The Universidad Complutense de Madrid hosts one of the GU programs in Madrid. Students in the Complutense program have access to all the schools though generally concentrate in the fields of humanities, political science, sociology, psychology and communications. Students enroll through the Reunidas program.

The Universidad Complutense is one of the oldest and largest Spanish universities with 120,000 enrolled students. It is highly ranked among Spanish universities and offers a large number of schools and disciplines.

This Spanish university main campus is located in Madrid and is easily accessed by subway and bus. Students studying Political Sciences, Sociology, Psychology and Business will go to the Somosaguas campus which is about a 20 min bus ride away from main campus.

The program office is located on the main floor of the Facultad de Geografía e Historia building.

Photographs of places at the Complutense frequented by students.

General differences between Spanish and American academic cultures

THE SPANISH ACADEMIC STUDY PLANS:

Spanish universities are undergoing a curricular change, substituting the Licenciatura degree programs with the Bologna process Grado plans. The transition is being done gradually, but does affect students when enrolling.

The transition between the traditional academic system to the renewed Bologna Process: Licenciaturas to Grados.

COURSE OFFERINGS AND INFORMATION:

Universidad Complutense, course offerings and schedules are found on their website. We have include links to the schools where GU students typically take courses. Other can be found through the UCM homepage. As "alumnos visitantes" students can enroll in regular classes (with the exception of first year courses) from most schools of the university. There are restrictions in a few, such as Medicine and Odontology.  In labs and studio arts classes, students need professor approval.

In order to find course schedules and course descriptions (when available), see the video below or click on the below links and find key words that will lead you to this information. Since each school and department has set up their own format, it can be confusing. Read over the documents for a better understanding.

Basic academic terms

Navegating the UCM website

Remember, not all schools have course descriptions on the web. If they do, these appear when clicking on a specific course title.

Georgetown students participating in the Universidad Complutense will automatically be enrolled in the Reunidas program. They will take one class from this consortium.

Universidades Norteamericanas Reunidas is a consortium of 5 university programs that host students from numerous American universities. Most students are enrolled in 3-4 Reunidas courses and often enroll in one or two regular university courses in the Humanities schools. Georgetown students enroll in one Reunidas class each semester.

Reunidas courses are all taught by Spanish professors (most of whom are directly affiliated to the Complutense University). These classes are offered to the American program students only. The Reunidas academic calendar varies a little from the Complutense calendar, but generally speaking, is compatible. Classes are held in the Facultad de Geografía e Historia. A wide selection of Spain or Spanish related courses are offered including language, literature, history, political science, philosophy and economics. Unique courses such as Spanish painting at the Prado Museum and a Service Learning class are offered through Reunidas. At the end of the academic year, students receive a diploma from the UCM.

The program directors of the member programs meet regularly to oversee the academic excellence of the courses offered as well as to establish common terms for all its students. The consortium has good relations with the three deans from the Humanities Schools (Philosophy, Philology and History and Geography).

www.ucm.es/info/reunidas

COURSES:

Course offerings are generally similar each year. If we do not have the updated schedule you can check last year's for the basic course offerings, as these do not change on a yearly basis.

Fall semester 2011 

Spring semester 2012

ACADEMIC CALENDAR:

Below is the academic calendar for Reunidas. Please note it does not follow the regular Universidad Complutense de Madrid academic calendar.

Reunidas 2011-2012 academic year

Academic Year, Fall, Spring semester or Split year*

* When calendar and visa process allows

Universidad Pontificia Comillas (UPCO) hosts a Georgetown University program. This private, Jesuit university has about 7,000 students enrolled and participates in numerous international programs. Jesuit ethical standards form part of the university’s philosophy.

It is especially known for its Business and Law school (ICADE) and the engineering school (ICAI) which are located in the Argüelles campus in Madrid.  In addition to these fields of study, they also have a translation school nearby.  A reduced number of humanities and theology courses are offered in the Madrid campuses in addition to the specific degrees mentioned above.

The Cantoblanco campus (17 km from Madrid and accessible by commuter train and bus) offer studies in Theology, Humanities, Education and Psychology. 

Students may take courses in any of the schools or campuses with the exception of the translation school (that has some limitations and will be considered on a one to one basis).  However, this program will be mainly focused on Business and International Relations students.

Photographs of places at UPCO Places will most likely be frequented by GU students. (Note: Pictures were taken while school was out of session).General differences between Spanish and American academic cultures

THE SPANISH ACADEMIC STUDY PLANS:

Spanish universities are substituting Licenciatura degree programs for the Bologna process Grado degrees. Though the adaptation is gradual, Comillas has already adapted its teaching methodology and is in the process of introducing the curricular changes and calendars.

The transition between the traditional academic system to the Bologna process: Licenciaturas to Grados.

COURSE OFFERINGS AND INFORMATION:

Information about the Comillas program can be found in the OIP website. The Universidad Pontificia Comillas webpage posts course offerings and schedules. We have included a video explaining how to find the information and links to the schools where the majority of GU students will take courses. Other can be found through the UPCO homepage. We also recommend you read these two documents.

Basic academic terms

Navegating the UPCO website

Links to schedules:

Business and Economics degrees: (Madrid urban campus: Alberto Aguilera ICADE).

   CAF: Ciencias actuarias y financieras
 E4: Ciencias empresariales internacionales
 ITM: Técnicas del mercado
ADE: Administración y dirección de empresas.
 Libre configuración: Humanities and Theology courses on Madrid campus     

International Relations-Translation double degree: Courses for this double degree are offered on the Cantoblanco campus.

Law and Political Science (ICADE): Other Humanities in Libre configuración.

Humanities (Cantoblanco campus: Philosophy, Psicology, Sociology, Social work, Education, Translation, etc...)

Theology (Cantoblanco campus)

STUDY PROGRAM

Students enrolled in the Universidad Pontificia Comillas through the GU program, are required to take 5 courses per semester.

Registration procedures will be explained during orientation. UPCO provides academic advisors to help with class selection.

Most students will be taking classes in ICADE. The library has now moved to the building next door (ICAI). The program office is also located in the ICADE building.

The Aula de Cultura offers non- credit bearing classes in a variety of areas such as debate, photography and music. Comillas also offers sports opportunities and religious activities. There are a number of student associations and community service opportunities. A psychological counselling service is open to our students as well.

ACADEMIC POLICY

 GU at the UPCO: academic policy

INTERNSHIPS

Students attending the program may find internships on their own but these will not be credit-bearing and the 5 course per semester load must be maintained. The Universidad Pontificia Comillas does have a very helpful Internship placement office that all enrolled students may use. Most companies require many work hours so it is normally not possible to study and work at the same time. But it does make for an interesting summer internship option. Spring students are urged to investigate this possibility.

The Universidad Autónoma de Madrid hosts one of the GU programs in Madrid. Students have access to all the schools though generally concentrate in the fields of humanities, business, economics, psychology and some political science.

This Spanish university main campus, Cantoblanco,  is located about 15 km from Madrid and is easily accessed by commuter train and bus. About 30,000 students are enrolled and it is highly ranked among Spanish universities.

The program office is located in the Education School (ESM), Module III,  #212  of the UAM. This office is shared with the Boston University program.

Photographs of places at the UAM frequented by GU students.

General differences between Spanish and American academic cultures

COURSE OFFERINGS AND INFORMATION:

Information about the Autonoma program can be found in the OIP website. The Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, webpage posts most course offerings and schedules. We have include links to the schools where the majority of GU students take courses. Others can be found through the UAM homepage.

In order to find course schedules and course descriptions (when available), click on the below links and find key words that will lead you to this information. Since each school and department has set up their own format, it can be confusing. The words to look for can include:

Departamento, planes de estudios, titulaciones, licenciatura, cursos, horarios, información específica de asignaturas.....

Spanish university schedules.(tips for understanding them)

Remember, not many schools have course descriptions on the web. Sometimes these appear when clicking on a specific course title.

Filosofía y Letras

Psicología

Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales

Ciencias Políticas

Formación del Profesorado y Educación

All participants in the Madrid programs must be current undergraduates at Georgetown University.

Ms. Katherine Kammann, the advisor for Spain and Latin American at the Office of International Programs, is in charge of advising students and processing applications. Selection is completed in the Deans'Advisory Board Meeting held for this purpose. Final acceptance is determined at the host university.

Requirements include a 3.0 GPA as well as a high Spanish level. Students may attend the program for a full academic year or Spring semester. As of 2011, Universidad Pontificia de Comillas students may enroll for the Fall semester as well.

VISAS

Non-European students enrolled in the program must come with a Student Visa from the Spanish Consulate that services their place of residence. Year-long students should obtain the 90 day student visa with multiple entrances to Schengen countries and, once in Spain, process their application for a Student Permanency Card. The program staff assist students in this part of the process.

Semester students may request a 180 day student visa that does not permit extension once in Spain, but does not require further paperwork either.

In order to obtain a visa, the Spanish Consulate requires a number of documents including certificate of good health, financial guarantees, academic acceptance forms and police record forms. Program students will receive acceptance letters and APUNE forms (that include most of these items) from the academic advisor at OIP.

European students do not need a visa. However they should register with the police authorities upon arrival to Madrid.

STUDENT RESIDENCY CARD

Once in Spain, full year students will need to obtain a student residency card from the local police. The program will assist them with this procedure. This card also permits students to extend they stay in Spain once they arrive (and should their original plans change).

PASSPORT REGISTRATION

Upon arriving to Spain, students should register their passport at the corresponding consulate. The USA Consulate permits on-line registration. For general information on passport registration and citizen services at a USA Consulate: http://www.embusa.es/cons/acsregistration.html

INSURANCE

All program participants must carry Georgetown University Education Abroad health insurance provided for by ACE USA-CMI. Students also receive the International SOS card where they can obtain medical advise 24 hours a day. During orientation, students will receive information on how to use these services.

ISIC CARD

The International Student ID card is highly recommended though not required. It provides students with discounts entering museums and offers additional insurance

One of the program's main objectives is to integrate students to the Spanish society. Thus, the program limits the number of American students housed in any given place as much as possible. We feel that a well-placed student with benefit most of his or her experience abroad.

Program participants are housed in either Spanish host families or in residences and dorms. Access to the latter two are somewhat restricted depending on available space.  During orientation at the home institution, students indicate their preferences on a housing application form and every effort is made to accommodate them to their choices.

Full year students have the option of moving into shared apartments during the second semester of their stay.

Prior to arrival, students are informed of their housing situation and address as well as the expenses entailed. Students must remember that living expenses in Madrid are high and the program tries to find reasonably priced housing.

Once in Spain, the housing coordinator monitors their stay and helps students with their adjustments. If the housing placement is not satisfactory, the student is moved to a new location.

HEALTH

Health is also a concern and students are provided with information on different clinics with English-speaking doctors as well as other physicians that attend students. The housing coordinator's husband is also a general practitioner and offers students valuable advise and assistance. They also receive information for counseling or help groups of different types.

All program participants carry the ACE USA/CMI  student health insurance and the SOS international worldwide assistance services, during their stay abroad. The first covers health expenses (usually by reimbursement unless major medical), and the second offers a 24hr hotline that provide students with medical advise overseas. Details on use.

The program is a member of the Association of North American Programs in Spain. This organization provides emergency number networking, health statements and is in close contact with the American Consulate.

SAFETY 

Students' security and well-being are a high priority for Georgetown. Program staff as well as the Office of International Programs continually monitor consular advisories and local situations to ensure that they are well informed and do not run unnecessary risks. The Resident Director is a US Consulate warden and a member of OSAC Spain. She would be immediately reached and advised in situations of crisis. 

Furthermore, phone trees among program participants and other security considerations have been devised in case of emergency. All program participants have staff's home and cell phones. 

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

Georgetown has established many links regarding health and safety, both for on campus and overseas. http://preparedness.georgetown.edu/