In FALL student spend two weeks in Salamanca, where JHU-Madrid conducts a culture and language “boot camp” at the Cursos Internacionales de la Universidad de Salamanca, which consists of fifty hours of classroom time, preparation for what is to come in Madrid. At the same time, students attend orientation meetings about life in Spain, academics and security and safety, etc. Each morning students review grammar, and practice their composition and conversation skills, essential for a successful experience at Universidad Carlos III. In the afternoons, students have practical sessions in which they are introduced to several aspects of Spanish culture and traditions, such as ceramics and cooking classes, sculpture and art workshops and guided tours of the city to learn about the history of Salamanca and its university, one of the eldest in Europe. In those sessions students are exposed to Spanish language and culture and interact with local people.

In SPRING semester, the same intensive language and culture course, and orientation take place though in Cuenca with Español en Cuenca Program (ESPACU). Students are introduced to the culture and traditions of Spain through the eyes and lives of local university professors, artisans, and tour guides from this small town of Castilla-La Mancha.