Spanish Studies in Madrid - Student-to-Student Handbook Fall 2021 - Carleton College
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Carleton College
Spanish Studies in Madrid
Faculty Director: Humberto Huergo
Student-to-Student Handbook
Fall 2021
Most recently updated by Marko Jurkovich ’21 (Prev: Ian McCarthy ‘20)
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3
Pre-Departure ................................................................................................................................ 4
Money............................................................................................................................................ 8
Cell Phone ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Contacting your Host Family......................................................................................................... 10
Before Takeoff: A Checklist of Important Stuff To-Do .................................................................... 11
Arriving in Madrid ........................................................................................................................ 12
What to Expect from your Host Family ......................................................................................... 13
Getting to Class ............................................................................................................................ 15
Los Monitores .............................................................................................................................. 16
Practical Life in Madrid ................................................................................................................ 16
Communication ............................................................................................................................ 17
Engagement in Madrid ................................................................................................................. 19
On the Town in Madrid ................................................................................................................ 20
Outside of Madrid ........................................................................................................................ 28
Health and Safety......................................................................................................................... 34
Emergency Contacts ..................................................................................................................... 36
Medical Emergencies.................................................................................................................... 36
Other Resources ........................................................................................................................... 36
Restaurant Guide ......................................................................................................................... 37
Back Home ................................................................................................................................... 39
Former Group Contacts ................................................................................................................ 39
2
Introduction
Madrid: La Ciudad y el Programa
¡Bienvenidos!
Welcome to the Carleton Spanish Seminar in Madrid for the Fall of 2021! You’re about to spend
ten weeks in one of the most wonderful cities in Europe. Madrid is the political and cultural capital of
Spain, and this is obvious wherever you look. There is never a lack of something interesting to do, and
there is always some new place to explore. By the end of it, you’ll know the streets like the back of your
hand and be riding the Metro on autopilot. Madrid is a city where most of the life happens on the streets:
in the morning when people sit at cafés reading El País or El Mundo and chatting with their friends, in the
afternoon when everyone rushes home from work for lunch, or at night when all the jóvenes flock to the
discotecas.
¡Diviértete!
3
Pre-Departure
Passports
You’ll need a passport if you don’t have one or if yours has expired. It must be valid for at least six
months after the day you return to the States. If you’ll be traveling in Europe until Nov 30th, for
example, your passport must be valid until six months after that date, which would be May 30th.
You can find passport info at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
If you need a passport, start the process immediately! You CANNOT leave the country without one.
Don’t procrastinate, either. An expedited passport takes 3 weeks but costs an additional $60. The normal
process usually takes about six weeks.
If you’re on campus, these are your closest options. Passport photos can be taken at all three for $15.
• Walgreens • Northfield City Hall
401 5th St. W 801 Washington Street, 2nd Floor
Every Day 8am-10pm 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month, 8-10:30am
• Rice County Court House Call for an appointment or if you have
Faribault 320 NW 3rd Street questions: 507-645-9576.
Hours: M-F, 8am-4:00pm
Make a copy of the first page of your passport and keep it in a safe place (it’s a good idea to keep a photo
of your passport on your phone too). If your passport gets lost or stolen (it happens every year), it will
speed the replacement process tremendously.
Note: Spanish law currently requires that all foreigners carry their original passport at all times. That said,
for just brief outings, consider taking a photocopy.
Visas
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for this program since it is less than 90 days. If you are an international
student, you should check your embassy’s site online for rules and regulations regarding your country.
NOTE: If you plan on staying in Spain or in the Schengen zone for a period longer than 90 days,
U.S. citizens will need to get a visa. CARLETON STUDENTS CANNOT OBTAIN A VISA
THROUGH CARLETON (by way of a Spanish Embassy) BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ASSOCIATED
WITH A SPANISH UNIVERSITY. For more information about the Schengen zone:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-
considerations/schengen.html
If you have further questions, talk to OCS, or your faculty director.
Finding a Flight
Tickets tend to be more expensive the closer you buy them to your travel date, so book your flight as
soon as possible to avoid steep last-minute prices. Travel agents can help find student discounts and
special deals, but looking online can also help you find competitive rates. There are hundreds of search
engines online, but here are a few to start with:
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• Google Flights, • Kayak.com
o google.com/flights • Omio.com
o Easiest interface of any search o Good for intra-Europe travel,
engine. Price grid is especially especially with buses and trains.
useful. • STATravel.com
• Reddit Flights Wiki • StudentUniverse.com
o reddit.com/r/travel/wiki/airfare • Skyscanner.com
o General guidelines on finding
and booking tickets.
When searching for tickets, look for flights into Madrid-Barajas, MAD (now Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez
Madrid-Barajas). In addition to finding the right websites for student discounts, as a general practice buy
your tickets early, as prices tend to go up the longer you wait. Be mindful of your layover times, and do
not book tight connections on separately purchased tickets.
Note: Using private browsing windows/incognito windows doesn’t show you cheaper airfares. It won’t
hurt, but it’s likely a myth that airlines change prices based on your browsing habits. Same goes for
browsing on a certain day of a week, time of day, etc.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Ticket
Will you have your travel documents by the time you travel?
You MUST have your passport and any necessary visas before you can travel, so give yourself plenty of
time in case there are delays in processing or mailing.
Can you coordinate flights with anyone else on the program?
Two heads are better than one, especially if they have jetlag and are in a foreign country. As a result,
some students might like to fly with other students. Email people who live near you after the final list of
participants is announced.
Will you travel before or after the program?
You might want to travel before the program or stay after the program to travel. Plan accordingly. Note
that airport authorities will not let you travel (on a US passport) unless you have a return or other ticket
booked to leave the Schengen Area. Although it is possible to change your departure date, it can be
expensive and a hassle. Students who want to travel in Europe, but don’t have a specific plan yet, might
want to book their departing flight out of London since tickets from major European cities to London
are cheap and easy to find. Similarly, if you want to travel before the program, different cities are cheaper
to fly to. It might be helpful to do some investigating. Budget airlines (RyanAir, EasyJet, Wizzair,
Vueling, etc.) and railway companies are an excellent resource when traveling from country to country.
Read the fine print and be careful booking your luggage correctly and printing boarding passes to avoid
ridiculous fees by some airlines! Buses are also a cheap option for travel anywhere within the Spain or
even to nearby countries.
Travel Insurance
You might consider travel insurance to cover things like your laptop, camera, even flight stuff. Check
online. You can also ask the OCS office.
5
What to Bring
Luggage
The less you bring the better! Pack efficiently and thoroughly. An internal frame backpack works well.
Limit yourself to one suitcase and one backpack. Note: many flights between European countries have a
weight limit of 20 kg per bag (about 40 lb.). Be sure you can carry your own luggage. Remember, you can
easily buy anything you’ve forgotten in Madrid, so don’t turn packing into a life or death situation.
Shopping for clothing and toiletries in a foreign country can be a valuable cultural experience.
You may acquire more stuff! Consider packing a smaller suitcase or duffel within your larger one to fill
with any new possessions.
If you plan on traveling in Europe after, being able to carry-on all your luggage is major boon that will
save you time and money.
Clothing
The less clothing you have, the easier it will be to keep track of what you’ve brought. Balance is the key.
The weather in Madrid during the fall can vary. PACK LAYERS. Excursions to the south of Spain (think
Granada or Seville) will be much warmer, whereas travel in the north (think Galicia or Barcelona) will be
chillier and rainier. The first half of the term will remain summery in Madrid with weather in the 80s or
even 90s. Beware: Fall does set in and can come as early as 4th or 5th week.
The temperature will decrease throughout the term and by late November, it may be as low as 30- 40ºF
with cold winds. A warm coat is necessary; even gloves and a scarf can be practical. Side note: madrileños
love scarves. Madrileños also swear that it never rains more than one or two days in a row, but you may
find it to be rainy towards the end of the program.
European style is dressier than here. To fit in, think sharp, fitted clothes. Styles and trends may vary from
year to year; you’ll get a good idea of what’s popular or the norm after being in Madrid for a short time.
Don’t worry though, you will find all types of styles in the city. Dark and neutral tones are most common.
Pack things you are comfortable wearing and be sure to have a couple pairs of comfortable walking shoes
because you will be using the Metro daily and walking the city streets a lot! People tend to dress up when
going out to dinner or discotecas, so pack a nice outfit or two (for guys this means a nice pair of jeans
with a polo or button-down shirt; for the ladies, a fun dress or nice pants and a dressy shirt will do). Men
and women: some dance clubs will not let you in if you are wearing tennis shoes. Wear dress shoes.
A sample suitcase
• 1.5-2 weeks’ worth of socks and • 1 lighter jacket, fleece, or hoodie
underwear • A pair of casual-dressy and comfy of shoes
• 4-5 long sleeve shirts 1-2 more stylish pieces
• 5-6 short sleeve shirts • Rain gear (an umbrella or rain jacket)
• 2-3 pairs of pants • 1 warmer jacket/coat
(This may look closer to the bare bones than extravagant living, but it is wiser to under-pack than to over-pack)
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School supplies
• Books for classes - You’ll get a big book on your first or second day (it’s not as scary as it sounds).
Also, some profs will give you a list of recommended books that you can purchase at the school
bookstore.
• Dictionary - A good Spanish-English dictionary or an app (SpanishDict, WordRef, etc.) is
recommended for papers, readings, and every day vocabulary questions. Be warned that data
restrictions can hinder application use, but you can download Spanish-English dictionaries onto your
phone using some apps such as Google Translate (only suggested for basic translations). A Spanish-
Spanish dictionary can also be helpful but can be more cheaply purchased in Madrid.
• School supplies (notebooks and pens, etc.) - Easily found at local papelerías and are not necessary to
bring.
• Laptop – You will want your laptop, but take good care of it. Having a laptop is critical for
homework and it makes it easier to Skype with family and friends: homesickness is normal at first,
and this can really ease the symptoms. When you don’t need your laptop, you can leave it at your host
family’s home for safekeeping.
If you plan to travel after the program, you’ll need to be extra careful. It is a good idea to bring a couple
of locks if you plan to stay in hostels. You could consider getting a cheaper, inexpensive laptop for the
trip, if you don’t want to risk bringing your good laptop.
The small stuff
While Madrid isn’t the most expensive city in Europe, costs can add up when shopping. It is cheaper and
easier to bring items like contact solution and medications with you. A Swiss Army knife is handy to
have, with a corkscrew for opening wine bottles and a knife to cut cheese, etc. Pack it in your suitcase, not
your carry-on, to avoid problems when going through airport security.
Some useful/fun items:
• Ladies – a small purse that goes across your shoulder
• Gentlemen – don’t doubt the power of the satchel (or buy a riñonera- yes, fanny packs can be
stylish)! They’re more common in Spain than you would think, and they really come in handy.
• Small luggage locks for your backpacks, camera bags, etc.
• Small note pad to keep in your purse/pocket. For your diario in Humberto’s class, you’ll need to jot
down words, quotes, locations, and ideas you encounter as you explore Madrid
• A plug adapter for laptop and phone chargers: European to US adapter, NOT a converter. You don’t
need a converter for most electronics, but leave your hairdryer or anything else that uses a lot of
power (more than 300W) at home.
• Frisbee. Duh. If you have room. It’s fun to have at a park, and if it’s a Carleton one, a great idea to
leave with your host family or one of the monitores (explained later).
• Photos – on your laptop or phone of your family so you can show your host family
• Gift – for your host family (optional, discussed later, see below)
• A USB flash drive – Yes, they still use these in Spain. They are a small thing to pack and can reduce
the hassle of printing significantly.
7
Guidebooks
• Lonely Planet Guides App: A great on-the-go resource that has information on top sites, restaurants,
and history. Its map feature is one of a kind and can help you find spots and stories not revealed by
simple Google searches. A subscription lets you access guides for any city.
o Lonely Planet paper guidebooks are also solid if you’re looking for one that has an emphasis
on history and pretty photos.
• Let’s Go! Spain and Portugal is the bible for all students on the program. You don’t have to buy the
book, it’s available online! It’s written and annually updated by college students like ourselves, who
are paid to travel extensively to find the best deals, the easiest ways to get around, and the coolest
places to visit or hang out.
• Rick Steves Spain: A popular, regularly updated, and comprehensive guidebook.
• Insight Guide Spain is also good.
If you want a physical copy, go in on it with other students and buy a few different guides to share and
compare info. Guidebooks aren’t much cheaper in Europe than they are in the U.S., so the only
advantage to buying in Europe is that you don’t have to carry it from the U.S.
Good Maps
• If you have a smartphone:
o Google Maps – Download an offline map of the city on google maps. Go to offline maps,
personalized map, and select the region which you would like to download. The app can
recognize your current location via GPS without using data.
• Also handy for mapping out want-to-visit or frequently visited sites in lists.
Helps you know nearby places you’ve been meaning to go.
o Moovit – Popular public transit app, with real-time info. Often smarter than Google Maps
when it comes to the metro and buses.
o Citymapper – Similar to Moovit. Also better than Google Maps for routing, real-time info.
o Madrid Metro — Basic, but helps with getting familiar with metro routes
o Ulmon Madrid Travel Guide –Google Maps alternative with offline mode. Allows you to
search for and save destinations you are interested in visiting.
• Madrid Metro Map – Useful for moving about the city and planning out trips.
• Hard copy maps:
o Streetwise Madrid – it’s small, coated, can easily fit in purse or bag. Streetwise Madrid and
guidebooks are readily available at many U.S. bookstores.
Money
Euros
Check your bank or Google for current exchange rates. If getting euros in the U.S. prior to departure,
you might not get great exchange rates. It’s easiest just to make a withdrawal from an airport ATM when
you arrive. You will use cash (“efectivo”) when shopping at small shops (it’s more polite), at markets, or
when splitting bills among friends for food or drinks, so cash is a necessity. You will be more carrying
more coins than you are accustomed to while in Europe. Think of how you might want to carry them
and be strategic about breaking large bills.
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Credit cards
Plastic is universal and offers great exchange rates. Some banks have
cards that accrue no foreign transaction rates. This can be worth
looking into to help you avoid unnecessary charges. If possible, have
two cards, one to use and one for backup. Keep that latter safely at
your host family’s house. Make a copy of the front and back of your
card(s). Keep the copy in a safe place and have the phone number
handy in case you lose your card and need to call your bank. Most
ATMs and shops will ask you if you want to be charged in Euros or
your own currency. Say Euros—it will save you a lot of money and
avoid conversion charges!
ATM/Debit cards
Most ATMs in Europe will accept your card but you should check
with your bank if your ATM is good for Europe, to find out if it
charges more for overseas transactions, and anything else that might
be good know. Also, you should let them know when you’ll be in
Europe and traveling about, using your ATM card, maybe credit
card, otherwise the bank might freeze your card for suspected
fraudulent activity. Consider withdrawing larger sums less often and
keeping some of it tucked away somewhere safe. Despite fees, ATM
cards are still the best way to get cash. Check the ATMs you use in General Guide. Fees vary.
Madrid! Some, like Santander, will charge you $5 every time, while
others hardly charge anything (Deutsche Bank is one of the lowest-fee ATMs, and BBVA isn’t bad).
Remember to choose to be charged in Euros!
Source: bit.ly/3dV4EK
Budget
Carleton supplies a stipend for lunch during the week, cultural activities, Metro passes, and internet use,
but it is good to have a comfortable sum as a survival allowance. That said, the Carleton stipend will
cover most everything you need and more to enjoy the city. Give yourself a weekly allowance, but don’t
try to be frugal or save money for after the program; it’s there for you to spend on your experience and you’ll miss
out if you’re too careful. Madrid can be more expensive than a typical term at Carleton, and you’ll want to
bring back souvenirs and gifts, so don’t be conservative when estimating how much to save up. Also
consider any travel you plan on doing during the term (day or weekend excursions) and before or after
the program. Students on the program before have suggested having anywhere from $500-1500 on hand
for the term; however, if you plan on traveling outside of the program it would be better to have more
available for lodging, transportation, food, etc.—these can add up without the Carleton stipend.
☆ Spend your designated Cultural Activities money:
you don’t get the leftover money if you don’t use it! ☆
Cell Phone
Some students may find it easier to get an international plan with their US carrier, but most opt to get a
SIM card and cell plan in Spain (bring a Ziploc/Envelope to keep your US one safe and secure). Before
you leave, contact your current cell phone carrier to check if your phone is unlocked. You can buy an
active card at one of the many stores/stands where they sell 30-day plans for a variety of reliable phone
carriers. Orange, Movistar, and Vodafone are the biggest three. If you have questions, ask the monitores
9
where to look. You can get a prepaid plan with cheap rates for data, text, and calling. It is recommended
to go in a group, so everyone has similar plans and can work out the kinks together.
SMS/call needs will be minimal, as you’ll be using WhatsApp for most communication, but it is still
required that you have a text and phone plan for emergency purposes. You might have to get used to
rationing data more than usual, but many plans give free data for WhatsApp and Google Maps.
Navigating data usage on your carrier’s site can also be clunky, so figure out how to track data usage (i.e.
reset stats when your plan renews each month) on your phone’s settings.
While struggling with Orange/Movistar/Vodafone is a rite of passage, it doesn’t have to be inevitable.
Make sure you know how to renew your plan after first setting it up.
• If you use Orange, you can view/change your plan by logging in on Orange.es (under “soy cliente”).
There’s a separate website for adding funds with foreign credit cards: topup.orange.com. Make sure
you type in the correct phone number!
See section Communication for more detail.
Contacting your Host Family
Send an email/letter
Your family will be expecting a letter or email from you at least a week or two prior to your arrival.
Remember that they are as excited to find out about you as you are to learn about them. Don’t be
daunted by having to write in Spanish–your family knows that you are coming to study in Spain to
improve your Spanish and will be excited to receive the message regardless of how it is written. In the
letter, you might want to include an introduction about yourself, some of your interests/hobbies,
information about where you are from and what you are studying at Carleton, etc. Be sure to let your
family know when you will be arriving and how you will be getting to their house. You might want to
clarify any details that you think are important for them to know about you (i.e., food preferences or
allergies). Enclosing a current photo can be a fun as well. Don’t forget to add your contact information
for where you will be staying before you leave for Madrid. Your family may want to call, email, or write
back, so include your snail mail, email address, and phone number.
In addition to an address, the OCS office will give you the phone number for your family. It may be nice
to give them a call to make sure they received your letter and to clarify your arrival plans. This may be a
little intimidating, but it will be much appreciated and can also help you mentally prepare a bit more for
departure!
Should I bring gifts?
You may want to bring a little something along for your family, but don’t feel obligated. Families usually
like getting things that are from the U.S., Carleton, or your hometown. Picking out something you’d like
to share with them can be special and doesn’t need to be expensive or hard to carry on the plane. One
good idea is to bring the ingredients to prepare a simple dish that you enjoy to share with your family. Or,
share something special to you, maybe a gift unique to your hometown. This could be a good
conversation starter! And if your family has children, candy always goes over well and is easy to pack.
10Before Takeoff: A Checklist of Important Stuff To-Do
o Change address
If you receive hardcopy bank statements, credit card bills, and other important mail at Carleton, inform
your bank, etc., and change the address. The post office will forward important mail to your parents’
house, but that means more delays, so take care of this ahead of time.
o Find a room-draw proxy
This is the person who will find you a home for when you get back winter term. Don’t choose a friend
based on how fun they are—ask your most responsible pal. Be sure they have your email address and
other ways to contact you.
o Find a course registration proxy (optional)
Web Registration should mean you won’t need a proxy for choosing classes, but with time differences it
could be a good thing to have as a backup. Considering the time difference between Madrid and
Northfield, you might have to get up earlier than usual to get the classes you want. Talk to the Registrar’s
office, Res Life, and OCS to make sure you’re familiar with both room and course registration processes.
o Pay your bills
Sign your loan checks, pay your phone bill, and do everything so that your proxy will be able to register
for you—rather than sending them on endless trips to the Business Office vouching for your good
intentions.
o Talk to your bank.
About ATM/Credit Card usage and being out of the country, as indicated above. Address change.
o Make copies!
• Passport - Make multiple photocopies and keep them separate from each other and the original.
Also copy your birth certificate and driver’s license. It may seem extreme, but these things will come
in handy if anything gets lost or stolen. Leave a set of copies with your family back home.
• Credit card - copy both sides of your credit card, write down your account numbers and expiration
dates, and contact information for your cards and bank. Leave a set with your folks back home and
keep a copy at your host family’s house.
• Insurance info – write down your insurance policy number and contact info. You’ll have CISI
through Carleton, but your usual insurance is good info to have, too.
• Consider taking pictures of your passport(s), identification, and insurance information to have on
your phone.
o How well did you pack?
Can you lift your bags? Is everything secure? Could you walk several blocks? Are your passport and
tickets handy? If the answer is no, fix these problems before leaving.
o Do you know where you are going?
Know your itinerary. Keep your plane tickets in an envelope with your flight numbers and exact
departure times written on the outside. Check this the day before you leave and the day you leave. Don’t
forget to consider time changes, especially if you have layovers.
11Allow ample time to find your gates, especially during layovers. Remember that you must check in early
for international flights (usually two hours or so ahead of time depending on the airline). Most airports
have maps on their websites, so it is easy to get a lay of the land. Plus, so many people speak English that
someone can help you if needed. And very important: be aware of new airline and airport safety
regulations.
o Are you legal?
You would be amazed at how many things can hold up a line, both when boarding a plane in the
U.S. and at customs on the other side.
• Have your passport and tickets ready at all times.
• Make sure you aren’t carrying firearms, flammable materials, meat, produce, large containers of
liquid, sharp objects, blades, drugs, or drug paraphernalia.
• Do not make any jokes with the customs/security officers about bombs/guns/etc. They’ll
definitely search you if you do. And that delay could cost you your flight.
Arriving in Madrid
A note about jetlag: Jetlag is your body’s response to rapid changes in time zones. Because you’re taken
out of your normal patterns of day and night, rhythmic activities like eating and sleeping are disturbed.
You might need a day of recovery for each time zone crossed.
You can minimize jetlag through prevention. Drink plenty of water, exercise lightly before and after
flight, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and get plenty of rest. As soon as you get to Madrid, adopt the local
times for meals and avoid sleeping during the day (except maybe a little siesta). Nap no longer than two
hours and try to go to bed at an early but reasonable time, say, after 9:30pm, if possible. I mean you’ll
probably want to get out on the town at 9:30 anyways :)
Getting from airport to your host family’s house
First of all, remember that this is the hardest part of the trip. It will only get easier from here.
The airport name is Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas or simply Barajas. Code: MAD
The cheapest and easiest way to get from the airport to your host family’s home is by metro. Before
departure, use an online map service such as Google maps to figure out what your closest metro stop is
(it should be within a few blocks of your home). You can take the airport metro line anywhere in the city.
Metro tickets cost 3-5 euros, depending on the zone. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Metro map
before landing in Madrid. Have an action plan of what you will do once you have landed.
Another option is to take a taxi. As of January 2014, the fixed fare between the airport and anywhere in
downtown Madrid is 30€ (around $42), including supplements. They cannot charge you over 30€! Also
note that, unlike the custom in the States, tipping is not a common practice in Spain. It may be hard to
get used to, but you don’t have to feel obligated to tip taxi or shuttle drivers like you would back home. It
is fine to give a little extra (1€), or to round up to the nearest euro, but it isn’t a cultural norm as it is in
the U.S. If you’re terrified about navigating the Metro and do not have any experience with using urban
transport systems, however, biting the bullet on this one may be the best option for you, especially
because you will likely be very exhausted and emotional after your flight.
For more information about the airport, including transport and access, go to
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Madrid-Barajas/en/Home.html.
12Meeting your family
The family stay is an incredible opportunity to build lasting friendships with some wonderful new people,
greatly improve your Spanish, and learn about Spanish culture first-hand. For some, however, the family
stay may feel like nothing more than a means to food and shelter. Family stay experiences are as varied as
the families themselves.
When you first arrive at your family’s apartment, they will great you with los dos besos as is customary in
Spain. Everyone will give you a kiss on each cheek, and you should do the same. (Men don’t usually give
each other los dos besos, but a firm handshake is always appropriate.) Your family will probably know
that you’ll be exhausted and after some introductory talk, they will let you unpack and get settled in your
room.
Your host family will want to hear all about you and your trip, your family at home, what you study, etc.
Consider having photos to share with when you arrive. This can be a good way to connect without
having to talk too much. Also, if you feel comfortable, leaving your door open is an inviting way to
welcome conversation and be more available to your family. Generally, the more you open up to them,
the more they will welcome you into the family. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, be assertive about what
you want, or say you don’t understand. Remember, they’ve just let a stranger into their home. The more
you assure them early on that you’re a normal, wonderful person, the easier it will be in the long run.
Finally, when you arrive, call Humberto and let him know you got in safely. He will also tell you if the
group will be meeting at any time before class starts and how to get to class from your house (beware of
the Vuelta a España cycling race. Some main streets get closed). This is one time where it would be okay
to use your family’s phone. Otherwise, try to make calls outside of the house because they are expensive.
Payphones, or cabinas, are around the city—ask your host-family where the closest one to your home is
located. Your family back home would also appreciate a call to know you arrived and are okay. If you
have your laptop, you can try pricing international calls with Skype and Google Voice (you can use them
to call cell phones and landlines for under 10 cents/minute, but service can be spotty), but Facebook
messenger is a great free option to call, videocall or message with your family on Wifi. Also, if you and
your parents use iMessage, you can use Wifi throughout the program to effectively communicate with
them.
Give it time / communicate
A little awkwardness is normal at the beginning of the family stay so don’t expect to feel at home right
away. After a week, if things seem wrong, you think your family is not honoring their contract with the
college, or if you’re not comfortable with your family, talk to Humberto. If problems don’t improve after
a week or two, it’s likely they won’t change drastically during the rest of your stay. You can switch
families relatively easily, so don’t hesitate if you’re unhappy—after all, you’re only in Spain for 10 weeks,
and you should feel comfortable where you are.
What to Expect from your Host Family
Your rights
While staying with your host family you have the privilege of being a part of a family, but at the same
time you are also a paying guest. This means your family will expect certain things from you, but you also
have the right to expect certain things of them. Your Carleton room and board will be used to pay the
family to provide you with your own room in the house, two meals a day (three on weekends), and
13laundry. If any of your accommodations are less than desirable, talk with Humberto and he will work
things out, and it is better if you do it at the beginning of the program rather than waiting too long.
Manners
As a guest in the house, you should be aware of your behaviors and how they affect your family. Be sure
to keep your room clean and help out around the house. It is important to insist on helping because your
madre will probably not let you lift a finger. Electricity and water bills are much higher in Spain, so turn
lights off and take reasonably timed showers.
Meal times
In Spain, mealtimes are a bit different from our traditional morning breakfast, noon lunch, and early
evening dinner. This may take some getting used to, but soon you’ll find it perfect for a student’s lifestyle.
Because you will have a stipend to eat one meal a day outside of the home (typically lunch), be sure to
discuss meal plans with your family so they will know when to expect you for a meal. When eating with
your host family be honest about which food you do and don’t like at the beginning of the program. If
your host family asks you how you like a dish and you don’t like it say so or they will continue to serve
you it.
Breakfast: it’s usually light. You’ll eat before going to class on weekdays (between 8 and 9 AM), and late
morning or whenever you wake up on weekends. If you need to eat more often, it is great to bring or buy
a snack between classes to survive the wait until lunch. The cafeteria has some cheap options that aren’t
bad, especially for a quick breakfast—but you’ll want to be eating at restaurants more often than the
Complu.
Lunch: served during the siesta period, typically between 2 and 4 PM any day of the week. It is often the
main meal of the day. You’ll usually go somewhere with friends after class to eat and it is an incredible
bonding opportunity in which students may talk about their experiences, practice their language skills,
vent, and go explore the city. Lunch can last anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the
restaurant, so enjoy it!
Dinner: a lighter fare, served between 9 and 10 PM.
Phone and/or computer use
Always ask before using the phone at your host family’s home. When you make calls, whether local or
long distance, be sure to use a phone card. If you are unsure of how the charges work on the cards, ask
your family to look at the card and its “toll free” number with you—some companies charge a
connection fee that will show up on your family’s phone bill. Try to find a phone card that eliminates that
hassle. Also, be sure to limit your calls to a reasonable length and don’t drive your family crazy
intercepting calls from your family and friends. If you need to have a long conversation, find a pay phone
nearby.
Even if your family has a computer, don’t rely on it for emails and paper writing; expect to do most of
your emailing and papers at internet cafés or at your local library, or bring your own laptop. Only use
your family’s computer if they offer and, even then, for a reasonable amount of time. Ask your family
about appropriate internet usage and be conscientious of your usage as your family may pay by the hour.
Bring a USB flash drive, as mentioned earlier, for printing (you can also print via email in some places but
having a flash drive makes your life easier). Usually for your classes, however, you will be submitting your
papers via email, but you will occasionally need to print. You can do this at Complutense (the university)
or in almost any local fotocopias around the city. PSA: You’ll need get to talk to people to print things!
14Laundry
As part of your room and board fee your family will provide you with laundry facilities. Most families will
not have dryers, but they will wash and line-dry your clothes for you. Talk with your family about how to
do laundry in case they expect you to do it yourself; most likely your family will insist upon doing your
laundry for you, and this is perfectly acceptable. Your family might have it sent out or have a housekeeper
who will take care of it. Be sure to have your laundry ready the day your family asks you to and don’t
hesitate to give specific instructions about cleaning care.
Bathing
During your home-stay you will most likely have to share bathroom facilities with the rest of the family.
Be considerate of the needs of the rest of the family and talk to your family about your schedule to
develop a routine that works for everyone. The cost of water in Spain is much higher than in the U.S. It’s
best to turn off the water while soaping up. Be considerate and don’t spend too long in the shower or in
the bathroom.
Visitors
You are not allowed to have any visitors over to your host family’s home, even if they are fellow Carleton
students. This may seem surprisingly strange, but in reality, you’ll be out in the fabulous city of Madrid
socializing in plazas and cafes mostly. If you would like to have a friend over, ask first. Your host family
might be thrilled to meet one of your friends, but they also might be more comfortable with you being
their one and only guest. Sleeping over with your boyfriend of girlfriend is extremely disrespectful—do
not even think about it.
Getting to Class
Getting to Universidad Complutense de Madrid (abbreviated to Complu or UCM)
Getting to Complutense is easy enough, but it is a large campus, so it is best to decide whether you want
to make the trek from the metro station or want to get on the busses that take you directly to the correct
building.
• The nearest metro stop is Ciudad Universitaria on the grey line
(Línea 6, El Circular). This is about a 10-minute walk to the
classroom.
• An alternative, often faster way to get to class is by bus from
Moncloa (El Circular and Yellow, Línea 6 and Línea 3) and
catch the 133 or 183 bus, which will zoom you in a matter of
minutes to the facultad. If these are full, the G or F buses also
work but are slower (make sure that these are in fact the correct
busses). The bus stop will normally have a long line of students
that will crowd in until the doorway is full. If this sounds like a
lot, it’s totally okay. The monitores will show you all this stuff
on the first day and eventually this will just become a habit.
Madrid transit is very reliable. Depending on where you live in the
city, it will take you 20-50 minutes to get to class. For more
information about transportation, see Practical Life in Madrid.
For more information about the school, go to https://www.ucm.es.
15Los Monitores
The role they play
The idea of “hired” friends may sound a bit strange, but having the monitores is super helpful as you get
acclimated to Madrid and one of the best parts of the program. They are incredibly excited to show you
what it’s like to be young in Madrid.
What to expect from them
They will go out with you on weekends, show you where the fun clubs are, go to movies with you, or
meet to talk about any problems you have with or need help on grammar and written work for classes
and even living arrangements. However, calling them only when you need help is definitely the wrong
approach. They expect to become your friend, not just a source of information and they want to show
you a good time, so be open to them and reach out to them. You’ll no doubt become very close to them
and remain in contact once back in the U.S if you reach out. Have fun with them! They are really
awesome people! Play Frisbee with them!
Practical Life in Madrid
Metro & Buses
Within the first week of the program, you’ll receive your “abono
transporte”, which is your Madrid Transportation Onecard. It’s a
monthly pass good for unlimited rides on Madrid’s busses, subways, and
Cercanías commuter train line and is good for 30 days after its activation.
Carleton will take care of getting you your first abono, which should last
through mid-October, but after that you’re on your own to renew it. It’s
easy and intuitive to renew and can be done at any metro station using
the machines that print tickets. If you have any trouble with your pass, the Madrid Metro staff is generally
very friendly and happy to help you when you ask nicely.
Madrid’s fantastic public transportation system makes it easy to navigate the city with lots of freedom.
There are two main public transportation options: the metro and the bus. You will take the metro all the
time. Madrid’s metro system is efficient and user-friendly. You can usually get anywhere in the city in less
than an hour. It gets you everywhere you need to go, and as long as there’s no huelga (strike), the metro
tends to run pretty smoothly. The bus is also a nice option because you’ll actually have a view of the city.
It can be a bit more complicated and take more time, but it’s definitely the right transportation choice in
some cases. Talk to your family about the routes that come by your house and experiment with the lines
that run around your house. Once you get your abono, traveling on the bus will be free, and it’s a great
way to get to know Madrid. Don’t worry about getting lost; that can be the most fun part of the trip!
Tip: The newer Metro lines are the higher numbers. They usually are lower in the ground and require more stairs, but the
trains themselves are nicer.
16The Buho is Madrid’s night bus and runs after the metro closes from 1:30 to 6 AM, ONLY ON
WEEKENDS. Buhos follow major metro routes and have stops along metro stations. They are a
cheaper option than a cab to get home late at night but can be tricky. Sometimes stops are hard to find,
or conductors get lazy and forget to announce bus stops. Riding the Buho requires some vigilance and a
lot of patience and can be scary the first few times you use them, but you get to see other jóvenes after a
night on the town. Taxis really are the simple way to get home after a long night. Split the fare with a
fellow student.
Ubers & Taxis
Ride-hailing apps are currently legal in Madrid, though there is
pressure for increased regulation. Apps you should know about:
• Cabify: can call either private cars (like Uber) or actual Taxis.
• FreeNow (aka MyTaxi): actual Taxis only ------------------->
• Uber: private cars only
• Lyft does not operate in Spain
The first two allow you to call actual taxis, which is good if you
want to support taxis without hassling with calling cab companies over the phone. Especially good for
scheduling cabs to the airport in advance, for example.
Pharmacies
The little stores with the neon green crosses are farmacias, where you can purchase everything from
Tylenol to tampons, facial cleanser to condoms. You can also get prescriptions filled. However, basic
toiletry items are not usually sold at pharmacies. For these items, try perfumerías, grocery stores, and El
Corte Inglés. Not all pharmacies are open all the time, but there should be signs or indications of where
you can find an open pharmacy. Pharmacists in Madrid tend to be knowledgeable and friendly. Don’t be
afraid to explain your symptoms to them and allow them to recommend a medication. If you don’t feel
confident about describing your symptoms, are having consistent health problems, or are confused by the
medical system, talk to Humberto or a member of your host family.
Libraries
Becoming a member of your neighborhood library is a really good way to obtain free internet (you can
get one hour for free) as well as access to books, magazines, and movies. To get a temporary library card
you’ll need your passport. The library at the Reina Sofía is a program favorite. It’s got a swanky modern-
art feel to it that makes you feel like an art student, even if you’re just writing in your diario. Complutense
also has a library on campus very close to your normal classroom.
Communication
Post office
To mail a letter or postcard, use the big yellow mailboxes (marked “Correos”)
located throughout the city, particularly in main plazas. Be sure you are
sending your mail to the right place—usually the mailboxes have one slot for
local mail and another for national and international mail. If you need to mail
a package home, this would be a good place to go; otherwise ask your host
family where the nearest post office is to your house. For mailing letters, you
can buy stamps at any estanco, just make sure to get international stamps.
17Internet
If your family doesn’t have Wifi (most of them do), internet cafés will be your fastest, cheapest, and
easiest source of contact with the world back home. They are easily located when traveling around Spain,
as well. In general, it’s a good idea to stay away from the bigger internet cafés, which are usually much
more expensive and can be a hotspot for pickpockets. Smaller places tend to be cheaper, safer, and more
personable. Internet will typically be free (with a purchase of something from the café), but may only
allow access for an hour or two at a time. If you want to work in a hipster place, some coffee shops also
have free Wifi, as well as McDonalds.
UCM Geografía e Historia has Wifi too, but it can be spotty depending what building you’re in. You can
also visit libraries of UCM besides that of Geografía e Historia.
Cell Phones
As described in Cell Phones, buying a prepaid SIM card is probably the cheapest and easiest option.
Remember to unlock your phone before going to Spain (just ask your phone company).
*As part of our commitment to health and safety, all students on Carleton OCS programs are required to
have a working cell phone capable of making and receiving both local and international calls throughout
the duration of the program. While we recognize that alternative communication methods can be free or
cheaper than cell service i.e. Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp, etc. those do not satisfy our need for regular
local communication with staff and partners nor do they meet our emergency communication needs.
Therefore, local cellular capacity on each student’s phone is required for the duration of the program.
Phone cards (Different than SIMs)
Since you’ll have a cell phone, you really will only need international phone cards. Still, both local and
international phone cards are sold at tobacco and newspaper stands. The cards come in increments of 5-
15 euros and some allow you to recharge them over the phone with a credit card. Depending on the card,
you can find international rates as low as 6 cents/min and as high as 15 cents/min. The only reason to
buy a phone card ahead of time in the U.S. is if you want to feel more secure in case of an emergency
upon arrival; otherwise wait until Madrid to buy phone cards because the rates are much better. Your cell
phone may be cheaper, but check rates.
Another option is to call from a locutorio, a center that offers international telephone service and internet
by the hour. Prices vary widely between locutorios, so shop around, but a cheap locutorio can be less
expensive than calling from a pay phone.
You probably don’t need to buy phone cards. Renewal can be done online or in-store as previously
mentioned.
Pay phones
All cabinas take change but you can also use a phone card. Telefonica pay phones have special local
phone cards that can be inserted into their phones for easy use. Many other types of local cards that
simply require you to call a toll-free number and punch in an access code are also available. Some
businesses have toll-free numbers you can dial from pay phones. Toll-free numbers are 900- numbers,
but not just any 900-number (i.e. 922 is not toll free).
18Engagement in Madrid
An important question to ask yourself is how you want to spend your free time in Madrid. You will have
plenty of free time to walk around the city and visit cafés/stores/museums, but it can also be fun to find
a group to connect with semiregularly. This may look like once or twice a week going to yoga classes,
joining board game group, regular bar visits with the monitores, etc. Although initially intimidating, the
earlier you join a group the better (you only have 10 weeks!). If you are nervous, invite a Carleton friend,
and realize that merely by showing up more than once people will begin to take an interest in you.
Ask Humberto, the monitores, host families, etc. for ideas of how to get involved. Also, don’t forget we
live in the age of the internet. There are countless groups of all types in Madrid. Find something fun!
Here are a few ways to get involved:
Meetup
Meetup is a website that helps groups of people with
similar interests meet each other. You can find groups that
play boardgames, play volleyball, hike, participate in
language exchanges, etc. Requiring minimal commitment,
open to all kinds of people, and often involving many
madrileños, this is an ideal platform for Carleton students
in search of groups to join!
Community Involvement
To get involved in the Spanish community, doing volunteer
work is a great way to make a difference in the community
and to gain more exposure to the nuances of the everyday
life of a madrileño. Here are some ideas to get you started:
• Carlos V (Metro: Barrio de la Concepción) – Students from years past have volunteered with after-
school programs at this elementary school (including ballet, theater, and circus programs for kids
aged four to twelve). The kids were adorable, the activities were really fun, and the supervisors were
really cool, one was even a street performer on the side. For more information email Almendra at
voluntariosapacarlosv@gmail.com or go online at http://apacarlosv.blogspot.com/
• Librería de Libros Libres (Metro: Bilbao or Alonso Martínez) – The librería is a donation-based “free
book store” run by an NGO called Grupo 2013. Their goal is to increase literacy and interest in
reading in Madrid, and they do this by offering access to a wide range of reading materials free of
charge, to anyone who wants them. Many of their volunteers offer workshops in their areas of
expertise (everything from basket- weaving to creative writing) that are free and open to the public.
Grupo 2013 is always looking for volunteers, to help with all sorts of things–shelving, web design,
cataloging, public relations, you name it. It’s a great community of smart, young people. Contact
info@librerialibroslibres.org
• Bakotas – A well-established program that encourages acknowledgement of and interaction with the
homeless in Madrid. This program meets at a number of locations throughout the city. Participants
prepare sandwiches (bocatas), and in small groups walk a routine path through the city handing out
19sandwiches and talking to the homeless. This is an excellent way to appreciate Madrid from a
different perspective as well as develop friendships with homeless and volunteers alike! The people
are wonderful.
Staying Active
In addition to watching sports in Madrid, you may be
interested in playing sports/being active in the city.
There are a number of ways you can do this. The
best and most affordable way to stay active is to walk
about Madrid exploring. But for more serious
workouts, one can join a gym (look around your
neighborhood for good gym options). Carleton
usually will subsidize your gym membership, up to a
certain price. Often, gym memberships will also give
you access to classes (like yoga, zumba, lifting, tennis,
etc.). The gym can be a fun place to make new
friends and work off your host mom’s paella. Some
students also chose to join sports teams in the city.
We found a Frisbee team called “Dulcineas +
Quijotes” that practiced a couple of times a week,
and rugby clubs called Cau Metropolitano
(masculino) y Sanse Scrum Rugby XV (femenino).
The fall term Complutense club teams generally don’t start until later into the program so they may be
difficult to join. If you’re willing to make sacrifices and make a commitment, however, it’s possible and
can be rewarding.
In general, opportunities advertised as open to “Erasmus” (OCS for Europeans) are often available to
you as a foreign student.
The resources and programs listed have a good reputation but be street smart when joining any group!
On the Town in Madrid
La Guía de Ocio comes out every Friday and only costs 1 euro at any newspaper stand. It is a good way
to be up to date with current info on eating out, art, theater, music, and everything else going on in the
city. It’s also available online. The free newspapers, Metro and 20 Minutos, also publish lists in their Friday
editions citing interesting things going on in the city.
Newspaper stands
In addition to selling newspapers and magazines from all over the world, these stands also sell metro and
bus passes, la Guía de Ocio, and some stands may sell phone cards.
20Shopping
• El Corte Inglés: a huge department/grocery/everything-you-could-imagine store that offers a huge
selection of anything you might be looking for. There are several in Madrid—each has its own
specialty. You can even purchase concert tickets on the top floor of one of the stores near Sol. This
chain is a bit pricey and has forced many small family-run shops out of business.
• Casa del Libro: Closest thing to Barnes and Noble in Madrid, multiple locations. If you can’t find a
book you need at an independent bookseller, this might be your best bet.
• Flying Tiger: Danish variety store chain. Sells household items and knick-knacks.
• Ale-Hop: Another chain, sells fashion accessories, gifts, and décor.
• FNAC: Sells movies, CDs, and books. The international literature section is on the second floor and
its books are reasonably priced. If you plan to use your credit card at FNAC be sure to bring your
passport because they will not accept other forms of ID. The store in Callao sells concert tickets, but
only en efectivo (cash).
• Zara: A chain of stores that sells fun clothes for everyday or going-out. You’ll see Zara shopping bags
all over the city—it serves as the major fashion trendsetter in Madrid and has huge turnover in their
inventory. Compared to other stores, Zara is also pretty reasonably priced. Most locations sell
women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing.
• Sfera: As cheap as Zara, but with more variety and panache.
• Topshop (Metro: Sol): Hip styles for girls straight from London. A little pricier than Zara but totally
worth it.
• Stradivarius: Cheap clothes, not always great, but worth it if you’re in a crunch and looking for club
wear.
• H&M: Cheaper than El Corte Ingles, good value for your euro, and with a number of trendy
selections for both men and women.
• Mango: Spanish brand similar to Zara and H&M, with slightly higher quality.
• Primark: a giant four-floor, super-cheap shopping extravaganza on Gran Vía—good for cheap style
and an impressive place.
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