Student Activities

Although the University of Madrid is in what is called the Ciudad Universitaria, it is not a campus in the American sense of the word, for it offers few organized student activities. Most of the facultades do have active sports clubs where you can make friends and continue to play your favorite sports. Past WIP students have joined student soccer, basketball, rugby, cheerleading and volleyball teams.

Several students have also found intercambios (language partners) a useful way to improve their language skills. The program organizes an intercambio program that pairs interested students with Spanish students at the Complutense.

Volunteer opportunities afford students a unique opportunity to get to know aspects of Spanish culture that would otherwise be invisible, and they provide a chance for you to use your language skills in practical ways while contributing something to Spanish society.

You will find volunteer opportunities in Madrid through Solidarios para el desarrollo (www.solidarios.org.es) at the University of Madrid or through one of many ONG’s (organizaciones no gubermentales). Information about these groups is available in the WIP program office but you will need to inquire about volunteering opportunities immediately upon arrival to be considered. Most volunteer organizations require a minimum six-month commitment from students to participate, so students only in Madrid for one semester have a harder time finding volunteering opportunities, although WIP staff has located several organizations offering shorter-term or one-time volunteering activities you can participate in.