What if I don’t speak Spanish?
If you’ll be staying in a residence hall, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice your Spanish with the staff. While some staff members may not speak English, they’re accustomed to working with English-speaking residents.
What if I lose the keys?
In the residence halls, you’re also responsible for the cost of a replacement key, should you lose it or have it stolen. This cost is currently 20€ in the residence halls.
Can I close my bedroom door?
Students living in the residence hall should ensure that their room door is properly closed at all times due to the residence hall rules. The maintenance personnel and also the staff members have access to all the floors and rooms only for security reasons.
Your room will be cleaned at least once a week in residence halls, once a month in The Social Hub.
If you want to change the cleaning day or time, please let the residence hall staff know.
Will I share a bedroom with my roommate?
Students who choose the residence hall option, rather than The Social Hub, will have a roommate from the Syracuse Madrid program.
Which residence hall staff will come into my room?
Your room will be cleaned at least once a week in residence halls or once a month in The Social Hub.
If you want to change the cleaning day or time, please let the residence hall staff know.
Can I have a friend visit my room/spend the night?
Guests or visitors are only allowed from 10am to 11pm.
Will I have a curfew?
You won’t have a curfew, but you’ll have to sign in and sign out during late night hours. You’ll also be expected to be considerate and mindful of the noise you make when you return home during quiet hours. After 11 at night, people can make an official complaint about noises in the corridors, rooms, etc.
At what time should I stop playing music or talking loudly with my roommate?
Quiet hours are strictly observed after 11pm.
What if I cannot sleep at night due to noise either in the rooms or corridors?
People are sometimes unaware of how their actions affect others, and residence halls and The Social Hub have 24-hour security. Call the front desk to let them know what’s going on so they can take action.
Can I have a package shipped to me from the United States? Can I order from Amazon?
Definitely, yes! The residence halls or The Social Hub staff will email you when your package arrives. (Tip: Your Prime membership from the U.S. doesn’t cover international shipping, nor does it apply to amazon.es.)
MEALS
What time will we have meals?
Spaniards tend to have dinner late, around 9:30pm. A usual lunchtime is 2:30pm–3pm, and bedtime is often as late as midnight. Meal times will be posted on the main door of the cafeteria or dining hall.
Should I notify anyone in advance if I’m not having lunch or dinner in the residence hall?
Kitchen staff can save a plate for you to heat up if you notify them in advance that you won’t be making it back in time for dining hours.
What should I expect at the dinner table?
Things may be a bit more relaxed at the residence hall, but we advise you to be observant. Notice what the local students do and how they behave.
What if I don’t like what they cook?
The residence hall offers several options for each meal. While the food is more tailored to local student tastes, there is also an option in case someone does not like what is offered on a specific day: sandwiches, salads, rice, fruit, etc.
Will I be forced to eat red meat and fish?
The residence hall staff will respect your dietary choices and restrictions. Inform the residence hall staff of your food restrictions in advance.
UTILITIES & COMMON AREAS
Check-ins:
Make sure to fill out the check-in document provided by your residence hall coordinator as soon as you move in to avoid being charged for any previous damage.
How often will my clothes be washed?
In the residence halls, students are responsible for washing their clothes. For your convenience, there’s a laundry room on the premises. The price for the washing machine is 3€, and the dryer costs 2€ per load.
Bed linens and towels will be changed weekly by the cleaning staff.
Will I have internet access?
The resident halls have WiFi all around the building. While the WiFi works well, don’t expect it to necessarily be as fast as in the U.S.
Is there study space in the residence hall?
The front desk can assist you in reserving study rooms on the main floor.
Can I use all the facilities in the building?
Apart from the laundry room and the dining hall, the dorms also have a game room, study rooms, an exercise room, and a patio area for resident use. To use the game room, stop by the front desk to sign up beforehand.
What if I suspect I have COVID-19?
Immediately contact the Wellness Coordinator, Raquel Perea Arenas, at rparenas@syr.edu during office hours, or call the Student Resource Line for urgent issues number at +34 696 41 39 77. Syracuse Madrid staff will inform the residence hall or The Social Hub. Staff at your location will assist you with meals and other specific needs.
Please follow instructions from Syracuse Madrid Staff.
What would be the main advice to protect myself from Covid19?
Follow all precautions outlined in the Stay Safe Pledge.