The Hispanic Leaders Program: Your Opportunity to Discover Spain!

Among the many opportunities for Americans to visit Spain and become immersed in its culture, politics, society, and arts is the Hispanic Leaders Program, which aims to highlight and intensify the relationship between members of the Hispanic community in the U.S. and their counterparts in Spain.

The program is run by the Fundación Carolina, a Spanish institution focused on the promotion of educational and cultural ties between Spain and the rest of the world, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the United States.

Last year’s XVIII edition gathered 10 of the most influential young hispanic leaders, from around the U.S. These outstanding political, business, academic, and communication leaders spent a week in Madrid, Spain’s capital city.

Participants had a non-stop agenda full of unique visits and meetings that gave the them the opportunity to connect with their Spanish counterparts and learn more about all that Spain has to offer.

Thomas Sanchez, CEO of @SocialDriver and 2016 Edition participant

Dania Matos, Deputy Chief Diversity Officer at the College of William and Mary

An average day for the program is an adventure in and of itself every single day — Maximiliano Trujillo — Participant of the 2016 Edition

What kind of things did the participants do? Let’s start with culture…

Dania Matos and the other members of the 2016 Hispanic Leaders cohort on their first day in Madrid at the ‘Plaza de Cibeles.’

The Instituto Cervantes headquarters, the Spanish organization responsible for promoting the study and teaching of Spanish language, culture, and heritage.

Of course, a visit to the Prado Museum is was in store.

Participants also focused on political issues of mutual interest with visits to the Congress of Deputies and meetings with Spanish government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Alfonso Dastis.

The 2016 Participants at a meeting with Fundación Consejo España-Estados Unidos

But not everything is so formal and institutional, there is plenty of time to enjoy Madrid’s surroundings and cultural attractions.

A Foodie’s Unforgettable Encounter with Rafael Anson

Participants even had the chance to visit the Real Madrid FC headquarters, meeting with its president, Florentino Pérez, and the entire team!

Want to learn even more about the program? Read the blog posts written by last year’s participants and check out the photo gallery below!

The XIX Edition of the Hispanic Leaders Program is now accepting applications for its 2017 cohort. The deadline to apply is October 13, 2017.

Apply now !