Madrid Upper Division Spanish Summer Program
Imagine living in the heart of Spain’s dynamic capital, navigating daily life entirely in Spanish, and watching your language skills transform in real time. The Madrid Upper Division Spanish Summer Program offers a complete linguistic and cultural immersion that bridges the gap between classroom study and real-world fluency. What Makes Madrid Your Ultimate Classroom:
- Complete Language Immersion: By signing a full language pledge to speak only Spanish throughout your time abroad, you will gain rapid confidence, bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world fluency, and truly start thinking in Spanish.
- Authentic Local Living: Experience Spain like a local by residing with a Spanish host family and commuting daily to Pepperdine's academic center located in the bustling heart of Madrid.
- Rich Academic and Social Experience: Learn alongside fellow Pepperdine students under the guidance of expert Pepperdine and host institution faculty. You'll also connect with a global community of study abroad peers at the Madrid study center.
- Balanced Weekly Schedule: Dive into engaging coursework from Monday through Thursday, keeping your Fridays and weekends open for experiential learning, cultural activities, and excursions.
- Unforgettable Excursions: Extend your learning far beyond the classroom with guided site visits across Madrid, breathtaking day trips to historic cities like Barcelona, Toledo, Córdoba, Granada, and immersive multi-day travel experiences.
Program Dates
May 9 - July 1, 2027
*The dates listed will include departure dates from LAX and from the program location back to LAX.
Costs
Health & Safety
Visa Information
Course Requirements and Offerings
Refer to the academics page for details on the minimum unit requirements and class pre-requisites for the program. Textbook lists will be provided by the program staff.
Faculty-in-Residence
Dr. Carissa Alexandra Conti Elias
Visiting Assistant Professor of Spanish
Dr. Carissa Alexandra Conti Elias is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Spanish at Pepperdine University. Originally from the Inland Empire and raised in Tijuana, México, she brings a bicultural perspective and a deep appreciation for the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures to her teaching.
Dr. Conti Elias earned her B.A. in Spanish Literature from the University of California, Riverside, her M.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from San Diego State University, and her Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from UC Riverside, specializing in Medieval Spanish Literature with a secondary emphasis in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Peninsular literature. Her academic interests include translation and adaptation studies, film, food and memory in literature, and the intersections between literature, culture, and other forms of media.
Above all, Dr. Conti Elias is passionate about teaching and creating engaging, inclusive, and meaningful learning experiences. Whether students are pursuing Spanish as part of their academic interests or simply fulfilling a requirement, she strives to make the study of language and culture approachable, memorable, and enjoyable. As Director of the Madrid 2027 Summer Program, she looks forward to helping students extend that learning beyond the classroom through cultural immersion, exploration, and shared experiences in Spain.