Marist College students participating in the Marist in Spain program are experiencing life in Madrid through immersive academic and cultural opportunities, according to accounts from recent participants and staff.
Caroline Voorhis, a 2023 graduate, described her integration into Spanish family life while studying abroad. “I quickly felt like a part of the family,” Voorhis said of her time living with a host family in Madrid. She recounted nightly dinners, watching television with her hosts, and learning about Spanish culture firsthand.
The Marist program is based at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), which is known for its rigorous admission standards among Spanish universities. Dr. Isabel Carrasco Castro, Director of Marist Spain, emphasized the distinctive setting: “Madrid is not a small college town,” she said. “As Spain’s capital, it has the energy and offerings of a major city, including world-class museums, major events, and diverse neighborhoods.” At UC3M, students have access to campus facilities such as libraries and gyms while also being part of an international academic community.
Students can choose between Spanish-language or English-language tracks at UC3M and often participate alongside classmates from around the world. The program also offers opportunities for internships and research experience within Madrid.
Veronica Vogelman, class of 2026 and a double major in psychology and Spanish, interned at FACOMA—a local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous—where she observed group therapy sessions. “My role there was to attend daily group sessions and observe the conversations and therapeutic techniques used by the facilitators and participants to work through the aftermath of struggling with addiction,” Vogelman said. She also led improvisational comedy workshops during her internship.
Vogelman noted that this experience influenced her career interests: “I learned so much, and the internship really inspired me to pursue a potential career in clinical rehabilitation programs for people recovering from drug and alcohol use disorders.”
Voorhis participated in research focused on developing antimicrobial fibers for wound dressing and food packaging—a project that led to an academic publication. Reflecting on her time at UC3M’s lab environment she stated: “I was grateful for the mentorship opportunity at UC3M, and I valued the collaboration in a multilingual lab,” adding that her experience would benefit her future medical career.
Living with host families is highlighted as central to many students’ experiences. Dr. Carrasco Castro explained: “Sharing an apartment with locals requires social effort and adherence to basic cultural rules of respect; however, students tend to enjoy a great deal of freedom, including travel and exploring the nightlife.” Host families assist students with practical matters such as medical visits or navigating local customs.
Rachel Dean ’25 experienced accelerated language learning due to living with a host mother who spoke only Spanish. “This was a challenge, but also one of the best parts of my experience,” Dean said. She added that support from her host family ranged from trips to doctors to grocery shopping for familiar foods.
The program includes orientation activities upon arrival in Madrid designed to help students adapt quickly—such as navigating public transport together or practicing routes on campus—and organizes excursions beyond Madrid’s borders as well as cultural outings within the city.
Dr. Carrasco Castro commented on personal development fostered by these experiences: “Very often, the skills students develop outside the classroom are more valuable than the course content itself…the program constantly provides opportunities for personal growth, time management, and self-discovery.”
Participants report maintaining lasting connections with their host families after returning home or moving elsewhere in Spain for further study.
Summing up her perspective on Marist’s Madrid offering Veronica Vogelman said: “I think the Madrid program is one of the strongest abroad programs Marist has to offer…this program really offers a diverse range of opportunities.”
