NYU Summer in Madrid 2016Pre-Departure Orientation

This online guide is designed for students who could not attend the in-person session. Please read through it carefully!

This presentation will focus on specific information that you need to know, specific tasks that only you can complete, and identify the NYU resources that will be available to you while you’re in Madrid.

Let’s begin!

At NYU Madrid students can study literature, history, art history, sociology, politics, anthropology, economics, applied linguistics and environmental studies, among other topics, while significantly advancing their command of the Spanish language. The richness of Spain’s capital is reflected in its architecture, its museums and cultural treasures, and its cuisine.

A vibrant city that is engaged with pressing global political and economic issues – from immigration, climate change and human rights to debates on the future of the European Union –Madrid is also an important center for contemporary cultural production in dance, film, theater and the visual arts.

Outside of the classroom opportunities abound in this vibrant city via activities and cultural programs organized by NYU Madrid. Excursions to Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Logroño are also among the extracurricular activities that complement the summer academic program. In addition, the Intercambio Program brings NYU Madrid students together with local college students to practice their Spanish and to further cultural exchanges.

Discovering Madrid

Madrid is the central hub of modern Spain, with a vibrant urban flair. It is also the country's business center, home to an array of banks and international companies, and fashion capital—a fact easily gleaned from the citizens' tasteful street style and the many trendy boutiques along the Callede Serrano. Despite the hub-bub of daily life in the metropolis, Madrileñostake it all in stride, giving the impression of being quite relaxed about it all.

Truly the city that never sleeps: “Madrid’s vitality and character will soon have you hooked.”

Velázquez’s classics at the Prado are just down the street from Madrid’s throbbing cultural center.

Weather: One of Europe’s highest capitals, Madrid enjoys a crisp, dry air year round with a strong sun and generally little rain.

June: 75-85ºF middayJuly: 85-100ºF middayEvenings: 70-80ºF

Madrid, as all European capitals, is expensive. Students still find that it is not quite as expensive as NYC.

Although it is a huge city, it has preserved its little, quaint neighborhoods.

Madrileños are friendly, welcoming folks.Cultural Differences

With a plethora of historic sites, museums, restaurants, and cultural activities, it is easy to explore and discover all Madrid has to offer.

Packing Tips

Medication and Toiletries

Bring a written prescription with the chemical name for each of your medications

Stock up on over-the-counter products

Leave all prescription medication in the ORIGINAL packaging and pack some in carry-on.

Have a special brand you prefer? Bring enough with you because you may not find it in Spain!

Carry-on an overnight bag packed with everything you might need for at least two nights. Should your luggage be lost or delayed, you would have the essentials.

Remember to check air safety regulations to

know what you can & cannot pack! Contact your airline.

Pack Light & Avoid Shipping! You will have to carry all your luggage and TAXIS will NOT take more than two bags.

Electronics

Only bring electronics that come with built-in converters like laptops, ipod, digital cameras, and some cell phone chargers.

You will need plug adaptors

Anything else is prohibited by NYU policy & can be purchased while in Madrid.

• Walking

• Metro

• Bus

• Taxis

The NYU Madrid Academic Center is easily reached by walking or public transport.

Transportation

The unlimited Youth pass for public transportation is only 20 euros per month!

All students are enrolled in HTH, an international health coverage plan

Arrange ongoing counseling in advance through the Wellness Exchange or the NYU Madrid Psychologist (Neda Hajizadeh – nh414@nyu.edu)

Students should consult with NYU Madrid staff if they need help making a doctor’s appointment

If you take prescriptions regularly, bring a full supply or connect with student life or wellness to discuss options of getting prescriptions for the same medication abroad –

DO NOT SHIP ANY MEDICATIONS!

Health and Wellness

Airport pickup: from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

(Terminals 1 and 4)

• NYU Madrid site staff will be at Madrid-BarajasInternational Airport (MAD) on Sun, May 22nd to greet you.When you meet site staff at the airport, a staff member willaccompany you to the taxi stand, where you will get a taxidirectly to your housing. Taxis will charge a flat rate of 30Euros!

• If you are arriving at a different time, you must makeyour own transportation arrangements. Informationabout taxis & public transport will be emailed to youcloser to your departure.

• It may take 45 minutes - 1 hour to clear customs,immigration, and pick-up your luggage at the baggageclaim

All students will be asked to submit their flight details prior todeparture. This is very important so that host families andlandlords are able to plan for your arrival.

Arrival Information

Orientation activities include:

• Arrival Debriefing

• Reina Sofia or Prado museum visit

• A cultural conference

• Tapas luncheon

Orientation

Attendance at ALL NYU Summer in Madrid orientation activities is MANDATORY!

Be advised: Summer extra-curricular activities are held on Tuesdays in June.

Rate 1€ = $1.14(*Currency dated April 29

th*)

TransitOne month unlimited bus/metro

-Youth Pass (under 26)” €20 ($22)-Ten ride pass €12 .20($13.97)

Dining Out for TwoDinner at a nice restaurant €60 ($68)Casual dinner (similar to US chain restaurant) 25€ ($28)

Typical breakfast on the runSpanish coffee in local café €1.30 ($1.49)Pincho de tortilla (potato omelette) 2.5€($2.86)

Cost of Living

Culture and Customs

Expect Cultural Differences!

Buenos días y buenas tardes No barefoot; DRESS CODE !!!!

Main meal at lunch time Food is a vital part of the culture

Dos besos Very different time schedule in summer

Cultural Differences

You should expect cultural differences

and will need to be flexible and open-

minded to adjust to differences in

food, language, living situation,

relationships, and diversity.

NYU Madrid Academic Center

NYU Madrid is located in renovated buildings in El Viso, a pleasant residential area near Madrid's financial district and only a few

metro stops from the historic center.

Students explore Hispanic culture, history, and society while immersed in the life of this vibrant city, the capital of the Hispanic world.

Facilities

The buildings, which have been newly restructured, feature modern classrooms, computer facilities with E-mail and wireless access to the Internet, and a charming patio.

NYU Madrid has a reading room of approximately 1,500 books and a collection of DVDs. These holdings include books on literature, art, history, and other subjects, in Spanish and in English.

Conchi SánchezBusiness

Coordinator

Marta de la

MacorraLibrarian

Hector de SoloAssistant Director of

Administration

Horatiu SerbuConcierge

Professor

Robert S. LubarDirector; Faculty,

Institute of Fine

Arts

Professor Isabel

PereiraAssistant Director of

Academic Affairs

Professor Soledad

GalvezAssistant Director of

Academic Affairs

Neda HajizadehStaff Psychologist

Megan JonesStudent Life & Housing

Coordinator

Natalia JiménezProgram Coordinator

Rodrigo UrbinaManager of

Student Life and

Housing

NYU Madrid Staff

• You can make changes to your schedule during the 2-day ADD/DROP

• Please note: you must get clearance for ALL registration changes from Isabel Pereira and Soledad Gálvez

• MANDATORY Fridays class (tentative & subject to change):

May 27th Any questions regarding your language

level, please email

Isabel Pereira in Madrid at:

ip15@nyu.edu

Academic Logistics

Study abroad at Global Academic Centers is an academically intensive and immersive experience, in which students from a wide range of backgrounds exchange ideas in discussion-based seminars. Learning in such an environment depends on the active participation of all students. And since classes typically meet once or twice a week, even a single absence can cause a student to miss a significant portion of a course. To ensure the integrity of this academic experience, class attendance at the centers is mandatory, and unexcused absences will be penalized with a two percent deduction from the student’s final course grade for every week's worth of classes missed. Students are responsible for making up any work missed due to absence. Repeated absences in a course may result in harsher penalties including failure.

Attendance Policy

There will be additional outings organized by your professors!

Excursions

A 3-Day Excursion to:

Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Logroño

Day trips to:

Toledo and Segovia

(Please note: Some trips and other activities may require a refundable deposit.)

Things to Do

Activities

Cultural Lectures

“Intercambios” (Language Exchange Program)

Local/Regional Travel

• Andalucía

• ComunidadValencia

• Galicia

• La Rioja

• Cataluña

• País Vasco

Homestays:

a) Media Pensión (continental breakfast + 1 hot meal)

b) Kitchen rights (buy your own food, and kitchen access) – only single rooms

Apartments:

Limited options available (No meal plan)

Where will I live?

The Study Away Confirmation Housing application closed on Sunday, May 1!Once confirmed, all housing assignments and meal plans are final!

If you have any questions about housing in Madrid, please contact Megan Jones megan.jones@nyu.edu

• Rent is due during the first 3 days of every month. Upon arrival in May, you will pay proportional part of the month.

• Remember: You are a paying guest, but nonetheless a guest. Be courteous and open to a new culture and different food!

• Telephone use in a homestay is restricted to emergency use only. Plan to exclusively use your cell phone.

Homestays

• Apartments are not NYU Madrid Housing; NYU can ONLY serve as the intermediary between you and the landlord.

• Summer Rentals are based on DAILY RATES. Upon arrival you will have to pay for 42 days (duration of the program) plus one month security deposit (in Euros - NO credit cards or personal checks).

Questions? Contact the NYU Madrid Housing Coordinator at megan.jones@nyu.edu

Apartments

APARTMENT EXAMPLE APARTMENT EXAMPLE

Two options for rent payment:

Payment Options

You pay in EUROS directly to the homestay family OR landlord.

You can have the money wired to you from your family via WESTERN UNION.

If you have immigration, passport, or visa-

related questions, email OGS Representative

Jessica Walker at jessica.walker@nyu.edu!

Final Checklist

• Book flight asap!

• Housing application closed on May 1st

If you have any questions, email <megan.jones@nyu.edu>

• Register/print HTH Insurance card

• Update Study Away Confirmation Portal:

• Personal information and passport details

• Flight itinerary

• Etc.

GRACIAS!