Madrid Program Center

The CAPA Madrid Center is located in the elegant barrio de Chamberi, just a few minutes walk from the National Library, Retiro Park, Prado Museum and the city center and is well served by public transport with easy access to all parts of the city.

CAPA partners in Madrid with International House, a highly regarded institute of foreign language instruction. The Center is housed in a modern three-story building equipped with state of the art facilities specifically designed for educational use.

The CAPA Madrid Center is a lively place with a strong sense of community. Spanish students learning English and International Students learning Spanish create a rich international flavor. Regular activities encourage interaction between students from the many institutions represented on campus:

• outings to conversation exchange nights, theatre performances, museums and lectures
• Flamenco lessons
• special events such as holiday dinners and picnics
• walking tours covering lesser-known parts of the city

Students live within commuting distance of the Center either in homestays with local families or in shared apartments.

Common Questions About the Madrid Center

Where is the CAPA Madrid Center?

The CAPA Madrid center resides in the Chamberi District of Madrid. It is located within International House, a world-renowned language center serving students from many countries. It is close to the famous Prado museum and the Alonso Martinez metro stop. Madrid is truly one of the world’s most exciting cities. CAPA students will have the CAPA Madrid center as their advising and support base.

Who is the local staff?

CAPA's International Programs Team staffs the CAPA center in Madrid. They are true experts in their field, and you will fine them to be a great resource on many Spanish subjects - from the best place for churros con chocolate to directions to the closest metro station.

Are there Internet facilities? Should I bring my laptop?

The CAPA Madrid centerhas a computer lounge with wireless access and computers for student and faculty use. While some accommodation has Internet access, this is not standard. Where it is provided, access to certain websites and downloads are prohibited, and students and faculty should be prepared for slower access than what they are used to at home.

 

Resident Director, The Madrid Center

Marisol Garcia

Marisol was born in California but raised in Madrid, Spain. She considers herself a true bicultural person - even though she lived in Spain the first 18 years of her life - she was always surrounded by a very American culture. She went to an American school in Spain, but interacted daily with her Spanish friends.

She decided to continue her education in California and received a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and a Minor in Advertising. As her real passion was working and helping students, she decided to get her Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling. She finished her Masters and started working as an academic, career and personal counselor in several community colleges in Southern California. She’s worked in Santa Monica, Fullerton, Cypress, Long Beach, Irvine and Compton Community College to name a few. In 1999 she moved back to Spain and started working right away with American students as Director of Student Services for Saint Louis University, Madrid. A few years later she became the CAPA Madrid’s Resident Director.