Welcome Week

Fall 2026

Madrid Campus

Welcome to Geneva Business School!

We can't wait to meet you and welcome you to our beautiful campus in the heart of Madrid and to the team that will be supporting you throughout your Geneva Business School journey.

Below is the Welcome Week program with everything you can expect during your first week with us. We're expecting to see you on campus, ready to meet your new colleagues on October 5th!

Don't forget to open all the schedule pages and sign up for the activities!

Please R.S.V.P by filling out this form

A Day in the Life Madrid.mp4

See you there!

Monday, October 5th: Welcome to Geneva Business School Madrid

Your Welcome Week starts on campus with a day dedicated to getting settled, meeting the GBS Madrid community, and learning everything you need to know before beginning the semester.

Please wear Business Casual Attire for ID Photos

09:30 - 10:30 WELCOME TO CAMPUS BREAKFAST

Start your first day at GBS Madrid with breakfast on campus!

Grab something to eat, meet your new classmates, and get to know members of the GBS community in a relaxed environment before the official Welcome Week activities begin.

10:30 - 11:30 Introductory Session with the Academics Team

It's time to officially welcome you to GBS Madrid.

During this session, you'll be introduced to the campus, meet members of the Academic and Madrid teams, and receive some of the essential information you'll need as you begin the semester.

You'll also learn more about what to expect from your experience at GBS and the different people who are here to support you throughout your studies.

11:30 - 12:15 Student ID Photos & Welcome Packs

Time to make it official!

We'll take the photo for your student ID and provide you with your Welcome Pack.

Students will be called individually, so use the remaining time to continue meeting your classmates and exploring the campus.

12:15 - 13:15 Student Experience & Student Committee

University life is much more than classes.

During this session, you'll learn about Student Experience at GBS Madrid, including the activities, events, initiatives, and opportunities available throughout the semester.

You'll also meet members of the Student Committee, discover what they do on campus, and learn how you can get involved in the GBS community.

13:15 - 14:30 Lunch Break

Time to recharge!

Take a break, grab some lunch at campus, and continue getting to know your classmates and members of the Madrid campus community before the afternoon sessions begin.

14:30 - 15:00 City Life Session

New city, new routines, new experiences.

This session will introduce you to everyday life in Madrid and give you some useful advice for settling into the city.

From navigating your new surroundings to making the most of student life in Madrid, you'll pick up practical tips to help you feel at home as quickly as possible.

15:00 - 16:30 Keys to success

We'll finish the first day by getting everyone involved.

Through an interactive session and icebreaker activities, you'll have the opportunity to connect with your classmates while exploring some of the habits, attitudes, and skills that can help you make the most of your experience at GBS.

Come ready to participate!

Tuesday, October 6th: Discover Madrid

Day 2 takes us outside the classroom and into the city. Get ready to walk, explore, compete, and discover your new home.

Working together with your new classmates, you'll explore Madrid through a team challenge before finishing the day with one of the city's most iconic experiences in Parque del Retiro.

9:30 - 10:00 Breakfast & Morning Meetup

Start Day 2 with breakfast and a quick meetup on campus.

We'll go through the plan for the day, make sure everyone is ready, and get together before beginning the first team challenge of Welcome Week.

10:00 - 10:30 Team Selection & Scavenger Hunt Briefing

It's time to form your teams!

We'll divide everyone into groups and explain the rules, challenges, meeting points, and everything else you'll need for the Madrid Scavenger Hunt.

Work together, choose your strategy carefully, and remember: there's a prize waiting for the winning team.

10:30 - 12:30 Madrid Scavenger Hunt

How well can you navigate Madrid?

Together with your team, you'll explore the city while completing a series of challenges designed to test your teamwork, creativity, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of Madrid.

You'll discover different parts of the city along the way while competing against the other teams.

Complete the challenges, make it to the finish, and try to claim first place!

13:00 - 14:00 Retiro Boat Party

After exploring Madrid on foot, it's time to take to the water.

We'll meet at Parque del Retiro and head to its famous lake for a relaxed boat activity with your classmates.

Enjoy one of Madrid's most iconic parks, recover from the scavenger hunt, and celebrate the end of Day 2 together.

Wednesday, October 7th: Challenge Yourself

Day 3 combines practical skills, creativity, teamwork, and business.

You'll start with a workshop before putting your ideas to the test in a team Business Challenge. You'll have limited time to develop your concept, prepare your presentation, and convince the judges that your team deserves to win.

Important: Bring your laptop!

9:30 - 10:00 Morning Meetup

Meet us in the cafeteria to start Day 3.

Grab a coffee, catch up with your classmates, and get your laptop ready for a day focused on practical skills, collaboration, and problem-solving.

10:00 - 11:00 Google Workshop

Get ready to make the most of the digital tools you'll be using during your studies.

This practical workshop will help you become more comfortable with the Google tools and platforms you'll need throughout the semester and give you useful tips for staying organized and working effectively.

Remember to bring your laptop.

11:00 - 13:00 Business Challenge (BIM)

Time to put your business skills into practice.

Working in teams, you'll be given a challenge and a limited amount of time to develop your solution.

Use your creativity, teamwork, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills to turn your ideas into a clear proposal before presenting them later in the afternoon.

There's a prize for the winning team, so make every minute count!

11:00 - 13:00 Master's Session

A dedicated session for our incoming Master's students will take place during this time.

13:00 - 14:00 Lunch Break (Free time)

You've earned a break.

Take some time to grab lunch outside campus, recharge, and get ready to present your Business Challenge ideas during the afternoon session.

14:00 - 15:00 Business Challenge Presentations

The preparation is over. Now it's time to pitch.

Each team will present its solution and show how it approached the Business Challenge.

Communicate your idea clearly, defend your decisions, and convince the audience that your team's proposal deserves the top spot.

At the end of the session, we'll announce the winning team and award the prize.

Thursday, October 8th: Madrid & Adventure

After three days of introductions, workshops, and challenges, Day 4 is all about having some fun together.

We’ll begin the morning with the Spanish Placement Tests before meeting on campus and travelling together to Warner Park Madrid. Once there, you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy the attractions, spend time with your new classmates, and explore the park at your own pace.

9:00 - 11:00 Spanish Placement Test

¿Hablas español?

Before Spanish classes begin, students taking Spanish will complete a placement test so that we can better understand their current level.

Don't worry about preparing or studying beforehand—the purpose of the test is simply to identify the class level that best suits you.

11:00 - 11:15 Warner Park Madrid

After the Spanish Placement Tests, we’ll gather on campus and head together to Warner Park Madrid using public transport.

Get ready for an afternoon of roller coasters, attractions, entertainment, and plenty of time to enjoy the park with your classmates!

Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes and avoid bringing anything you won’t want to carry with you throughout the day. If you prefer, you can leave your belongings safely on campus and collect them on Friday.

There is no scheduled return time. Once at the park, you are free to stay for as long as you wish and will be responsible for arranging your own journey back to Madrid.

Meeting Point: GBS Madrid Campus
Departure: Approximately 10:45–11:15, after the Spanish Placement Tests
Transport: Public transport — we will travel to the park together
What to Bring: Comfortable clothes and shoes; keep belongings to a minimum
Food: Not included — lunch can be purchased inside the park
Return: At your own convenience

Friday, October 9th: We're Here to Help

Welcome Week may be coming to an end, but we're still here if you need us.

Campus will remain open during the morning for students who have questions, need assistance, or would like help getting ready for the start of classes.

9:00 - 14:00 Campus Open for Student Support

Have any questions before classes begin?

The Madrid campus team will be available throughout the morning to help with any last-minute questions or concerns.

Whether you need clarification about campus life, academics, student services, or simply aren't sure who to ask about something, feel free to stop by.

No scheduled activities today—just come in if you need us.