January in Madrid
Unique Experiences
Explore Popular Districts of Madrid
such as the historic La Latina, trendy Malasaña, and multicultural Lavapiés
Take an Art Triangle Adventure
featuring the Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Enjoy the City's Beautiful Parks
including Retiro, El Capricho, and Casa de Campo
Your Destination
Madrid is Spain’s cosmopolitan city, celebrated for its mild winter climate and rich cultural heritage. January is the perfect time to experience the city's charm with fewer crowds while exploring iconic landmarks like the Royal Palace and Retiro Park and enjoying traditional winter festivities like the Three Kings’ Parade. Whether you are majoring in business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Madrid is the perfect place to study abroad on winter break.
Program Highlights
- Academic Course: Take one CIEE course delivered in-person at the CIEE Center.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Madrid will open doors for you to explore Spain’s rich diversity, language, culture, history, contemporary trends, vibrant art, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.
Samples of past excursions and activities:
- Soak up Spanish culture with visits to museums, urban art tours, and small family-owned shops throughout different neighborhoods
- Learn about all the traditions related to the Three King’s Holiday in Spain and try a delicious roscón cake
- Visit one of the largest and oldest outdoor Sunday markets in Europe, the Rastro
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Program Blogs
Affordable Trips from Madrid
By: Katherine Wojna This past semester I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, and with a passion for travelling, I found it challenging to travel cheaply. So, in this blog, I... keep reading
Fluent in Life: Lessons from Studying Abroad in Spain
By: Gabby Watts Growing up, my mom would always tell me stories about her year studying abroad in London. She raved about the experience and how much it taught her... keep reading
My Top Five Cafes in Madrid
By: Gabby Goldstein As a student with very limited time here in Madrid, I love to take advantage of the various culinary opportunities this city has to offer. Above all... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
All housing is within a 20-45-minute commute to CIEE classrooms.
Residence Halls: These modern-style, WiFi-enabled dormitories typically house students in single or shared bedrooms. The residence halls have independent dining halls and laundry facilities and are close to supermarkets, restaurants, and public transport. Meals, kitchen access, and laundry are not included in the program fee.
Shared Apartments: Students stay in studios or in furnished apartments with single, double, or triple rooms. Apartments have access to kitchens and shared common spaces and are located in safe areas with plenty of shopping and eating options.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Meals are not included. Residence halls have direct access to supermarkets, restaurants, public transport, and/or independent dining halls. Students have the option to purchase dining hall meal plans on their own if offered by the residence hall management.
Academics
CIEE Madrid: Study in the historic center of Spain’s capital near Puerta de Sol, conveniently located near shops, cafés, tapas bars, theaters, museums, copy centers, and metro stations. CIEE Madrid features five classrooms, a student lounge, an academic advising office, and a student life office.
Course Information
Social Sciences
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program January 2026 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $4,450 |
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $2,870 ** |
| Housing | $1,200 *** |
| Insurance | $80 |
| Total Fees | $4,450 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $199 † |
| International Airfare | $1,000 †† |
| Local Transportation | $50 ††† |
| Books & Supplies | $50 |
| Personal expenses | $130 †††† |
| Total Costs | $1,429 |
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***includes all meals
†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.
††Round-trip flight based on U.S. East Coast departure ranges from $700-1200 dependent on carrier
†††Local transportation card + weekly multi-trip passes, in addition to personal transportation. With a personalized transportation card and a monthly youth pass, the cost listed will be reduced by 50%.
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense (low-cost SIM card with a 30GB-50GB data plan) + toiletries
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Eero Jesurun
Center Director
Eero Jesurun, Ph.D. completed his B.S. and M.A degrees from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Eero studied at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid where he obtained a Ph.D...
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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