USD Expands Global Reach with New Madrid Center

The University of San Diego (USD) has committed to enhancing its international study abroad opportunities and fostering global experiences through the acquisition of a new building in Madrid, Spain. The new space will house USD’s Madrid Center beginning in August.

USD currently leases a 10,000 square foot office building nestled in the heart of Madrid, near iconic landmarks such as Retiro Park and the Prado Museum. Once the lease expires in August, the Madrid Center will transition into a two-story, 12,000 square foot office building that the university recently purchased. The new space is located in Argüelles near Parque del Oeste.

“It shows USD’s commitment to global education,” says associate provost for international affairs, James Bolender, PhD. “We are the only university in San Diego with a dedicated center abroad, making us truly unique.”

The new Madrid Center is designed to cater to the needs of over 250 undergraduate and graduate students annually with the potential to grow. The center features classrooms, collaboration spaces and dedicated study areas.

“The Madrid Center has been a resource for all of USD,” says Bolender. “The undergraduates using it as a study abroad location has grown, however, in the past year, its usage has grown tremendously for graduate programs. Our expectation is that the new center will be able to host all types of programs, conferences, courses and any other ideas faculty can dream up.”

Established in November 2014, USD’s Madrid Center marked a significant milestone in the university’s history, becoming USD’s first permanent international study abroad location. Initially, the center offered undergraduate courses in business and the College of Arts and Sciences. The Madrid Center will continue to offer undergraduate courses, but it will also evolve to offer one week to month-long executive style courses for graduate students, across disciplines, as well as opportunities for faculty research, community engagement, alumni events and more.

USD’s Madrid Center has also established partnerships with Madrid’s Universidad Pontificia Comillas where students have the unique opportunity to enroll in courses, enriching their academic experiences.

USD will be remodeling the new Madrid Center throughout the summer to prepare to welcome students and faculty for the fall semester.

— USD News Center