Madrid Meeting Point

Issue #1 May 2017

M adri d M eeti ng Poi nt Th e magazi ne th at opens M adri d to you, f or students of th e UC3M

In this issue...

Page 4 - Whis I'd Known... 10 local tips

Madrid in 10 steps - Page 6

Page 10 - Madrid, city of stars

Art and Culture - Page 12

Page 14 - Taste Madrid

UC3M Meeting Point - Page 18

If you are a student that just arrived for the first time to Madrid, this is your magazine. If you do live in Madrid, but want to discover more about this amazing city, this is your magazine, too. The University Carlos III is the crossroad for people of all nationalities and cultures, and Madrid is your meeting point. Whether you want to know what are the best shops and restaurants, what are the unmissable sights or what cultural activities this city proposes you, in Madrid Meeting Point you will find the answer. And the best

thing is that the responsible for this to happen... are you. Madrid Meeting Point is a magazine built by contributions of students of the UC3M. If you are a Madrilenian and have something to show about your home, or a foreigner who wants to tell your experience, and can write fluid English, contact us at m adr idm p@u c3m .es, and you can be part of this magazine!

Welcom e t o M adr id M eet in g Poin t !

Wish I'd Known Jonas L. Nielsen When I first came to Madrid in January 2017, I was very excited for my opportunity of spending a semester abroad at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.

I have been to Spain lots of times before, but only at the coastlines and only for holiday purposes. Never to live or study, so before I left my hometown of Aarhus in Denmark I was nervous about what the following months would bring. Therefore have I made 10 tips on what I wish I had known, before arriving in Madrid as an international student.

1. Apar t m en t : In Madrid there is lots of people looking for an apartment at the same time, especially right before school starts. There is different ways to find an apartment/room, it could be through Facebook pages, web pages etc. When I started looking, I got 5 offers within the first day to come see their apartments/rooms. I found my apartment at pisocampartido.com. To find the Facebook pages search for "Piso Madrid".

2. Tr an spor t at ion Car d: I strongly recommend future students that is under 26 to get the transportation card for Madrid within the first couple of days, since it will save you a lot of money. The card costs 5 euro to make, and then 20 euro each month to recharge. It covers all areas of Madrid and you will be able to take the bus, train and metro without any extra costs.

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7 m i a 3. SIM car d: Unless your phone operator in your p home country lets you use data internationally, N it is a good idea to get a Spanish phone number a to keep in touch with friends from school and at s a home. It's a good idea to consult either one of g the phone suppliers, for example Orange or s Vodafone, or one of the small electronic shops w placed around Madrid.

4. Wh at sapp: One thing that is very common for Spanish people is the use Whatsapp. Spain is one of the biggest users of Whatsapp, which means the use of this app, is essential to stay in touch with all the new Spanish and ESN friends you will make throughout your time here in Madrid.

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5 S c D f w g i S S E c T l i i

5. Cu lt u r al dif f er en ces: When I first arrived in Spain I was a little worried about what kind of cultural differences there would be between Denmark and Spain. Here are some points i found challenging when adjusting to the Spanish way of life. Firstly there is the 'kiss'. Spaniards greets by kissing on the cheek, left to right, and is considered the most polite way to say hello.

Secondly the language barriers. A lot of Spaniards does not feel comfortable speaking English, which sometimes leads to lack of communication or misunderstandings.

Therefore if you Spanish is not at the highest level, either learn the basic communication tools in Spanish or try to attend language school to improve.

8. Policia Nacion al: As a result of Madrid being a big city, pickpocketing and mugging of people happens. If worst case scenario of you getting mugged or worse, here is the address for foreigners to go to: Calle de Leganitos, 19, 28013, Madrid, Spain.

9. Veget ar ian ism is dif f icu lt in M adr id: Madrid, and Spain in general, loves meat. They just can not enough of it. Almost all restaurants you go to has filled their menus with meat dishes and different sausages. Since I'm not a vegetarian I love this about Spain, but if you are an vegetarian, remember to bear this in mind, before moving to Madrid.

6. Siest a: Another cultural part is the siesta. typically held from 14:00-17:00 (2pm - 5pm).

Most ordinary shops closes, but the restaurants will stay open in most cases. Siesta mainly happens in the suburbs like Getafe and LeganĂŠs, Madrid normally stays open.

7. ESN M adr id: As mentioned earlier you will make friends within the ESN. Here is a little information about the ESN Madrid and why it is a good idea to join the organization as soon as possible. ESN Madrid is the Erasmus Student Network of Madrid , and this organization arranges activities and events for the exchange students to join to socialize when each other and to built their network throughout Madrid. A good advice would be to get he ESNcard as well since it will give you discounts various places and websites.

10. Un iver sidad Car los III de M adr id: Before starting the semester, it is an good idea to be prepared when it comes to the courses and have backup plans if it turns impossible to get the course you set out to, since a lot of students chooses course within the same time. Here is the main information UC3M in case you need help or emergencies: Address: Calle Madrid, 126 (edificio Decanato), 28903 Getafe (Madrid) Phone: +34 91 624 95 00 (General number)

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Madrid in 10 steps Ten basic places t o visit M adr id Madrid, as capital of Spain and an over-three-million city, can feel overwhelming. Even if you'd live here you'd never stop finding new places, streets to wander, locals to visit, parks to relax and people to meet. With this tour you'll be able to meet the most famous landmarks and neighborhoods in just one day. You'll probably want to repeat, though.

monument of Cervantes and his most famous book, Don Quixote, is one of the most photogenic points in the city. Despite the irregular state of conservation of the square, it is a joint between Gran Vía and Calle Princesa, very famous by its nightlife.

1. Pu er t a del Sol

An egyptian temple granted in the sixties as a reward for Spanish help in the construction of the Asuan dam, it's one of the most singular monuments in Madrid. Its location in the Pr ín cipe Pío hill (place of the infamous executions of 1808, immortalized by Goya), gives a beautiful sight in the sunsets.

Our tour begins, suitably, in the km 0, the famous Puerta del Sol, heart of the city and one of the favorite meeting points of Madrilenians. The streets that start here can lead you to every corner of the city center.

Here is where every new year is welcomed on January 1st, and also where the famous civilian movement, 15-M, was born.

7. Gr an Vía

Taking Calle Mayor, you'll be visiting Madrid de los Austrias, a delight in palaces from the 15th century and irregular streets. Its most famous landmark is Plaza Mayor, one of the biggest in Spain, famous by its statues, its Christmass market and its relaxing cafés.

The street par excellence in Madrid, with its theaters, cinemas, shopping centers and restaurants, is simply unmissable if you're in Madrid. By day or by night, the street will always be filled with people enjoying its live, lights and skyscrapers from the early XX century.

It's neighborhoods north the street, Malasaña and Chueca (center for the LGBT community), are some of the most lively for the nightlife.

3. Plaza de Or ien t e

8. Plaza de Cibeles

The Square of the West is located in the east of the citiy but in the west of the Royal Palace, hence its name. From its delightful gardens you can also enjoy the sight of the majestic Royal Th eat h er .

An icon for the city (especially for fans of Real Madrid), the square also hosts the impressive Palacio de las Comunicaciones, now city hall. The near Círculo de Bellas Artes, in Calle Alcalá, offers one of the best sights of the city from its rooftop.

2. Plaza M ayor

4. Alm u den a Cat h edr al Built with a eclectic style during the 19 and 20 centuries, Madrid cathedral lacks the majesty and historic interest of most cathedrals in Spain, but nevertheless is a sight worth watching, blending seamless with the adjacent Royal Palace. Also interesting is the Basílica of San Francisco el Grande, very close to the Almudena, with one of the largest domes in the world.

9. M u seu m s t ou r

5. Plaza de Españ a

A perfect way to finish a hard sightseeing day is to relax under the trees of Madrid most important park.

Its rowboats in the lake are a classic not many people can resist, but its numerous monuments and palaces invite for a deeper reconnaissance.

This square is famous by its two skyscrapers, Torre de Madrid and Torre España, built in the fifties, moment when they become the tallest in Europe. The 6

6. Tem plo de Debod

In both sides of Paseo del Prado, we can find the trinity: Thyssen-Bornemisza, Prado and Reina Sofía.

Masterworks from Goya, Velázquez, Dalí or Picasso hold in the walls of these essential stops for any visitor.

10. Ret ir o Par k

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MUSEO THYSSEN

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Madrid, city of stars Ten essen t ial st eps f or t h e cin eph ile livin g in M adr id Now that you know Madrid, why not take home a souvenir? Fans and miniature bulls will work for a gift, but they don't make justice to this multifaceted city. If they say the strongest memory is the photogenic one, then the best way to remember a city like Madrid are the many films which have it as their set. In this tour we propose you ten places immortalized by the cameras, as well as some related points of interest.

1. Cin e Dor é (Film ot eca) Our first stop isn't related to any particular movie, but perhaps, to all of them. One of the earliest cinema theatres in Madrid, opened in 1912, is also one of the few surviving cinemas downtown , and exhibition room of the National Film Archive. If you are interested in watching movies outside the commercial circuit, other options include Cin et eca M at ader o, Cin e Est u dio Bellas Ar t es or Sala Ber lan ga.

2. Plaza M ayor The most emblematic square in Madrid has got into dozens of movies, place for key scenes in La Gr an Fam ilia (Fernando Palacios, 1962) or La Flor de m i Secr et o (Pedro Almodóvar, 1995). This area has served as stage for many of Almodóvar films, like ¡Át am e! (1990, Plaza de la Villa) or La Ley del Deseo (1987, Plaza del Cordón)... and as a safe house for CIA in Th e Bou r n e Ult im at u m (Paul Greengrass, 2007)

3. Callao an d Gr an Vía

the independent film in USA, Jim Jarmsuch, shot some scenes from Th e Lim it s of Con t r ol (2009).

5. M ar t ín de los Her os The 26 stars along the path of this street near Plaza de España honor the biggest personalities in the history of the cinema in Spain. Not by coincidence: the area gathers an unusual crowd of cinemas (Ren oir , Golem and Pr in cesa) and a specialized book store, Och o y M edio.

6. Ciu dad Un iver sit ar ia The grey, bunker like building of the Faculty of Science of Information of the Un iver sidad Com plu t en se provides the perfect atmosphere to the cult thriller Tesis, a story about murder, snuff-movies and college, debut of Amenábar.

7. AZCA A big complex of business and skyscrappers, crowned

by Tor r e Picasso, star of another breathtaking scene from Abr e los Ojos, and a visit the kids of Barrio (Fernando Leon de Aranoa, 1998) can't avoid.

8. Plaza de Cast illa The unmissable form of the Kio t ow er s must have appealed the devil, as it reincarnated there in the climax of El Día de la Best ia... only to be destroyed by a plane in Tor r en t e 3 (Santiago Segura, 2006)

The most striking view of this square, the giant Schweppes neon, was indisputable star of a famous scene in El Día de la Best ia (Álex de la Iglesia, 1995).

In a more gloomy tone, El Cr ack (José Luis Garci, 1981) and its sequel offer some of the most beautiful shots of the Gran Vía and other locations. But if one image has trascended, it's its emptiness, as seen in Abr e los Ojos (Alejandro Amenábar , 1997).

9. Est ación de las Delicias

4. M alasañ a an d Ch u eca

Downtown Madrid can be very glamourous... perhaps too much. Some interesting movies to know the not so photogenic parts of Madrid are El Bola (Achero Mañas, 2000), Volver (Pedro Almodóvar, 2006), or Diamond Flash (Carlos Vermut, 2011).

The hipster neighbourhood par excellence is the perfect set for the indie hit St ock h olm (Rodrigo Sorogoyen, 2013). And in those streets and squares (like Plaza de San Ildefonso), one of the masters of

A former train station, now hosting the M u seu m of Railw ay (and a monthly vintage and food market known as Mercado de Motores) is a common set for many period movies... including, as incredible as it may seem, Doct or Zh ivago (David Lean, 1965)

10. Ou t sk ir t s of M adr id

by Javier Escribano 11

ARTS & CULTURE

By Amy Fitzgerald

A RT FESTI V A LS

¡PINTAMALASAÑA2017!

On April 23, 2017 100

Murel made entirely from sharpie markers.

The festival gave locals the

artists gathered in the streets

opportunity to see diverse

of Malasaña to participate in

artists create masterpieces that

the second edition of the urban

will turn the exterior of the

art festival ¡Pinta Malasaña!.

neighborhood's local shops into

The art festival was organized by the newspaper

For more information

an open art gallery.

The winner of the 2017

about the artists and the festival

Somos Malasana and the

winner was Sue Esteban who

visit their Facebook page or

platform Madrid Street Art

won for his floating banks of the

website at PintaMalasana.com

Project as a way to engage art

Plaza de San Ildefonso.

and the community.

The urban art festival also included some of the best DJs in Madrid that played music in the streets along side the artists A design

by Zooling.

and the 30,000 attendees.

A RT EX POSI TI ONS ANAJUANRAFAELMONEO: ARCHIVESOFANARCHITECT UNTILJUNE11,2017 The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum will display the first major retrospective on Rafael Moneo A Theoretical Reflection from the Professional Practice. Archive Materials (1961-2016).

It will include a selection of drawings, architectural models and photographs of 46 celebrated buildings by this Spanish architect.

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INTERACTIVEEXPOSITION UNTILJUNE18,2017 Ana Juan, a world famous illustrator, will return to Madrid at the ABC museum. Drawing on the other side, opens up the universe of this illustrator.

The application developed for this show reveals the creative process of two entirely different editorial projects: Another twist of Henry James and her version of Snow W hite.

Ana Juan also presents

Erthaland, Snowhite'sMystery Tale an interactive virtual reality adventure she is working on with the UNIT Experimental research team.

The experience will allow viewers to immerse themselves in the first chapter of this adventure and make a virtual visit to the environment.

CULTURA L FESTI V A LS: M A DRI D DOSDEMAYO SANISIDRO MAY12-15,2017

MAY2,2017

The San Isidro festival

Dos de Mayo is a festival

celebrates Madrid patron saint

celebrated in the community During the festival there

of Madrid to commemorate their defeat over Napoleon?s invasion in the 1800?s.

The prestigious San Isidro

San Isidro with music, dancing,

are live concerts, dancing in

and shows for people of all

bullfighting festival is also held

the streets, military parades

ages. In four days the festival

during this time. This year, the

and lots of fun activities to

will include over 200 free

Festivals will be held in over

concerts and cultural activities.

twenty venues.

The festival starts off the join in. Some of the most night of May 1 with firework impressive celebrations are displays in Jardines de las

held in the plaza de dos in

Vistillas (Vistillas Gardens).

Malasana.

The chulapos and goyescos, locals of the city dressed in the traditional clothing of Madrid, will dance the typical regional dance called the chotis.

CULTURA L FESTI V A LS I N SPA I N LASFALLAS- VALENCIA Las Fallas is a traditional festival held in commemoration of Saint Joseph in the city of Valencia Spain from 15-19 of March.

During the days leading up h to to the 19 March each barrio in Valencia prepares their ninots, paper mache puppet or doll, for a grand parade. All the ninots and n falles are created in accordance to e an agreed upon theme for each given year.

On Sunday, the final day of Las Fallas, the festival ends off with a large fireworks show and the buring all the fallas in the streets.

EASTERPROCESSIONSGRANADA&MADRID During Semana Santa, or the Holy week before Easter Sunday Spanish cities like Granada, Madrid, Malaga and many more transforms its streets to become an elaborate alter to proclaim their devout Christianity. .

Brotherhoods and fraternities walk through the streets performing the penance of processions in honor of Jesus' suffering on the cross. It is a very powerful cultural celebration to see in Spain.

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TASTE Tapas. Bars. Restaurants.

One word: Tapas. For anyone coming to Spain, it is well known how popular tapas are.

This traditional cuisine is enjoyed in small portions surrounded by good company. Not only is it a time to indulge in delicious food items, but is a time to gather with friends and socialize. Some tapas bars are hidden gems throughout the neighborhood while some are popular destinations with large crowds of locals and international students combined.

El Tigr e

M er cado de San M igu el

Potentially one of the most well known tapas bars amongst international students. With huge portions, cheap drinks and a fun social environment it is a must try while in Madrid.

An entire afternoon can be dedicated to tasting the many tapas options provided by each vendor. Go with a group of friends to vendor hop until you can not eat another croquette.

M or e Favor it es:

Lat er al

M u seo del Jam on

El Su r

Casa Lu cas

Espi t Chupi tos

BARS

The perfect place to pre-game with your friends before a wild night at Madrid's famous discotecas.

On Wednesdays this popular bar sells "chupitos" for 1 Euro. But the shots here are no normal shot. They have an entire wall full of names of crazy concoctions; some are lit on fire and some come with whipped cream, but no matter what it will be a fun experience for all.

Tupperw are This bar is a fun place you can spend drinking cocktails and dancing with friends. But be sure to order your drinks before midnight because the prices rise. Every bar in Malasana has the same ambiance filled with hip vibes and chill people.

La Veneci a This bar might have a more quiet and relaxing environment than the rest, but the drinks are anything but ordinary. This rustic bar houses the best house sherry in town. If you've never had and/or heard of sherry than you're in for a treat. The prices are cheap, but the flavor is strong!

Dubli ners This Irish Pub is a great way to meet more people and drink a ton of beer at the same time. It is a fun place for any occasion. Whether you are simply drinking with friends or there to watch a sporting event you know the crowd will be large and loud!

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Rest au r an t s Healt h y Eat s

2 1 3 5 4 Tast y Eat s

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1.RawCoco 2.MOX 3.Fit Food 4.Jardin Secreto 5.Sanissimo 6.Chuka 7.Chocolatería San Ginés 8.Federal Cafe 9.Carmencita 10.LA Sushi

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Pol l ti me!

Wh at 's t h e best t ypical M adr ilen ian dish ?

This time, you do the section. We want to find out what's the best typical dish you can eat in Madrid. We have gathered a few of the most representative, but if you have other ideas, don't hesitate. We need your help. You can send your votes to m adr idm p@u c3m .es until May 29. We will publish the results next issue... with maybe a few surprises.

Rabo de t or o?

En t r esijos?

Br avas?

Cocido?

Tor t illa?

Bocadillo de calam ar es?

UC3M m eet in g poin t Each issue, we will dedicate the final page of the magazine to speak with the people that make all of this happen... that is, the employees at the University. This time, we talk with Carlos Olague, one of the people responsible for the International Exchange programs, who tells us what makes the UC3M case so special.

Q. What?s your role in the Exchange department of the University? What kind of work do you do?

A. I´ m International Academy Tutor. I approve the contracts of studies of the students of the University that go abroad so they can recognize the subjects they did there when they come back. I also offer academic support to foreign students arriving the University.

Q. What do you think makes Madrid one of the favorite destinations for many international students?

A. It is a big and open city, with lots of scientific, economic and cultural activities.

Q. And regarding the Carlos III University, what differentiates it to other universities in Madrid or Spain, in terms of international exchanges of students?

A. It is the university in Spain that sends more Erasmus students abroad, and one of the main ones in Europe. We are expanding our programs of

Madrid is a big and open city, with lots of scientific, economic and cultural activities mobility with universities outside Europe, among them, destinations very demanded by our students like the USA. Almost 40% of our graduates have carried out a stay abroad during their studies.

Q. What kind of help do you offer foreign students that arrive the university?

A. The UC3M is one of the universities that offers more degrees and subjects in English in the country.

Foreign students receive assistance through the process of enrolling from a tutor that helps them to choose subjects. They are designated a ?buddy?, which is a Spanish student that accompanies them and helps them with any problem they can come across.

Almost 40% of our graduates have carried out a stay abroad during their studies Q. Which are the most common nationalities of foreign students that arrive the University?

A. We receive students from all around the world.

We have a strong presence in the Erasmus program, but we also have agreements with universities in America and Asia, and we are working to broaden our offer of destinations as much as possible. Right now, we send and receive students from virtually all around the world.

Q. The students you deal with give you feedback about the assistance they receive and their experiences in Madrid?

A. Problems usually appear at the beginning of the stay. They soon get used to our routines and everything flows better.

Q. What advice would you give to a just arrived student from another country, to make the most of their stay here?

A. I would advise them not be shy to ask a lot, and be willing to receive help. Soon they?ll see that everything is easy, so they can relax and enjoy the experience.

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See you next issue!

Madrid Meeting Point #2