Salamanca
Chueca
La Latina
Malasaña
Museo del PradoPlaza Mayor
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
Complutense University of Madrid
Palacio Real
Parque de la Bombilla Museo Sorolla
Parque de Berlin
Puerta del Sol
Café Comercial
Vicente Calderón Stadium
Campo del Moro
Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Avenida de América
Parque del Retiro
Museo Reina SofíaMadrid Atocha Railway Station
www.ef.comImportant Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.
LanguageCourses AbroadFor adults and students aged 16 & above
EF International Language Centers
Accreditations and Memberships
The EF International Lan-guage Centers in London,
Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol
and Bournemouth are:
EF Dublin is accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers
in the USA are members of:
The EF Interna-tional Language
Centers in the USA are accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers
in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by:
EF Nice is recognized with the Label Qual-ité Français Langue
Etrangère.
EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited by Languages Canada.
All EF Courses are certified by Southern
New Hampshire University.
EF Education is an active participant in
the Comité Européen de Normalisation.
The EF International Language Centers
in Brisbane and Perth are
members of:
The EF International Language Centers in
Cambridge, München, Cape Town and Nice are
accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge,
Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bournemouth are
members of:
All EF Courses are recognized by Hult
International Business School.
Federation of International Youth
Travel Organizations.
MadridA lively city, Madrid enjoys an unsurpassed social
scene found in its many sidewalk cafes, tapas bars
and nightclubs. The EF school is located in an
elegant residential quarter, convenient to the most
important sites.
Contact details:EF Escuela Internacional de EspañolMaría de Molina, 41 28006 Madrid Spain Phone: +34 91 781 65 83
Section Topic
1 .......... Introduction to EF
2 .......... Welcome to Spain
3 .......... Weather watch
4 .......... Travel & transfer service
5 .......... School information
6 .......... Academics
7 .......... Accommodation & meals
8 .......... Money matters
9 .......... Phones, faxes & Internet
10 ........ Health care & insurance
11 ........ School activities & excursions
12 ........ Transportation
13 ........ Expectations
14 ........ Spanish culture & living tips
15 ........ Adjusting to a new culture
16 ........ EF school calendar & holidays
17 ........ Checklist
Contents - Madrid
Dear Student
Welcome to Madrid! Thank you for choosing to study
at EF Escuela Internacional de Español. During your
stay in sunny Spain, we will do our very best to make
your stay with us enjoyable and easy.
We have a lot to offer you here in Madrid. The school
is in a good location in a lively area of Madrid with
excellent sports facilities nearby. Enjoy studying with
us in the 3rd biggest city of Europe and capital of
Spain, with plenty of opportunities waiting for you and
also with the warmest and most hospitable people
you will ever meet.
The school staff and I look forward to meeting you
soon and helping you make the most of a complete
immersion in our culture. Madrid will exceed your
expectations!
Best wishes,
Chus de Llano,
School Director
EF International Language Center, Madrid
4 Madrid, Spain
2. Welcome to Madrid, SpainMadrid is the biggest city in Spain and the
3rd largest in Europe in terms of population
after London and Paris. It is a cosmopolitan,
warm and welcoming city and a melting pot of
different nationalities and cultures. Madrid is
also the world capital of the Spanish language,
a language that is becoming an essential tool
in a growing number of disciplines (already
spoken by more than 400 million people
worldwide.) As financial capital of Spain,
Madrid offers numerous professional train-
ing programmes in national and multinational
leading companies.
Madrid has so many exhibitions, shows and
an endless array of artistic initiatives and leisure
activities (shopping, dining out, clubbing) that the
students feel a total immersion in the Spanish
culture since the beginning, helping them to
improve their language skills. Furthermore, it is
home to some of the most renowned institu-
tions, aimed at nurturing and promoting the
Spanish language, such as the National Library
or the Cervantes Institute. We must also men-
tion the cultural heritage provided by El Museo
del Prado, Reina Sofía and other magnificent
museums.
Madrid also has the privilege of being geo-
graphically situated in the center of Spain,
allowing the student to visit many other Spanish
cities in just a few hours by public transport
(bus, plane, high-speed trains).
3. Weather WatchThe climate of Madrid is dry and sunny. Its
continental climate is characterised by extreme
temperatures: July and August are absolutely
scorching, but the short and intense cold winter
(between December and February) surprises
many visitors.
The little rain that falls on Madrid is mainly
between October and November and also during
the spring (from March to May).
Having planned a trip to Madrid, we must bear in
mind that autumn and spring are also very mild
and pleasant seasons. Average temperatures:
Summer between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius,
Autumn between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius,
Winter between 2 and 10 degrees Celsius and
Spring between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius.
There is a 5 degree temperature difference
between the day and the night. Please pack
accordingly!
Due to this continental climate, seasons are
strongly differentiated, resulting in amazing skies
and landscapes, especially the sunsets.
4. Travel & Transfer serviceTransfer service
Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can be
confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer service
from the airport to your accommodation for an
additional fee. We highly recommend that you
take advantage of this service.
At least one month before your arrival, you
must inform the EF Office in your home country
of the exact details of your flight (airline, flight
number, date and time).
Independent arrival
It is very easy to get to the city from the airport.
There are several options (please note that
prices are subject to change):
❚ Take a taxi to your homestay or to the Stu-
dent Residence. Taxi fares from the airport
usually cost 25-30€. There is an airport
supplement of 4,50€. Do not get into a taxi
unless it has been booked for you by EF or
you have agreed to a price beforehand as it
will be very expensive. Besides by law the
1. Introduction to EFEF Education First, welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world to learn a language at our schools, also located all over the world. Our innovative curriculum uses an intensively structured academic program, along with an array of educational and social activities, resulting in a fast and fun way to learn a language.
EF students come from diverse back-grounds that, like you, have chosen an academic language program to enhance their skills and improve their career pros-pects. Many of you will have been planning this for many years and it is now time to take advantage of this opportunity!
A large percentage of our students ap-ply their new language skills by taking a recognized exam. Successful completion provides the necessary language qualifi-cations for university and for professional endeavours. Many students view their time with EF as a chance to explore educational alternatives whilst honing language and study skills.
A great aspect of an EF program is the variety of nationalities at our schools. We welcome you to join this international com-munity where you’ll experience life and language with EF. We take great pride in our continuing dedication to our mission – breaking down barriers of language and culture.
5 Madrid, Spain
cabs must have a “taximetro” (counter) and
the taxi driver must turn it on when you enter
in the cab. PAY ATTENTION to this important
detail in order not to be deceived
❚ If you are travelling light, you can take the
tube, a modern, secure and cheap option.
In around 45 minutes you will be in any place
of the city. Cost 1, 50 € single ticket plus 1
€ airport supplement. For more information
www.metromadrid.es
❚ There is also an airport bus, which will take
you downtown to Avenida de América (just in
front of EF school) for 1,50€. From there, you
may take a taxi to your homestay. It will cost
approx. 10-15€.
IMPORTANT: Please always advise your EF
office or your homestay hosts of your expected
arrival time. This will allow your hosts to plan
their day accordingly and to make sure some-
body is there when you arrive.
5. School InformationOur EF Madrid school lies in the exclusive
northest quadrant of the city, in front of one
of the main public transport hubs of the city,
which includes 4 tube lines and more than 40
bus route lines (city and regional). It is because
of this, that in less than 20 minutes you can
be in any part of the city departing from the
school. The neighborhood is the renowned
“barrio de Salamanca”, exclusive and luxuri-
ous where Loewe, Gucci and all other big
and exclusive brands are located. It is also a
very traditional and old fashioned area with a
local market and hundreds of typical bars and
restaurants ranging through all categories and
prices.
A very competent staff of teachers, Housing
and Administrative Coordinator, Activities Coor-
dinator and School Director that love Spanish
culture and Madrid city, are here to assist with
questions and concerns.
The unique and emblematic glass building in
which the school is housed, is an icon in the
city. A fully modernized building with state of
the art design and facilities and a nice private
outdoor area that students can enjoy, even
in Winter (partially covered). The school is
provided with:
❚ Reception (always staffed)
❚ Classroom with multimedia facilities
❚ Language lab with 16 pc’s
❚ Multifunction room for presentations, confer-
ences or special events
❚ Wi-fi
❚ Internet bench
❚ Student lounge
Students can eat lunch at the cafeteria in front
of the school with special EF prices and ter-
race all year around.
Staff
The School Director can help with anything
that has to do with the general organization
of the course and will deal with any problems
of a serious nature. She can also help with
administrative problems such as banking, visas,
course changes and insurance as well as with
more important academic matters such as class
changes and examinations.
If You Need Help
❚ Questions about your course can be
answered most easily if you ask the right
people. The following people are always
ready and willing to help.
❚ The Accommodation Coordinator can help
with homestay problems and financial ques-
tions.
❚ The Activities Coordinator is responsible for
entertainment, sports, travel and other non-
academic events. They can give you sugges-
tions of what to do in your spare time.
❚ Teachers and Course Advisors can help with
any language difficulties or study problems.
❚ Homestay hosts can help with domestic and
general problems about life at home.
6. AcademicsThe EF academic programme gives students
the opportunity to study the Spanish language
and the local culture for as long and with as
much intensity the student wishes and best
adapts to his or her needs. All students will at-
tend grammar, listening, speaking, reading and
writing classes.
First days at the school
On your first day of school, you will be wel-
come at 9:20 a.m. (winter time) and 8.50 a.m.
(summer time) by the School Director, and you
will be given a test lasting approximately 1.5 to
2 hours; this will allow us to allocate you to the
right level.
Orientation
Orientation is a very important part of your
course. It is when you first meet your class-
mates and where friends are made. It is your
first introduction to the staff. You will also re-
ceive your personalized study timetable, details
on the study centre, recreational activities and
information about Madrid.
Spanish teaching programmes
Classes will be divided according to levels.
Our teaching staff will make sure that you are
placed at the right level. Please note that Busi-
ness and Exam courses are only available for
students of an intermediate to advanced level.
All classes are taught in Spanish. Please also
note that promotions to higher levels are based
on class performance, attendance and teach-
ers’ comments.
Tests
You will take a placement test on arrival. Your
progress is monitored, amongst other things,
by 2 weekly tests covering all the skills: gram-
mar, vocabulary, reading, writing and oral
comprehension.
Official Diploma de Español como Lengua
Extranjera (DELE) exams
Depending on students’ interests and levels,
we offer DELE preparation options. There
are three levels – from Lower Intermediate to
Advanced. Exam dates are usually in May and
November. Students interested should contact
either their local Spanish Consulate for details
or their local EF office.
Course Certificates
At the end of your course, you will receive a
certificate. You will also receive an academic
record referring to the progress you have
made. However, please note that these certifi-
cates are only given to students who have at-
tended courses regularly. It is important to note
that in order to be eligible for an EF certificate,
students are expected to participate in class
and must attend at least 80% of all classes.
Special Interest Options
General and Intensive courses include a num-
ber of special interest class options. After the
initial placement test, you will have the chance
to specify your preferences for these special
6 Madrid, Spain
interest classes. Some of these classes require
intermediate or advanced Spanish proficiency.
Also, a minimum number of participants are
required for each special interest class to take
place. The Director of Studies will discuss
your particular needs and wishes with you. All
General and Intensive courses include special
classes on phonetics and additional Intensive
Language practice.
Course books
As part of your academic program, you’ll be
expected to buy the books and classroom
materials that you will use in class. The exact
number of books that you’ll need is determined
by your academic level, progress and choice of
special interest classes. If you wish to buy ad-
ditional books you may need more money. The
books you buy are yours to keep, write in and
take home with you for future reference.
Lessons
All lessons last 40 minutes and are always
taken in Spanish, including the beginner’s level.
The basic study classes are taken in blocks of
two lessons.
Timetable
The school’s timetable changes during the
year, depending on enrollments. Students will
either have a combination of morning and
afternoon classes during their stay, or a morn-
ing or afternoon schedule only. The applicable
schedule will be confirmed during the orienta-
tion on the first day.
7. Accommodation & MealsFor your comfort and safety, please observe
the following rules in your homestay accom-
modation:
❚ The taking of drugs is strictly forbidden.
Students not respecting this rule will be sent
home immediately at their own expense.
❚ No animals are allowed in the rooms.
❚ No open flames (candles, cookers, etc.) are
allowed in the rooms.
❚ No alcohol is allowed in the rooms.
Homestay accommodation
If you are staying in one of our carefully chosen
homestays you should arrive at your host’s
home between 17.00 and 19.00. If you cannot
arrive at this time please inform your hosts of
your arrival time so that someone will be there
when you arrive. Any special requests for ar-
ranging additional nights should be confirmed
with your home office prior to departure. In a
city as large as Madrid, homestays can be up
to one hour’s travelling time from the school.
Meals: Homestay accommodation includes
breakfast and dinner at home seven days a
week and full board at the weekends. You
are not allowed to use the kitchen to cook.
However, you can put food, water or sodas in
the refrigerator. You will have meals with your
hosts at their set meal times. Please be sure to
call your hosts if you are going to be late or if
you are not going to be home for a meal. Please
also respect your host’s privacy at lunchtime
by eating before returning to their home after
school. Note: Lunch and dinner times are very
late in Spain compared with the rest of Europe.
Lunch is generally after 14.00 and dinner after
21.00. During school days it is usual practice
to have a second breakfast/snack at the 11.30
break in order to keep you going until lunchtime
for prices between 4-6€. Please do not wash
any clothes in the bathroom and dry those in
your bedroom, instead, please ask your hosts
where their laundry room is.
Note: Most homes in Spain are not air-condi-
tioned our homestays are no exception.
Inviting friends: Please ask your hosts before
you invite friends to their home. Please do
not expect your hosts to serve meals to your
friends.
Damages: Should you cause any damages to
your host’s property, please inform them imme-
diately and settle the matter directly with them.
EF acts only as a mediator between student
and hosts and cannot assume responsibility for
any damages caused by you.
Telephone: Do not use your host’s telephone
without asking them first. If you want to make
a call to your own country, try to reverse the
charges (in Spain this is called a “llamada a
cobro revertido”), or ask your family to call you.
Keys: You will most likely be given a key to
your host’s home. Please keep it in a safe
place. If you lose it, you may have to pay for a
new lock, which can be very expensive!
Accommodation Questions: Should you feel
unhappy with your homestay, please try to dis-
cuss any problems with them. You may suffer
from “Culture Shock” because the Spanish may
have different ways from your own country.
Room: Generally you will share your room with
an EF student of a different nationality, although
we are not able to guarantee this. You will be pro-
vided with a bed, bed linens, closet space, and
towels for home use. You will also have access to
a desk or table which may be in another room.
Bathroom: You will use the host’s bathroom
facilities. Please be considerate of your host’s
habits when using the bathroom.
Laundry: Your homestay hosts will wash your
sheets and towels. However, they are not
responsible for doing your personal laundry
(although some families may offer to do this for
you anyway). An information sheet will be given
7 Madrid, Spain
to you at the school with a list of launderettes
that you can use; the price per wash can
differ from what you would be charged at the
homestay. However, if you have any serious
problems and are still unhappy after the first
week, you should contact our EF staff who
may be able to find another homestay for you.
If you wish to change your accommodation
in any way during the course you must give
the EF staff seven days notice. If you do not
respect this notice period, you may be subject
to a penalty fee.
8. Money MattersCurrency
The currency in Spain is the Euro. The symbol
for this currency is €. The euro is divided into
100 cents (sometimes referred to as euro-
cents, especially when distinguishing them
from other currencies).
Banknotes come in denominations of €5, €10,
€20, €50, €100. They will each be a different
color to allow you to tell them apart more eas-
ily. Coins come in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c,
10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2.
Spending money
We advise you to take about 100 to 125€ per
week in spending money, although this truly
depends on what you choose to do during
your leisure time. You should bring most of
your money in traveller’s cheques or credit
cards, as well as about 100€ in cash for when
you first arrive, including, some small change
for telephones, lockers and bus tickets. You
will also need to take money for learning
materials used in class and for any language
proficiency exams you plan to take.
Only carry as much money as you need for
one day – remember that thieves exist every-
where in the world! The safest way to carry
money is traveller’s cheques. Many places also
accept major credit cards.
Changing money
Foreign money cannot be changed at the
school, but please ask staff where you are able
to change money or traveller’s cheques.
Credit cards
We strongly recommend that students travel
with either a Visa or MasterCard. Credit cards
enable you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms,
and do various activities, which may be more
difficult with cash or traveller’s cheques.
9. Telephones, fax & InternetTelephone
On your first day at the school, you’ll get in-
structions on how to use a payphone and how
to phone your home country. We remind you
that you should not use your homestay host’s
telephone to call your family, as there is no way
of checking the total cost of the call. Depend-
ing on the length of your stay we recommend
buying a local Spanish mobile phone. You will
receive information about this on arrival.
Fax
All EF schools use fax machines to conduct
business. You can send and receive faxes from
this machine. When you receive mail or faxes
at the school, these will be kept at the front
desk for you until you pick them up.
Internet
The school is equipped with Wi-Fi wireless
Internet. Students are highly encouraged to
bring their personal laptop computers for email
and Internet use on the wireless network.
Students are also able to access the Internet
and email in the computer centre according to
the timetable set by the school.
10. Health Care & InsuranceWe strongly recommend that you take out a
comprehensive health insurance policy before
leaving for Madrid. An insurance policy will
cover you in case of illness while away from
your home country and is available through
your local EF office. If you have any health
problems during your stay, please alert your
homestay hosts or the EF staff at the school,
either one can put you in touch with a doctor.
❚ If you do have to see a doctor during your
stay, you should:
❚ Keep copies of all bills
❚ Keep all prescriptions or make copies
❚ Fill out an EF Insurance Claim Form if you
have purchased Erika Travel Insurance (forms
available upon request at the school).
Mutual Health Insurance Agreement
Students from Austria, Iceland, Norway, Belgium,
Israel, Poland, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Finland,
Liechtenstein, Sweden, France, Luxemburg,
Switzerland, Germany, Morocco, Tunisia, Greece,
Netherlands, United Kingdom, Former Yugoslavia
have a mutual health insurance agreement with
Spain. We recommend that students ask their
health insurance in their home country for an E
-111, -106 or -109 form.
Even students from the above countries
should consider purchasing a supplementary
insurance, since this mutual agreement covers
them only for basic treatment by the first avail-
able doctor. A supplementary private insurance
like Erika Travel Insurance entitles the student
to a wider choice of treatments, doctors,
health services available more quickly, and
preferential conditions for hospital stays.
Third Party Liability Insurance
Please make sure that you have third party
liability insurance. Particularly for long-term
students, this is a condition for obtaining your
visa from the local authorities.
Please inquire at your local EF office prior
to departure, as this type of coverage may
already be included in your policy IF you have
purchased student travel insurance through EF.
Erika Travel Insurance
Because security is EF’s number one priority,
we have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-
made travel insurance package for EF students
with Erika Travel Insurance, an international
insurance expert. The policy protects you
against expenses incurred through accident
or illness, and provides coverage for loss or
theft of baggage and personal effects. It also
provides coverage against interruption of your
EF program due to illness as well as liability
and legal expenses.
The EF staff is trained to assist with your Erika
Travel Insurance questions and claims. When you
are sick or injured the last thing you want to do is
deal with such issues. Let us help you!
11. Activities & ExcursionsExtracurricular activities contribute greatly to your
social and academic success. They not only help
you to relax after a day studying, they also provide
you with an opportunity to meet and make friends
from other classes, other countries and other cul-
8 Madrid, Spain
tures. Your school’s activities and trips give you
the opportunity to apply your life skills, practice
Spanish in real situations and familiarize yourself
with the Spanish culture.
Activity Programme
You will have the chance to take part in a
programme of sports, activities and excursions.
They are organized by the Activity coordinator at
a minimum cost to the student.
Madrid offers a tremendous range of cultural
and recreational activities. At the beginning
of every second week you will be informed of
the programme planned two weeks ahead.
This programme will include activities and
suggestions on how best to spend free time.
Madrid offers many exhibitions, shows and an
endless array of artistic initiatives and leisure
activities that our activities coordinator will talk
you through. Please note that most excursions
and activities require a contribution from the
students and a minimum number of partici-
pants to run.
Some examples:
❚ Visits within the city of Madrid: 0-7€. (Exam-
ples: Prado Museum, Almudena Cathedral,
Palacio de Oriente, Parque del Retiro…)
❚ Full-day excursions: 35-50€. (Examples:
Segovia, Toledo, Alcalá de Henares, Aran-
juez… )
❚ Two-day excursions: 200-400€. (Examples:
Sevilla, Córdoba, Málaga, Barcelona, Bilbao,
la Rioja, Skiing, weekend on the beach)
Sports
EF students are able to use a huge public
sport center (5 minutes walking from the
school) which includes: indoor and outdoor
swimming pools, solarium, tennis, badminton,
paddle and multi-sport courts, sauna, physio-
therapist, dance, swim and other lessons and
a gym.
Membership Fees: 30€ monthly unlimited use.
If you want to take lessons in any sport there
is an additional fee, the amount depends on
the sport. You can find out more information
once you are in Madrid. There are other special
areas where students can practice outdoor
sports such as skating , biking, jogging, etc. as
the Parque del Retiro and the Casa de Campo
are close by. For further information, all you
have to do is ask in reception.
12. TransportationPublic transportation
The public transport system in Madrid is very
good. A detailed bus and metro map will be
given to you upon arrival. The EF staff will also
inform you on ticket prices. The best course of
action for the first week is to buy a card with
ten single trips (9,30 €).
The closest metro stop to the school is Ave-
nida de América (L4,L6,L7,L9, bus lines 12 29
52 72 73 114 115 122 200 C1 C2 )
Cars
We do not recommend that you bring your own
car to Madrid. It is a very large city with dense
traffic and parking is limited and costly.
13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of a new expe-
rience. Remember that many of your expecta-
tions may have been formed by the unreal
world of TV and movies. Arrive at your course
centre with an open mind!
What you can expect from EF:
❚ Supportive staff available for guidance and
encouragement.
❚ Language programme which combines lan-
guage, special interest, and culture-oriented
classes.
❚ Full programme of local activities and excur-
sions at special EF rates.
❚ Accommodation in a homestay.
❚ All designated meals.
❚ EF Academic Year Abroad Diploma for
Academic Year Abroad students with 80%
attendance per term and good academic
standing and academic records
❚ EF Course Certificate for International Lan-
guage Students with 80% attendance and
good academic standing.
❚ Preparation classes and/or materials for ap-
propriate standardised language exams
What EF expects of you:
❚ To develop a greater understanding of the
world around you.
❚ To attend at least 80% of all classes and to
do your best in class at all times.
❚ To be respectful of your homestay hosts,
your classmates, your teachers, and your
community.
❚ To keep your room and shared areas clean.
❚ To speak Spanish at all times.
❚ To abide by all laws, rules, and regulations of
your host country and school.
❚ As a representative of your country, com-
munity and school, the highest standards of
responsibility and behavior are expected
What you can expect from your
homestay hosts:
❚ A comfortable, clean place to live.
❚ Prepared meals or accessibility to food to
prepare yourself according to the meal plan.
❚ Access to the school in approximately one
hour by public transportation. All transporta-
tion costs are your responsibility.
What your homestay hosts expect of you:
❚ Treat the family members of your homestay
and their property with respect.
❚ You will be responsible for a reasonable
9 Madrid, Spain
amount of chores/housework
❚ No refunds will be granted for students who
choose to leave their homestay for personal
reasons
❚ You must observe “quiet hours” if and when
they are established by your homestay hosts
❚ You must abide by all rules listed in the
homestay contract (where applicable)
Rules and regulations
You will be required to abide by all local and
national laws as well as any rules of the EF
school. Violation of these rules will lead to a verbal
warning and possible disciplinary action by the
School Director. Any student who ignores a verbal
warning will be given a formal written warning, a
copy of which will be sent, when appropriate, to
the formal legal guardian. Any further breaches of
the rules may be followed by expulsion from the
programme. In the case of serious misbehaviour,
you will have to return to your home country at
your own expense. You will be required to sign a
copy of these rules prior to your departure, which
will be explained again at orientation.
National laws
❚ Everyone must carry identification at all times
❚ Drinking and purchase of alcohol is prohib-
ited under the age of 18
❚ Under the current visa legislation, non-EU
students are not permitted to undertake
employment in Spain
❚ Students under 18 may not enter some
discos
❚ Remember that you are legally governed by
the laws of Spain. If you break these laws,
your consulate cannot offer you free legal
assistance or bail you out of jail. You are con-
sidered responsible for your own actions.
EF International Language Center Rules
❚ In accordance with immigration regula-
tions, non-EC students may not accept paid
employment
❚ If you leave the programme during the
course of the year, EF International Language
Centers have the right to revoke your student
visa and advise you to return home
❚ You must notify the School Director and your
homestay hosts if you plan to travel indepen-
dently of EF and if you will be away overnight
14. Spanish culture & living tipsPassport and visa issues
You will need a valid passport. In addition,
you may need a student visa, depending on
the length of your stay. Please check with the
Spanish Embassy in your country.
The Schengen Visa (very important for non-
EU students on the Multi-Language Year
Programme or any non-EU students intending
to travel after or during their programme in the
Schengen states).
The following European Countries participate
in the Schengen programme: Austria, Belgium,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxem-
bourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
and Switzerland.
If applicable, a Schengen Visa issued by a
consulate of one of the countries mentioned
above allows the holder to travel freely through
all of the countries. For any non-EU students
who are not normally required to hold a visa
for individual stays of up to 90 days in one
Schengen country, but who will be staying for
a consecutive period of more than 90 days
in the Schengen countries collectively, either
a Schengen visa or a valid visa from each of
the countries to be visited is required. In either
case, the visa application(s) must be complet-
ed before you leave your home country, and
cannot be applied for through the consulate
in one of your host countries. In other words,
you will not be eligible to apply for a visa from
outside your home country, and would need to
return home in order to obtain the appropriate
visa in person.
If you intend to visit only one Schengen coun-
try, you must apply at the consulate of that
specific country.
❚ If you intend to visit several Schengen coun-
tries, you must apply at the consulate of the
country, which is your main destination.
❚ If you intend to visit several Schengen
countries, but do not have a main destination
or you will be staying the same amount of
time in each of them, you must apply at the
consulate of the country you will enter first.
❚ If you do not need a visa for the Schengen
country which is your main destination,
please note that a visa may be required for
other Schengen countries. You should then
apply for a visa at the consulate of the coun-
try you will enter first.
❚ To apply for a Schengen visa, you will need:
❚ To appear in person at the visa office of the
Consulate General closest to you. You must
submit the application form, available through
the consulate, and a recent passport-size
photograph. Please inquire with your local
consulate to see if more than one copy of the
application form, or multiple photos will be
necessary in your particular case, which may
vary depending on the countries you intend
to visit during your stay.
❚ To present to the visa office your passport
which must be valid at least 90 days over
your expected stay, proof of residency in
your consular jurisdiction, a valid round trip
ticket for transportation, and proof of financial
means to support yourself during your stay.
You should also bring the acceptance letters
from each of the schools you will be attend-
ing in the Schengen countries, specifying
dates of attendance. If you will be travelling
to another destination following your stay in
the Schengen countries for which you are
required to hold a separate visa, you will also
need to present this visa when applying for
your Schengen visa. Further documentation
may be requested from you by the consulate,
particular to your application.
*Fees will vary, please inquire at the time of
your application.
EU citizens who will be staying for a con-
secutive period of more than 90 days in Spain
must sign up in the local police station. Once
arrived, school staff will explain how to do this
easy procedure.
15. Adjusting to a New Culture The EF community is more than a group of
students who have come together to learn
Spanish. It is also a multi-cultural group of
young adults who are eager to share their
own culture and learn the culture of their host
country and fellow classmates.
One’s culture is made up of values, beliefs,
arts, traditions and practices of a specific com-
munity or population. Our culture affects how
we view ourselves, how we relate to others
and what we value as important in life. We are
10 Madrid, Spain
often unaware of how much our culture affects
our lives. You may have already had some
exposure to the new culture you are about to
experience. You may have seen television shows,
read books, or studied in school about Spain.
While some parts of this culture may already
seem familiar to you, experiencing a new culture
first-hand will prove exciting. You will be meeting
students from all over the world who, like you,
are looking forward to spending a year learning
and living a language, both inside and outside
the classroom.
As a visitor to a new culture, you may experi-
ence periods of fatigue and discomfort when
you are uncomfortable. Culture shock is what
sometimes happens when we try to meet chal-
lenges of our new culture by using the values,
beliefs, and attitudes of our own culture. As
visitors to a new culture, we must learn that
cultural differences are merely different – not
right or wrong.
It is a good idea to bring traditional objects from
your culture to share with other students and
your host to teach them about your country.
Tips on coping with change
❚ While you might be tempted to surround
yourself with things that are familiar to you,
try not to isolate yourself by being only with
others from your home country. Keep reach-
ing out to your host, roommates and other
students.
❚ Put off making major decisions such as an
accommodation change, until you feel more
“at home” with the culture in general.
❚ Talk to us about your worries or problems.
EF Staff are here to help and would prefer to
know about any problem you may have so
that we can help you.
❚ Set goals, no matter how big or small, and
accomplish them! You will feel good about
yourself in doing so, and you will reduce the
negative feelings associated with culture
shock. For example, set a goal that you will
speak Spanish at all times.
❚ Remind yourself that you came to this
country to experience a new culture, to meet
others and to explore your new surround-
ings. Relax, take a deep breath and reflect
back on the days before leaving your home
country when you were excited about your
new adventure. Try to refocus this former
excitement towards your experience.
Keeping a journal
One way to keep track of emotions and
changes that take place over the year is to
keep a journal. By recording your experiences
and feelings on a regular basis, you will be able
to reduce the impact of culture shock. You will
have a record of your academic and personal
progress to look back on in days and years to
come. Be sure to note changes in:
❚ Language skills
❚ School performance and involvement
❚ Campus/host adjustment
❚ Individual learning and growth
Keeping a journal will help to remind you that
culture shock is truly a temporary phase of
adjustment.
Bring pictures and items from home
If you have room in your suitcases for some mu-
sic, a costume, pictures, or some typical crafts,
it would be good to show other students, as well
as to make your room seem like home. We have
seen costumes and drums from Korea, music
from Austria and traditional dress from France.
Please bring pictures of your friends, family and
surrounding area.
Important telephone numbers
16. EF School CalendarAcademic Year Schedule
The Academic Year is divided into three terms.
(See the applicable start date below for your
program’s specific term and break schedule).
January 2012
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 6 Jan - Sun 8 Jan
Term 1: Mon 9 Jan - Fri 9 Mar
Holiday: Sat 10 Mar - Sun 25 Mar
Term 2: Mon 26 Mar - Fri 1 Jun
Semester Departure: 2 Jun 2012
Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun
Term 3: (Year) Mon 11 Jun - Fri 17 Aug
Departure: 18 Aug 2012
April 2012
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 13 Apr - Sun 15 Apr
Term 1: Mon 16 Apr - Fri 1 Jun
Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun
Term 2: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep
Semester Departure: 8 Sep 2012
Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep
Term 3: (Year) Mon 24 Sep - Fri 30 Nov
Departure: 1 Dec 2012
June 2012
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 8 Jun - Sun 10 Jun
Term 1: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep
Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep
Term 2: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec
Semester Departure: 17 Nov 2012
Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan
Term 3: (Year) Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Feb
Departure: 9 Feb 2013
September 2012
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 21 Sep - Sun 23 Sep
Term 1: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec
Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan
Term 2: Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar
Semester Departure: 9 Mar 2013
Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar
Term 3: (Year) Mon 25 Mar - Fri 31 May
Departure: 1 June 2013
January 2013
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 4 Jan - Sun 6 Jan
Term 1: Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar
Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar
Term 2: Mon 25 Mar - Fri 7 Jun
Semester Departure: 8 Jun 2013
Holiday: Sat 8 Jun - Sun 16 Jun
Term 3: (Year) Mon 17 Jun - Fri 16 Aug
Departure: 17 Aug 2013
Please note: there will be no classes on
public holidays.
School holidays
The EF International Language Center in Madrid
recognizes the following public holidays when
there will be no classes. If your arrival falls on one
of these dates, please check with the school staff
upon your arrival for an exact orientation schedule.
2012
1 January - Año Nuevo
6 January - Día de los Reyes Magos
19 March- Dia del padre
5 April - Jueves Santo
6 April – Viernes Santo
1 May - Fiesta del Trabajo
2 May- Fiesta comunidad de Madrid
15 August - La Asunción de la Virgen
12 October - Fiesta Nacional de España
1 November - Todos los Santos
9 November- La Almudena
6 December - Día de la Constitución
8 December - Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
25 December – Navidad
2013
1 January - Año Nuevo
6 January - Día de los Reyes Magos
19 March- Dia del padre
29 March - Viernes Santo
1 April - Lunes de Pascua
1 May - Fiesta del Trabajo
24 June - Día de San Juan
15 August - La Asunción de la Virgen
12 October - Fiesta Nacional de España
1 November - Todos los Santos
9 November- La Almudena
6 December - Día de la Constitución
8 December - Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
25 December - Navidad
17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where neces-
sary) It’s a good idea to make copies of
these and pack them in your suitcase
just in case. You don’t need to carry your
passport with you while you are in Spain
but you must keep it and your other docu-
ments in a safe place while you are in
the country.
■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student
identification cards, travel cards and other
possible documents
■ Flight ticket
■ Luggage correctly labeled
■ EF Confirmation letter & other
EF documents
■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,
especially the Health Certificate
■ Medical and travel insurance documents
■ Basic medical supplies, any medication
you take regularly and a spare pair of con-
tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.
■ An International Driving License if you are
planning on renting a car.
■ Local currency for first week and for any
learning materials that are not included in
the cost of the course.
■ Money in the form of an ATM card
(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards
and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring
large amounts of cash in any currency!).
■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-
ances you plan to bring with you.
■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.
■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.
■ Personal sports equipment.
■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.
■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.
Homestay host’s or student residence name:
________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence address:
________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):
________________________________________
EF Sales Office telephone number:
________________________________________
EF School telephone number:
+34 91 781 65 83________________________________________
EF School emergency telephone number:
+ 34 69 677 01 56________________________________________
Important telephone numbers
C
hec
klis
t
16. EF school calendar & holidaysSchool holidays
The EF International Language Center in Madrid
recognizes the following public holidays when
there will be no classes. If your arrival falls on
one of these dates, please check with the
school staff upon your arrival for an exact orien-
tation schedule.
2012
1 January - Año Nuevo
6 January - Día de los Reyes Magos
19 March- Dia del padre
5 April - Jueves Santo
6 April – Viernes Santo
1 May - Fiesta del Trabajo
2 May- Fiesta comunidad de Madrid
15 August - La Asunción de la Virgen
12 October - Fiesta Nacional de España
1 November - Todos los Santos
9 November- La Almudena
6 December - Día de la Constitución
8 December - Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
25 December – Navidad
2013
1 January - Año Nuevo
6 January - Día de los Reyes Magos
19 March- Dia del padre
29 March - Viernes Santo
1 April - Lunes de Pascua
1 May - Fiesta del Trabajo
24 June - Día de San Juan
15 August - La Asunción de la Virgen
12 October - Fiesta Nacional de España
1 November - Todos los Santos
9 November- La Almudena
6 December - Día de la Constitución
8 December - Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
25 December - Navidad
17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where neces-
sary) It’s a good idea to make copies of
these and pack them in your suitcase
just in case. You don’t need to carry your
passport with you while you are in Spain
but you must keep it and your other docu-
ments in a safe place while you are in the
country.
■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student
identification cards, travel cards and other
possible documents
■ Flight ticket
■ Luggage correctly labeled
■ EF Confirmation letter & other
EF documents
■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,
especially the Health Certificate
■ Medical and travel insurance documents
■ Basic medical supplies, any medication
you take regularly and a spare pair of con-
tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.
■ An International Driving License if you are
planning on renting a car.
■ Local currency for first week and for any
learning materials that are not included in
the cost of the course.
■ Money in the form of an ATM card
(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards
and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring
large amounts of cash in any currency!).
■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-
ances you plan to bring with you.
■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.
■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.
■ Personal sports equipment.
■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.
■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.
Homestay host’s or student residence name:
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence address:
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):
_________________________________________
EF Sales Office telephone number:
_________________________________________
EF School telephone number:
+34 91 781 65 83_________________________________________
EF School emergency telephone number:
+ 34 69 677 01 56 _________________________________________
Additional notes or numbers:
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence address
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s)
_________________________________________
EF Sales Office telephone number
_________________________________________
EF School telephone number
_________________________________________
EF School emergency telephone number
_________________________________________