Activities in Madrid
The most important reason for participating in a study abroad program is of course to study the language and culture, but we believe it is almost just as important to have a great time and to participate in other events outside just classroom teaching.
Therefore a crucial part of the GSS Programs are the free time activities we arrange. Apart from having fun, our activities are arranged so students can practice their Spanish as much as possible. In all activities there are both Spanish and foreign students participating, which gives foreign students a great opportunity to practice their Spanish and to get to know the Spanish youth and culture better.
Apart from the many activities arranged by GSS, students can also participate in activities arranged by the Complutense University (i.e. conferences, cultural activities) and you will have access to all university facilities such as sports facilities, libraries or computer rooms.
Our program also includes a 4 day pre-study preparation program in Madrid. The purpose of this pre-study preparation is to make sure that everybody feels comfortable in Madrid and has basic knowledge about the town and its inhabitants. Included in this program are guided tours around Madrid, visits to tourist attractions in the city, an introduction to the Spanish way of life, visits to Spanish restaurants and much more.
Excursions
All our excursions are arranged in collaboration with a Spanish student organization specialized in arranging excursions for Spanish and Foreign students. The excursions will take place a minimum of once a month, during weekends or local holidays, and will be between 2 to 5 days in duration.
Excursions will typically be to famous places in Spain like Sevilla, Bilbao, Valencia, Malaga, Barcelona or Granada, and will always include hotel and transport. All details and destinations for excursions are available approx. one month before the trip takes place.
Local activities
The local activities include everything from cultural events to Flamenco dancing classes and are arranged throughout the week in Madrid. All events are arranged, not only to make sure that our students are having fun, but also to help them improve their Spanish. GSS offers at least 2 local activities a month. Below you can find examples of events we arrange.
- Guided cultural activities like visits to museums or monuments.
- Guided night tours to some of the most popular pubs and discotheques in Madrid.
- Visits to typically Spanish restaurants.
- Language exchange with Spanish students.
- Spanish and Latin American dancing classes and other sport activities (GSS works with the dancing and sport institute 'Centro el Horno', which offers more than 50 different dance and sports activities to choose from).
