Student’s Guide 2003/2004

Universidad de Alcalá

VICER RECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Dear student:

On behalf of the university of Alcalá, we would like to welcome you to Alcalá de Henares, and hope that your period of study will be successful but also a culturally enjoyable during the academic year 2003 / 2004.

Alcalá de Henares is located approximately 30 km outside of Madrid, the capital of Spain, and has a great university tradition. The University has been taking part in the Erasmus / Socrates Programme for SIXteen years now, with a total exchange of 5.500 European and Spanish students.

This guide is written with the intention to help you with any practical problems before your arrival in Alcalá de Henares. As we know it is sometimes hard to go abroad, we therefore would like to provide you with some useful information to make your stay as easy as possible.

Most of the material included in this guide will give you some knowledge about our culture, tradition and the cost of living in Madrid.

Enclosed you can find some appendixes which we urge you to read very carefully. In particular, we would like to draw your attention to “Appendix 1”, “SPANIS LANGUAGE and CULTURE” and to “Appendix 2”, “The APPLICATION FORM”. Both of them have to be returned to the Vice Rectorate of International Relations by the given deadlines.

With the regard to the accommodation, we have enclosed all the necessary information about living on Campus or in a shared apartment.

Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The staff of the Vice Rectorate is looking forward to your arrival and wishes you an enjoyable stay in Alcalá de Henares. Exchange your life!

VICE RECTORATE OF INTERNACIONAL RELATIONS (VRI)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. THE UNIVERSITY OF ALCALA 4

2. ACADEMIC CALENDAR 6

3. RELEVANT CONTACT INFORMATION 7

3.1. VICE RECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 7

3.2. ERASMUS/SOCRATES COORDINATORS 9

3.3. FACUTLIES/STUDY CENTERS 9

3.4. STUDENTS INFORMATION SERVICE 9

4. REGISTRATION PROCEDURE 9

Ø REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO SHOW UPON ARRIVAL 9

5. UNIVERSITY SERVICES 9

5.1. UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES 9

5.2. COMPUTER LABS 9

5.3. ERASMUS STUDENT NETWORK (ESN) 9

5.4. SPORTS FACILITIES 10

5.5. STUDENTS CONTACT OFFICE 10

5.6. SOCRATES/ERASMUS OFFICES AT THE STUDY CENTERS 10

6. APPLICATION FORMS 11

6.1. APPENDIX 1 11

6.2. APPENDIX 2 12

7. ORIENTATION WEEK 13

8. SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE COURSE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS: 13

9. ACCOMMODATION 13

Ø UNIVERSITY RESIDENCES / DORMS 13

Ø UNIVERSITY RESIDENCES “SAN ILDEFONSO” 14

Ø SHARED APARTMENTS 15

Ø TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION 15

10. GENERAL PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR VISITORS 16

10.1. RECOMMENDED DOCUMENTS 16

10.2. HOW TO GET TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALCALÁ 16

10.3. EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND HEALTH SERVICES 18

10.4. SERVICES AND OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION 20

Ø BANK 20

Ø POST OFFICE AND INTERNATIONAL CALLS 20

Ø RESTAURANTS 20

Ø CAFETERIAS AT THE UNIVERSITY 20

Ø COST OF LIVING 21

Ø SUPERMARKETS 21

Ø PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 22

10.5. LEISURE TIME AND CULTURE 23

Ø SPORTS FACILITIES 23

Ø CULTURAL FACILITIES 23

11. ANEXO 24

1. THE UNIVERSITY OF ALCALA

UNIVERSITY OF ALCALA

VICE RECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (VRI)

The University dates from the end of the XIIIth century (1293), when King Sancho IV of Castille founded the "Studium Generale" at the request of the Archbishop of Toledo and Lord Mayor of Alcalá. The Complutense University was formally created by Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros in 1499, and it became the humanist centre of the Spanish Renaissance in the XVIth century. After a period of decline in the XVIIIth century, the University was transferred to Madrid in the XIXth century. It was not until the academic year 1975-1976 that the University was opened again and re-established in 1979, gradually reviving the brilliant University tradition of Alcalá de Henares. Alcalá University has been chosen for the annual Cervantes Prize ceremony, presented by the King and the Queen of Spain in the Paraninfo.

The Rectorate is located in the Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso, an architectural jewel of the Spanish Renaissance. The Faculties of Arts (History, Geography, Humanities, English and Spanish Philology), Economics and Business Administration Studies (Economics and Business, Economics, Management and Business Administration, Actuarial and Financial Sciences) and Law are also housed in historic buildings in the old part of the town (Colegio de Málaga,Colegio de Mínímos, and Colegio de la Compañia de Jesús respectively). The Faculty of Library and Information Sciences, the Centres for European and North American Studies, the Institute of Education, Sciences the Institute of Business Management, the Institute of Sephardic and Andalusies Studies, the Institute of Cervantian Studies and the Foreign Language Studies Centre, together with the Centre of Cooperation for Development, Saint-Patrick's or Irish College and the Unesco Chair of Afro-Iberoamerican Studies; the Teacher Training School “Cardenal Cisneros” is housed in a modern facility.

Other Faculties such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences (Chemistry and Biology), Ecology Sciences, the Polytechnic School (Telecommunications Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer System Engineering, Management Informatics Engineering, Geodesy and Cartography Engineering and Industrial Engineering), as well as the Nursing and Physiotherapy School are all situated on the Campus, 3 km (2 miles) from the city centre. The Campus is a modern complex which includes a large hospital, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital and some other centres such as the National Geographic Institute, the Document Supply Centre of the National Library and the University residences.

The University has also undertaken the restoration of the most representative historic buildings in Alcalá de Henares, which will house centres such as the Central Humanities Library. During the next years the Campus is experiencing an expansion which includes the largest European Botanical Garden, the Royal Botanical Garden Juan Carlos I and a Scientific and Technological Park.

The University of Alcalá is organised into:

§  40 Departments

§  9 Faculties

§  9 Colleges

§  13 Specific Centres

§  and a affiliated Centre.

During the academic year 2001/2002, Alcalá University counted a staff of 1.625 professors, 20.772 registered students and 601 administrative personnel.

Since the institution belongs to the Madrid University District some of its centres are located in Madrid (Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ibero-American Centre for Industrial Relations and the Luis Vives University College) and in Guadalajara where the Campus houses the Teacher Training School as well as the Schools of Business Studies, Tourism and Technical Architecture, INSALUD Nursing School and the Guadalajara General University Hospital.

The University organizes summer monographic courses in Alcalá de Henares and other cities as well as Spanish language and culture courses for foreign students at the University throughout the year.

22

Student’s Guide 2003/2004

Universidad de Alcalá

2. ACADEMIC CALENDAR

ACADEMIC YEAR 2003/2004

Start
/ End of September 2003
End / End of June 2004

SEMESTERS

Start of the first semester / End of September 2003
End of the first semester / End of January 2004
Start of the second semester / Mid of February 2004
End of the second semester / End of May 2004

PERIOD OF EXAMINATIONS

Month / From / To
February / End of January 2004 / Mid of February 2004
June / Beginning of June 2004 / End of June 2004
September / Beginning of September 2004 / Mid of September 2004

HOLIDAYS

From
/
To
Christmas / 20/12/2003 / 07/01/2004
Easter / 09/04/2004 / 16/04/2004
Summer / 01/07/2004 / 30/09/2004

NOTE: The academic calendar could be modified.

SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE COURSE FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS

APPLICATION DEADLINES (APPENDIX 1)

Students attending the first semester / 25/07/2003
Students attending the second semester / 25/12/2003
Students attending the full academic year /
25/07/2003

BEGINNING OF THE COURSES

Students attending the first semester /
November 2003
Students attending the second semester /
March 2004
Students attending the full academic year /
November 2003

REGISTRATION FOR THE SOCRATES/ERASMUS PROGRAMME

APPLICATION DEADLINES (APPENDIX 2)

Students attending the first semester / 25/07/2003
Students attending the second semester / 25/12/2003
Students attending the full academic year / 25/12/2003

22

Student’s Guide 2003/2004

Universidad de Alcalá

3. RELEVANT CONTACT INFORMATION

3.1. VICE RECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

VICE RECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Vice Rector of International Relations

ILMO. SR. D. JUAN SOLOZÁBAL PASTOR

Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso

Plaza San Diego s/n

28801 Alcalá de Henares

Madrid

Vice Rectorate of International Relations

Telephones: +34 91 885 40 88

+34 91 885 41 69

Fax: +34 91 885 41 30

Investigation Bureau Headmaster

D. JUAN CASTELLANO CÁMARA

Colegio de S. Pedro y S. Pablo

Plaza de San Diego, s/n

Alcalá de Henares

Teléfono: +34 91 885 41 49

Fax: +34 91 885 40 63

E-mail:

Socrates Academic Coordinator

Dr. María Teresa del Val Núñez

Faculty of Business

Plaza de la Victoria, 3

Alcalá de Henares

Telephone: +34 91 885 42 00

Fax: +34 91 885 51 57

Email:

Socrates Administrative Coordinator

Mrs. Pilar Rodríguez López

Telephone: +34 91 885 41 55

Fax: +34 91 885 41 30

Email:

Socrates Coordinator

Mrs. Patricia Mangada Cañas

Telephone: +34 91 885 53 88

Fax: +34 91 885 40 63

Email:

AECI Coordinator

Mrs. Ana Belén Gigosos García

Telephone: +34 91 885 53 88

Fax: +34 91 885 40 63

Email:

Socrates/Erasmus- Students’ Contact Office

Mr. Jesús Monge

Socrates Contact

Telephone: +34 91 885 40 88

Email:

Ms. Marta Espada Sáez

Socrates Contact

Telephone: +34 91 885 41 69

Email:

Ms. Azahar Toledo París

Intercampus Contact

Telephone: +34 91 885 40 88

Email:

Ms. Sikitu Massimango

AECI Contact

Telephone: +34 91 885 40 88

Email:

3.2. ERASMUS/SOCRATES COORDINATORS

à see 11. Appendix (page 24!)

3.3. FACUTLIES/STUDY CENTERS

à see 11. Appendix (page 25!)

3.4. STUDENTS INFORMATION SERVICE

The University Information Centre at the University of Alcalá will answer any questions about the University Community to help Exchange Students.

It was one of the first pioneer experiments at the Spanish University and it is now recognised as an essential information service.

CENTRO DE INFORMACIÓN UNIVERSITARIA

Antiguo Colegio de San Pedro y San Pablo

Plaza de San Diego s/n

E-28801 Alcalá de Henares Madrid

Telephones: +34 91 885 40 21/+34 91 885 40 03

Fax: +34 91 885 40 95

Email:

4. REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

On arrival in Alcalá de Henares, exchange students must report to the Vice Rectorate of Internationals Relations (à see address on page 6!).

Ø  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO SHOW UPON ARRIVAL

à Certificate of attendance from your Home University, showing arrival and departure dates at/from the University of Alcalá, signed and sealed by the coordinator of your home University.

à 4 passport - sized photos

à Passport Copy

5. UNIVERSITY SERVICES

5.1. UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

The University of Alcalá has a variety of libraries to offer, since each study center has its own library. It is also possible to order books from other spanish university libraries.

For further information please contact: http://biblio.uah.es/

5.2. COMPUTER LABS

Exchange students have free Internet access at the computer

labs which are located in the different study centers.

5.3. ERASMUS STUDENT NETWORK (ESN)

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is a European wide student organisation. Its goal is to support and develop student exchange. It is composed of about 120 local sections working in Higher Education Institutes (Universities, Polytechnics, University Colleges etc.) being organized on a local, national and international level. Our network is in contact with almost 50 000 international minded students.

The aims of ESN are to promote the social and personal integration of the exchange students. All exchange students can benefit from the services offered by the ESN, not only students who participate in the Socrates/Erasmus Programme.

ESN organises different cultural activities and recreation programmes like for example trips to other spanish cities, parties, language exchanges, etc.

In case you need further information, do not hesitate to contact the ESN.

Erasmus Student Network

Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales

Plaza de la Victoria, s/n

Despacho 1.26

Tel: +34 91 885 51 98

Mobile: +34 637 70 90 23

Email:

http://www.esnuah.es.vg/

5.4. SPORTS FACILITIES

To support the fitness of our exchange students during their stay, the University of Alcalá also provides various sports facilities on the campus as well as in the center of the city. Please find enclosed the contact information on à page 20!

5.5. STUDENTS CONTACT OFFICE

You are welcome to come and see any of the responsible persons at the Socrates/Erasmus Students’ Contact Office during your study period at the University of Alcalá. These are our office hours: Monday –Friday, from 09:00a.m. to 02:00p.m. Please find enclosed the contact information onà page 6!

5.6. SOCRATES/ERASMUS OFFICES AT THE STUDY CENTERS

In each faculty or study center you will find a Socrates/Erasmus Office which provides you with academic information about subjects, study programs and exams.

Please find enclosed the office hours on à page 21!

22

Student’s Guide 2003/2004

Universidad de Alcalá

EXCHANGE STUDENTS 2003/2004

6. APPLICATION FORMS

6.1. APPENDIX 1

SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE COURSE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS 2003/2004

This application form must be returned correctly completed to the following address:

University of Alcalá

Vice Rectorate of International Relations

International Relations Office

Antiguo Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso

Plaza de San Diego s/n

28801 Alcalá de Henares (Madrid)

Spain

IMPORTANT

ANY STUDENT WHO DOES NOT RETURN THE APPLICATION FORM WITHIN THE DEADLINE, WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTENSIVE SPANISH COURSE, OFFERED BY THE VICE-RECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS WHICH IS FREE OF CHARGE.