Madrid 2023

Madrid, Spain : Spring 2023

Click here to watch a video of your faculty discussing their courses and Madrid.
Watch our most recent spring 2023 Madrid information meeting.

In spring 2023, you will have the chance to study for 12-weeks in Madrid, our exciting new Spanish location! Spain's vibrant capital boasts a rich cultural heritage dating from the Middle Ages. Experience life in this European city while enrolled in CSU/UC transferable community college courses. Highlights include the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, and the medieval quarter of the city. Quintessential Spanish entertainment, such as bullfighting, flamenco and soccer, retain their popularity in this thriving metropolis. A cultural melting pot, Madrid has no shortage of world-class art museums, theaters, cinemas and galleries. Enjoy the city's vast selections of cafés, restaurants and tapas bars. Spend afternoons people-watching in the Retiro Park or in the Plaza Mayor, one of Spain's finest squares. Ideally located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula, is easy reach of other Spanish cities such as Barcelona or Seville and to other European cities by bus, high-speed rail and plane.

View Citrus College student Nate "Nate's Adventures" Tecotzky's amazing "My Spain Study Abroad Experience" Seville video.
Learn from other student and staff experiences in this video as they discuss studying in Spain, homestays, finances and more.
Watch a general Madrid information video on YouTube.

Program Dates

Depart the United States: Thursday, February 16, 2023
Arrive in Madrid: Friday, February 17, 2023
Depart Madrid: Saturday, May 13, 2023

Students from any community college or university can participate in our study abroad programs as long as they meet the following eligibility requirements: a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in at least 12 units of previous college-level course work at an accredited college. First semester students enrolled in 12 units may be accommodated if their campus coordinator approves a progress report. Students must be at least 18-years-old by the program start date.

Upcoming Meetings+-

For program information and fundraising/scholarship workshops, attend the following 2022 meetings. You can also join meetings without registering by clicking on this direct Zoom link.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information+-

Financial Aid

Awards and loans are available for the spring 2023 semester through the Citrus College Financial Aid office. After applying and receiving a Citrus student ID number, click here to complete the Financial Aid Request Form.

Scholarship

In order to minimize your reliance on financial aid/loans be sure to budget, plan, fundraise, and apply to as many scholarships as possible.

Review Mt. SAC Study Abroad Advisor Casandra Rubio's scholarship worksheet and make an appointment with your study abroad advisor, writing center, or faculty for scholarship writing assistance.

AIFS Ambassador Scholarship (five are available for Southern California Foothill Consortium college students)

The Gilman scholarship awards Pell Grant eligible students (required) a maximum of $5,000 per program (usually $2,000-$3,000).
Deadline: first Tuesday of October for winter and spring programs (or you can submit early for summer and fall) and the first Tuesday of March for summer and fall programs (or submit early for winter and spring). Click here to view the Gilman overview presentation slides and a PDF file.

Your college's financial aid page will likely have information about internal and external scholarships. Citrus College's internal scholarships open in the spring and close in May.

View our scholarship and fundraising information sheet for additional resources.

View the slides from our the Funding Your Study Abroad presentation. (PDF file)

Why Choose this Program?+-

Academics

This program allows you to study in Madrid, Spain while enrolled in Citrus College courses; the courses are UC and/or CSU transferable. The onsite courses are limited to the faculty participating in the program but students may also enroll in Citrus' online education courses. See the brochure for complete course information.

Personal

Study abroad is a transformative, life-changing experience that will broaden students understanding of themselves and the world. There are numerous tangible benefits to study abroad alumni including: increased self-confidence, improved GPA, lower unemployment rates, and higher starting salaries.

Check out UC Merced's What Statistics Show about Study Abroad Students page for more information.

Program Costs: What is Included?+-

The AIFS program fee is $8245 (homestay option) or $8895 (apartment option) based on an enrollment of 45 or more participants.

See the timeline and fee schedule document for details.

Program Deadlines+-

Wednesday, November 23, 2022: $450 enrollment deposit deadline

Friday, December 23, 2022: Entire balance due (financial aid students will pay the majority of fees when they receive their awards/refunds)

Saturday, January 21, 2023: Mandatory orientation

AIFS Refund Policy+-

Email kwinslow@aifs.com and provide withdrawal intent

Withdrawal on or before Wednesday, November 23, 2022: All fees paid less a $150 processing fee

Withdrawal after Wednesday, November 23, 2022 but on or before Friday, December 23, 2022: All fees paid less the $450 deposit and any non-refundable deposits paid by the student or by AIFS on the student's behalf

Withdrawal after Friday, December 23, 2022: No refund, and the total program fee is due

Withdrawal once the program has begun: No refund