SLU-Madrid's student life team and campus ambassadors will serve as guides to help new students adjust to our campus and city.
The welcome sessions are designed to help you make new friends and to learn about campus resources, the city of Madrid and Spain in general.
When you arrive on campus, look for the students in orange! They are our campus ambassadors, student leaders who are here to help you adjust to life as a SLU-Madrid student. They can offer advice as you move in and acclimate to your first several days on campus and help you get involved with campus activities.
Schedule of Events
Spring Welcome 2022
- Monday, Jan. 3: Session for first-year and transfer students
6-7 p.m. (Madrid time) · Via Zoom*. - Tuesday, Jan. 4: Session for study abroad students
6-7 p.m. (Madrid time) · Via Zoom*.
*To get the Zoom link, check your email for an invitation or contact the Office of Admissions: admissions-madrid@slu.edu.
All students are responsible for making their own way to their housing assignment on move-in day.
We recommend taking a taxi to your destination, as the Madrid Metro can be complicated to navigate transporting luggage in the escalators. The taxi fare from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport to any location in Madrid is fixed at 30 euros. Taxis cannot charge an extra fee for luggage. Be sure to carry on you the complete address of your destination.
Ask the taxi driver for a receipt ("Necesito un recibo, por favor") before getting out of the taxi. The taxi driver's license number appears on the receipt, which allows you to make contact in case you leave anything in the vehicle or you wish to file a complaint. Tipping taxi drivers is optional in Spain. If you choose to do it, one or two euros is more than enough.
The Welcome Sessions are vital for you to start off your University experience. You will make new friends and meet our Campus Ambassadors, student leaders who will be able to answer your questions and provide advice. You will learn about our academic programs and student services in a fun and informal setting before the start of classes.
- 10-10:30 a.m.: Check-in · Padre Rubio Hall (Avenida del Valle, 28).
- 10:30-12 p.m.: Safety and Academic Sessions · Padre Rubio Hall (Avenida del Valle, 28).
- 2:30-3:30 p.m.: Check-in · SIH.
- 3:30-4:30 p.m.: SLU-St. Louis and Lafayette Student Orientation Sessions · Padre Rubio Hall (Avenida del Valle, 28).
- 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.: Campus and neighborhood tours.
Meeting Point: Entrance of Padre Rubio Hall (Avenida del Valle, 28)
- 2-5 p.m.: Mandatory Wellness Sessions for Study Abroad Students · PRH and SIH.
- Optional trip.
- Approximate price: 50 euros.
- Minimum number: 20 students.
- Departure from Padre Rubio Hall front steps at 8:30 a.m.
A hidden treasure, the Monasterio de Piedra was founded in 1194 when Alonso II granted an Arab castle to the monks of Poblet to build a monastery in the hopes of consolidating Christianity in the area. Legend has it that this monastery is where the first chocolate candy was made. The natural park of Monasterio de Piedra offers an unbelievable experience, with a two-and-a-half hour walk through lush parkland with waterfalls and grottos hidden in one of the driest areas of the region of Aragón.
Sign up using the Flywire link that will be provided once the spring semester starts.
- Optional trip.
- Price: 50 euros.
- Departure from Padre Rubio Hall front steps at 8:30 a.m.
Salamanca has been declared a "City of Mankind's Heritage" by UNESCO World Heritage site and is best known for its university, which was founded in the beginning of the 13th century. Don't leave Spain without visiting one of the most breathtaking Renaissance cities in Europe and exploring its Romanesque and Baroque architecture.
Sign up using the Flywire link that will be provided once the spring semester starts.
- Optional trip.
- Price: 50 euros.
- Minimum number: 20 students.
- Departure from Padre Rubio Hall front steps at 9 a.m.
Medieval capital of Spain, Toledo is a World Heritage site located one-hour's drive south of Madrid. It's known as the "city of the three cultures" because Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together in this city for centuries. Behind its walls, Toledo preserves an artistic and cultural legacy in the form of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues.
Sign up using the Flywire link that will be provided once the spring semester starts.
6 p.m.: Sunday Mass · San Ignacio Hall Student Lounge
Students of all faiths are welcome! After the Mass, we will go out for pizza to a place nearby.
- Optional trip.
- Price: 50 euros.
- Departure from Padre Rubio Hall front steps at 9 a.m.
Segovia is one of the must-do day trips while in Madrid. Join us in visiting this World Heritage site, famous for the Roman aqueduct that stands tall in the center of the old quarter. In addition, you will see numerous Romanesque churches and the Cathedral and Fortress (Castle).
Sign up using the Flywire link that will be provided once the spring semester starts.
6 p.m.: Sunday Mass · San Ignacio Hall Student Lounge
Students of all faiths are welcome! After the Mass, we will go out for pizza to a place nearby.
- 3.30-6.30 p.m.: Activities Fair · San Ignacio Hall Patio.
Open to all SLU-Madrid students
-
3-6 p.m.: Madrid tour and Museo del Prado.
Join Campus Ambassadors and Student Life staff for a city tour and visit the Prado museum afterward. Open to all SLU-Madrid students.
Meeting Point: Entrance of Padre Rubio Hall (Avenida del Valle, 28)
- Optional trip.
- Approximate price: 50 euros.
- Minimum number: 20 students.
- Departure from Padre Rubio Hall front steps at 8:30 a.m.
A hidden treasure, the Monasterio de Piedra was founded in 1194 when Alonso II granted an Arab castle to the monks of Poblet to build a monastery in the hopes of consolidating Christianity in the area. Legend has it that this monastery is where the first chocolate candy was made. The natural park of Monasterio de Piedra offers an unbelievable experience, with a two-and-a-half hour walk through lush parkland with waterfalls and grottos hidden in one of the driest areas of the region of Aragón. The trip is now full. Please review other trip options.
- Optional trip.
- Price: 50 euros.
- Departure from Padre Rubio Hall front steps at 8:30 a.m.
Salamanca has been declared a "City of Mankind's Heritage" by UNESCO World Heritage site and is best known for its university, which was founded in the beginning of the 13th century. Don't leave Spain without visiting one of the most breathtaking Renaissance cities in Europe and exploring its Romanesque and Baroque architecture.
Sign up using the Flywire link that will be provided once the spring semester starts.
- Optional trip.
- Price: 50 euros.
- Minimum number: 20 students.
- Departure from Padre Rubio Hall front steps at 9 a.m.
Medieval capital of Spain, Toledo is a World Heritage site located one-hour's drive south of Madrid. It's known as the "city of the three cultures" because Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together in this city for centuries. Behind its walls, Toledo preserves an artistic and cultural legacy in the form of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues.
Sign up using the Flywire link that will be provided once the spring semester starts.
6 p.m.: Sunday Mass · San Ignacio Hall Student Lounge
Students of all faiths are welcome! After the Mass, we will go out for pizza to a place nearby.
- Optional trip.
- Price: 50 euros.
- Minimum number: 20 students.
- Departure from Padre Rubio Hall front steps at 9 a.m.
Segovia is one of the must-do day trips while in Madrid. Join us in visiting this World Heritage site, famous for the Roman aqueduct that stands tall in the center of the old quarter. In addition, you will see numerous Romanesque churches and the Cathedral and Fortress (Castle).
Sign up using the Flywire link that will be provided once the spring semester starts.
Other Activities and Events
Check out all Upcoming Activities
Last update: Jan. 3, 2022
This schedule may be subject to changes depending on the Spanish authorities' recommendations for COVID-19 at the time.