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INTRODUCTION
- As you may know, no amount of information will
eliminate the "culture shock" you will encounter when you
find yourself at Puerta del Sol, or Plaza Mayor in the
heart of Madrid, or the Barrio Santa Cruz or Plaza de
España in Sevilla. Going to a foreign country for
the first time is an experiment through which hundreds of
millions of people go every year. Many of them have
traveled enough to adapt themselves quickly to the new
environment (language, culture, climate, food...). On the
other hand, some expect to find in the host country the
same cultural ingredients they left behind in their
native land, thus creating an unsurmountable problem.
However, even if one could be fully informed and oriented
on every detail regarding Spain, the only way to overcome
culture shock is by living the exciting adventure with an
open mind: you ought to make your own discoveries and,
sometimes, your own mistakes. Accordingly, this booklet
does not intend to be an all-inclusive handbook for GMU
students going to study at the Universidad Complutense
and Estudios Universitarios de Andalucía. Its aim
is simply to help you plan ahead, and offer basic useful
information. Please note, however, that some information
provided is always subject to change.
As you prepare yourself for this voyage, remember that
this experience abroad is not necessarily a vacation. It
is an academic program that requires a great sense of
social and personal responsibility. By being in Spain,
you automatically become an American messenger of good
will to the Spanish people. Thus, your attitude and
behavior are direct reflections on all Americans,
needless to say, on George Mason University. We are
confident that you will be an excellent Ambassador to
Madrid and Sevilla.
The author of most parts of this booklet, GMU
Professor Rei Berroa, has been the resident director of
this program during several years. A tireless promoter of
the Study Abroad experience, he has managed to convert
this program in one of the most attended by GMU students.
Please, read carefully these pages for they contain very
important advices for the experience that is about to
begin.
¡Buen viaje y que lo pasen muy bien!
Esperanza Román-Mendoza
Resident Director
THE UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE AND THE CURSOS DE
VERANO
- What was eventually to become the Universidad
Complutense de Madrid began in 1293 as Studium Generale
in one small village called Compluto by the Romans
and Al kala en el Uhar (today Alcalá de
Henares) by the Arabs. In the 15th century, the pope
Calixt III established three Chairs for Latin Grammar,
and in 1499, the pope Alexander VI approved the change of
status to University, which had been supported by the
Cardenal Cisneros. The new university was called
Universitas Complutensis. In 1836, the University was
moved to Madrid and renamed Universidad Central. In 1943,
its name changed to Universidad de Madrid.
Finally, in 1970 the University recovered its original
name, Universidad Complutense. Nowadays the Universidad
Complutense is placed under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Education of the Comunidad de
Madrid.
The Universidad has 19 facultades, covering the
humanities, sciences and several professions. It grants
the degree licenciado in all Facultades (5-7 years) and
the doctorate by thesis. In addition to faculty, school
and college libraries, its main library consists of circa
1,000,000 volumes. Full-time faculty number about 9,000,
with a student body of about 200,000.
Additionally, the Cursos de Verano para Extranjeros,
in which you are participating, is an annual staple of
intensive instruction of the Spanish language, culture
and literature, organized and administered by the
Facultades de Filología, Geografía e
Historia y Filosofía.
-
EUSA: ESTUDIOS UNIVERSITARIOS Y SUPERIORES DE
ANDALUCIA
- Founded in 1961 in Sevilla, Spain, as a private
institution offering instruction on Journalism, Tourism,
and Business Studies, EUSA is a fully accredited Spanish
College under the patronage of both the Ministry of
Education and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Today, EUSA has an enrollment of about 1500 students,
most of which study Tourism. The main campus consists of
two buildings located in the heart of Sevilla: the first
on Calle Isabela 3, and the second in the historic Barrio
de Santa Cruz, a ten-minute walk to the Cathedral
(world's largest gothic church) and its Moorish tower
known as La Giralda, the oldest and largest surviving
Almohad minaret in the world. Both buildings offer study
areas to accommodate 80 students comfortably, a computer
lab with about 30 terminals, a library equipped also with
CD-ROMs, a video room where 40 students can seat
leisurely, and an auditorium. EUSA has also purchased a
group membership at a local sports facility for all
students enrolled in its programs. This sport area
contains a swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer fields,
and a few zones designated for running and aerobics.
-
SYLLABUS: SPANISH LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND LITERATURE
IN MADRID
-
- OBJECTIVES
To study the Spanish language and culture (undergraduate)
and Spanish literature and linguistics (graduate) under
immersion conditions at one of Spain's most reputable
universities: Universidad Complutense de Madrid. This
program carries a six-credit undergraduate or graduate
academic load.
DESCRIPTION
- A welcome meeting will be held the first day of class
at 9:30 in the Paraninfo (Main Lecture Hall at the
Edificio A). Immediately after, a language placement test
will be administered to assist in placing you in one of
the following corresponding levels: beginning,
elementary, intermediate, and advanced. Students in the
Curso Superior (graduate level) do not take this test;
they go directly to their first lecture.
PART I
- The course will consist of three class periods daily
in the Spanish language or linguistics, culture and
literature (9:00-12:10 Monday- Friday). Please note that
the language laboratory will be used at the beginning and
elementary levels. Your schedule should be as follows:
CURSO GENERAL
- 9:00-9:50 Gramática (Teoría)
- 10:00-10:50 Gramática (Práctica)
- 10:20-11:10 Comprensión y expresión
oral y escrita
CURSO SUPERIOR
- 9:00-9:50 Literatura del Siglo de Oro: Cervantes /
Gramática del español: estructuras y
usos / Pervivencias del 98 y del modernismo en la
literatura española actual / Variedades
lingüísticas: la lengua española en
América.
- 10:00-10:50 La novela histórica
hispanoamericana (s. XX) / Semántica
española / Judíos y conversos en la
literatura española / Metodología de la
enseñanza del español como lengua
extranjera / Español coloquial /Español
de América.
- 10:20-11:10 Rafael Alberti: El poeta y su mundo
literario / Español coloquial / Comentario de
textos literarios modernos / Evolución
histórica del español.
After class (at 12:10) you are required to
attend the following lectures:
- 1.- Advanced Level: Lecture Series:
- The '98 Generation: Historical Context and
Literary Creation.
- Pablo Picasso: Diary of a Genius.
- The Crisis of 1898 and the Spain of the 20th
Century.
- Spanish Music and Folklore.
2.- Intermediate Level: Spanish Culture (films and
lectures).
3.- Beginning and Elementary Level: Conversation
class.
Remember that you have to attend classes. In this
particular, the Universidad Complutense is strict: if you
miss four classes (not four days of class) you will be
given an F. No questions asked. Please do not take
unnecessary risks.
At 13:10, I recommend to attend the optional lecture
series on these topics:
- Keys to Spanish Contemporary Culture.
- Survey of Spanish Contemporary Literature.
- Music and Folklore in Spain.
- Sociological Aspects of Present-day
Spain.
PART II
In addition to part I, several activities, tours and
excursions are offered to enhance your knowledge and
understanding of the Spanish culture. Your active
participation in these activities is of utmost importance
for it constitutes 25% of your final grade. Upon arrival
you will receive further details regarding the exact
dates and times of such events.
A. EXCURSIONS
Excursions by bus are organized every Saturday. These
excursions are conducted by professors from the
Universidad Complutense. You will visit different towns
or sites of historic and artistic interest such as:
Segovia
and La Granja (or
El
Escorial),
Toledo,
and
La
Ruta del Quijote. These excursions are part of the
course, thus, you are required to participate. If you
choose not to attend in order to join an alternative
university or personally organized excursion, you must
receive prior approval.
B. CITY TOURS
Guided tours will be conducted to better introduce you
to some of the most fascinating historical sites and
museums of Madrid. In the past, these tours took place
every Thursday during the late afternoon. These include:
Visita al Madrid de los Austrias, al
Museo del Prado y
al Madrid de los Borbones.
C. CYCLE OF SPANISH CINEMA
Each Tuesday in the evening at the
assembly
hall of the central building (where classes are
conducted), there are Spanish movie presentations. The
movies vary in theme, but have a particular historical,
literary or social interest. Guided discussions are
conducted immediately thereafter.
D. CULTURAL VIDEOS
Every Wednesday and Friday afternoon, you also have
the opportunity to attend the cultural video series on
Art, History, Language and Literature.
REQUIREMENTS
Upon entering your corresponding level, you will
receive further instruction from each professor regarding
homework, assignments, quizzes, papers and final exams.
You are required to successfully pass each class and
participate in the cultural events in order to receive
GMU credit.
FINAL GRADE
Pending on successful completion of the above
mentioned requirements, your final grade will be the
average of all four grades given by your professors. This
will constitute 75% of your GMU grade. The remaining 25%
will reflect your participation in the previously
mentioned activities (Part II). I must emphasize that
your final grade is a resident credit grade, thus, it
will be entered in your grade report with a letter value
[A, B, C, D, F].
All assignments must be completed within the four-week
time frame. Under NO circumstances will GMU accept an
INCOMPLETE grade.
The Universidad Complutense de Madrid gives the
following certificates to qualifying students:
Certificate of Attendance for those who have
regularly attended classes, Diploma-Certificate in
Spanish for those who successfully pass all final
examinations, and Certificate in Spanish Language and
Culture for those in the advanced levels who have
passed an exam in Spanish and the exams on those subjects
discussed in the lecture series.
-
SYLLABUS: SPANISH LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND LITERATURE
IN SEVILLA
- OBJECTIVE
To provide students with practical knowledge of the
Spanish language, and offer them insights into the
complex contemporary and historical aspects of Spanish
culture. This program carries a three-credit
undergraduate academic load.
DESCRIPTION
PART I: The course consists of two class periods (75
minutes each) in the Spanish language (8:30-11:15
Monday-Friday) and one class period (120 minutes) on the
culture of Spain and Andalucía (11:30-13:30
Monday-Friday).
LANGUAGE: 25 hours of instruction devoted to
conversational practice with emphasis on the vocabulary
needed for survival or advanced functioning (depending on
the student level) in specific social situations: the
post office, the telephone, around the house, stores and
markets, seeking medical help, traveling, among others.
This component, along with the students stay with host
families, should increase the students' ability to
function well in a variety of social situations.
Instruction in practical Spanish will be complemented by
considering three important elements of Spanish cultural
life: Spanish and American stereotypes, the history and
art of flamenco, and the cultural components of
bullfighting.
CULTURE: 20 hours will be devoted to class lectures on
different topics: The history of Spain, the educational
system of Spain, the political and economic structure of
modern Spain, the Spanish mass media and the historical
monuments of Andalucía, especially Sevilla. The
diverse cultural heritage of modern Spain will be
presented to students through guided visits to the
Cathedral,
the Royal Palace, the Museo de Bellas Artes, as well
as the ruins of Itálica and
La
Mezquita in Córdoba.
PART II
In addition to Part I, several activities, tours and
excursions are offered to enhance your knowledge and
understanding of the Spanish culture. Your attendance to
these activities is of utmost importance for it
constitutes 25% of your final grade. Upon arrival you
will receive further details regarding the exact dates
and times of such events. Saturday, August 1, visit to
the ruins of Itálica (leaving from Bus Station at
Plaza de Armas at 9:00). Sunday, August 2, visit to
Córdoba (leaving from Bus Station at San
Sebastián at 8:30). Saturday, August 8 visit to
Granada (leaving from same Bus Station).
REQUIREMENTS
Depending on the number of participants you might have
one or two levels for all students in the program. Upon
entering your corresponding course, you will receive
further instruction from each professor regarding
homework, assignments, quizzes, papers and exams. You are
required to successfully pass each class and participate
in the cultural events in order to receive GMU credit.
FINAL GRADE
Pending on successful completion of the above
mentioned requirements, your final grade will be the
average of all grades given by your instructors. This
will constitute 75% of your GMU grade. The remaining 25%
will reflect your attendance to and active participation
in the previously mentioned activities (Part II). I must
emphasize that your final grade is a resident credit
grade. No incomplete grade requests will be honored.
-
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR BOTH PROGRAMS
- REQUIRED READING:
- Berroa, R.Guide for Studying Spanish Language,
Literature & Culture. George Mason University:
Center for Global Education, 1996. (Rev. by
Román-Mendoza, E., 1998)
If you go to any bookstore in any metropolitan area,
you will probably be overwhelmed by the amount of travel
guides you will see on Spain. Since you must get one of
them, I suggest anyone of the following:
- 1997 Let's Go Spain & Portugal. New
York: St. Martin's Press, 1996. ISBN: 0312146663.
$17.99. Originally started by the Harvard University
students in 1960, this book has become "the" budget
guide for travelers (first-timers or veteran
explorers).
- Insight Guide: Spain. Boston: Houghton
Mifflin Company, 1996. Published by the APA Insight
Guides team (London), this book won the coveted 1995
Vega Inclán award from the Spanish Ministry of
Tourism for its accurate and insightful information on
Spanish history, life and culture. Superb photos by
Joseph Viesti.
- Porter, D. et al. Frommer's Spain. New
York: McMillan, 1997. ISBN: 0028612027. $19.95
- Porter, D. et al. Frommer's Bercelona, Madrid
& Seville. New York: McMillan, 1997. ISBN:
0028611594. $11.96
- Fodor's '98: Spain. New York: Fodor Travel
Publications, 1997. ISBN: 0679035389. $19.50.
Published since 1936, this guide has been called by
Newsweek "the king of guidebooks." The guide offers a
useful and concise overview of Spanish history and
culture.
Other texts will be assigned per instructors'
request upon arrival. You can purchase assigned texts
in the bookstore on the ground floor of the Facultad
or visit one of the many bookstores located throughout
the city. Please note, however, that most instructors
will provide the necessary handouts and photocopies at
no expense.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Besides the classical works written by:
- Ernst Hemingway: For Whom the Bell Tolls [At
Fenwick Library Call # PS3515.E37 F6 1987] , and
The Sun Also Rises [At Johnson Center Library
Call # PS3515.E37 S8 1954a],
- Graham Greene: Monsignor Quijote,
- Washington Irving: Tales of the Alhambra
[At Fenwick Library Call # PS2052 1991],
- André Malraux : Man's Hope [At
Fenwick Library Call # PQ2625.A716 E713 1938],
- and George Orwell: Homage to Catalonia [At
Fenwick Library Call #DP269.9 .O7 1952a],
there are non-fictional books that might help you make
your experience of Spain much more rewarding. Here are
just a few:
- Castro, Américo. The Spaniards: An
Introduction to Their History. Transl. by Willard
King and Selma Margaretten. Berkeley, CA: University
of California Press, 1971. In this book the author
combines two previous works on the Spanish people and
how they have become what they are now.
- Crow, John A. Spain: The Root and the
Flower(An Interpretation of Spain and the Spanish
People). Berkeley, CA: University of California Press,
1985. This monumental work is, above all, a study of
the character of the Spanish people and their
civilization.
- Fuentes, Carlos. The Buried mirror: Reflections
on Spain and the New World. Public Media Video,
1991. [At Fenwick Media Library Call # DP96 .F84 1991]
This collection of five videocassettes (59 min. each)
was written and presented by world-known author Carlos
Fuentes on the ocassion of the 500th anniversary of
Columbus' voyage. Fuentes looks for his forebears in
the mix of people that created Latin America.
- Hooper, John. The Spaniards: A Portrait of the
New Spain. New York: Penguin Books, 1987. Study of
the social conditions endured by the Spanish people
during the 20th century.
- Perceval, Michael. The Spaniards: How They Live
and Work. New York: Praeger, 1973. Although you
will have plenty of time to experience how the
Spaniards live and work it might help you to take a
look at this book to get ready for the "labor" shock
you might suffer in Spain.
- Sieburth, Stephanie A. Inventing High and Low:
Literature, Mass Culture, and Uneven Modernity in
Spain. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1994.
[At Fenwick Library Call # PQ6144 .S54 1994] This book
studies the relationship between the arts, especially
literature, and the politics and culture of Spain
during the 20th century.
I highly recommend that you bring your own
dictionary [try not to make it too concise].
-
HOUSING: EL COLEGIO MAYOR
- Neither the Universidad Complutense nor EUSA have
housing accommodations of their own. In Sevilla, students
will be housed with families carefully selected by the
College. In Madrid, there are residential facilities at
several Colegios Mayores, former seminaries, available to
students enrolled at la Complutense. Our program will be
housed at:
Colegio Mayor Colombiano Miguel Antonio Caro
Avenida Séneca, 6
Ciudad Universitaria
28040 Madrid
SPAIN
Tel: 011 [341] 394-1008
The fax number at the Colegio is 011 (341) 394-1059.
Although you can receive a fax sent to you at the Colegio
(please recommend discretion to the people who would like
to contact you), the administration will allow you to use
the fax machine only in an emergency).
The rooms in the residence are small, but adequate.
Students have their own individual room which contains a
twin size bed, a desk and chair, a tall book shelf, a
large closet with a small two drawer dresser, and a sink
and mirror. Sheets, a pillow, and a thin blanket are
provided. Limited laundry services are available free of
charge if you bring your cloth Monday before 15:00.
Clothes are washed, dried and ironed in two or three
days. Clean sheets are given every Monday provided you
have taken the dirty ones to be washed. This laundry
service is located in the basement. The entrance is
across the hall from the cafeteria. Be sure that you
label each article of clothing with your room number and
put all your articles in a plastic bag with your room
number and name on the bag. Please note, they do not wash
undergarments. The residence also has a washer and dryer
on the third floor which works properly most of the time.
The washing machine requires 200 pesetas and the dryer
takes 125 pesetas. You may also wish to wash some of your
clothes by hand in the community showers, located on each
floor. There is a large washing tub sufficient to wash
almost any article of clothing. On the first floor of the
residence you will find a large lounge for socializing,
studying, and eating, among other things. A bar, where
one may buy all sort of drinks, ice cream, sandwiches and
snacks, is also on the first floor around the corner from
the cafeteria. On the second floor you will find the
library, TV lounges, the clinic and administrative
offices.
Three meals a day are provided at the Colegio Mayor:
desayuno, comida y cena. Upon
arrival you will be given the meal schedule. You will
also receive a meal card that will be good for the entire
four weeks. For each meal, one of the servers will punch
a small hole in your card. Be extremely careful not to
loose your card. You will be charged 1,000 pesetas for
another card. The residence is also equipped with a
telephone service which allows you to make outgoing calls
from the lobby and take incoming calls at the phone
booths located in the hallway of each floor. Should you
receive a call at the Colegio Mayor, the receptionist
will ring a buzzard located in the wall of your room.
When the buzzer sounds, you must quickly go to the phone
booths in the hallway and answer the phone that is
ringing -it should be for you! If you happen to receive a
call while out of your room, the receptionist will
announce that you have a call over the intercom system.
Explain your friends or relatives how to pronounce your
last name in Spanish.
There is always a receptionist on duty at the entrance
of the lobby. Each day, as you leave the Colegio, you
should drop your room key at the front desk to avoid
loosing it. You may exit and enter as you please;
however, after midnight the main entrance is locked for
your safety. If you plan to be out past that time, you
will need to ring the doorbell and wait for the
receptionist to answer. In addition, should you receive
any calls while being out of the Colegio, the front desk
will often take messages for you. Should you wish to have
your buzzard sound as wake up call each morning, you need
to arrange it each night.
From the Colegio Mayor you can take the bus U to go to
the building where the classes take place.
You can find a map of the whole campus of the
Complutense at:
http://www.ucm.es/info/vicrint/mapas/ciudadu.htm, and
the part corresponding to the Colegio Mayor at:
http://www.ucm.es/info/vicrint/mapas/ciu6.jpg.
The part corresponding to the Edificio A (class location)
is at:
http://www.ucm.es/info/vicrint/mapas/ciu2.jpg.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE LEAVING FOR
SPAIN...
-
PACKING
- Pack LIGHT!!!! Bring no more than what you can carry
alone. In July, the weather is hot and dry; loose
clothing would be most appropriate. If you are sensitive
to the heat and sunshine, it is recommended that you
bring sunscreen, a hat and/or sunglasses. Pack one dress
outfit just in case. Also, it is essential to bring a
comfortable pair of walking shoes.
As bed linens will be provided, it is only necessary
that you pack a towel and face cloth. Toothpaste,
shampoo, etc., can be purchased cheaply near the
university, so don't weigh down your suitcase! Although
taking any type of electrical appliance is discouraged,
if you must pack such equipment, you will need to have a
transformer or voltage converter (110 to 220); remember
everything in Spain is in 220 volts. The flat-pronged
American plugs require round pronged converters to fit in
the socket. If you are taking medication, be sure to
bring a sufficient supply for the four or six week
period. Other recommended items for packing are: a money
belt, your international phone card and a small battery
operated alarm clock. DO NOT FORGET to bring your AIRLINE
TICKET, PASSPORT, INTERNATIONAL STUDENT I.D. CARD, EIGHT
PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOS (USED FOR CLASS REGISTRATION) AND
MONEY. If you are an American citizen entering Spain as a
tourist, you will be allowed a stay of up to 90 days. If
you are not, call the Spanish Consulate and check with
them about the need for a visa.
-
MONEY
- If you want, change a portion of your cash into
pesetas before you leave the U.S. With a few days
advanced notice, these can be purchased from any
commercial bank. You might expect an exchange rate of
about 150 pesetas per dollar (you can check the following
WWW address to obtain an updated exchange rate:
http://www.oanda.com/cgi-bin/travel
.
Keep other funds in travelers cheques. Keep the serial
number copy separate from the cheques themselves, and
always carry your money secured to your body. If you
didn't change anything, don't panic: right at Barajas
Airport there are two banks available. In the past, their
exchange rates were as good as in the city.
It is a good idea to bring your American Express, Visa
or Mastercard should an emergency arise. These credit
cards are accepted almost everywhere. They can be used to
obtain cash from most banks (must show passport) and the
automatic teller machines, provided you have a pin
number. Phone numbers to report lost cards can be found
in the phone directory included at the end of this study
guide.
You can also bring your ATM card. Debit cards can be
used to obtain cash from most of the automatic teller
machines, distinguished with the logo PLUS, provided you
have a pin number.
In Spain practically all banks change foreign currency
and travellers cheques (there's always a fee). You can
also change money at currency exchange shops, CAMBIOS,
the American Express Office (Tel. 322-5500), hotels,
major department stores and shops frequently visited by
tourists (although rates are not as good as in the bank).
An American Express Office is located at Plaza de las
Cortes, 2, and a CAMBIOS is located at Calle
Alcalá, 20. Most banks are open from 9:00 to 14:00
weekdays and 9:30 to 12:30 on Saturdays. Note that, in
the past, banks had a better exchange rate for travellers
cheques. Don't forget to bring your passport when
exchanging money. The Banco Central Hispanoamericano,
about a block from the Facultad, always had a better
exchange rate than any other bank in the city.
...ONCE YOU HAVE ARRIVED IN MADRID
-
TRANSPORTATION
- Since you are responsible for getting yourself around
Madrid, it will be to your advantage to become familiar
with the public transportation system. Please note that
you must get your own transportation from Washington to
the Colegio Mayor. You should be informed on how to go
from the Barajas International Airport to el Caro or el
Colombiano, as the Colegio Mayor is known among students.
In case you don't have this information and your
knowledge of the language is fragmented, here are three
ways to find your way around: If the taxi driver is not
familiar with the location of the Colegio Mayor, tell
him/her that it is in Moncloa on Avenida Séneca, 6
(the neighborhood where the Universidad Complutense is
located) across from Parque del Oeste. In Spanish:
Lléveme al Colegio Mayor Colombiano que
está en Moncla, en la Avenida Séneca, 6
frente al Parque del Oeste. Es el tercer edificio a la
derecha, entrando por Avenida Arco de La Victoria.
This ride should take about 20 minutes and should cost
between 3,000 and 4,000 Pesetas ($20-25).
If the price differs too much from this estimated
price, don't hesitate in asking for a receipt that should
be written on official paper with the plate number and
the taxi's license number.
A much more economical way to arrive to the Colegio
Mayor is by taking the City-Airport bus (LINE 89) to
downtown Madrid. When you exit the airport, to your
right, you will see a sidewalk sign with a little
airplane or bus drawn on it. The bus departs from there
every 12 minutes. Cost: 370 pesetas, 15-20 minutes. Take
it to the underground Colón terminal (last stop).
Taxis meet the buses right there. Explain the taxi driver
your destination. The 7-10 minute ride will cost what is
on the meter (800-1,000 Pesetas plus surcharges for
suitcases, normally 100 pesetas).
If you don't have much luggage, you might want to take
advantage of a longer but quite cheaper trip: Get off the
Airport bus at the second or third stop (at the beginning
of Avenida de América), the entrance to the Metro
(Avenida de América stop) is almost in front of
you (a diamond red sign with the word METRO on it).  Purchase a ten-trip
METROBUS (670 pesetas; if you purchase only one trip it
will cost you 130 pesetas) and go in the direction of
Laguna (Línea 6, Grey Line - Circular) and get off
in Moncloa.
Directions in the Metro are easy to read and understand,
but if you are confused, ask people passing by, most are
willing to help. Exit the subway toward Ejército
del Aire, toward Parque del Oeste. When you are out, you
should see a very busy street on your right (Calle
Princesa), in front of you to your right an Arch of
Triumph, in front of you to your left, the Parque del
Oeste. Cross the street in front of you as you look at
the Parque (Paseo de Moret), enter the Parque, stay on
the sidewalk with Parque del Oeste to your left and a
tall, cilindrical tower (el Faro de Madrid) to your
right. Go all the way to the end of the Parque, turn left
on the next street (Avenida Séneca). The third
building to your right is the Colegio Mayor Miguel
Antonio Caro. Takes time (about one hour), but it is a
good way to try to absorb the culture shock!
Downtown Madrid is compact and dense and, like most
madrileños, you will walk from one end to the
other. Greater Madrid, on the other hand, is huge, but an
efficient metro, taxi and bus service will take you
quickly where you want to go.
TAXIS
If you need to take a taxi, make sure that you use the
official Madrid taxis, which are white with red stripes
painted transversally across the doors and have the
Madrid coat of arms. If you are carrying luggage, you
will be charged about 100 pesetas in addition to the fare
shown on the meter for each piece of luggage. On Sundays,
holidays, and after 23:00, there is a further 150 peseta
surcharge.
Taxis are easy to get. They are available if they
display a green libre sign on the windscreen (a
green light at night). A meter on the dashboard indicates
the fare. One can find them at the Parada de Taxi
indicated by a large white T against a dark blue
background, or in main thoroughfares, or requesting them
by phone. For taxi pickup, call Radio-Teléfono
Taxi, tel. 547-8200; Radio-Taxi Independiente, tel.
405-1213 or 405-5500; or Teletaxi, tel. 445-9008.
METRO
The best way of getting around the city is via the
Metro system. There are 120 stations, which can take you
just about to every corner of the city. It operates from
6:00 to 13:30 and it costs (1998) 130 pesetas for one
journey (one way) regardless of where you go. It is
highly recommended that you purchase a METROBUS good for
10 bus or metro trips for 670 pesetas (1998). If you are
claustrophobic, avoid the metro during the rush hours:
8-9:30, 13:30-14:30, and 20-21:00. Be aware: there is no
airconditioning in most Metro cars and people also tend
to push and almost sit on top of you during these hours,
so keep calm and secure your belongings!
For Metro information call 435-2266 or visit the
following WWW pages:
BUS
Due to traffic conditions, the Madrid bus system is
not as fast or comfortable as one would like it to be,
but the bus ride is certainly more enjoyable than the
underground ride in the Metro. The 150 lines of the EMT
(Empresa Municipal de Transportes) cover the whole city.
Buses have the number (or letter) of the bus line and the
first and last stop posted on the front. Bus stops are
clearly marked with signposts showing the number and
route of each bus. Tickets cost 130 pesetas in both the
red and yellow buses. You enter from the front and pay
the driver with change or a note (try to avoid large bank
notes to pay for a single ticket). When you want to
leave, get close to the rear door and press the buzzer. A
METROBUS, good for 10 trips, can be purchased for 670
pesetas, at any metro station, at any tobacconist
(estanco), at most newspaper stands, and at any bus
information booths at Puerta del Sol, Plaza Callao, Plaza
de Cibeles, etc. The closest booth to the Colegio Mayor
is the one located at the end of Calle Princesa in
Moncloa. [Don't see it? Ask, people like to help.] There
is a slotted box behind the driver's seat where you
insert your Bonobus. Buses are in service from 6:00 to
midnight. After midnight until 6 there is the night bus
service (these buses are called Nocturnos or
Buhos), running normally on the half hour (from
12:00 till 2:00) and on the hour (from 2:00 till 6:00)
from strategic points of interest: Cibeles, Sol, Plaza
Mayor, etc. You can get city bus information by calling
tel. 401-9900.
MONTHLY TRANSPORTATION CARD
The Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid offers
different monthly cards valid for the metro, bus and
train system. People under 21 pay 2,965 pesetas for the
whole metro and metropolitan bus system (ZONE A). People
between 22 and 64 pay 4,275 pesetas for the ZONE A. You
can get more information by calling 580 45 40.
-
GENERAL INFORMATION
- MONEY
The nacional currency of Spain is the peseta. Bills of
1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 are currently in
circulation. Coins are made in denominations of 1, 5, 10,
25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 pesetas.
- BUSINESS HOURS
Although some offices are adopting a standard 9:00 to
17:00 work day, shops usually have a morning and
afternoon schedule, with a break between 14:30 and 17:00
for the long lunch
Shops are open from 9:30 to 13:30 or 14:30 and then
reopen again in the afternoon from 16:30 to 20:00. Most
are closed on Saturday afternoon and Sundays. However,
the major department stores like El Corte Inglés
and shopping centers like La Vaguada are open without
interruption six days a week, 10:00 to 21:00. By law, all
shops are allowed to open a fixed number of Sundays a
year.
POSTAL SERVICES
Most post offices are open from 9:00 to 14:00 on
weekdays and from 9:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Stamps may
also be purchased in tobacconists (estancos),
which are distinguishable by their deep red and gold sign
with the word Tabacos. Besides cigarettes and
stamps, they sell bonobuses, phone cards, paper, pens,
envelopes and postcards. You can even have your letter
weighed there in order to know how much postage it will
require. You can place your stamped mail in any of the yellow mail boxes that you
will find in the city.
If you are planning to send packages, it is highly recommended
that you go to a post office. If you go to the main one, located at the
Palacio de Comunicaciones, you will enjoy a
beautifully decorated XVIII Century Palace. It is located
at Plaza de Cibeles, open Monday through Saturday 9:00 to
22:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00, and 17:00 to 21:00.
The closest post office to the Colegio Mayor and the
Edificio A is located in Avenida Complutense, right in
front of the Metro station Ciudad Universitaria.
In addition, you can send mail from the ICI building
(Instituto de Cultura Hispánica), located at Reyes
Católicos, 4 in Moncloa. It is within a ten-minute
walking distance from the Colegio Mayor.
TELEPHONES
Coin operated telephone booths are everywhere. To
operate the phone you can use 5, 10, 25, 100, 200, and
500 pesetas coins. A three-minute local call from a
public phone costs 18 pesetas. In addition, many
telephone booths operate by inserting a phone card that
can also be purchased at the estancos. They can be
used for local and international calls. Be aware that you
are given a time limit for each call you make -- TALK
FAST!
To make a direct call from Madrid to the U.S., first
dial 07 and then wait for another dial tone before
dialing 1 + area code + telephone number. Phone charges
are expensive, so try to limit these calls. To call the
U.S. with an AT&T, MCI or Sprint calling card from a
phone booth, dial 900 9900 11 for AT&T, 900-99-0014
for MCI or 900-99-0013 for Sprint, then give the number
you are calling and the calling card number. It is
cheaper to call before 8:00 and after 20:00.To make a
collect call from a non-public phone, dial 005, state the
number with appropriate country and city codes and your
name. Then hang up and wait. When the call has gone
through, the phone will ring. To call to Madrid from the
U.S., dial 011-341 + telephone number. Keep track of hour
differences (Peninsular Spain has Eastern time +6 hours)
to get better rates. You will be charged European rates
(expensive) when calling from Madrid, so just use the
phone for real emergencies.
For international calls, it is better to go to the
offices of Telefónica at Gran Vía, 30, open
daily from 9 to midnight. There is a Telefónica at
Plaza Colón (right behind you if you stand at
Paseo Castellana facing the Biblioteca Nacional), and at
Gran Vía, 30. At these offices you will find
telephone directories for Madrid and telephone booths for
all major international long distance services (MCI,
AT&T, SPRINT, etc.). Also at these offices you can
send and receive faxes at an economical rate.
The following numbers may be helpful:
112 Centralized emergency numbers
061 Medical Emergency
010 Madrid Municipal Information Hotline
003 Telephone Information (Spain)
008 Telephone Information (Europe)
089 Telephone Information for the rest of the world
005 Operator Assistance for international calls
091 National Police
092 Municipal Police
519 2100 VISA - MasterCard
572 0303 American Express
093 The Time
094 The Weather
095 News in Spanish
096 Wake-up service
098 General Information about city streets, bus service,
on duty pharmacies
061 Emergency and medical attention
401 9501 REAJ (Hostelling Services) Calle José
Ortega y Gasset, 71
543 0208 CEU-TIVE (office of student services including
traveling). Calle Fernando El Católico, (Metro:
Moncloa)
328 9020 RENFE (National Railroad System: train
reservations)
Estación de Charmartín 300 6969
Estación Principe Pío 541 2225
Estación Puerta de Atocha 396 9180
Estación Sur de Autobuses 468 4200
Estación de Auto Res 551 7200
Estación Continental 533 0400
577 4000 American Embassy located in Calle Serrano, 75.
(Metro: Rubén Darío)
566 5477 Tourist Information located at Plaza Mayor,
3
902 202 202 The Tourist Line provides information on
hotels, campsites, inns and other forms of lodging as
well as the best travel offers and where or how to make
reservations. They are not allowed to arrange
accommodations for you.
Be aware that some of the previous phone services are
more expensive than a normal local call.
NOTE: Throughout the summer, the city's tourist
information service is available in the street at the
main tourist crossroads: Puerta del Sol, Plaza de la
Villa, Paseo del Prado, the Royal Palace. Look for groups
of young men & women in yellow uniforms.
MEDICAL CARE AND ASSISTANCE
In Madrid, these are some of the following hospitals
that have 24 hour emergency rooms:
- Hospital Clínico
- Hospital Ramón y Cajal 336 8313
- Hospital La Paz 358 2600
- Hospital Doce de Octubre 390 8000
- Hospital Gregorio Marañón 586 8500
The Dental Clinic for an emergency is located on the
6th floor of Calle Juan Bravo, 44 (tel. 402 6421 or 402
6422). It is opened 24 hours.
Pharmacies are the places where you buy your
prescriptions. You can identify them by a big white sign
with a flashing green cross. They are open Monday to
Saturday from 9:30 to 13:30, and re-open from 17:00 -
21:00. Selected Pharmacies are open during night time,
holidays and Sundays (farmacias de guardia). The
list of these emergency pharmacies change every week, and
can be found on the door of every pharmacie, or by
calling any of the following numbers: 098 or 010.
TAX REFUND
In Spain, the sales tax (IVA=value-added tax) ranges
form 7% to 16%, depending on the merchandise or service
rendered. As a tourist, you are elegible for a refund
of the IVA on single purchases of more than 15,000
pesetas. The seller should provide you with a receipt
detailing the value, tax and nature of the purchase. This
receipt has to be stamped by customs upon departure from
Spain or the last European Union country you visit before
departing. Return one copy of the receipt by mail to the
establishment where you purchased the item, authorizing
them to pay the refund to your credit card (this is the
easiest way to receive the money back). Be aware that the
customs officer may ask you to show the items purchased.
SPORT FACILITIES
Universidad Complutense:
A Student ID will be given to students during the
registration on arrival. This card will allow students
the same advantages as the Spanish students have, i.e.:
access to libraries, sport facilities, and travel
discounts. La Complutense has many sport complexes
located in different place on campus. Access to sport
facilities is free except to the swimming pool, the
tennis fields, saunas, and changing rooms. More
information on prices and location can be obtained by
visiting the WWW site
http://www.ucm.es/INFOCOM/servcamp/deportes.htm.
The closest complex is the COMPLEJO DEPORTIVO ZONA SUR
(Tel: 394-11-69).
City Sport Complexes:
Madrid has a lot of City Sport Complexes located throught
the city, which are provided with different sport
facilities. Prices vary depending on the sport. For
example, a 20 -entry for a swimming facility costs 7,500
pesetas.
-
ADDITIONAL RECCOMENDATIONS
- If traveling out of the city, be sure to always have
your passport. While in the city, it is sufficient to
just carry a photocopy of your passport. Be careful to
keep all of your belongings close to your body, and when
in the city, never walk alone. Enjoy yourself to the
fullest, and take advantage of the wonderful social
atmosphere that Madrid and Sevilla have to offer. The
nightlife is exciting and the cultural and historical
sites will overwhelm you. But you can't come back to the
United States without having paid at least one visit to
El Prado (if you
don't, this will be considered a mortal sin),
el
Museo Reina Sofía, la colección
Thyssen-Bornemisza, the Parque del Retiro, the Plaza
Mayor, and the Palacio Real in Madrid or to the Catedral
and La Giralda, the Barrio de Santa Cruz, and La Plaza de
España in Sevilla.
National Museums don't charge entrance fees on Saturday
from 2:30 to 19:00, Sunday and bank holidays from 9:00 to
14:00. Students usually pay less in all museums, so don't
forget to carry always your Student ID with you.
You can get information on cultural events, politics,
sports, etc. in Spain checking the most important Spanish
newspapers on the WWW:
Upon arrival, you will continue to receive more
information regarding museums, nightclubs, excursions and
other amusements. Don't miss out on all the fun, and look
forward to what will be an exciting summer program in
SPAIN!!
There is the possibility of staying at the Colegio
Mayor, at your own expense, if you arrive before
the program begins (June 28). If that wouldn't work, here
is a list of places you might consider (Prices from 1997)
All of them,
except the Albergue, are in the heart of downtown Madrid.
[Remember that some places will charge you an extra $3
for a shower]:
Albergue Juvenil Santa Cruz de Marcenado
(Youth Hostel): C. Santa Cruz de Marcenado, 28.
Metro: Argüelles. Located around the student
district. If you haven't reserved in advance, you must
arrive early in the morning (open at 9:00am) and hope for
the best. About 1,500 Ptas. You need the HI card to be
able to stay in here. [To obtain your HI card you can
call in the US 1-800-444-6111.] The Albergue is the most
economical place to stay in Madrid (Tel. 547-4532).
Hostal Residencia María del
Mar: C. Marqués Viudo de Pontejos, 7, 2nd and 3rd
floor (tel. 531-9064). Metro Sol. Singles 1,900 Ptas.,
Doubles 3,400 Ptas.
Hostal Residencia Paz: C. Flora,
4, 1st floor (tel. 547-3047). Metro: Sol or
Opera. Singles 2,500 Ptas., Doubles 3,700 Ptas. Triples,
with shower, 5,500 Ptas.
Hostal Marbella: Pl. Isabel II, 5,
2nd floor (tel. 547-6148). Metro Opera. Singles 2,400
Ptas., Doubles with shower 3,700 Ptas.
Hostal Amaika: C. Esparteros, 11,
3rd and 4th floor (tel. 531-5278) Metro Sol. Free luggage
storage. Singles 1,900 Ptas. (w.s.: 2500Ptas.), Doubles
w.s. 3,800 Ptas.
Hostal Aguilar: C. San
Jerónimo, 32, 2nd floor (tel 429-5926) Metro Sol.
A nicer hostal in the area. Singles w.s. 3,400 Ptas., w.b.
3500 Ptas. Doubles w.s. 4,500 Ptas., w.b. 5,500Ptas.
Triples and Quadruples available. AccePtas Visa.
For more information contact:
- Prof. Esperanza Román-Mendoza
235A Thompson Hall
Department of Modern & Classical Languages
George Mason University
Mail Stop # 3E5
Fairfax, VA 22030
eromanme@gmu.edu
Tel: (703) 993-1232 / Fax: (703) 993-1245
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