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 Homestays: Students live with Spanish families who are carefully selected by the administrative director. Recommendations by previous students figure prominently in residential placements. Program participants are asked about special preferences and needs prior to placement so that a match can be attempted. Living with a family fully immerses students into the Spanish lifestyle, language, and culture, providing access to the city in ways that campus life cannot provide.
 Non-program housing: In extraordinary circumstances, students may be allowed to arrange for
their own housing. These arrangements must be confirmed and approved
three months prior to departure for Spain by Duke in Madrid administrators at Duke. If approval is granted, such students are entitled
to request a housing reimbursement from the Durham office.
Housing form: For either
option, host family housing or independent housing, students must submit
a completed housing form at the time of application. For more information about the non-program housing policy for Duke in Madrid, please contact the Office of Study Abroad.
STUDENT VOICES - Homestays
"My experiences with my host family had
the most significant impact on me. Whether it was through dinner table
discussions or learning how to make a traditional Spanish tortilla (or my
senora's fantastic lentil soup!), my host family provided great insight into
Spanish life and culture and just chatting with my family enriched my
experience. It was also nice to have a reference if I needed something (e.g.
where to buy running shoes near our house). I could not have asked for a better living situation and they really
made me feel like a part of their family, rather than just some student living
with them. In fact, I went to my first soccer game ever with my senora's
family and went for churros and hot chocolate with my senora, her daughter and
her grandaughter on several occasions. One of the strangest parts about
leaving Madrid was the scary and sad thought that I might not see my host
family again."
-Libby Copeland-Halperin, Williams College - Fall 2007
"The host family living experience was great and enabled me to be fully immersed in the culture."
-Alicia Zelek, Trinity '08
"Homestays are a great way to learn more about the language."
-Maanasa Indaram, Trinity '08
"The most meaningful experience I had while abroad was getting to know my Spanish family through my homestay. My señora made my abroad experience truly unforgettable. I immediately felt like part of the family, and she made me feel welcome and at home in a new country. Through our conversations over meals, various cooking lessons, and trips around town together, I learned so much about the Spanish culture and way of life and really improved my speaking. We have stayed in touch, and I hope to visit her again in the coming years!"
-Mhoire Murphy, Trinity '09
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Last revised: 10 March 2008 |
HOUSING
