Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the United States. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 13,000 students, over 650 of whom pursue their studies in Madrid, Spain. Through teaching, research, health care and community service, Saint Louis University has provided one-of-a-kind education, leadership and service for 190 years. 

Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Its campus in Madrid, originally established in the 1960s as a study abroad destination, is the first free-standing campus in Europe operated by a U.S.-based University and is recognized by Spain's higher education authority as an official foreign university, the first U.S. institution to hold this endorsement. Today, students from more than 65 countries earn either U.S. 4-year undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees or, in the case of study abroad students, credits towards their degrees from their home campuses.

Saint Louis University Madrid offers a wealth of opportunities for students to enhance their classroom experiences through volunteer service or internships, academic trips or day-excursions and seminars, among others.

About 25 percent of the University’s students come from Spain, 40 percent from the United States (all fifty states), and 35% from over sixty-five countries around the world.

Academic and social orientation is held at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters for all students. The University offers several day trips at the beginning of each term in order to give new students the opportunity to make friends and settle into life in Spain before the start of classes. The Office of Student Life arranges many opportunities for students to participate in co-curricular activities. Students can participate in up to 19 different sports at varying levels as well as join the local gyms or take a scuba diving course. Basketball, football, volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, ultimate frisbee, squash, American football and field hockey are just some of the sports that students may participate in while at SLU - Madrid.

The Office of Student Life charters all student-led organizations and welcomes students to start clubs that follow in the University mission. The Student Government Association represents the student body at Saint Louis University Madrid. La Voz, the student-led newspaper, and the Campus Ambassador group, are two popular activities on campus. Campus Ambassadors, a select group of student leaders who are committed to upholding the mission of Saint Louis University, collaborate within the Madrid and St. Louis Campuses to help organize important events.

Campus Ministry offers many volunteer opportunities which include helping in a soup kitchen, Christian-Life-Community groups, day retreats and a retreat to Loyola in the Basque country in order to learn more about the founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola. SLU – Madrid students also collaborate with La Universidad de Comillas in a program to feed the homeless.

Each semester SLU - Madrid presents a dance performance as well as a theatre production in English.

Saint Louis University - Madrid Campus

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