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The СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Cornerstone: Madrid SIS Scholars program is a first semester study abroad opportunity offered exclusively to СÀ¶ÊÓƵ first year students who intend to major in the School of International Service. Cornerstone Abroad allows you to get a jump start on your international education—letting you experience international culture firsthand while supported by СÀ¶ÊÓƵ DC and СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Madrid. 

The Madrid SIS Scholars cohort is between 20 and 25 students. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first served basis. 

Students must be invited to take part in the Cornerstone program by СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Admissions. If you are invited to join СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Cornerstone Madrid, you will receive an email from our team in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Abroad, which will detail how to reserve your spot in the program. If you have not been invited, but are still interested in joining, we recommend reaching out to our team for more information by emailing us at aucornerstone@american.edu. We cannot promise spots will still be available, but we can discuss this more once you email us.

To participate in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Cornerstone Madrid, students need to be 18 years of age by June 1st before the semester they want to participate.

You can find a breakdown of the cost of the program on the program cost page.

The Cornerstone program is reserved for full time, first year degree-seeking students at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ; therefore, financial aid is available for those who qualify and may be applied to this program. For information about financing options, consult with your university financial aid counselor. The СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Abroad office also has additional need-based grants available.

The courses provide students the opportunity for active learning, collaboration, teamwork, and interactive discussions. More information on the program courses is available on the curriculum page.

You have access to the Academic Support and Access Center (ASAC) on СÀ¶ÊÓƵ's campus. ASAC can be reached by phone at 202-885-3360. More information about ASAC accommodations and services is available online. 

New requests for accommodation should follow the Three-Step process. Once students receive information from СÀ¶ÊÓƵ's ASAC regarding approved accommodations, students should upload their letters in their СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Abroad portal so on-site staff can access them. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee that facilities or support services will be available in the same range and quality as on СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s campus. 

Students will travel to СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Madrid independently. There are no group flight arrangements.

While students travel independently and there are no group flight arrangements, contact information will be provided and students are encouraged to connect with cohort members to take the same flight as other СÀ¶ÊÓƵ students if they flying out of the same airport.

There will be a pre-departure orientation at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, as well as an on-site orientation at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Madrid. 

U.S. citizens are not required to obtain a visa in advance to study in Spain. The СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Abroad office will walk students through the visa process and students are encouraged to apply at the Consulate in Washington, D.C. Students from other nationalities will be responsible for researching the requirements for their visa and obtaining adequate permission to enter Spain. 

Students can visit any number of sites, detailed on the Excursions page.

DC law and СÀ¶ÊÓƵ policy states that all students must have health insurance - through their parents or through СÀ¶ÊÓƵ. If you have insurance by way of your parent's plan or your own, you can waive СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Health Insurance through your myСÀ¶ÊÓƵ.american.edu portal. More information about the Student Health Center and insurance requirements is available on the website. 

Students will be enrolled in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ's Emergency Medical Insurance for international travel. However, this only covers students during the program dates and in the country of the program site.

Veteran Affairs does not allow students to use Yellow Ribbon benefits for study abroad programs.

Madrid is an extremely walkable city and СÀ¶ÊÓƵ's campus is centrally located near shops, grocery stores, restaurants and more. In addition, public transportation is very efficient and easy to use in Madrid. Upon arrival, students will be given a transport card that they will load with 8 euros a month. This card works for unlimited trips on the bus and metro, including the metro line connecting to the airport. 

During the spring semester on СÀ¶ÊÓƵ's campus, Cornerstone students will live on СÀ¶ÊÓƵ's campus in a dorm with the rest of the University College students. Cornerstone staff works with students to get to integrated into СÀ¶ÊÓƵ and get to know the incredible opportunities we have on campus. To learn more about the steps taken during the spring semester, check out our