ACTIVITIES AND CAMPUS LIFE
  Duke in Madrid (DIM) students are able to participate in a variety of activities while in Madrid, ranging from university orchestra and choral groups, to sports clubs, municipal cultural events, and membership in private gyms. The program publishes a weekly newsletter which advertises both program-sponsored cultural events, university news, and information about potential activities in Madrid and beyond.
Examples of DIM-sponsored activities available each semester include the following:
- Guided tours of sites around Madrid such as the Cámara del Senado (Senate Chambers)
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Congreso de los Diputados (Congress)
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Palacio de Liria and the Madrid stock exchange (La Bolsa)
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Academic conferences and cultural seminars, Spanish films, theater outings
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Flamenco show
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Conversation exchange with USP students
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Volunteer opportunities with non-governmental organizations
 UNIVERSITY-SPONSORED ACTIVITIES
Our host-institution, Universidad San Pablo CEU, has a very active campus life and DIM students are encouraged to participate as much as possible in order to get immersed in Spanish society and to improve their Spanish skills. A large number of activities are offered on the main campus, where DIM courses take place. From flamenco classes to non-credit photography courses to chorus or to wine tasting, DIM students will find something of interest. With some exceptions (developing costs for photography, for example), most activities cost nothing.
Here you may find a short list of activities that are offered each semester at our host-institution:
- Baile flamenco. For one hour a week, our students learn to dance flamenco. This has proven to be DIM students' most favorite activity. It is scheduled during lunch time, which allows everyone to participate!
- Bailes de salón (social dance: salsa, merengue, waltz...). A lot of DIM students through the years have enrolled and loved it!
- Chorus (coro)
- Aula de fotografía
- Taller de teatro
- Iniciación a la Magia
- Taller de Jardinería y Paisajismo
- Música clásica
- Escuela de Cine
- Taller de creación documental
- Taller de literature, tertulia y debate
- Aula de Tauromaquia (Bullfighting)
- Introducción a la Viticultura
- Foro cultural de debate
Sport activities are also present in campus life at Universidad San Pablo, although to a much lesser extent than most American campuses. Apart from the internal leagues currently at our host-institution (football, basketball, chess, golf, ...), DIM students may enroll in non-credit courses such as racquetball, tennis, Aerobic, or Pilates classes.
Click here for more information from the USP website.
STUDENT VOICES - Sports
 "I would really recommend trying out for the soccer team. It has been my best, consistent experience with Spaniards and Spanish culture. I did miss many of the program activities because of soccer, but it was worth it."
-Peter Wyman, Trinity '09
"The USP tennis course I took once a week was absolutely amazing. We had such a fun professor who liked to joke with us, a very small class, and an hour a week of practice."
-DIM student, Fall 2005
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STUDENT VOICES - General Activities
 David Noyd, T'09, shares his experiences taking flamenco lessons, attending a Bible study, and traveling with friends in his post, "Una Semana Típica en mi Vida Madrileña," on the discussion board of the Duke in Madrid facebook group.
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SERVICE LEARNING
Numerous Duke in Madrid students have participated in Duke University's SEE! The World program, focused on combining service learning with the study abroad experience.
While service learning is not a formal part of the Duke in Madrid experience, interested students should feel free to pursue interests while in Madrid, drawing on available web resources as well as consulting with the program staff about possible leads for ideas.
Find out more about service learning and Duke in Madrid here!
Last revised: 09 January 2008
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