Start your college career with an immersive study abroad program, gaining a global perspective and personal growth while staying on track toward your degree. 

Going away to college is one of the biggest and most exciting milestones in a young person’s life. But imagine taking it up a notch by studying abroad in one of the world’s great global cities as a first-year student. 

UMass Amherst offers select first-year students an incredible opportunity to live and learn through UMass Amherst Global Launch. With options available in London, Madrid, Dublin, and Paris, these programs provide first-year students with an immersive international experience while staying on track to complete their degree on time.

Why Participate in UMass Amherst Global Launch in Madrid? 

Studying abroad is an unparalleled opportunity to gain global awareness and personal growth. The UMass Amherst Global Launch in Madrid program equips students with invaluable skills and connections, setting them on a path toward a successful and enriching academic career at UMass Amherst. 

When Gabriel Stevens ‘28, of Hingham, Mass., applied to UMass Amherst, he was excited to study abroad in Spain to gain new cultural experiences and become more fluent in the Spanish he had studied in high school. As a student in UMass Amherst’s College of Engineering, he also knew that it would be easiest to go abroad early in his college career before he got busy with the specific curricular requirements of his chemical engineering degree. 

“I personally love traveling and value new experiences, so studying abroad in Madrid seemed like a great opportunity to grow both culturally and academically,” says Stevens. “I’ve really enjoyed speaking with a lot of the locals and practicing my Spanish. We’ve also visited some really cool historically and culturally significant sites that are within an hour of Madrid.” 

All students take two courses—First-Year Seminar in Madrid and Madrid Museums, which meets the UMass ATDG GenEd requirement—and select three additional core courses in subjects including biology, chemistry, computer science, math, physics, and psychology.

Dc Polanco ‘28, a biology major from Boston, was also looking for a different kind of first-year experience when starting UMass. He had previously studied in Madrid through an exchange program in high school, but sought a longer, more in-depth immersion. “I was intrigued by the opportunity to broaden my horizons and really get a sense of a different culture,” he says.

Who Is the Program For? 

The curriculum in Madrid is designed for first-year students in UMass Amherst’s College of Engineering and College of Natural Sciences.

Students in UMass Amherst Global Launch programs pay the UMass Amherst tuition rate, plus a Global Launch Programs Fee for room and board (two meals per day), with any UMass financial aid package applied to these costs. Students will also need to budget for round-trip airfare on a group flight, lunch daily, and personal expenses including personal travel and medical costs.

What’s It Like to Participate in UMass Amherst Global Launch in Madrid? 

A cohort of students live and study together in the heart of the city. The program is hosted by CEA CAPA at their Madrid Program Center, where students learn adjacent to such landmarks as the Palacio Real (the Royal Palace of Madrid), the Sabatini gardens, and the swarming Plaza de España. 

Program participants live in double rooms within a student residence, featuring an en suite bathroom and a kitchenette. The building also includes laundry facilities, a small fitness room, social spaces, and a dining room, where three meals a day are provided. 

Polanco says his favorite part of being in Madrid has been meeting a diverse group of people—including the small cohort of UMass first-year students in the program, students from other American universities staying in the student residence, and locals.

“There are so many different types of people here from all walks of life, and so many different languages being spoken,” he says. “The locals here are so nice and welcoming. If you try to speak Spanish to them, they’ll usually play along, but if they see you struggling, they’ll switch to English."

Courses are taught by local instructors in English, based on UMass syllabi, to ensure a smooth transition back to UMass in the spring semester. All students take two courses—First-Year Seminar in Madrid and Madrid Museums, which meets the UMass ATDG GenEd requirement—and select three additional core courses in subjects including biology, chemistry, computer science, math, physics, and psychology.

And while the curriculum is geared toward students in engineering and other STEM fields, Stevens has enjoyed learning about and experiencing first-hand many aspects of Spanish culture, including local art, music, architecture, and history. 

“There's so much you can do and see just walking around the area,” Stevens says. “You don’t need to go more than 20 minutes from your apartment, and you’ll be set." 

Adds Polanco, “Just make sure to keep on top of your classes because there are so many different things you’ll want to explore in Madrid.” 

That said, Madrid is also a perfect launchpad to visit other parts of Europe. While studying in Madrid, Stevens has taken short trips to the Spanish island of Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea; Toledo, Spain; Segovia, Spain; and Paris, France.

How Do I Apply to Spend My First Semester in Madrid? 

Whether you’re looking for an adventure, seeking to break out of your shell, or want to start your college experience with an intimate cohort of classmates and smaller class sizes, Madrid can be an incredible option for your first year at UMass. If this sounds intriguing, simply indicate your interest in UMass Amherst Global Launch in Madrid when submitting your application to UMass Amherst! Students who are identified as a good fit will be invited to apply for the program.

Looking for a different kind of first semester abroad experience? Explore UMass Amherst Global Launch programs in Paris, London, and Dublin.