Waiters/ Restaurants
Sitting and waiting should be observed as a comfort time to enjoy your company. Waiters will never ask you to leave. People go out to have a good time, so the noise level is high. Asking to take your left over food home with you (i.e. doggie bag) is virtually unheard of and often considered cheap. Tip by simply leaving your change or a few coins.

Language Courses
If you are serious about learning Spanish, try one of the private language schools where you are placed to your level, and you will learn grammar and practice speaking in a small class (4 to 10 students) with a minimum number of holidays.  All the experts recommend the intensive language courses.  This means 4 hours of classes daily for a period of 2 weeks, minimum. The logic behind it is that it will give you a boost of confidence and a vocabulary basis to build on. 

The classes are comprised of European students which is a great way to meet people.  There are often arranged excursions and other activities, like Thursday night discos, which are cheap and a compliment to the strictly academic. 

Sign up for an interchange with a Spanish speaker.  Arrange for more than one so that if you don’t hit it off with one of them you’ll have someone else.

The Catalan Identity
Catalan is its own language and therefore it is incorrect to say to Catalans that it is a dialect of Spanish. Some feel so strongly about their identity that they don’t consider themselves Spaniards.

Greetings
Spaniards are big on greetings and farewells.  They place a lot of emphasis on physical contact.  When men greet men, they shake hands, when men greet women or vice versa, they apply a light kiss on both sides of the person’s face.  Conversations occur at a much closer physical distance than you might be accustomed to and it is considered rude to step back.

Body Language
It is considered bad manners to point with your finger.

In Store Lines
Expect to encounter very informal lines with people pushing their way to the front. Many times, a person will enter the shop where there is a crowd and say, “¿Quien es la última?”, they want to know who is the last in line, and you need to say, “Yo” (me).

Shopping Hours and La Siesta
Shops are open the first Sunday of every month, except during the month of December when they are open 7 days a week for the holiday season. Most shops close for some time between 1:30 pm – 5 pm, so get what you need before they close, or after they reopen in the afternoon.

Concept of Time
Most Spaniards do not plan as far ahead as you do and many things are spontaneous, improvised.

Concept of Noise
The level of noise is much higher than you are most likely used to.  Restaurants, even expensive restaurants, and public places are noisy.  People are very talkative and socially orientated.  They frequently go out in groups of 6 or 8.

Concept of Service
The concept of service in shops and offices and availability in business is very different.  At times it might seem like everyone is out for coffee or in a meeting.  This is why it is important to know people.  People sweeping in a bar will expect you to move so that they can clean around and under the spot you are taking.

Smoking
Respect for non-smokers is limited.  The “philosophy” is that smokers have their rights too.  People smoke even where it is prohibited.  Some restaurants and the AVE (bullet train) have non-smoking areas.

Job Market
There is unemployment in Spain so it is very difficult to find a job, especially for non-residents.

Lock Doors
Make sure to close and lock doors and gates properly- it may seem silly, but many locks here seem to have tricks to them.  So try them out before you get locked out.

Conservation
Help to conserve electricity, water, paper, telephone and gas.  Having a beer in a bar is cheap but these items are more expensive here than you think.

Telephone Calls
They can be somewhat expensive in Spain; however, if you have extra credit at the end of a call, you can make another call without depositing coins.  As for international calls, the best thing to do is to go to an international call center called “locutorio”, of which there are many. You don't usually have to wait and it will save you loads of money. There's one in Puerta del Sol, below the open shop advertising Kodak products.

Cellular Phones
These have become the norm and can be bought for almost the value of the calls that goes with them.  The ones with cards are popular because you spend what you pay for and there is neither a contract, nor a monthly bill.  They offer you independence and security.  Cell phone numbers always begin with a 6 and have 9 digits like all other European Union phone numbers. Watch out when you call one of these numbers; the longer you talk the higher the cost, but you can send text messages for 15 cents. 

Transportation
Traveling around the city is really easy, unless you have a car. The metro and bus systems are well priced and convenient, as well as being very safe.  Taxis are apparently among the cheapest in Europe.

Metro
If you think you are going to travel a lot by metro and bus, buy an abono transportes (transportation pass).   This lasts from the first day of the month to the last and will save you a lot of money as you jump around from bus to metro with an unlimited number of rides. The one you will need will depend on where you live and how old you are. If you live in the A zone, buy the A pass, if you have to take any green buses, you will have to start looking at B1.  If you ask in an estanco, which is where you buy your abono, they will tell you. You will need a passport-sized photo and a copy of your passport if you are under 21.  Alternatively, you can buy a Metrobus  pass for ten journeys, (5 €) and of course a single ticket (0,95 €). Be careful, the single tickets that you buy in the metro cannot be used on the bus!  The last metro is at 1h30 in the morning, so if you miss that you have to get a night bus, the buho, (meaning owl) which leave from Cibeles (where the central post office is) or Moncloa  starting at 1am until 6am when the metro starts again.

Machismo For Women
An unaccompanied woman will probably hear the flirtatious comments many men will call out, such as mi amor or guapa. It is annoying, but not threatening. As a general rule, women should try to be more formal in their interaction with men they encounter in everyday situations as sometimes men mistake friendliness with an interest in forming a deeper relationship.

Machismo For Men
Remember machismo implies being a gentleman. It is nice if you give your seat up on the bus or metro for a senora, help to carry things, let others though the door first, etc. 

Free Time
Madrid is a great place to spend free time, because, if you want to, there are innumerable things to do.  Whatever you're into, there's going to be something for you in all price ranges.  Spaniards are very gregarious and social.  They are crazy about soccer and bullfights.  Trying to understand the crowds reactions at a bullfight is interesting.

Cinema
There is a highly respected school of actors who train to dub movies, but it still does not make up for the fact that their lips don't move with the words! There are also many cinemas that show films in v.o.s., which means original version subtitled in Spanish (version original subtitulada). It is custom to tip the ushers in many cinemas and theaters.

Health

• There is no problem drinking the tap water in Spain.
• Despite all the meat scares that have been rushing around Europe over the last few years, Spain's meat quality remains very good.
• Organic products are very hard to find.
• Condoms cannot be bought as openly as in Britain or the United States, you generally have to ask for them in a pharmacy, but they have all brands.
• The pill is available in pharmacies, without prescription. The morning after pill, however, is hard to come by and sometimes pharmacies do not stock it for reasons of conscience. In case of an emergency, a doctor will advise what you should best do.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings!

• It is always better to walk in a group at night and avoid poor neighborhoods. 
• Do not get into a taxi if there are other people with the taxi driver.
• Carry the following with you at all times:
A copy of your passport (keep originals in safe place)
Try not to carry more than 50 € with you in cash
Name, address, and number of your lodging and school
A map of the city
• Do not carry the following:
Your passport
All of your credit cards
• Pay close attention to your purse, backpack, wallet, bags, etc. while traveling on public transportation or while in areas where there are crowds.
• Do not count money in front of people. 
• Do not wear expensive jewelry or provocative clothing.
• Do not consume or transport illegal drugs. The laws in Spain are very severe with respect to this topic. 
• Never offer money to the police. If you encounter a situation that you do not understand, insist on talking with someone from your school, host family or program.
• Carry a cell phone. The emergency number for all of Europe is 112.
• Make sure that someone knows where you are at all times. Leave your number with the school, family and friends. 
• Be careful when crossing streets (even if you have the green light). In many drivers’ view, pedestrians do not have the right-of-way.

• Most Spaniards dress nicely. Even if it’s hot they almost never wear shorts, nor do they go barefoot on the street. There are dress restrictions at some nightclubs and churches.  You will be turned away at the door if you are wearing sneakers at many clubs. 
• Men don’t usually wear open toed sandals or white socks. 
• Often the service you receive will depend upon how you are dressed. 
• In the winter people tend to wear dark colors.

If you want to apply for a student visa, you will need a certificate of admission from the school you are going to attend.  The Spanish Consulate will give you a 90-day visa, which must be extended upon your arrival in Spain.  Now you are about to learn exactly why it is best to avoid, whenever possible, Spanish bureaucracy.  Ken Layne in his article,  “New Year's in Madrid: Red Underwear, a Dozen Grapes and Great $25.00 Meals” says, “Most people I know living and working in Spain are doing so under the table, leaving for a brief trip every 90 days. This works for the short term, and landlords won't request residency paperwork, but those without EU citizenship who plan to work indefinitely in Spain are in for a Kafkaesque experience. One American friend, Alexandra, has been working at a Barcelona advertising agency for over a year. She is fluent, is well qualified, and has the full backing of her employers - and she's been trying to get the right papers since 1998.”

To extend your visa, you must apply for a Tarjeta de Estudiante.  The police station in Madrid that specializes in issuing visa extensions for students is located on the Calle Madrazo, 9.  (Metro stop Sevilla on line 2)  They are open from 9 am until 2 pm Monday through Friday.  One word of caution – do not expect to arrive at 9 am and have your paperwork processed; in most cases, lines form outside of the police station as early as 6 am, although getting there at 7 am will most likely still get you a spot.  Once the police station opens, the officer at the door will start handing out numbers; once the numbers for the day are taken, the remaining people in line must come back another day and wait again.

The following is a list of the documentation required for the extension of your visa.  Should you have any question regarding the visa paperwork, you may get general information by dialing 900-150-000 which is a free recording of general visa information.  (All 900 numbers are free).  For specific questions, go the 1st floor of the police station on Calle Madrazo, 6 between the hours of 9 am and 2 pm or from 4 pm to 7 pm.

To obtain a Tarjeta de Estudiante bring both the original and a photocopy of:

• Pasaporte en vigor. (valid passport)
• Haber entrado en España con Visado Serie D, concedido específicamente para estudios, investigación or formación. (the D Series visa should be the one you receive from the Spanish Consulate in the U.S.)
• Certificado de medios económicos suficientes para cubrir sus gastos de estancia y regreso a su país: depósito bancario y procedencia o movimiento bancario, o justificante de beca.  (Prof. Of sufficient economic means to cover both your stay and your return to your country, such as a bank account, Prof. Of transactions within the account, or proof of a scholarship).
-The Spanish Government requires proof of a minimum amount of money per month for living expenses.  You may be asked to present the amount of money for your whole stay up-front.  Past participants submitted both a bank statement and credit card statements (with the credit limits highlighted), which sufficed.
-The Government may also ask you for proof that you have paid for a language program.
-Past participants tried to submit a copy of the letter of financial support (signed by parents) that was required for the visa in the US and they were told that that letter was not valid proof of financial support.
• Justificante de haber sido admitido como alumno, estudiante o investigador, en centro o establecimiento público o privado, autorizado o reconocido por el Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, en que deba realizar su actividad con carácter principal, con un horario que implique asistencia y una duración prevista no inferior a tres meses.  (Proof that you have been admitted as a student at a center or public or private school, in which you will study, accompanied by a schedule that proves your attendance at that institution for a length of time no less than 3 months).
Past participants presented a copy of the letter from the school which was used to get the original visa in the US, as well as a copy of the class schedule and had no problem.

• Seguro Médico (Health insurance)
Past participants presented a photocopy of their insurance card and translated it into Spanish.  The Government will require that documentation in English be accompanied by a translation in Spanish.
• 4 fotografías tamaño carnet (4 ID size photos)
• Justificante de domicilio: (Proof of residence)
This can be either a copy of your lease or, if you are living in a dormitory or flat that doesn’t give formal leases, a letter from your landlord and a copy of their DNI (National Identification Card) and lease.
• Impreso de solicitud. (The application form, available at the information desk on the 1st floor of the police station).
• THE ORIGINAL AND 1 PHOTOCOPY OF THE DOCUMENTATION MUST BE PRESENTED!!!

More Notes on Visas
• These are the documents required at this time.  As immigration laws change, different documentation may be required.
• Past participants advise you to gather and submit all of your paper work on a day when you have no other classes, appointments or obligations as waiting in the lines at the police station can take hours.  Bring something to read.
• After you have submitted everything, you will be told to come back no less than 3 weeks later to sign and be fingerprinted. 

A month after this, you may return and pick up your Tarjeta de Estudiante