Madrid, the capital of Spain, is located just about smack dab in the middle of the country. Historically and culturally rich, Madrid abounds with world-class art museums, parks and gardens, and incredible architecture, including the impressive Plaza Mayor. Stunning sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences await those who come to the city. Make sure to explore it’s many neighborhoods; Malasaña for small, cobblestone streets covered in street art, Lavapiés for food from all over the world. As the cosmopolitan center of Spain and Europe, Madrid offers no shortage of things to do, both day and night.

In addition to beautiful buildings and art, Madrid boasts a thriving football culture with nearby stadiums. The third largest city in the European Union after London and Berlin, Madrid is a bustling metropolis with plenty to enjoy, and a metro system to facilitate exploration. If you're looking to practice your Spanish, rest assured that the Madrileño accent is recognized as the clearest in Spain. This city offers students the opportunity to gain valuable medical understanding through shadowing, while affording them an experience of a vibrant city that will enrich their appreciation for the world.

Opened in 2007, the Infanta Elena University Hospital is a public hospital situated in the south of Madrid, providing quality healthcare services to a population of more than 110,000 people. This small-sized hospital (around 150 beds) is a teaching hospital, meaning that while shadowing here students will be in contact not only with physicians and nurses, but also with Spanish medical students and residents. Both its size and the presence of residents make this hospital a perfect environment for Fellows to shadow and familiarize themselves with the operation of a Spanish public hospital. Although it is in the outskirts of the city, it is easily accessible by train.

Madrid and its surrounding areas provide a diverse set of activities that have historically provided amazing excursion options for our students. Your first excursion will be a Madrid city walking tour, allowing you to begin to orient yourself in your new city, and to learn the history of some of the most famous sites in Madrid. Madrid is a large city, but not large enough that you can't see the majority of its wonders in one day of walking!
Other excursions might include day trips to the mountain towns surrounding Madrid, like El Escorial, home to a famous monastery, or a trip to the local reservoir for a little kayaking. Madrid might not have a beach, but you can still enjoy the blue-green waters of the Pantano de San Juan!
For a more culture-heavy trip, you might visit nearby UNESCO World Heritage city of Toledo. Toledo is an old city with a fascinating history and some of the most ideal streets you will see in your life!