Handbook for International Students

1. WELCOME

We warmly welcome all our students!


This Student’s Guide is a result of data compilation carried out by the Coordination Department based on experience form previous years and feedback form our former students and our current national and international students.

The content of this guide has been updated, however, ESERP is not responsible for further changes made to this document.

We sincerely thank all those who contributed with helpful comments¸ they enable us to improve the quality of the data and to provide better service to our students.

We hope you enjoy your experience abroad!

2. OVERVIEW

ESERP Business & Law School was founded in response to increasing demands from the financier and business sectors. ESERP’s goal is to train current and future leaders, businessmen and women and professional in international fields. The School has a strong commitment to the economic and social development of the surrounding region of Barcelona and Catalonia through teaching, research and knowledge transfer, imbued with a distinctive international vocation.

ESERP Business & Law School, part of the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVIC-UCC), is a renowned institution because of the quality of its educators and instructors, its programs, which are constantly updated to reflect current business conditions and trends.


Studying ESERP Business & Law School

Your time at ESERP Business & Law School

As an international student at ESERP Business & Law School, part of the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVIC-UCC) you will be one of many students arriving each year from all over the world.

At ESERP we try to make sure all your needs as a foreign student are satisfied. Support is provided to you by the International Relations Office and by the International Coordinator.

Our aim is to help you settle in as fast as possible – on and off campus. Before starting classes, as an international student you are invited to a Welcome Day (WD). The WD information packages are distributed at the start of each new term to help you get acquainted with university services. On the other hand, WD aims is put in touch the incoming Erasmus with other exchange and ESERP students, who will be among your first friends in Barcelona.

It is important to emphasize that students who feel the need to ask for something can contact the International Relations Office or the International Coordinator anytime; they will always be attended to and assisted by a staff member.

Spanish is the main ESERP language of communication and is co-official with Catalan throughout Catalonia, so we strongly recommend that you register for the Spanish language course offered free at ESERP (beginner level).

Starting out at ESERP

On arrival at ESERP, you should contact the International Relations Office. There we will give you all the non-academic information related to your stay: the Handbook for the international exchange students, which includes information on accommodation, ESERP services, required documentation, language context, welcome activities, etc.

International Relations Coordinator: mobility@eserp.com

Welcome Class

The International Relations Office organizes a Welcome Class to help you settle in and be acquainted with ESERP.

The Welcome Class will take place on 10th September 2019 (autumn semester) and from 20 to 24 January 2020 (spring semester).

It is advisable to be in Barcelona during this week, since we have organized sessions of interest to you: orientation meeting with the International Relations Office staff, academic information session (timetables, registration, etc.), ESERP Services (Virtual Campus, Virtual Library, Student Card, etc.), and more.

Academic Information

The courses at ESERP are bilingual (Spanish / English). You can check the availability of ESERP courses for international exchange students at:

- International Business Program:

PROGRAMME LINK

- Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations Program:

PROGRAMME LINK

Your International Academic Coordinator will explain to you all about course registration and other procedures for your studies at ESERP. For information on subjects, academic calendar (start and end of classes), European credits, Learning Agreement, etc., please contact the international academic coordinator of the program you will be based in.

Assessment and ECTS credits System

What is an ECTS credit?

It is the measurement unit used to design qualifications within the framework of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). It is calculated based on the work required of the student (class and practical hours, studying, preparation and sitting of examinations, etc.). At ESERP, one ECTS credit is equivalent to 25 hours, or, exceptionally, up to 30 hours for external work placement.

How is each individual subject assessed?


The assessment system of all the courses of any ESERP Bachelor is continuous assessment, that is to say: two exams + several mandatory assignments. The minimum grade to pass the any subject is five over ten (5/10)[1].

If you pass the subject, the assessment report will include the final descriptive and numerical marks obtained.

DESCRIPTION

MA

Excellent / Honours

9.0 – 10

A / A+

Outstanding

7.0 – 8.9

B+

Passing grade

5.0 – 6.9

C / B- / B

Failing grade

0 – 4.9

F

If you do not participate in any of the assessment activities for the subject, or do not participate in a sufficient number of them in the opinion of the responsible lecturer, you will receive the mark of unsatisfactory.

What happens if I fail an exam with a numerical mark of 4 or lower?

You can retake the exams during the reassessment week. The only items that are not possible to recover are the assignments and activities. If the student does not upload the activity or fail it, he/she will lose a given % of the final grade according to the subject program.

Student card

The student card identifies you as a student at ESERP and allows you to enjoy the services available to you. It also allows you to identify yourself as a student in congresses, museums, etc. and get discounts and benefits in shops and services around Catalonia.

How to obtain it?


Once you complete the ESERP online form and deliver a photo with an appropriate quality, you can pick it up at the ESERP Academic Secretary in 2 weeks. You can find this application in: https://es.eserp.com/guest-student-info/


Student Services

Computer rooms, printing and Wi-Fi network

As an ESERP student you can use the computer rooms at ESERP: Girona Street, 110 room. You only have to apply for access in the Academic Secretary. You can also use the Work Center (-1st floor) and the printing service.

All the ESERP buildings have free Wi-Fi (without password):

FREE_WIFI_ESERP

Lost and Found

Ask at the Academic Secretary of ESERP (Girona Street) if you have lost any personal belonging.

Virtual Library

In the Virtual Library, you can find more than 33,000 Digital books and more than 23,000 videos, podcasts, magazines and other resources, with unlimited use as a student of ESERP.

The Digital Library has different search engines, by areas of knowledge or by type of documents and the student can find the basic bibliography of the different subjects in the case of the Degrees, as well as a selection of bibliographies recommended by the professors.

This library not only allows you to read each volume completely, but also to use it as editable documents for a better reading and interpretation of the texts, being able to mark the most relevant ones, make notes at the bottom of the page and establish more convenient reading parameters for student body.

The student will find here some tutorials for a better experience of use within the platform.

Access through the ESERP Virtual Campus. In case of doubts or other aspects related to the Library, you can consult with your academic coordinator.


Summarized list of Services

· Welcome class

· Information on accommodation and transport

· Language School

· Volunteering

· Virtual Library

· Virtual Campus

· Computer rooms, print and free WiFi network

· Free laptop service

· Online certificate request:

https://en.eserp.com/student-services/diplomas-certificates/

· Student special benefits and discounts:

https://en.eserp.com/student-services/student-benefits/

· Extra free activities and Events:

https://en.eserp.com/eventos/

· Career and employment guidance, coaching and developing a personal brand and Information on national and international businesses in all sectors: https://en.eserp.com/student-services/employment/

3. ESERP Virtual Campus

What is the ESERP Virtual Campus?

The ESERP Virtual Campus is an intranet with academic, administrative and other information for the university community and tools for communication, learning, browsing and dynamic content.

What will you find?

In the Virtual Campus you will find general information and specific details of your training activities; access to documentation for each course: study notes, exercises, other materials, forums, chats, your grades and academic record, announcements… and much more.

How do I log in?

On your student card you will find your ID number. This identifier number is your user on the Campus. The password is 123456. We strongly recommend to modify this password by a personal one.

http://aulaeserponline.com/intranet

Campus App


The official ESERP application has been developed from the official Moodle Mobile application for Moodle.

Among many other things, the application allows you to:

· View the content of your courses, even when offline;

· Participate in course Activities from your mobile device;

· Receive instant notifications of messages and other events;

· Quickly find and contact other people in the same courses as you;

· Upload images, audio, video and other files;

· View your course grades.

You can find more detailed information regarding the App by clicking on this official link.

Virtual Classrooms


Our virtual classrooms use the Moodle platform, a software for creating custom virtual learning environments. The use of Moodle will vary, depending on the teachers, the activity and the students.

The most commonly used features of Moodle are:

· Receiving messages from the teacher in the classroom.

· Reviewing materials proposed by teachers.

· Following links to relevant resources on the web.

· Submitting work online, instead of doing it on paper.

· Using communication tools such as forums where everyone can participate, ask for help, give their opinion, etc.

· Access to the ESERP Virtual Library.

· Check the delivery schedule.

· Check events and conferences.

4. Our Campuses


ESERP has two facilities. The plant is located in Girona Street No. 24. However, it has another campus on Casp Street No. 52:

5. ESERP Language School

ESERP has its own Language School and all international students that take part in an exchange program at ESERP can attend courses there – Spanish, English, French, German or Chinese - subject to enrolment at Academic Administration.

If you wish to study at the ESERP Language School, remember to fill in an application form with your International Academic Coordinator and take the language level test.

Bear in mind that you must do all assignments and exams satisfactorily in order to get the ESERP language certificate.

Spanish Language Courses

Our university offers free Spanish courses for international students. We will inform you about the start and end dates of each course during the Orientation Class.

Catalan

Remember that Catalan is the co-official language in Catalonia, so we refer you to several organizations that offer free Catalan courses.

Consortium for Linguistic Standardisation

This body is made up of the Government of Catalonia, city councils, district councils and regional offices to facilitate knowledge and use of Catalan. The Consortium for Linguistic Standardisation organises Catalan courses for adults (older than 16 or 18 years old) at all levels in most cities of Catalonia.


Linguistic initiation courses are free. Discounts are provided for certain groups for the rest of the levels.

Parla.cat

Parla.cat is a virtual learning space with materials for learning Catalan and tests for students to find out their level of knowledge of Catalan. http://www.parla.cat

6. Prepare your arrival

Accommodation

ESERP does not have its own residence halls. However, the International Department will give you all the information you need to help you find appropriate accommodation. Please be aware that you are responsible for organizing accommodation for yourself.

When it comes to accommodation, as a student in Barcelona you can choose between the following options:

· Sharing accommodation with other students (flats to rent and share).

· Living in a residence hall.

First thing, start searching early enough. You have to consider that: If you are an international student you will need about two month to find accommodation. If you are a Spanish student it will take you around three weeks. As a student you have several ways to find an accommodation:

- Search for accommodation in a dormitory.

- Search a room or an apartment through online agencies.

- Search a room through the city council website.

- Through the accommodation student contacts from ESERP.

You can get more detail in the annex / accommodation guide.

Health Insurance

In order to study at ESERP, we require you to contract an insurance for 199€ which covers all you need:

  • Accident Insurance during your academic activity.

  • Travel Assistance Insurance for your displacements for academic purposes.

  • Health Care Insurance due to accident or illness.

  • Private Liability.

  • Repatriation.

  • Legal Assistance.

  • Displacement of a relative in case of hospitalization.

To contract it, follow this steps:

1) Go to https://oncampus.es/seguros/oncampus-estudia/

2) Introduce ESERP at the drop list:

3) Introduce your data, and register with your email.

4) Pay 199€.

5) You will receive an invoice and a policy insurance via email. Forward it back to us at your earliest convenience.

Visa for non-EU Student


A Student Schengen Visa is an entry permit to the Schengen Zone, granted to third-country nationals wishing to enter and remain for short-stays in any of the member states, under the purpose of studying.


This visa permits its holder to remain in the Schengen territory for a maximum of 3 months. If your study or training course lasts longer than that, you should apply for a Long-Stay Study Visa at the embassy of the respective country.


Only the nationals coming from third countries that have not signed a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area member states are in need of a Student Schengen Visa.


What Documents are Required When Applying for a Student Schengen Visa?

The mandatory documents to apply for a Student Schengen Visa are as following:

· Two visa application forms. Fully completed, with correct and honest answers. Print it and sign the form at the end.


· Two identical photos. Taken within the last three months according to the Schengen visa photo requirements.


· Valid passport. Issued within the last 10 years with validity of at least 3 months after the end of the planned journey.


· A copy of passport’s biometric data.


· Previous passports. Tied together with a rubber band. Do not staple them!


· Proof of residency. Some sort of document issued by the country where you are applying from as a proof that you are a citizen or resident of that country.


· Roundtrip reservation or itinerary. Specifying the dates and flight numbers of entry and exit from the Schengen area. Here you can learn more about how to book a flight reservation for EU visa application.

· Travel medical insurance. A document issued by your Europe health insurer, confirming you have insurance for the whole Schengen territory, throughout your whole stay with coverage of €30,000 for emergency health situations.

· Proof of accommodation. Evidence where you will be staying at, during your time in the Schengen zone. This could be one of the following:

o Dormitory contract. Signed between you and an official of a dormitory in the country where you will be staying.


o Rent Agreement. A contract with a property owner in this Schengen state, specifying the address and other information details about the facility and landlord.


o Letter of Invitation. A letter written by a resident in the country you are applying to enter, confirming they are willing to take you in their home throughout the period you will be there.

· Letter of acceptance at an EU University/College/School. A recent, official and signed letter stating your name/type of studies/length of studies/part of a European program if applicable/number of hours per week.


· Proof of academic qualifications. Diploma, academic records, attestation of the application for equivalence or decision / dispatch of equivalence.

· Proof of financial means. Documents that show one is able to reside and financially maintain him / herself during their stay in the Schengen zone. This can be one of the following:

o Scholarship. Original attestation of an official scholarship of minimum 631€/month.

o Bank account statement. Showing your bank balance for the last three months.

o Sponsorship and Proof of paid visa fee.

Stay on budget


The amount you need to bring will depend on your personal spending habits. We recommend that you bring 500euros –750 euros in traveler’s checks and 500euros in cash to cover your expenses the first few weeks in Barcelona. You should buy traveler’s checks before you leave your home country. Traveler’s checks are much safer than carrying large amounts of cash and can be cashed at airports and most banks. We recommend that you record the serial numbers of your traveler’s checks and to keep them in a safe place in case you lose or misplace them.

If you are planning to use a credit or debit card from your local bank at home, check that you will be able to use the card in the Spain and what charges will be applied to your account. Visa, Visa Electron and MasterCard- are widely accepted in the Spain. Also, in order to use it as a debit card, you will need to know your PIN—the 4 digit Personal Identification Number used to withdraw money from a cash machine (ATM). Without this, you may not be able to use your card to pay for purchases. It is advised that you inform your credit or debit card company that you will be studying abroad to avoid the risk of their freezing your account in suspect of fraud.

On the other hand the average cost of living for students in Barcelona is between 600 euros and 900 euros per month. The cost of living in Barcelona will depend of the student style life. This table should give you an idea of the prices you will encounter in Barcelona:

Housing

Price

Monthly rent: flat

€600 - €1000

Monthly rent: room in a shared flat

€350 - €500

Monthly rent: room in a student resident

€300 - €500

Transportation

Price

Underground and bus (10 journeys)

€ 10

Single ticket

€ 2

3-month ticket

€ 142

3-month ticket (travellers under 25)

€ 105

Food

Price

Average restaurant menu

€ 10

Weekly supermarket cost

€25 - €50

Leisure

Price

Cinema ticket

€ 8

Theatre ticket

€12 - €40

Concert ticket

€15 - €50

Nightclub ticket

€12 - €17

Advices on travel arranges


- Check with your airline regarding limits for weight and size for baggage. In addition, check on restrictions for carry-on baggage.

- Ensure you have a valid passport with visa. Keep them handy in your carry-on baggage or inside of your passport. You will need to present it by the port of entry. Please make photocopies or scan all your important documents.

- Arrange cash and travel checks to support you until you can open a bank account.

- Arrange for travel insurance.

- Check the compatibility of any electrical equipment you are bringing.

7. Barcelona


Barcelona is the largest city of Catalonia and has a population of 1.6 million inhabitants (3.2 million inhabitants adding the metropolitan area). Its excellent location on the shores of the Mediterranean, its gentle climate and its open, cosmopolitan character make the Catalan capital an extraordinary place to live.

It is currently recognized as a global city due to its importance in the spheres of culture, finance, business and tourism. Its port is one of the foremost in the Mediterranean and the city is a transport hub between Spain and France.

Harmoniously integrating tradition and modernity, Barcelona combines the architectural evidence of its Roman and Medieval past with both Modernism (Catalan Art Nouveau) –with Gaudi as the leading exponent of this architectural style– and gems of contemporary architecture such as the Torre Agbar. Its gradual evolution has made it a focal point for architecture lovers.

Barcelona, the Southern Gate to Europe, hosts one of the largest university communities in Europe, made up of 200.000 students and more than 15.000 professors in seven universities offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

In its 500 years of university life, Barcelona universities have achieved a high international rankings position and most of them have been recognized as Campus of International Excellence (CEI), a distinction that wants to promote Spanish universities in Europe.

In addition, its potential has made it a magnet for new trends from around the world. Design, music, fashion, art and cinema professionals are part and parcel of this dynamic city.

A broad offer in culture, sports, leisure and nature activities rounds out the spectrum of opportunities. A perfect place to combine quality academic activity with a quality social life.

Barcelona Tourism Office

· Plaça de Catalunya, 17-S C.P: 08002 Tel: 932 853 834

· Sants Train Station – Plaça dels Països Catalans, s/n, C.P: 08014

· Barcelona Airport – Prat Airport Terminal 1 and 2 (B)

https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/

How to get to Barcelona

By Plane

Barcelona has an international airport known as El Prat , with two terminals: T1 and T2. The terminals are connected by shuttle buses running every 8 minutes. The airport is located 18 km south of the city. More than a hundred airlines connect the city with 200 destinations worldwide. If you arrive by plane, there are several ways of getting from the airport to the city:

· Aerobús. Bus service rapidly connecting the two terminals with downtown Barcelona (25-35 minutes), end stop Plaça Catalunya. The Aerobús' T1 line serves terminal T1 while the A2 line serves terminal T2. It runs every day from 5:30 am to 1:00 am.

· Metro. Line L9 can be taken from both T1 and T2. It takes you to Barcelona within 15-20min, but in order to get to the center you will have to transfer to red, blue or green line.

· Train. Line R-2 Nord (R-2 North), of the Catalan Regional Railway - Rodalies de Catalunya - connects terminal T2 with Sants, Barcelona's central station (19 minutes), Passeig de Gràcia (26 minutes) and Clot-Aragó (30 minutes). It runs every day from 6:00 am to 11:30 pm.

· Taxi Cab. There is always a large fleet of taxi cabs available at the airport at any time, at either of the two terminals. Taxis charge an additional fee for airport service and for every suitcase transported.

At approximately 100 kilometres from Barcelona are the Girona-Costa Brava and Reus airports, out of which certain low-cost airlines run.

By Train or Car

The city of Barcelona is well-connected with the rest of the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe through road and railway networks.

· Road: If you're coming by private vehicle, you can find all the information on the state of the roads at the Servei Català de Trànsit (Catalan Transit Service) or the Dirección General de Tráfico (Spanish Traffic Authority). There are also many coach lines regularly connecting Barcelona. Barcelona's main bus station is Barcelona Nord (Estació del Nord). There is a smaller bus station, the Fabra i Puig Station , as well as a few lines running out of the Sants central train station.

· Railway lines: Renfe (Spanish Railway)

Getting Around in Barcelona

Every city has its emblematic buildings or points of reference that help you get your bearings. The main point of reference in Barcelona is Plaça de Catalunya, lying at the heart of the city in the Ciutat Vella (Old City) district. The city is divided into 10 districts, which are, in turn, divided into neighborhoods (barris). You can easily find your location on this map.

The Ciutat Vella district includes the neighborhoods comprising the heart of the city: Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarters), la Ribera and el Raval. The traditional fisherman and seafarer's neighborhood, la Barceloneta, completes the district. Surrounding the old city, the Eixample district spreads out from Barcelona's former city walls. Like an open-air architecture museum, this expanse, which began to be built up during the Industrial Revolution, eventually absorbed neighboring towns, today comprising their own districts, i.e. Gràcia, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Sant Andreu and Horta, among others.

The neighborhoods of Vila Olímpica and Poblenou, in the Sant Martí district, together with Barceloneta, comprise the city's seafront, with 4 kilometres of beaches.

If you want more information about the neighbors or districts of the city we suggest you to visit the website of the City Hall (information in Spanish).

Public Transport

The city has a comprehensive, highly efficient public transport network. Different means of transport comprise a network that will bring you to any corner of the city, not to mention the neighboring towns in the greater metropolitan area. There is an integrated fare system allowing you to use the same ticket on all public transport.


Metro : The metro has 8 lines and 140 stations covering nearly the entire city. This is the fastest means of public transport. Two new lines are also under construction that will directly connect Barcelona's El Prat Airport.

Bus : The bus system has over 100 lines connecting the city's different neighbourhoods as well as Barcelona with the neighbouring municipalities in the greater metropolitan area. At night, the day lines are replaced with night lines, called NitBus .

Tram : Barcelona has 6 tram lines connecting Barcelona with other municipalities in the metropolitan area. It is divided in two: the Trambaix, connecting the district of Les Corts with the towns of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Joan Despí, Sant Just Desvern and Esplugues de Llobregat; and the Trambesòs, connecting the Sant Martí district with the towns of Sant Adrià de Besòs and Badalona. The latter connects UPF's Ciutadella and Poblenou campuses in just 10 minutes.

Bicing : Bicing is an urban transport system based on shared use of bicycles. Simple, practical and environmentally friendly, it's a good way to get around the city. There are over 400 stations and 6,000 bicycles, with stations at all UPF campuses. To use this public transport system, you must have a Spanish national identification number (DNI) or foreign national ID number (NIE) .

FGC (Catalan Commuter Rail): 14 lines, three of which operate as a complement to the Barcelona metro system. The remaining lines connect Barcelona with other cities in the metropolitan area and vicinity.

Rodalies (Catalan Regional Railway): 8 inter-city railway lines connecting Barcelona with the metropolitan area and the rest of Catalonia.



Metro map

Check all the lines and combinations in the following website: https://www.tmb.cat/en/barcelona/metro/lines

Other Options

The city also has a major taxi cab fleet. Barcelona taxi cabs are black with yellow doors. Look for the green light indicating a free taxi, or go to one of the taxi stands, operating 24 hours a day.

8. Practical Information

Calendar of Holidays and Daily Schedules

There are different bank holidays over the course of the year. Some of them are celebrated throughout Spain, others throughout Catalonia and some only in Barcelona, all of which affect the ESERP calendar.

Daily schedules are somewhat different from the rest of Europe:

Meals: Meals are generally eaten later than in other parts of Europe. Breakfast is normally eaten between 9 and 11 am, lunch between 2 and 4 pm and supper between 9 and 10 pm, although restaurants have more extended hours.

Business Hours: The majority of establishments open from Monday to Saturday, closing on Sundays, but small shops often close on Saturday afternoon as well. As a general rule, departments stores, shopping centers and large shops do not close at midday, whereas municipal marketplaces and small shops tend to close from 2 to 5 pm (with variations depending on each shop).

Working Hours: The work day usually begins between 8 and 9 am. Lunch break often consists of an hour or so sometime between 1:30 and 4 pm. Work usually ends between 6 and 7:30 pm.

Cost of Life


Depending on your country of origin, you may find Barcelona expensive or not. To help you plan your stay, we have made up a table with approximate monthly expenses. The amounts are approximations and there can be variations depending on the neighborhood you choose to live in, the housing you choose and your lifestyle.

Item

Room in a shared flat

Room in a student residence hall

Housing

350-500 €

500-800 €

Food

200 €

200 €

Transport

50 €

50 €

Other expenses

200 €

200 €

TOTAL

800-950 €

950-1,250 €

Banks and Credit Cards

The banking system complies with all international standards and the city has a major network of different bank offices and automatic tellers. Credit cards are extensively used and are accepted in the majority of shops, restaurants, etc.

To open a bank account you need to have a NIE (Spanish foreign national ID) number / card. If you are staying long, it will be convenient for you to open a bank account in Spain.

We also recommend you consult with your bank before leaving your country about their fees for using your credit or debit card abroad, as well as money transfer conditions.

Internet Access

The number of bars and restaurants offering their customers WiFi is on the rise. In addition, Barcelona has a public WiFi network open to everyone, called Barcelona WiFi , comprised of over 400 connection points at city facilities or outside, on the street. You do not need to register beforehand.


During your stay you will have access to the ESERP wifi available at all our campus.

Tips for Keeping Safe


Barcelona is a modern, cosmopolitan city with over a million and a half inhabitants. Like any other large city, the innermost areas, especially those attracting tourists, can be the riskiest, basically due to the presence of pickpockets and street hawkers. Pickpockets sometimes use ruses to distract you, as, for instance, telling you that you have a stain on your clothes or trying to sell you carnations. Try to avoid such people.

The main recommendation is to use your common sense and always keep an eye on your things. The Police have put out a leaflet with the main safety recommendations in different languages (Catalan, Spanish, English, French and German).

http://mossos.gencat.cat/en/prevencio/consells_de_seguretat/per_unes_vacances_segures/index.html

When you're in a bar or restaurant, never lose sight of your personal belongings.

In any case, if you are the victim of a robbery, you can ask any police officer for help or call 112, the emergency number.

Useful Telephone Numbers

The Barcelona City Council provides a list of useful phone numbers, including municipal services, emergencies, transport, etc.

There is also an all-encompassing number that can be used for any type of emergency: 112. In addition, there are the citizen information lines of both the Barcelona City Council (010) and the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan government - 012).

Culture and Leisure

Barcelona has a broad cultural, leisure and entertainment offer that has helped position it as one of the most visited cities in the world. Throughout the year there is a full agenda with exhibits, festivals, festivities and traditions. If you would like to be informed of culture and events in Barcelona, we recommend the Barcelona Centre Universitari (BCU) agenda.

Museums and Exhibits

The main museums in the city have important collections covering a vast range of artistic styles. Apart from their permanent collections, they also host top-notch temporary exhibits. On the first Sunday of every month, some museums are free.

MNAC: National Art Museum of Catalonia

MACBA: Barcelona Contemporary Art Museum

CCCB: Barcelona Contemporary Culture Centre

Picasso Museum

Fundació Joan Miró

Fundació Antoni Tàpies

CaixaForum

Music and Theatre

The performing arts have a strong tradition in this city. The cultural scene keeps a fast pace, offering music, theatre, concerts and festivals throughout the year.

· The main concert halls in the city are: L'Auditori, Palau de la Música and the opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu. For major concerts, there is also the Palau Sant Jordi stadium and other sports facilities in the city.

· Warm weather brings important music festivals as well, such as Primavera Sound , Sònar, the Grec Festival, BAM, etc.

· Insofar as theatre, you can enjoy major and small productions year round. Musicals are mostly showing at theatres along Avinguda Paral·lel.

Festivities and Traditions

Festivities and traditions mark the character of each culture. The main festivities on the Barcelona calendar are the following:

· 6 January - the Epiphany or Three Kings Day

· 23 April, Sant Jordi (Saint George's Day, a day of books and roses)

· 24 June, Sant Joan (Saint John's Day, summer solstice, bonfire and firecracker celebrations)

· 11 September, la Diada, national commemorative day of Catalonia

· 24 September, la Mercè, patron saint of Barcelona

· 25 and 26 December, Christmas and the day after, i.e. Sant Esteve

Sports

The city has two Division-One football (i.e. soccer) teams: the world-renowned FC Barcelona (better known as Barça) and the RCD Espanyol (better known as l'Espanyol). Furthermore, since the '92 Olympic Games, Barcelona has become an international reference in hosting world-class sports events.

The city also organises many popular sports events in which you can participate, such as the Cursa dels Bombers or the Cursa dels Nassos, both 10 km road races. Find out about all such events and activities on the Barcelona City Council's sports website.


9. Documentation and registration

Application form


All the nominated students must send an online Application Form.

Application deadlines:

· Autumn semester and completely academic year: 30 June

· Spring semester: 30 November


Also, if you have not already done so, it is necessary to fill out the ESERP form: https://es.eserp.com/guest-student-info/

Documents for your International Academic Coordinator

The Learning Agreement: Academic information will be required by the Internationalisation Unit of ESERP. Information about registration will be given to students at the Welcome Class. For all academic matters (i.e. Learning Agreement, courses, timetable, registration, etc.), please contact your ESERP International Academic Coordinator.

ESERP regulations on health insurance are very strict and apply to all their students, incoming and outgoing exchange students. You only know the real value of insurance when you need it!

No student may register at ESERP without this documentation.


10. Legal formalities for foreigners

Once in Barcelona, international students are encouraged to register their contact details to their Embassy or Consulate in Spain

Students from outside the EU


If you are a student from outside the European Union (EU), the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland, in order to stay in Spain legally for more than 90 days, you need to obtain a student residence authorization, which authorizes you to remain in Spain for the duration of your course and if you wish. You will also be able to travel within the EU and the countries that have signed agreements with Spain or the EU for the free movement of people.

Steps to take to obtain your student residence authorization:

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE IN SPAIN: Student Visa

DURING THE FIRST MONTH IN SPAIN: TIE (Foreigner Identity Card)

TWO MONTHS BEFORE YOUR CARD EXPIRES: Renewal

IF YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL AND YOUR CARD HAS EXPIRED: Return permit

IF YOU WANT TO WORK DURING YOUR COURSE: Work permit

Student Visa


Before arriving in Spain you must obtain the student residence visa (visado de estancia por estudios) from the Spanish consulate in your country of origin or legal residence. You can find your consulate on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

To apply for a visa, you need an accreditation of acceptance on an ESERP study programme, among other documents.

It is very important that the visa is a student visa (type D). Any other type of visa does not entitle you to the subsequent processing of your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).

N.B.: Remember that the student visa is only valid for study at the university where you have applied for admission, and for the period specified in the acceptance letter. This means that if you choose to study at a different educational institution after obtaining your visa, you should contact the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country of residence to make sure of the steps you need to take before travelling to Spain.

DURING THE FIRST MONTH AFTER YOU ENTER SPAIN: TIE (Foreigner Identity Card)

If your authorized stay is longer than six months, you must apply for your Foreigner Identity Card, within one month of entering Spain.

You must apply for this authorization directly at the police station:

A) Barcelona residents at the Police Station located in Rambla Guipúscoa, 74, in Barcelona, by appointment, arranged on the website (Extranjería\Cita previa extranjería\Acceda\Acceder al procedimiento\Barcelona\Expedición de tarjeta de identidad de extranjero\Entrar). From 1/7/2015 on, Hospitalet residents must apply for the TIE by prior appointment too.

B) Foreign citizens residing in towns other than Barcelona and Hospitalet, should apply in person to the Police Station in the town where you live, with no need for an appointment.

Information about census register at Barcelona City Hall's website

For further information:

http://extranjeros.mtin.es/es/InformacionInteres/InformacionProcedimientos/Ciudadanosnocomunitarios/estudiantes.html

TWO MONTHS BEFORE YOUR CARD EXPIRES: Renewal

The card is valid for one year and is renewable if you continue your studies.

You can carry out the renewal process a maximum of 2 months in advance, and you must do so before it expires.

NEW procedure for submitting the renewal documents!


Since the entry into force of 39/2015 law, renewal applications must be submitted either electronically or in person:


Electronically at the Foreigners Office Website or at the Electronic Register


In person without prior appointment at the Government General Registration Office (Bergara) or Government General Registration Office (Mallorca).

Fees Form (16,98 euros)

More information:

http://extranjeros.mtin.es/es/InformacionInteres/InformacionProcedimientos/Ciudadanosnocomunitarios/estudiantes.html

IF YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL AND YOUR CARD HAS EXPIRED: Return permit

If you have to leave Spain and your card is being renewed, you can apply for a permit that allows you to re-enter the country, providing that your card has already expired. This authorization allows you to leave and re-enter the country within 90 days.

Process update (29/07/2013): Return permit is valid exclusively for entering the Schengen Area through the Spanish borders. If you intend to enter the Schengen area through another Member State, check prior your departure if you are required a VISA for entering that Member State.

You must apply for this authorization directly at the police station, by appointment:

A) Barcelona residents at the office of the National Police Force on C/Mallorca, 213, Barcelona, by appointment, arranged on the website. From 1/7/2015 on, Hospitalet residents must apply for the return permit by prior appointment too.

B) Foreign citizens residing in towns other than Barcelona, should apply in person, with no need for an appointment.

Fees must be paid at the Police Station (you'll find the form there) when applying for the return authorisation

More information is available at:

http://extranjeros.mtin.es/es/InformacionInteres/InformacionProcedimientos/Ciudadanosnocomunitarios/estudiantes.html

IF YOU WANT TO WORK DURING YOUR COURSE: Work permit

If during your stay, you have to undertake an internship in a public or private institution that is part of the syllabus for which your residence permit was granted, and which is included in the collaboration agreements between these institutions and UPF, you do not need to apply for any work permit.

In other circumstances, if you want to study and work (on either a self-employed or employed basis), you will need a work permit, with the following conditions:

In a part time contract, working hours must not interfere with your school hours. If you sign up for a full time contract you are allowed to work up to three months, in which case it shall not coincide or overlap with any term of the academic year.

The achieved income cannot have the nature of resource necessary to prove your sustenance nor your stay. Furthermore, it will not be considered as part of the TIE renewal process.

The validity of the work permit will be valid for the same duration as the contract and cannot be longer than the duration of the student residence permit.

More information on the documents required and the application procedure is available at:

http://extranjeros.mtin.es/es/InformacionInteres/InformacionProcedimientos/Ciudadanosnocomunitarios/estudiantes.html

Related links:

Catalan Public Employment Service (SOC).

Oficina virtual de trámites de la Generalitat de Catalunya. Virtual Office of the Government of Catalonia (information available only in Spanish).

EU students


If you are from a European Union member state (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden or United Kingdom,) or Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, you are entitled to free movement and residence in Spain.

However, all EU citizens residing in Spain for a period exceeding three months must apply for registration in the Central Registry of Foreigners. This registration leads to a certificate of registration being issued and includes a NIE number.

You must apply for this document directly at the police station:

A) Barcelona residents at the Police Station located in Rambla Guipúscoa, 74, in Barcelona, by appointment, arranged on the website (Cita previa extranjería\Acceder al procedimiento\Barcelona\Certificado UE\Entrar). From 01/07/2015 on, Hospitalet residents must apply for registration by prior appointment too.

B) Foreign citizens residing in towns other than Barcelona, should apply in person to the Police Station of your city, without prior appointment.

Which documents are needed?

Application form

Passport or identity card (original and copy)

Registration at ESERP (original and copy)

European Health Insurance Card or private insurance policy (original and copy).

Statement of Financial Resources that students have sufficient economic funds during their stay in Spain. Participation in study exchange programs of the European Union is accreditation enough to justify economic funds.



11. Emergencies

Health Coverage

All students must have health care insurance.

If you are a citizen of Spain, you must have medical coverage that is valid in Barcelona (whether Social Security coverage, a private health insurance policy, etc.).

If you are a citizen of a Member State of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland and entitled to coverage under the social security system of your country, then you can apply to the European health Insurance Card (EHIC), which can be obtained from the public health authorities of your home country. While the European Health Insurance Card gives EU citizens access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in Spain, the EHIC is NOT an alternative to travel insurance. It does cover NEITHER accidents NOR any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property. Moreover, the EHIC does NOT cover your costs if you are traveling for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment.

If you are a citizen of a country outside the European Economic Area or Switzerland, then you must find out whether there exists a mutual health provision agreement between the Social Security system of your country and Spain (this is the case of a number of Latin American countries). If such an agreement exists, you can obtain a document from the relevant authorities in your country entitling you to free medical coverage in Spain.

If you do not fall into any of the above categories or cannot give proof of the document issued by the relevant national authority of your country, then prior to departure, you must take out private medical insurance to cover the whole stay at

All international students, including Erasmus, are required to have full coverage of eventual risks during their stay in Barcelona.

Health system

Barcelona has a wide range of health centers and hospitals. The public health system provides free universal access, while ensuring good quality care levels.

Centros de Atención Primaria - CAP (Primary Care Centers). This is the first place you should go when you have a health problem. They offer health and social care. You must be a TSE cardholder in order to access to their services for free. Barcelona has a comprehensive network of CAPs. To find the CAP closer to your place of residence you can visit the City Hall's website.

Public Hospitals. You should go to a Hospital only in case of an emergency. If you face a common health problem, you should go first to your nearest CAP. If the CAP health staff considers that it is necessary they will refer you to the Hospital. To access to their services for free, it is also necessary to be an EHIC cardholder.

In Barcelona, there are also private hospitals and clinics. If you have acquired private health insurance, check the documentation to find out which health centers or hospitals you are assigned to. For more information about the medical and health care, see health care section of the City Hall's website. In case of emergency, you should call the emergency phone number 112.

Illnes

If you are in Barcelona, always call your private health insurance company for guidance (we advise you to carry your insurance phone number with you at all times).

If you need to go to a healthcare center or the hospital you should take with you both your European Health Card (European citizens only) and your private health insurance card.

Accident

If you have an accident, you should do as in the case of illness. If you are on the road or cannot reach a hospital, you should call the emergency services (112) or an ambulance (061).

Chemist

Chemists have the same opening hours as shops, but there is also always a local duty chemist open around the clock. At each chemist you can find the address of all the chemists in Barcelona and also the one on duty that day.

To report a crime

If you want to report a burglary or an aggression and you need the police, you should go to the Mossos d’Esquadra Station (Catalan Police). Tel.: 112. http://tinyurl.com/mossos-cat

Emergency telephone number

In the case of flood, fire or other problems where you need the fire service, ambulance, Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan Police), Policía Nacional (Spanish police), etc., you should call the general emergency number in the European Union 112.

Safety tips

We advise you to read the safety tips offered by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of Catalonia with the collaboration of Barcelona University Centre. http://www.bcu.cat/en/safety-tips/


12. Useful Websites

European Union

Europass Language Passport

http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/home

European Language Portfolio

http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/elp/

Spanish Government Ministries

Interior Ministry

http://www.interior.gob.es/

Education Ministry

http://www.mecd.gob.es/portada-mecd/en/

Ministry of Science and Innovation

http://tinyurl.com/mi-ci-inn

Study in Catalonia

Barcelona Centre Universitari (BCU)

http://www.bcu.cat/en/

Generalitat of Catalonia

http://tinyurl.com/study-in-Catalunya

Interculturality

Geert Hofstede

http://www.geert-hofstede.com/

Cultural etiquette

http://tinyurl.com/cultural-etiquette

Transport

Barcelona Airport and Girona Airport

http://www.aena.es

RENFE (trains)

http://www.renfe.com/

Barcelona

Barcelona website

https://www.barcelona.cat/es/

Barcelona Tourist Office

https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/it/



13. International Relations Office

For further information about ESERP, please contact us. We are here to help you before, during and after (if possible) your stay in Barcelona.

For more informal questions or other matters, you can always contact your International Academic Coordinator; they will be glad to help you.

Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 2.00pm and 5.00pm – 8.00pm.

Carrer Girona, 24 - 08010 Barcelona

Tel.:+34 932 44 94 10

mobility@eserp.com

www.eserp.com

Follow us on:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

Youtube


14. Accommodation Guide

Basic tips


As for the accommodation you may know that there are several dormitories where you can find a single or shared room. According to the residences, you can have individual toilet, kitchen and living room, own or shared one, as well as other complementary services. Prices will depend on these criteria and needs.

If what you want to rent a room or an apartment through online searching, we recommend this top housing platforms:

Other option is to find an apartment or room-mates through the Citys Council’s Barcelona webpage. It is names HabitatGejove. This is an organization created by leading universities of Barcelona, together with the Generalitat of Catalunya and Barcelona City Council, with the aim to support international students who come to Barcelona. You can find information and advices, rooms in shared flats or the options to stay with a family from Barcelona, dormitories and colleges campus and so on. For more information you can consult the webpage, http://www.habitatgejove.com/webv2c/en/

If you want to rent a room or apartment through the accommodation contacts from Aspire Business School, send an email to mobility@eserp.com and we will be happy to help you contact some agencies and giving accommodation information.

In short:

- Search with enough time.

- Compare prices and services.

- If you are looking for an apartment, the estimated price is around 600-900 euros. If you are looking for a room, the price is between 350 euros and 500 euros.

- Look for warrants, don’t trust anyone.

- Try to visit the apartment in person.

- Check if the location is nearby a bus or subway stop.

- If you want to rent a whole apartment, you have to pay one month minimum in advance by law, amount which will be returned to you once you leave. In rooms this procedure is not mandatory, but most of the offers require to pay one month of deposit.

- Do not pay in advance unless you use a secured online payment service or trust the person

Mobile apps to find a room

Some of the above-referred websites have mobile apps which are very useful when it comes to find an accommodation. Either Badi, Spot-a-home and Idealista applications can be downloaded from Google play or App Store.

Badi enables you to sign up and open an account with your own profile. This helps the users to find the desired flat mate in accordance with the preferences of each person. In this sense, it not only allows you to find the perfect room, but also to share apartment with a roommate who matches your standards. In addition, this application provides a service of booking rooms, which is a way to make sure that you will have your dormitory waiting for you in a given date.

Spot-a-home is a similar platform through which you can book a room, studio or a whole apartment in a secure way. In addition, this company uploads videos of the rooms and flats, previously checked by the staff, so you will be able to have an objective picture or your future accommodation. This means that, with to this app, you can reserve a room from your own country:

Other options

Barcelona offers multiple options for student accommodation, depending on your needs:

Housing Service

Barcelona Centre Universitari (BCU) is an organism offering services relating to extracurricular university life for the community of foreign students studying in Barcelona. Through the BCU, Resa Housing offers complete housing services for international students and researchers.

This housing service allows you to search its database and make reservations online for free. It can assist you in different languages (Catalan, Spanish, English, French and Italian) and rounds off its services with free legal advice on rental contracts. It also provides short-term rental contract service. In addition, its honoraria are much lower than average (maximum 200 euros).

Resa Housing

Torrent de l'Olla, 219.

08012 Barcelona

Tel: +34 93 238 90 72

info@resahousing.com

Housing everywhere

Housing Anywhere.com is a free student-to-student housing platform that lets you rent accommodation from students who are in an exchange programme abroad. Besides, it allows you to offer your room to foreign students in your home city. In order to log in, incoming students must enter their UPF e-mail address.

Student Resident Halls


This is a good option because in addition to housing, they also offer a series of services allowing students to focus on academics and university life.

Residence halls with different types housing


Onix Residence

Sardenya, 101-137

08013 Barcelona

Tel. (+34) 93 266 61 00


Resa Diagonal

Capità Arenas, 52-26

08034 Barcelona

Tel. (+34) 900 649 169

barcelonadiagonal@resa.es


Resa Pere Felip Monlau

Sant Oleguer, 20-22

08001 Barcelona

Tel: (+34) 933 943 100

monlau@resa.es


Melon District Marina

Sancho de Ávila, 22

08018 Barcelona

Tel. (+34) 93 217 88 12

info@melondistrict.com



Residencia Femenina

Reina de la Pau

Bellafila, 4

08002 Barcelona

Tel. (+34) 93 315 15 08

reinadelapau@reinadelapau

.com


Residencia Femenina

Herzegovina

Herzegovina, 27

08006

Barcelona

Tel. (+34) 93 414 63 25

studentresidence@

studentresidence.es


Barcelona Resident

Tantarantana, 15

08013 Barcelona

Tel. (+34) 932687879


info@barcelonaresident.cat


Residencia Universitària

Sarrià

Esports, 1-7.

08017 Barcelona

T. 93 206 55 40

campus@

residenciasarria.com