This study abroad program provides Rice students with 6 credit hours. These credits can count toward their major or minor in Spanish and Portuguese. Directed by Rice’s own Luis Duno-Gottberg, undergraduates spend five weeks in Madrid, normally from late May to early July. Students take one advanced course on Spanish culture and society, and a part-time internship at a Spanish company or NGO. Students will be placed in their internships based on skills, interests, and professional goals. Possibilities range from finance and banking to education as well as social and health services. While in Madrid, students are provided with home-stays for the duration of the program with carefully pre-screened Spanish families. There is also a range of weekly cultural activities and field trips.
The program is open to students of any Rice major. Interested students should be able to communicate above Intermediate II level Spanish. Preference is given to students registered in an upper-level Spanish class at Rice during the preceding Fall semester. Scholarships are available to offset the program costs. Students who receive need-based aid during the academic year are eligible to receive financial aid for summer coursework. Pell Grant recipients may apply for Pell Grant funds toward summer session costs. Interested students should contact Luis Duno-Gottberg.
| Prerequisites | Intermediate (300) level Spanish |
| Location | Madrid, Spain |
| Program Dates | May 10- June 20, 2027 |
| Courses | SPAN 393 - Spanish Culture and Society, SPAN 495 - Summer Internship in Madrid |
| Applications Open | November 2, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | January 18, 2027 |
Madrid: Estimated Cost
| Tuition: 6 credit hours at $1,800 per credit hour | $11,400* |
| Airfare: Estimated Houston - Madrid | $1,200 |
| Local transportation | $50 - $100 |
| Personal Expenses (non-program activities, varies by student) | $100 - $400 |
| Books & Supplies | $100 |
| Estimated total | $12,750 - $13,100 |
*Tuition includes accommodations with a host family, local and regional excursions, and two meals per day (breakfast and dinner).
Madrid: Important Dates
Program Dates: May 10 - June 20, 2027
| Application Period | November 2, 2026 - January 18, 2027 |
| Interview Period | January 18, 2027 - February 1, 2027 |
| Notifications | February 12, 2027 |
| Scholarship Application Period | February 13 - 18, 2027 |
| Scholarship Decision and Notification | February 26, 2027 |
| Add/Drop and Acceptance Deadline | March 1, 2027* |
*Once you have enrolled in the Rice in Country program, you have made a commitment to participate and will pay tuition.
Learn about financial aid options at this link: Rice in Country Financial Aid
Wagoner Scholarship / Rice in Country Partnership
Students may combine Rice in Country with research through a partnership between CLIC and the Center for Civic Leadership (CCL). Rice in Country participants may extend their stays to conduct research on topics of interest through the CCL's Wagoner Research Pathway Scholarship. To find out more about the Wagoner Scholarship, use this link to log in to Canvas.
For more information, please contact the Faculty Leader, Dr. Luis Duno-Gottberg (ld4@rice.edu).