Madrid is a fascinating city in which to live and study. Clean and culturally dynamic, it offers a wide range of opportunities for students in search of cultural enrichment and stimulating social life. Its ever-busy streets and sidewalks, bustling with the ceaseless yet graceful activity of one of the world's largest metropolitan areas, set the scene for an unforgettable study abroad experience.

Located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula, this Spanish capital lies on a flat plateau and experiences moderate year-round temperatures. As a city, Madrid has its historic origins in Roman times, but began its rise to prominence in the 10th century. Since it became Spain's capital in 1561, famous kings, intellectuals and artists have called Madrid home. From the ages of Spain's golden glory, through years of extreme poverty and a brutal civil war, to its reemergence as an important European power, Madrid has been at the forefront of Spanish life. Today nearly 6 million people live in this bustling city and its surrounding suburbs.

Madrid boasts over 15 universities, but the most well-known and internationally-respected is probably the state-run Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Though the Complutense enjoys an excellent reputation abroad, another respected institution is the Universidad Antonio Nebrija. This small private university is especially noted for its strength in Spanish language instruction for foreigners.

U.S. institutions typically offer study abroad programs through partnerships with Spanish universities in Madrid. In most cases, college credit can also be earned at private academies that offer certified language courses for foreigners (of which there is a large selection). Courses range from business to humanities, making Madrid an ideal location to further your course of study in an international setting while learning Spanish.

Madrid's fusion of ancient and modern architecture is a testament to the different phases of Spain's history. The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) of Madrid, for example, dates back to its original function as a 10th Century outpost for Córdoba's Emir Mohammed I. Today it stands as the second largest palace in Europe (after the Louvre) and houses priceless royal collections graced by the works of masters such as Velázquez and Goya. It is also home to the Royal Family, currently headed by the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I. He serves as the head of state while José Luis Rodr'guez Zapatero is Prime Minister and head of the government.

Three world-class art museums - the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia - solidify Madrid's position as one of Europe's most important cultural and artistic centers. All students can benefit from wandering through these museums or through downtown Madrid, which is home to countless historic buildings and monuments. Students starting at the Puerta Del Sol can marvel at the Twelve Grapes clock tower before walking to the Plaza Mayor with its impressive surrounding architecture (237 balconies and nine entranceways) or the Palacio Real, mentioned above. Students interested in politics can also visit the various buildings of Spain's legislature, the Cortes Generales (General Courts).

Architecture students will also find the wave of innovative architecture that has been recently spread through the city. One example is the luxury hotel Puerta America that looms over the city's circumferential highway (the M30) with a facade of seemingly color-shifting reds, yellows, oranges and purples. Terminal 4 at Madrid's Barajas Airport (see picture) is another testament to this architectural movement. Students may also be interested in visiting CTBA (Cuatro Torres Business Arena), Madrid's new financial district, which will contain a number of skyscrapers, including the Repsol tower designed by Sir Norman Foster, Crystal Tower designed by Cesar Pelli, Sacyr-Vallehermoso designed by Enrique Alvarez & Carlos Rubio and Espacio tower designed by I. M. Pei. The district is still under construction, but the skyscrapers are expected to be complete in 2008.

Anthropology students will find the city is a fascinating mix of different socio-economic groups. Although numerous cultures have always coexisted in Madrid, social diversity is truly coming to the forefront due to increased immigration from countries in South America, Africa, and Asia. The fun-loving character of Madrileños provides an interesting backdrop to the emerging cultural and economic influence of immigrants from across the world.

Madrid was recently ranked as the world's sixth-most important economic capital and plays an essential role in the European Union as a business, political and cultural bridge to Latin America. This makes the city an ideal place to study international relations, business and politics. Some students with a sufficient level of Spanish choose to pursue an internship, learning to use their Spanish in a practical business setting.

Its central location within Spain also makes Madrid an attractive starting point from which to visit other part of Spain, many of which (Toledo, Ávila, Segovia) can be reached within two hours of the capital. Only 120 miles northwest of Madrid lies Salamanca, one of Europe's most beautiful and well-maintained Renaissance cities. Excellent public transportation also makes travel to more distant cities such as Barcelona or Sevilla convenient and affordable. Cheap airfare can often be found for under 70 euros round-trip (see http://www.clickair.com) and railway travel offers a good combination of speed and comfort. Buses, though time-consuming, are the most affordable option (a bus from Madrid to Barcelona can take up to 9 hours).

In terms of nightlife, Madrid offers endless possibilities and is known for its vivacity. Kapital, one of the most famous and long-standing discotheques in the city, boasts ten full dance floors (each on its own level) to suit a variety of musical interests. The night scene rarely begins before midnight and is known to last until the early hours of the morning.

Students looking for a relaxing break from their studies will enjoy the multitude of parks (of which the most notable is the 350 acre Parque Retiro) and outdoor cafes. The city adeptly balances the busy demands of a world economic center with the Spanish relaxed lifestyle and a healthy sense of humor-characteristics that although seemingly contradictory, strike a charming harmony in this Mediterranean metropolis.

Resources -

Universidad Complutense de Madrid: http://www.ucm.es/
Universidad Antonio Nebrija : http://www.nebrija.com/
Low Cost Study Abroad: http:/www.centerforstudyabroad.com
City of Madrid: http://www.munimadrid.es/
Esmadrid: http://www.esmadrid.com/
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: http://www.iie.org/gilman
National Security Education Program: http://www.iie.org/NSEP