Gap Year (Spanish, English)

Area 1 | Discover while traveling

Travel broadens the mind, offers enriching cultural experiences, encourages personal development, provides relaxation, creates lasting memories, and promotes cross-cultural understanding.

Camino de Santiago

Credits: 3 ECTS

This is the beginning: a fascinating 7-day trip through the Galicia area (Spain). With the help of our expert guides, you will discover the oldest and most celebrated route in Europe. Follow the path of yellow arrows!

Surprise trip through Spain

Credits: 1 ECTS

The Gap Year program includes a weekend cultural trip to an important town in Spain. In other years we have seen World Heritage cities such as Córdoba and Salamanca. Let it surprise you!

A la carte trips and cultural visits (optional)

Credits: 1 ECTS

Separate service is not included in the price of the program

In addition to the trips included in the program, the Carlos III University of Madrid makes available to all its students a complete list of optional trips (from €45) that includes destinations such as Seville, Granada, or the Basque Country. Do you dare?

Area 2 | Master new languages

Language courses will give you extra immersion during your stay in Spain.

Experiential Spanish

Credits: 4 ECTS

Language courses will give you extra immersion during your stay in Spain. The program includes a hybrid Experiential Spanish course with in-person workshops and off-campus activities. In addition, this course includes specific outings to the center of Madrid in which your teachers will teach you how to interact in Spanish while you walk around the country's capital. What more could you want?

European and non-European languages ​​(optional)

Credits: 4 ECTS

Separate service is not included in the price of the program

German, French, Italian, Portuguese... You can take advantage of your Gap Year to get started in all these European languages. Or, if you prefer to go further, you can start learning Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese at the UC3M Language Center. You set the limits!

Area 3 | Find your ideal job

We offer you the opportunity to get closer to the business and work reality, while you improve your skills and acquire new competencies. Plus, you can visit some of the most important companies in the country! This is what you are going to learn:

Inclusive leadership: mediation and conflict management

Credits: 2 ECTS

Conflicts and misunderstandings are inevitable in any work (and personal) area, therefore, future leaders must be able to resolve them in a respectful, fair, and effective way. Learn to get out of any situation successfully!

Initiative and autonomy

Credits: 2 ECTS

Initiative is the ability to initiate projects or tasks independently, without being motivated by others. Autonomy refers to the freedom to make one's own decisions and assume responsibility for them. Both are essential for personal and professional growth. Developing these skills allows people to take ownership of their work and be proactive in pursuing their goals. Let nothing stop you!

Culture of organizations

Credits: 1 ECTS

Organizational culture includes the shared values, beliefs, and practices that shape the behavior of individuals in an organization. A positive organizational culture can lead to positive results for the organization itself, for its partners, for its employees, and for the territories in which it carries out its activity. Learn to maintain a positive environment in any organization.

Area 4 | Improve your quality of life

Having time for ourselves, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and doing things we like are crucial to feeling fulfilled during our personal, academic, and professional careers. We want to help you live longer and better.

Mindfulness and resilience

Credits: 2 ECTS

Full attention or mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully involved in the current moment, without judgment. Mindfulness promotes resilience, that is, the ability to recover from adversity and cope with stress and difficult situations. At a time when mental health is a priority, these practices are essential to prevent disorders such as anxiety, depression, and dependencies. Free your Mind!

Sports and nutrition

Credits: 1 ECTS

A healthy mind requires a healthy body. Spain stands out for having one of the best cuisines in the world and is known worldwide for the quality of its athletes. What is the Spanish secret? Discover the Mediterranean diet and the benefits of sport!

Coaching: personal motivation

Credits: 1 ECTS

We believe in you! We know that you are capable of anything and we want to help you achieve all your dreams and goals. Make a change in your life with the help of our professional coach! Discover to what extent you have the power to change your life and the lives of others.

Area 5 | Be your best self

You can change the world. You may not believe it, but it's true. Young people are the future and, therefore, we want to help you improve your skills and show you how each of your actions can generate a positive impact on society.

Introduction to gender studies

Credits: 1 ECTS

Societies in which men and women have the same opportunities are more productive at work, culturally richer, and socially happier. An egalitarian society has countless benefits for both men and women. We will prove it to you!

Climate change

Credits: 2 ECTS

Climate change is causing several negative impacts, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns that can lead to water shortages and threaten biodiversity and human livelihoods. One of the solutions is the use of renewable energy. We'll show you what they are!

Volunteer courses

Credits: 2 ECTS

Separate service is not included in the price of the program

There are many ways to volunteer, supporting those who need it most. From the Carlos III University of Madrid, we provide you with different options if you want to be part of these initiatives.

• QS World University Rankings Top 50 Under 50
  
  • 35th spot worldwide and ranked 10th in Europe, on QS Top 50 Under 50 Ranking
• QS World University Rankings
  
  • 319th position on the QS World University Rankings 2024
• QS World University Rankings Subjects Rankings
  
  • Among the world’s best universities in 13 academic fields, according to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023
• QS Graduate Employability Rankings
  
  • Among the 136 best universities in the world for employability, according to THE’s Global University Employability Ranking 2022