Overview
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is located on a plateau in the middle of the country.
Historically and culturally rich, Madrid boasts world-class art museums, parks and gardens, as well as incredible architecture like the impressive Plaza Mayor. Stunning sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences await those who come to the city. In addition to beautiful buildings and art, Madrid boasts a thriving fútbol culture with nearby stadiums.
The third-largest city in Europe after London and Berlin, Madrid is a bustling metropolis with plenty to enjoy and a metro system to facilitate exploration. This city offers participants 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.
Destination Information
Local Time Now:
4:19pm
Official Languages:
Spanish
Almost all alumni have not spoken the local language.The City
The Madrid of the Austrians (the old center of Madrid) was built during the reign of the Habsburg Dynasty (1516–1700). The most notable feature of the area is the Plaza Mayor, constructed in 1619. Other unique tourist attractions in the city of Madrid are the Royal Palace, the Retiro Park, and the Temple of Debod, a true Egyptian funerary monument transported and rebuilt stone by stone.
The Region of Madrid is home to three urban enclaves included in the World Heritage List: Alcalá de Henares, with a beautiful historic center and one of the oldest universities in Europe; Aranjuez, with its royal palace and famous gardens; and San Lorenzo de El Escorial, with its Palace and Monastery, where the kings of the houses of Austria and Bourbon are buried.
To the north of Madrid, the Sierra de Guadarrama offers numerous opportunities for nature lovers.
Dates & Availability
- Summer Break 2025
Dates
Price
Availability
May 10, 2025 - May 30, 2025 3 weeks
$7,499
Full
May 31, 2025 - June 6, 2025 1 week
$3,999
Full
May 31, 2025 - June 13, 2025 2 weeks
$5,999
Full
May 31, 2025 - June 20, 2025 3 weeks
$7,499
Full
June 14, 2025 - June 27, 2025 2 weeks
$5,999
Full
June 21, 2025 - July 11, 2025 3 weeks
$7,499
Full
June 28, 2025 - July 4, 2025 1 week
$3,999
Close to Full
July 5, 2025 - July 25, 2025 3 weeks
$6,999
Full
July 12, 2025 - August 1, 2025 3 weeks
$7,499
Close to Full
July 26, 2025 - August 1, 2025 1 week
$3,999
Full
You may pay over time, fundraise, consider scholarships, and more. Learn about our significant partial need-based scholarships here.
Participants may transfer to another program or receive a refund up until a predefined amount of time before the start date.
What’s Included
Atlantis programs include ~20h/week of shadowing, housing, some meals, transportation, travel health insurance, and more. Airfare is not included but can be very affordable.
What’s Included
On Program Components
Pre/Post Program Components
Hospital Overview
Infanta Elena University Hospital
Opened in 2007, the Infanta Elena University Hospital is a public hospital situated south of Madrid that is able to provide 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 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 students to shadow and familiarize themselves with the operation of a Spanish public hospital.
Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos
The University Hospital Rey Juan Carlos, inaugurated in 2012, is located in the municipality of Móstoles, Madrid. It is a center integrated into the public health network, designed to offer universal, close and effective care to nearly 174,000 citizens. The design of the hospital building stands out for giving special importance to the control of sunlight and the quality of the spaces intended for patients and families. It has 12 operating rooms, 358 rooms and 18 ICU positions, and is a university hospital, which makes it a great learning environment.
Hospital Universitario General de Villalba
The Villalba General University Hospital is located in the municipality of Collado Villalba, Madrid. It was completely remodeled in 2017 and is a center integrated into the public health network, designed to offer universal, close and effective care to approximately 110,000 citizens. It has 9 operating rooms, 140 individual rooms and 12 ICU positions and is an accredited hospital for undergraduate and graduate medical tutoring.
Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital
The Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital is recognized as one of Spain’s top hospitals, consistently ranking among the best in quality assessments. Spanning nearly 80,000 m², it is equipped with cutting-edge healthcare technology and offers an extensive range of services. The hospital is staffed by esteemed professionals who are involved in patient care, teaching, and research. It maintains partnerships with institutions such as the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and features its own School of Nursing, along with the Health Research Institute (IIS-FJD), established in 2009.
Oldest Restaurant in the World
Do you know where the world’s oldest restaurant is located? According to the Guinness World Records, it is in the center of Madrid, and it’s called Restaurante Botín. Founded in 1725, here you can eat some of the most traditional dishes in Spain, such as the roasted lamb or the roasted suckling pig.
Excursions
Our excursions are designed to offer a deeper look into your host culture, for both the educational benefit and the enjoyment of exploring a new place with others who share your interests in travel and medicine. Excursions range from historical tours to culinary and cultural explorations.
Your Site Manager will inform you of the excursions they have planned during your program orientation. If you make travel plans outside of your city for a weekend and it conflicts with the events your Site Manager has planned, notify your Site Manager several days in advance so that they can plan accordingly.
Clinical Experience that Stands Out to Schools
Medical schools want 3 things: healthcare exposure, GPA/MCAT, and certain competencies. Uniquely, “360 Shadowing” gives you the best version of the 1st, frees you to focus on the 2nd, and cultivates/shows the 3rd to medical school admissions.
Funding Your Future
The cost of Atlantis isn’t too dissimilar from the cost of many study abroad programs that you may find. And we’re here to help: from our extensive fundraising guide to flexible payment plans and financing options, we make the process simple and easy, allowing you to focus on what really matters.
Bring a Friend
Consider bringing a friend to the same program you’re applying to. Although the vast majority of Atlantis alumni have gone on programs without knowing someone in their cohort, bringing a friend allows your experience to be shared in a unique way, while still allowing you one of the benefits of Atlantis: meeting new pre-health friends from across the country. Consider sharing this idea with your friends.
