WELCOME !!

CULTCULTURAL We are delighted to welcome you to Madrid, CENTERCENTER Spain’s capital city.

STATE This letter is intended to help you prepare CAPITCAPITAALL for Madrid and settle in when you arrive. It will be complemented by a full welcome on arrival.

Madrid

Madrid—the Spanish capital since 1561—celebrates itself Populatiopulationn and life in general around the clock. A vibrant crossroads, Madrid has an infectious appetite for art, music, and food. Today, it is a cosmopolitan, modern urban center that 3,2 fiercely preserves its traditions. MILLMILLION Madrid has one of the healthiest climates in Europe thanks to its close proximity to the mountains to the north and northeast and Toledo (south and east). Pure air flows into the city from almost +30˚C all sides! SUMMER Due to Madrid’s high altitude of 650 metres, it experiences quite different temperatures in the summer and the winter. Towards the end of July, and throughout August, it can get very hot with temperatures sometimes reaching 40 degrees Celsius (100°F). Night-time temperatures remain 5˚C around 18 degrees Celsius (64°F). However, the climate in Madrid is WINTER very low in humidity, therefore making the high temperatures easier to tolerate.

September is a pleasant month, with temperatures back down to around 25 degrees Celsius (77°F).

October is also still fairly warm with an average daytime temperature of 20 degrees Celsius (68°F).

The weather in Madrid is predominantly dry, but that doesn’t mean that rain can be ruled out! Especially in the winter months. Do bear in mind that these temperatures are averages, and the weather may fluctuate from the normal. >> Day Dresscode >> ID

In general, Spanish people like to dress well and You are NOT required to carry your actual look good. During the day, you will see that passport with you while you are in Spain. You some people make an effort even just to go to MUST, however, carry some sort of identification, the gym! Nevertheless, every neighbourhood is such as a driver’s license, at ALL TIMES. different and there is no need to make an extra effort. Madrid has many tourists and >> Conversion Rate Spaniards are used to seeing different Please click this link to see a real time exchange cultures. The most rate between the Euro & US Dollar: important thing is for you to feel http://www.xe.com comfortable. There is an ATM at the airport and all over the city so there’s always a place nearby where you can withdraw Euros.

>> Work Dresscode >> Transport

Depending on the sector, work dresscodes can Madrid has a very strong public transport vary between either relaxed - casual trousers, infrastructure making it easy to travel throughout even jeans and t-shirts- or very smart- full suit the city 24 hours a day. and tie. In the finance sector, even in the heat of July, boys will be expected to wear a shirt and tie The underground system is easy to use and there and girls to dress smartly in trousers, skirt or dress. are maps in every station clearly stating which direction to go in. There is also a ticket station As our Madrid team works closely with all the with an employee and you can always ask them companies we partner with, they will be able the best route to take. to advise you about the appropriate work dresscode for your internship and tell you what Busdrivers are used to being asked where to get your colleagues will be wearing. off, even by Spaniards! If you don’t speak Spanish you can simply say ‘hola’ plus the name of the place you need to go. Sit near him so he can see >> Evening dresscode you and he should tell you when you arrive.

As with any other place, in Madrid you can find There are plenty of licensed taxis in Madrid and they both relaxed or smart bars and clubs depending are easy to take as you can stop them anywhere on which neighbourhood you are in. If you would on the street. There have been some cases where like to experience a typical, big Madrid nightclub, taxi drivers try to trick foreigners by taking a longer then bring something smarter and formal shoes route, so if possible, try to work out the route or otherwise you won’t be able to get in. the time it should take and look alert. >> Drinking Water For example, meat or meat products, milk or dairy products cannot be brought into Spain. Tap water in Madrid is delicious and completely Sums of money in excess of €6,010.12 must be safe to drink. declared.

>> Money Matters >> Arrival & Contact Information

How much money do you need? When you arrive in Madrid you will need to show Madrid still remains cheaper for tourists than the immigration authorities your passport. many major world capitals. If asked your address in Madrid you can say Lagasca 121, 6D, Madrid. Eating out in a nice, midrange restaurant shouldn’t cost much more than about €15 to €25 per person, although you can do it for a lot >> Airport pickup less, especially if you partake in the weekday lunchtime menú del día, a fixed-price, We will pick you up from Madrid’s airport, three-course set lunch that costs Madrid Barajas. You will be picked up around €10. Transport -metro, by one of our drivers on arrival in city buses and even taxis- Madrid. are good prices and and it’s also possible to visit most Do not worry if your flights are museums for free. delayed – we are in contact PAY with the airport so this will be ATTENTION taken into account. You will >> What you may be greeted with your name on not bring to Spain a board, given your welcome pack with house keys and driven If you are coming from outside the to your accommodation. European Union, please be aware that there are some restrictions on bringing in certain goods from abroad.

Company Address Support

- Lalita Benavides C/Maria de Molina 54, Madrid (Program Manager): 0034 910 316 620 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm [email protected]

We look forward to having you with us! The direct number for emergency services in Madrid is 112 (our version of 911). >> Here are some useful phrases to use at customs: I am missing a suitcase “Me falta una maleta” I am staying a month “Me quedaré aquí This is my bag un mes” “Esta es mi I do not have maleta” I am American/ anything to declare Here is my Spanish/British “No tengo nada passport - -Soy norteamericano/ que declarar” “Aqui tiene mi español/británico- pasaporte” A baggage cart Good morning “ Un carrito How many suitcases do -Buenos dias- para maletas” My address is... you have? -Mi dirección es... “¿Cuántas maletas tiene usted?” My name is Peter My documents -Me llamo Pedro- “Mis documentos”

I am staying six A carton of cigarettes weeks “Un carton de cigarillos” “Me quedaré A bottle of wine aquí seis I am visiting Madrid for the “Una botella de semanas” vino” 1st time These are my “Es la primera vez que suitcases vengo a Madrid” I am staying here “Estas son mis maletas” I am on vacation a few days “Estoy de “Me quedaré vacaciones” I am here to study aquí unos días” A bottle of Spanish whisky “Estoy acá para “Una botella estudiar espanol” de whisky” EXPECTATIONS & PREPARATION

>> Madrid considerate of others at all times. Parties are not allowed in any of our accommodation Madrid is a wonderful city and, although quite and noise must be kept to a minimum after traditional in some aspects, it is also very modern. 11pm at night. Lots of cafés and bars have wifi, there is phone Shared flats are equipped with wifi, basic signal even underground and there are ATM’s furniture as well as a 24 hour phone number for on practically every street. The city is very well any emergencies related to accommodation. lit at night and there are always cars and people around so it feels very safe. >> Location In the centre where the tourists go, you have to be a lot more aware of pickpocketing just as Our principal consideration is your safety and you would be in your home town. Pickpocketers comfort, so you will be near public transport assume that if you are in that area you are a and less than 1 hour away from your office. tourist and therefore you have things to steal such as phones, camaras and cash. >> Housemates Don’t expect Spaniards to be overly polite. In Spain it is not common to say please or thank you. You will be sharing your accommodation It is a different culture and it is not considered with other flatmates and sometimes you will rude. Instead of saying ‘please could I have’, it is be sharing with other participants from The more common to say ‘give me’. This is surprising Intern Group- Madrid Program and off-putting to foreigners, so remember that they are not being aggressive towards you, it is >> Public transport simply a cultural difference. Public transport in Madrid is excellent. The underground system is one of the best in >> Housing the world and buses are frequent and on time. Taxis are also relatively cheap in comparison We partner with several housing providers in to other capitals and they are a good option if Madrid and we will let you know the housing you are returning home after the underground guidelines before your arrival. has closed. There are also night buses.

Whether you are sharing with fellow programme participants, or other flat mates, please be >> Punctuality & Society In the event that you are threatened, remem- ber that your safety is more important than Poor punctuality is quite common throughout your possessions. the entire country and can occur in both social Our staff in Madrid will inform you about all and even business occasions. Don’t expect safety issues once you have arrived and will Spaniards to be overly polite. be on call in any emergency situation.

In Spain it is not common to say please or thank you. It is a different culture and it is not >> Arrival Induction & considered rude. Welcome Pack Instead of saying ‘please could I have’, it is more common to say ‘give me’. This is surprising and When you arrive at the airport, go through off putting to foreigners, so remember that they customs, collect your suitcase and proceed are not being aggressive towards you, it is simply to arrivals where one of our drivers will be a cultural difference. waiting with your name on a board. The driver will give you your welcome pack with keys and transport card. Please read the >> Security letter inside. He will then take you to your apartment so you can begin to settle in! As with all capital cities, Please memorize your address. you need to keep an eye Before arriving you will receive an email open for confirming the location and time of your pickpockets welcome induction with a member of the who have Madrid team. Please be punctual and listen invented a carefully. We are here to make sure you variety of ways have an excellent professional and personal to steal your experience! personal belongings. Even though you will be living and working in less touristy areas, it is a good idea to always keep your wallet and phone hidden and be aware of people getting too close to you. Apart from these petty thieves, Madrid is a safe and well lit city with relatively little crime.