Students will live in furnished apartments.
The apartments vary in size and arrangement, but all have equipped kitchens, washing machine, sitting room, one to two bathrooms, and one to three bedrooms.
Most bedrooms are double occupancy.
Apartments are located in the central districts of Barcelona.
Depending on location, it may take 10-minute walk to a 45-minute metro ride to reach the campus.
Most Barcelonans consider this an average commute.
Bakeries, Laundromats, stores and supermarkets are nearby.
For lunch, there is a café/restaurant a few steps from ESEI.
It sells sandwiches, fix-lunches and tapas for very low prices.
ESEI has a nice courtyard where you can eat your lunch.
A multitude of eateries, grocery stores, and markets can be found throughout the city, and near your housing.
Students on a tight budget can prepare meals in the apartment.
Groceries can be purchased in supermarkets, markets and grocery stores.
Take the chance to shop at one of the many open markets available throughout the city.
If you learn to shop and eat like the Spanish, you will save money.
(Hint: Chat with the vendors at the market for recipes and all the local gossip and news!)
The Student Council at ESEI organizes social activities and improves communication between students, administration and faculty. Among the events it plans each year are:
Induction week activities to acclimate new students and introduce them to existing students and staff
International Food Day - sample traditional dishes prepared by the ESEI international student body
Trips to museums, cinemas, theater and companies
>International parties - Saint Patrick's Day, Sant Jordi, National Independence Days
Sports activities at a local sports stadiums (eg. soccer)
Formal graduation ceremony and cocktails for graduating students and their families and guests
IED also arranges activities for students: gallery visits, mixers, orientation week, and galas.
Barcelona is easy to navigate.
The city’s public transportation system is extensive.
You can use the metro or the buses to get around.
Metro
Rush hour aside, the metro is the best means of transport, with 5 lines identified by a different number and color.
All tickets must be validated on the subway platform before boarding.
Good deals are the 10-journey tickets as well as the Barcelona Card, which combines transport with discounts at many of the city’s top attractions.
The bus network is extensive and most services run through the three main stations of the city as do the metros namely Placa de Catalunya, Plaza Urquinaona and Placa de la Universitat.
Bus
Students can purchase the T-mes pass, which includes unlimited trips in one month.
The cost is €44.35 euro for Zone 1 (the main zone in Barcelona, including the airport).
Another option is the T-50, which includes 50 trips within one month.
This is approximately €30 euros.
Taxis
Taxis are available throughout the city.
They only accept three riders at a time.
You can hail them on the street, wait at a taxi stand, or call one to pick you up.
You should store the number of a taxi company in your phone so you are never stranded.
The fee on the meter varies according to the time of day, and drivers expect a tip of about 10-15%.
KEI will provide you with a prepaid mobile phone handset shortly after you arrive at the housing.
The phone will have a small amount of credit to get you started, and the On-Site Coordinator will show you how to place calls.
Later on, you can purchase additional minutes for subsequent phone conversations.
Computer labs with Internet access are available at ESEI and IED, open during business hours.
You might not have internet access at the apartments--one more reason to get out and enjoy Barcelona!
Mr. Jordi Estera is the Interum KEI On-Site Director in Barcelona.
Jordi is also the Director of ESEI Business School.
Ms. Aleksandra Jaroszynska is the Interum KEI Onsite Assistant.
Jordi and Aleksandra work as a team to supervise the program and assist students.
The onsite team will meet students at the
airport, accompany the group during orientation and
excursions, and mediate any problems or conflicts you might
have. Jordi and/or Aleksandra are available at any hour by mobile phone.
Jordi has plenty of experience working with international students.
Aleksandra was an international student herself.
So don't be afraid to approach them with questions about Spanish culture and other matters!
When you arrive at the Barcelona Airport (BCN), the On-Site Coordinator will be there to greet you, with a sign identifying KEI.
Together you will travel directly to the housing and have a short time to explore the apartment and stow your belongings.
Then your intensive orientation will begin!
During the first few days you will learn the basics of how to survive in Barcelona and introduction of the next few months:
using public transportation
shopping for food
academic expectations
safety and security in Barcelona
cultural adaptation
housing policies
a few social activities to meet your fellow students
If you
have any questions, be sure to ask your On-Site Coordinator!
