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Three students stand and talk in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain.

Spain: Global Food Cultures: Food Heritage in Spain

Graduate Study Abroad

From tapas to the modernist cuisine of the Rocas brothers, Spain now looms large on the global culinary culture. Spanish chef Ferran Adrià has single-handedly changed the way we think and experience food, and has put Spain on the map not only for food lovers but also for food professionals and chefs. After the end of the Franco dictatorship in the 1970s, Spain has become a place for innovation and experimentation. At the same time, it boasts an amazing landscape in terms of traditional and artisanal food and wine production that is extremely successful for some products like jamón ibérico and Rioja wines, renowned all over the world, while other products struggle to acquire visibility.

Global Food Cultures: Madrid will explore how food traditions and heritage are being identified, supported, and promoted at the national and global levels, while examining their role and functions in Spaniards’ everyday life. Through visits to markets, bakeries, wholesale and retail outlets, tapas and wine bars, restaurants, and menu del día eateries we will examine how tradition and heritage are being brought into the twenty-first century in public spaces that are also symbolic for local and national identities. We will also meet food professionals and experts, food designers, and scholars that will help us better understand the dynamics of this unique country.

Location:

Madrid, Spain

Program Dates:

May 18-30, 2025 (tentative; subject to change)

Faculty

Application Deadline:

  • Priority Deadline: February 5, 2025
  • Regular Deadline: March 5, 2025 (admissions continue thereafter on a space-available basis)

Find the application link and instructions on the "How to Apply" page.

Who can participate:

  • NYU graduate students
  • NYU undergraduate students who have:
    • 96+ earned credits by course start date
    • related coursework
    • approval from the faculty director as well as their advisor
  • Non-NYU graduate students and professionals who are both:
    • U.S. citizens or permanent residents
    • Currently hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

Related areas of Study:

  • Food Studies
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Media, Culture, and Communication
  • Anthropology
  • History

This is not a complete list. We value diverse perspectives in our programs and encourage students from other majors and professions.

How to apply:

The application link and instructions, as well as the deadlines and notification timelines, can be found on the "How to Apply" page

This is a credit-bearing graduate Global course. Students self-register in Albert and choose one of the following two courses for a total of 3 credits:

  • FOOD-GE 2251, Section 099 (Class #TBC) - Global Food Cultures: Madrid (3 credits)

Offered through the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies.

Important Note: All program applicants are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to determine if and how this course may be applied towards their program requirements and degree completion.

Direct Costs Billed by NYU

Participants will be billed for the cost of the graduate course following the standard per-credit rate for NYU Steinhardt Graduate Study Tuition and Fees. In addition, study abroad courses have a supplemental Program Fee that covers the cost of housing abroad, program activities and visits, group transportation in-country, and international health insurance. Students can expect to be billed:

  • Steinhardt Graduate Tuition (3 credits) - $6,555
  • Steinhardt Graduate Registration and Services Fees - $714
  • Housing & Activity Fee - $1,750
  • GeoBlue International Health Insurance - Included

Estimated Direct Cost Total - $9,019

Tuition, Registration, and Housing & Activity fees will be due based on Bursar's Payment Schedule for the current term.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

Students are responsible for purchasing flights to and from the program location. Students will be notified when to book flights. We recommend comparing tickets on multiple sites to ensure the best fare. Past participants have used the following flight search engines: KayakGoogle Flights, and Student Universe.

In addition to airfare, participants should budget for other out-of-pocket costs, including daily meals (except for included welcome and farewell meals); transportation to and from the airport; passport and/or visa fees (if applicable); vaccination costs (if applicable); and other personal incidentals. These costs will vary depending on individual students' budgets, preferences, and choices. Students are encouraged to research potential costs by using online budgeting tools such as Numbeo, Expatistan, and Budget Your Trip.

Scholarships

NYU Steinhardt offers several graduate study abroad scholarships and maintains a list of additional external funding opportunities.

Study Abroad Budget Worksheet

Download and use this Study Abroad Budget Worksheet to estimate the cost of your study abroad experience. 

PLEASE NOTE: This spreadsheet lists possible expenses and may not be all-inclusive of program costs. In addition, your costs may fluctuate based on changes in currency exchange rates, airfare, varying personal lifestyles, etc. While this is a good tool for reviewing study abroad expenses, the results should be considered to be an estimate of the total cost of participation.

Housing

Students stay in shared-occupancy housing arranged by the Office of Global Affairs. Your housing is included in your Program Fee. Group accommodation dates correspond with the program dates listed above.

Flight, Travel, and Visa Information

Flight: Students purchase their own international travel to coincide with program dates. Please keep in mind that flights arriving in Spain typically depart New York a day in advance.

Passport: All program participants are required to have a valid passport, which must be valid at least six months beyond the program end date. 

Visa: U.S. Citizens do not need a visa to enter Spain.

All other passport holders should check their visa requirements on the embassy/consulate website respective of their nationality. For further guidance on visas and other non-immigration matters, contact OGS Outbound Student Services at ogs.outbound@nyu.edu.

Helpful links: U.S. State Department, Center for Disease Control, NYU Madrid.

Pre-Departure Resources

Visit the Steinhardt Study Abroad Resources website and get a head start on preparing for your study abroad program experience.

Policies

All applicants should review the Office of Global Affairs Short-Term Graduate Courses Policies page prior to applying to study abroad.

Apply for Study Abroad

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