth
If you are interested in a particular field that is not mentioned above, it is of utmost importance that you contact the USAC office at least three months in advance so that the internship coordinator can attempt to find something that suits you.
If interested, you will apply after you have been accepted into the program; consult the Internship Opportunities and Application document on Student Gateway for more information. Requirements are: enrollment in the Madrid program; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and junior standing at the time of internship. A refundable fee of 100 EUR is charged and returned upon successful completion of the internship.
Intern Profiles
Chris from University of Nevada did an internship at RESAD, la Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático. As a theater major, it was right up his alley to attend three classes at Madrid's elite drama school and he learned, from a European perspective, the intricacies of lighting, make-up, and voice techniques. It was an incredible chance for him to grow as a set-designer and actor, and he affirms that the internship has been an academic highlight of his semester abroad.