Summer 2010

Priority Deadline December 1st
Final Deadline: February 8th

12 weeks (mid May to early August)

Sponsored by James Madison College, the College of Social Science, the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, and the Department of Spanish and Portuguese in the College of Arts & Letters

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

The program will provide students with practical internship opportunities relevant to their program of studies.  The internships are simultaneously experiential and academic and will allow qualified students to work in Spanish-language settings and to experience Spanish work culture.  In addition to the professional and academic experiences of the workplace, cross-cultural competencies, language fluency, and a deepened understanding of Spain are among the objectives of this 12-week program.  Students will be enrolled in courses determined by their academic major.

Where does it take place?

The capital of Spain since 1562, Madrid is located in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula. Home to more than three million “Madrileños” including the Spanish Royal Family, this cosmopolitan city is an international business center, headquarters for public administration, government, and the Spanish Parliament. Since the beginnings of Spain’s most recent period of democracy in 1975, Madrid has emerged as one of the most dynamic political, commercial and cultural centers of Europe. The combination of history and modernity presents a unique range of internship opportunities and cultural experiences that will immeasurably enrich your education.  Strolling though the Plaza Mayor or the Royal Palace; visiting some of the world's finest museums (among them the Prado, the Queen Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza); interning in the Spanish offices of a major multinational corporation; learning about the daily lives of Spaniards through working in a social service agency; assisting with efforts to market Spanish business abroad – these are the kinds of experiences that you can anticipate as you consider this program.

More information about Madrid can be found at http://www.red2000.com/spain/index.html.

What can I study?

The program will begin with a 1½ week Spanish course focused on conversational competencies.

Then, all students will complete one of the following 10-week Spanish courses:

Additionally, each student will be enrolled in the 10-week internship course(s) appropriate to their major or college.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, have at least junior status and a minimum 2.5 grade point average.  Applicants must also show they will have completed at least five semesters of college-level Spanish (or the equivalent) prior to departure. 

An interview will be required of all applicants.  At that interview, applicants will be screened for language ability, based on an assessment of their ability to work effectively in a Spanish-language environment. 

Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students reside with host families in Madrid, Spain. Two meals per day with the host family are included in the program fee (14 meals per week).

Internship sites and homes will be accessible by public transportation.  Upon arrival, program participants will take part in an orientation that will instruct them on how to navigate Madrid’s public bus/subway system.  Educational excursions will be linked to SPN 490 and may require a small fee.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Grant Littke
James Madison College
Phone: (517) 353-6757

Bethany Judge
College of Arts & Letters
200 Linton Hall
Phone: (517) 355-6519

Oumatie Marajh
College of Social Science
201C Berkey Hall
Phone: (517) 353-9202

Jade Sims
Department of Spanish and Portuguese
242 Old Horticulture Bldg.
Phone:  (517) 353-0769 ext. 141

Vernon Miller, Ph.D.
College of Communication Arts and Sciences
564 Communication Arts and Science Building
Phone: (517) 355-3280

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.  It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements. If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee in 2009 was $4,952 and included the following:

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $5,600 (US09).  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Students are urged to apply by December 1st for access to the widest range of placement options.  However, applications for more limited options will be considered until the February 8th deadline for summer internship programs.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

What's next?
Come to a study abroad fair
Talk with a Peer Adviser
Read program evaluations
Attend an info meeting
Apply online
Additional Resources...
Office of Financial Aid	252 Student Services http://www.finaid.msu.edu
MSU Travel Clinic	East Circle Drive http://travelclinic.msu.edu
Academic Advisers	http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities	120 Bessey Hall http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
Area Studies Centers	International Center http://www.isp.msu.edu
MSU Global Access	Information about the world -- its regions and peoples and important international issues International Center http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/
OSA contact info:	Office of Study Abroad Michigan State University 109 International Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 Phone: (517) 353-8920 Fax: (517) 432-2082 Email: studyabroad@osa.msu.edu