Spain Madrid EngineeringSpring 2025

You’re in! This Pre-departure Page is your one stop shop for all the program-related information you will need to prepare for your departure. Check this page regularly! Information will be updated throughout the semester. To stay on track, use the self-check at the end of each phase.

Your main point of contact is Interim Madrid Program Manager, Grace Twardy. You can find additional contacts, such as on-site staff, in the Program Contacts section.

Get to know the place you’ll be calling home for the next semester – including cultural customs, academic differences, and daily life – in the “In-Country Guide.”

———– START PHASE ONE ———–

Read Spanish Visa Overview & FAQs

One of the most vital tasks you will complete in preparation for your study abroad experience is applying for a visa. BU Study Abroad will help guide you through this process, but it is your responsibility to apply for and secure your visa. This tab will provide general information about the Spanish Visa application process. Please make sure to read all of this information very carefully before moving on, and your Program Manager will be sending you more information via email.

WHAT IS A VISA?

A visa is an official sticker that is affixed to your passport before your departure that gives you permission from the Spanish government to be a student in Spain and must be presented to the border officials at the port of entry.

WHAT KIND OF VISA IS NEEDED TO STUDY ABROAD IN SPAIN?

All students studying in Spain for more than 90 days (except students who hold a current passport from a European Union member state or Iceland, Norway or Switzerland) must secure a National Visa for students (sometimes referred to as a Student Visa or a Long Stay Visa) prior to departure. All programs last longer than 90 days, therefore, the National Visa is absolutely required in order to participate in the program.

*Important note: If you are planning to study in Spain for more than one semester, please contact your Program Manager immediately, as there are additional requirements for students planning to study in Spain for more than 180 days.

WHERE DO I APPLY FOR A VISA?

You must apply in person at the Spanish Consulate or BLS center that has jurisdiction over either your university address or home address (refer to instructions below for information about the jurisdictions of each consulate). If you attend school in one jurisdiction and live permanently in a different one, you can choose the jurisdiction in which you prefer to apply.

You can also opt to apply for a representative from BU Study Abroad to submit your visa application on your behalf to the Spanish Consulate in Boston. We strongly encourage this option if it is possible, and you will read more about this option in Phase 2.

WHAT IS BLS INTERNATIONAL?

Many Spanish consulates in the US utilize a third-party visa processing company called BLS to process visa applications. Visit the website of the consulate under whose jurisdiction you belong to determine if this applies to you.

WHEN DO I NEED TO START THINKING ABOUT APPLYING FOR A VISA?

Now! The visa application process is lengthy, typically taking around two months from start to finish, so begin it now to allow adequate time to receive your visa. Most Spanish Consulates require students to schedule an appointment to submit visa materials, which must be booked several weeks prior to the appointment date. You will also need time to gather documentation required for your visa appointment, such as visa letters, passport photos and proof of residency.

BU Study Abroad recommends submitting your application at least 8-10 weeks prior to your program start date. You will leave your passport at the consulate or BLS center at the time of your appointment for processing and may be required to return to the consulate to retrieve your passport and visa once it is approved. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks (and at some consulates such as the Boston Consulate, up to 9 weeks) from the time of your appointment, during which you will be without your passport, so you will need to plan your visa application and international travels accordingly.

Please note that most Spanish Consulates will not accept visa applications more than 4 months before your program’s start date, and visas will not be issued any earlier than 90 days prior to the program start date. Be sure to confirm whether the consulate at which you are applying has more specific requirements regarding the timing for applying for a visa.

WHAT ARE MY NEXT STEPS?

First, make sure that you have a passport that is valid at least six months past the program end date. You must have a passport before your visa appointment, and the passport must be valid for at least three months after the end of your program (six months is recommended by the US State Department). If you need to apply for or renew your passport, please do so immediately.

Again, it is strongly recommended that you participate in the batch visa process, where a BU Study Abroad representative will submit your visa application on your behalf. Students have struggled getting independent appointments in the past.

Review Course Offerings & Complete ICAI Registration Process: OCT

Submit Your Housing Questionnaire: OCT 15

Participate in the BU Batch Visa Appointment: OCT 11

If you are eligible, you can opt for a representative from BU Study Abroad to submit your visa application to the Spanish Consulate on your behalf. We strongly encourage students to participate in the batch appointment if possible. This option is the easiest process by which you can obtain a student visa for your semester in Spain. Do your best to get all materials in by the deadline so that you do not have to worry about applying independently on your own. Students have had incredible difficulty getting appointments in time to participate in the program, and there is little we can assist you with if you do not apply via the batch appointment.

Please read the information below to determine if you are eligible to participate in the Batch Appointment and to learn how you can take advantage of this option:

To be eligible, you must:

Currently hold a passport now that is valid 3-6 months past the program end date
Be able to live without your passport from late October – early December
Be able to meet the deadline to submit your application materials

If you meet these criteria, and you wish to be represented by BU Study Abroad, please submit your materials by: OCT 11

For your next steps, please:

Read the Spanish Visa Batch Application Guide

The Spanish Visa Batch Process Guidelines include detailed instructions, a checklist, templates with step-by-step instructions, as well as the following required documents (which are linked here for your convenience, as well):

2. Fill out the Spanish Batch Visa Interest Form in your BU application

If you are not able to participate in the batch appointment, please see the tab below.

*Please note: This information has been prepared by Boston University Study Abroad based on the most recent information provided by the relevant immigration agency (E.G. consulate, embassy, etc.). It is each student’s responsibility to compile the necessary documents and apply for their visa based on their specific citizenship. Visas are granted by foreign governments only, Boston University does not play a role in visa issuance, nor can we influence immigration policy. While we do our best to keep instructions as up-to-date as possible, visa requirements are subject to change without our knowledge. Ultimately obtaining a visa in a timely manner, and any related costs incurred, are a student’s responsibility. Failure to acquire a visa will preclude participation in the program.

Review Flight & Arrival Information: LATE OCT

GROUP FLIGHT INFORMATION

Each semester, we work with Advantage Travel to offer an optional group flight, round-trip from the east coast to Madrid. Although airfare is not included in the cost of the program, all travel booked through Advantage Travel will be monitored by the travel agency on the day of departure, and they will be able to assist with any schedule changes, delays, or missed connections. The flight also allows you to travel with other students from the program. Students are not required to take the group flight, however, all students are required to submit a round-trip itinerary for our records. If you plan to book an independent flight please keep in mind that late arrivals and early departures are not permitted. You will be receiving an email from your Program Manager with the flight details in the fall once confirmed.

WHY SHOULD I BOOK A SPOT ON THE GROUP FLIGHT?

All travel booked through Advantage Travel will be monitored by the travel agency on the day of departure, and they will be able to assist with any schedule changes, delays, or missed connections. The flight also allows you to travel with other students from the program.

HOW DO I RESERVE A SEAT ON THE GROUP FLIGHT?

Specific booking instructions and detailed group flight itineraries will be emailed directly to students by your program manager in the fall.

WHAT IF I NEED TO BOOK A CONNECTING FLIGHT TO THE DEPARTURE CITY?

If you will be traveling from elsewhere prior to the group flight, Advantage Travel can also assist you with reserving a flight to the departure city.

IS TRAVEL INSURANCE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE GROUP FLIGHT?

While BU Study Abroad provides all students with comprehensive international health insurance, travel insurance for your flights is different. You can elect to purchase travel insurance directly through Advantage Travel when book with them for an additional fee.

INDEPENDENT FLIGHT INFORMATION

WHAT IF I WANT TO ARRANGE MY OWN TRAVEL?

You can! We recommend that you make your flight reservation on the University-organized group flight, which will provide better opportunities to modify flights and minimize expenses related to changes. However, if you prefer to travel independently from the group, you are welcome to do so. Note: Advantage Travel can assist you with reservations from a different airport or on different dates, or you can make a reservation completely on your own.

We encourage you to hold off on booking flights until we send out detailed flight information for your program in the fall. There will be a required arrival time (typically in the morning around 10AM) on the program start date, and you must depart on the last day of the program. Housing will not be provided before or after these dates, and late arrivals/early departures are not permitted. Once you have confirmed your independent travel, you must submit the independent flight form by December 1, 2023 (see phase 2).

GENERAL ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Students on the recommended flight will be met by on-site staff upon arrival. If you make travel arrangements independent of the group, you should try to arrive at the same time as the recommended flight (or prior to it) so that you can meet the group at the airport. Each semester, Madrid site staff arrange group transportation from the airport for students arriving on the group flight (or arriving at the same time or prior to the group flight), or alternately assist students in traveling directly to their homestays from the airport.

If you will be traveling independently and will be arriving after the recommended flight, you will be responsible for securing your own transportation to the orientation or your homestay. Instructions for commuting to the city center by taxi and other forms of public transportation will be sent to you by the Madrid staff close to departure. You can also read more about the Madrid Airport here!

Complete the Phase 1 Self Check

———– END PHASE ONE ———–

———– START PHASE TWO ———–

Apply for the Spanish Visa Independently (If Necessary): Deadline NOV 15

Attend Pre-Departure Meeting: Dec 7

Complete BU Study Abroad Blackboard Modules

Complete the Phase 2 Self Check

———– END PHASE TWO ———–

———– START PHASE THREE ———–

Banking Abroad

Mobile Phones & Internet Access

Packing List and Tips

Withdrawals

Complete the Phase 3 Self Check

———– END PHASE THREE ———–

———– START CONTACT ———–

Program Contacts

As you prepare for and embark on your study abroad experience, you will be in contact with various staff members from BU Study Abroad, both in Boston and abroad. To avoid missing important information, please add “@bu.edu” to your address book. Please keep all emails in a folder for your reference as you prepare for your semester abroad. Here are the names and email addresses of some people who will be in touch with you this semester, and/or whom you may want to contact with questions.

Boston-based Staff:

Grace Twardy, Interim Madrid Program Manager – Grace will be your primary contact during the pre-departure process as you prepare for your semester in Madrid.

Madrid-based Staff:

You will receive emails from our Madrid-based staff as well to prepare for your semester in Madrid. Please watch for these emails as well!

Amalia Pérez-Juez, Director

Pilar Sánchez, Assistant Director

Miky de Miguel, Housing Coordinator

Dana Gannon, Academic Affairs Manager

Vera Abreu, Student Life Coordinator

———– END CONTACT ———–

———– START CALENDAR ———–

The Spring 2025 Madrid Engineering Program runs from:

January 9 (depart the US on January 8) – May 8, 2025

Check back later this fall for updated program dates and check out the internal BU Madrid website for examples of previous semesters’ schedules and calendars.

Neither late arrivals nor early departures are permitted. We urge students to not make any weekend or mid-semester break travel plans until they arrive on site and receive the finalized course and program schedule. During the semester, students must fulfill strict attendance requirements and will be very busy with classes, program activities, and assignments. If family and friends plan to visit, please schedule trips to take place before the start of on-site orientation, during a scheduled program break, or after the semester ends. The first and last weeks of the program are critical to students’ success and require your full attention. By timing visits to coincide with scheduled program breaks, you can meet attendance requirements and take full advantage of your study abroad experience.

———– END CALENDAR ———–

———– START GUIDE ———–

1. Get To Know Madrid

History, Geography and Politics

Language Preparation

2. Daily Life

Food & Dining

Housing

Living with a Spanish Family

Remember that although you will be a paying guest, it is best not to think of your Spanish home as a hotel. Rather, think of yourself as a guest or boarder. Keep your room neat, make your bed, clean up the bathroom after using it. These may seem like obvious points, but they do mean a great deal to the people with whom you will be living. Get to know your host family. It's a good idea to offer a modest gift to your host family when you arrive. It helps to break the ice and shows you are truly interested in getting to know them.

FAMILY HOUSING REGULATIONS

Payment of Room and Board

Once you have paid your Boston University program fee, you will have to make no additional payments to the family to stay with them during official program dates. The Boston University office in Madrid will make monthly payments to the families.

Meals

You will receive three meals per day, a small breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you have a class or will not be home for meal time, you have the right to request a bag lunch be substituted for the missed meal. If you don't plan to eat at home, be sure to tell your host family so that they can make arrangements.

Shower or Bath

You have the right to take one shower or bath per day with hot water.

Telephone

You will be allowed to receive calls at your homestay, but normally the family prefers that you don’t make calls from the home phone. Phone calls are more expensive in Spain than in the US, and consequently most families will restrict use of the phone.

All students will be required to purchase a mobile phone upon arrival in Madrid, which are relatively inexpensive. Most Spaniards use mobile phones that work like pre-paid phone cards (so there are no contracts). There will be a session on cell phones during orientation. Skype (www.skype.com) and similar programs that provide free/cheap calling over the internet have also been a very popular way to stay in touch.

Internet

All host families have internet. Students can also use the Instituto computer lab or internet cafes for internet connection. Please note that internet connections may not be as fast as those you are accustomed to on your home computer.

Laundry

You are entitled to have two loads (one whites, the other colors) done once a week.

Kitchen Access

You should not expect to have kitchen privileges. You may not use the kitchen, invite friends over to eat, etc., without first receiving permission from the family.

Keys

The family will provide you with your own set of keys for both the front door and the home. Once you finish the program you must return the keys. If you lose the keys, you are responsible for replacing them.

Going Out and Coming Home

You are free to come and go as you would be on the Boston University campus, but we ask you to be respectful of your family. It is very important to let the family know if you are leaving for the weekend or overnight.

Visitors

This is left up to each individual family, and is a subject that should be discussed when you first move in. Some families will want you to ask in advance when you plan to bring guests, while some families may not want you to have guests at all. You are responsible for the conduct of guests or visitors (including family, friends, and relatives), who must also respect and comply with all rules/regulations while in the homestay. Any breach by any such guest or visitor shall be deemed a breach by the student.

Room

The room given to you will be the one that the household has designated for you. You will be responsible for taking care of your own room and keeping your room neat and orderly.

Personal Property Insurance

Each student is encouraged to review his or her family’s personal property insurance coverage. Boston University or any of its officers, agents, or representatives shall not be liable directly or indirectly for loss and/or damage to personal property by fire, theft, or other cause.

Property Damage

You are responsible for the repair or replacement of any household item you damage or destroy. Boston University declines all responsibility. Failure to settle these charges with your host family prior to departure from the program site will result in appropriate charges being assessed to your Boston University student account. It may also result in your inability to register for courses; inability to have grades assigned; transcript holds; and delays in processing financial aid awards for future semesters.

Dress

3. Student Life

Facilities

Textbooks

Field Trips and Program Activities

Internships

Academic Culture

What Are the Classes Like?

At the Instituto most of the classes are taught in Spanish. However, there will be a few options in English in topics such as Political Science, Archaeology, History and Art History. The professors at the Instituto come from local Spanish universities, have extensive experience working with foreign students learning Spanish as a second language, and are extremely knowledgeable in their field. Class sizes are small, which allows for a lot of individual attention.

At the Autónoma, as is typical in the Spanish university system, professors tend to teach by the lecture method, and student/instructor interaction is not generally encouraged. Class size varies, and the number of classroom hours is three hours per week. All classes at the UAM are conducted entirely in Spanish, except in the science and Engineering programs.

The Spanish educational system is quite different from its US counterpart. The Autónoma does not consider itself a liberalarts institution, where students have requirements fromvarious disciplines. Instead, students follow one area of studyand concentrate solely on this during the entire time they areat the university. However, Boston University students will beable to enroll in courses in various Facultades. During on-siteorientation, students accepted for coursework at theAutónoma will have an informational meeting at the Instituto and will also have the chance to visit the Autónoma campus.

The academic calendar at the UAM is also different from the US. Final exams for the fall semester are usually held in earlyFebruary, for this reason, students studying on the program for the fall only cannot take UAM courses. Likewise, final exams for the spring semester are held in mid-May. Spring students who choose to take UAM courses will have housing provided up until the day after the last final exam and may not request early exam dates.

The system of student evaluation also differs greatly from the U.S. For some courses, students are graded on only one exam or paper given at the end of the semester. There is usually little to no assessment of a student’s progress in a course during the semester, whereas in the US students usually turn in several papers or several exams. Some students thrive in the Spanish system while others do much more poorly than they would at their home campus. It is good to reflect on the kind of learning style that suits you best before making the decision to take courses at the UAM. Your UAM grades will be reflected on your BU transcript and will figure into your GPA.

4. Money Matters

Banking and Currency

CURRENCY

Most of the member states of the European Union, including Spain, use a common currency, the euro. The advantage of the common European currency is that you will be able to use the euro in many countries all over Europe (with the exception of the UK, Denmark, and Sweden) without worrying about exchange rates and bank fees. (1 euro= 1.12 USD as of Aug. 2016)

BANKING

Past students have suggested that you add a parent or relative to your US bank account, so that they can pay bills, make deposits, or check balances for you in the US. In the past, semester students have not thought it necessary to open accounts. If you do plan to open an account overseas, check with your bank as to who its foreign correspondents are and ask for a letter of introduction. You will want to wait until you arrive to open an account so you can choose a bank that will be convenient to your homestay and/or internship placements and classes.

Expect more limited banking hours than you are used to at home; banks are only open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.

ATMs

Most students rely on a combination of ATM cards and credit cards. Remember to bring both types of cards with you, as your ATM card will be useless it becomes demagnetized, damaged, or lost. With your ATM card from home, you will be able to withdraw funds from your US checking account. Although there will probably be a fee for each transaction at another bank’s ATM machine, you will be charged the bank’s exchange rate in effect on that day, which is typically better than the one used for normal currency exchanges. US banks vary widely in the charges they attach to foreign ATM withdrawals. Shop around before leaving and consider moving your account based on what you learn. Most recently, Bank of America did not charge a transaction fee at Barclays or Deutsche Bank ATMs. Other banks may also have overseas affiliations. You should confirm with your bank.

Note: Money deposited into your US bank account during the normal working day is typically updated on the US bank’s computer at midnight that day, which means you cannot withdraw the money until the Spanish bank’s computers have similarly updated their records at midnight the following night—in other words, there will generally be a delay of two business days before you can access those funds. Details for using ATM cards abroad vary from bank to bank. You should inform your bank that you plan to use your ATM card abroad so that bank officials can allow overseas card transactions. Be persistent in finding out information on service fees and restrictions.

If your ATM Personal Identification Number (PIN) is not four digits long, change it to four digits before you leave the US. Many European machines cannot accept a longer PIN, and many ATM keyboards may not have letters indicated.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are a very good emergency money source. Holders of these cards can get cash on the spot from participating banks. Don’t forget to bring your PIN. VISA and Mastercard are more widely accepted than American Express and Discover.

Cash

The obvious danger of losing your cash or having it stolen does not make this a good option for large sums of money. No student should ever keep large amounts of cash in his/her room or on his/her person.

Cash for Arrival

You should plan to exchange $50–$100 into Euros before you leave so that you will have money to use when you first arrive in Spain. Small denominations are best. You may also want to keep some US currency, especially for your return trip.

Tipping

Madrid On a Budget

5. Traveling

Local Transportation

Personal Travel

6. Staying Healthy

What To Do If You Get Sick

Prescriptions and Drug Store Items

7. Staying Safe

Local Embassy

Keeping Yourself Safe In Madrid

———– END GUIDE ———–

———– START FINE PRINT ———–

Academic Policies for Students Directly Enrolling in Courses at a Foreign University

As a student who will be directly enrolled in one or more courses at a foreign university, you are subject to a set of specific policies that apply to your classes, credits, and grades on this program. You are expected to be familiar with these policies before going abroad. Please read the academic policies below and make sure you understand them fully. You may download a copy of these policies here. Contact your Program Manager if you have any questions.

ACADEMIC POLICIES FOR STUDENTS DIRECTLY ENROLLING IN COURSES AT A FOREIGN UNIVERSITY

You will be enrolled in a course or courses at a university whose policies, teaching methods, and grading systems will differ from Boston University’s. Please read the policies outlined below very carefully and refer to your program-specific informational materials, which may include additional policies that modify or supplement the below.

Full-time status. You are required to maintain full-time student status, equivalent to 12 or more BU credits per semester, while abroad. You may need to take more than 12 credits at your host university in order to earn the equivalent of 12 BU credits. Some foreign universities require that you take more than 12 BU credits in order to meet their requirements for full-time status.
BU degree progress. You are responsible for verifying with your department in advance how the classes you take abroad will apply towards your major or minor degree requirements. An Academic Worksheet is available to you for this purpose.
Auditing classes. You are not permitted to audit classes while studying abroad.
Registering for final exams. Some universities abroad require students to register in advance for their final exams. It is your responsibility to know whether you need to register for your final exam, and to do so by the deadline. At some universities abroad, failure to register for or take a final exam results in a failing grade for that course. Although some universities abroad allow their matriculated students more than one opportunity to sit for final exams, BU Study Abroad program participants will sit the final exam only once.
Grading Conversion and Credit Transfer. It is a student’s responsibility to understand the grading system and grade conversion scale for their host university courses. Some courses offered abroad may carry fewer than four credits.
Grades and transcripts. Boston University cannot edit, modify or changein any way the final grades that are issued by your host institution and indicated on your host university transcript. Any questions regarding your grades should be directed to your host university faculty. All grades assigned to you by the host institution will be recorded on your BU transcript and all grades earned abroad will be factored into your GPA. You cannot opt to omit courses taken abroad and/or grades earned abroad from your BU transcript.
Pass/Fail. No credit will be given to courses taken Pass/Fail.
Withdrawals. If you withdraw from one of your classes abroad and a ‘W’ appears on your host university transcript, that ‘W’ will also appear on your BU transcript. However, a grade of ‘W’ will not be recorded on your transcript retroactively and post-program.
Incompletes and Failing Grades. No grades of ‘Incomplete’ will be given; all coursework must be completed with your host institution, including the completion of all final exams before the end date of your program. You will also receive an ‘F’ on your BU transcript for any class that is ‘Incomplete’ on your host institution transcript. A failing grade earned in a class taken abroad will appear on your transcript as an ‘F’ and will count towards your GPA. In keeping with BU academic policy, you will not earn academic credit for incomplete or failed courses even though the grades appear on your transcript and impact your GPA.