Universidad Carlos III de Madrid Application Information
for GVSU Applicants
1 Home School Approval
 Study Abroad Orientation
All GVSU students who want to earn credit at GVSU for a study abroad program
must first apply for home school approval through the OASIS online
application system, www.gvsu.edu/oasis.
The study abroad application through the GVSU online system (OASIS) allows
students to apply for home school approval to participate in a specific study
abroad program. If you change your study abroad program at any time, you
must submit a Study Abroad Change Form. All programs are subject to
approval. The OASIS application entails: Conditions of application, essay
questions, release of information, faculty references, emergency contacts,
risk and release, and a required deposit of $105.
 Keep your information updated. The Padnos International Center refers to
the information in OASIS for up-to-date program information, and student
contact information. Please let us know if information changes.
 Message System/connect with other program participants. Students can
easily get in contact with other program participants using the OASIS
messaging system.
All study abroad participants are required to attend one Study Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation. Students
who attend one of these required sessions will be eligible to receive their full deposit refund. We will not
refund the deposit to students who do not attend one of the many sessions offered throughout the semester
prior to your departure.
Once you are “accepted” to participate in your chosen study abroad program, your OASIS account will give you access
to additional information, including required forms. The documents below are due to PIC by:
AUG 15 (Fall departures); DEC 15 (Winter departures); MAY 15 (Summer departures)
 Required Documents
All students must submit the following required forms in order to be eligible to receive their deposit refund:
□ Flight Itinerary
□ Medical insurance
□ Passport copy
□ Health information
Students who plan to use financial aid to help cover the cost of their study abroad program must submit:
□ Expense Form
□ Accept the financial aid you plan to use for your semester abroad in MyBanner.
Students who plan to take course abroad that will fulfill specific degree requirements must submit:
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□ Course Approval Form and/or email confirmation specifying the departmental approval.
The Padnos International Center has a number of advisors available to answer question you may have throughout
the process.
General advising: Stop into 130 LOH to speak with a Peer Advisor or email studyabroad@gvsu.edu.
Pre-acceptance advising: Meaghann Myers-Smith, Study Abroad Advisor, myersmea@gvsu.edu.
Post-acceptance advising, host university application information, and while you are abroad: Rebecca
Hambleton, Director, Study Abroad & International Partnerships, hambletr@gvsu.edu AND Chris Borda,
Office Coordinator, Study Abroad, bordac@gvsu.edu.
 Study Abroad Advisors
 Financial Aid Guide for Study Abroad
If you plan to use your GVSU financial aid to pay for your study abroad expenses, please review the Financial Aid
Guide to Study Abroad available on the PIC website at:
www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad, select “Funding”, then select “Funding FAQ’s.”
 Course Approval Process
For detailed instructions on securing approval for the courses you want to take abroad, visit:
www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad, select “Academics.”
 Pre-Departure Checklist
Visit www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad, select “Getting Started”, then select “Step-by-Step Guide”, go to Step 6
for a detailed pre-departure checklist.
2 Host University
Application
Once a student has been approved by the Padnos International Center to
participate in a partnership program, the student will be invited to begin
working on the host university application materials. Students are still
subject to approval by the host university and must also complete the
required application materials to formally apply for this program. Again,
the OASIS application is for the home school approval only.
UC3M requires GVSU to submit a home school nomination before they will
accept application materials. The nomination form for the spring
semester opens on October 1. For the Fall semester, the nomination
form opens in mid- March.
UC3M has an online application. Applicants must complete the online application by:
Fall departures: Between March 17 –May 16 Winter departures: Between October 1 – November 5
 Required documents
After admission you will be required to submit the following documents to PIC:
 Copy of passport
 Copy of visa
 Photocopy of your Health Insurance Card (any public or private health insurance with international
coverage)
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You will need to email these documents to the campus where you will be studying. Email addresses are provided
here:
http://portal.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/students/exchange/prior_arrival/documents
General Application information is found here:
http://portal.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/students/exchange/prior_arrival/application
Spring Semester Timeline
September 10 – deadline to complete the GVSU Study Abroad (OASIS) application. Once you are accepted into
OASIS, you can apply for housing at UC3M (see housing information for details).
October 1 (or soon after) - PIC will submit a formal nomination for all GV exchange participants.
October 1-November 5 Students complete the UC3M online application.
November – Students will receive original (hard copy) of acceptance materials from UC3M.
 Application Timeline
UC3M usually responds to a student’s application very quickly. You can expect to receive an email confirming
your acceptance within a week or two from submitting your online application.
Fall semester Timeline
February 1 – deadline to complete the GVSU Study Abroad (OASIS) application. Once you are accepted into
OASIS, you can apply for housing at UC3M (see housing information for details).
March 17 – PIC will submit a formal nomination for all GV exchange participants.
March 17- May 15 – Students complete the UC3M online application.
End of July – Students must confirm housing placement by paying the required deposit. Students will receive
original (hard copy) acceptance letter from UC3M.
 Course options
http://portal.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/students/exchange/prior_arrival/learning_agreement
 Program Costs
http://www.gvsu.edu/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/2_uc3m_budget(2).pdf
http://portal.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/servicios_jovenes/accommodation
 UC3M Housing Website
Getafe Campus offers two housing options: Fernando de los Rios and Gregorio Peces-Barba. Gregorio PecesBarba is a new building with only single units.
Prices vary based on the type of room you select. The average costs are between : $540-$1,220 per month
(prices quoted are estimates and subject to change).
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 Residence Halls
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On campus housing offers options for single or double units. Students also must choose either room only or
full board. Students who select full board will not be allowed to change their choice if they decide later they
do not want full board. Students who select room only will be placed in a room with a kitchenette in order
to prepare meals. Students who choose full board will not be equipped with a kitchenette.
Rooms are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students are encouraged to apply early for housing.
Once you apply, you will be assigned an application number. To confirm your place, you will be required to
pay a housing deposit. You do not have to pay the deposit right away, just make sure you pay the deposit by
the deadline. All students should have final confirmation of acceptance into the program from UC3M before
they pay the deposit.
Residence halls are staffed 24/7 and offer tight security. Students must check- in any guests after 9 pm and
those guests must leave by midnight. Each hall is equipped with elevators.
Options included in the price also vary by room type but can include :
o computer connection including internet access, Wifi
o TV antenna
o monthly room cleaning service (room only residents)
o fortnightly room cleaning service (full board residents)
o water consumption
o electric consumption
o gas consumption
o use of all communal areas
o Participation in cultural, sporting and leisure activities.
Visit the UC3M website for more information.
 Program Dates/Calendar
http://portal.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/students/exchange/prior_arrival/academic_calendar
Campus International Offices - Head Office
Phone: (+34) 91 624 95 50
http://portal.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/serint_new/location
 Partner University Contacts
Mrs. Iris Rico Jorge
Incoming Coordinator (Non European Students) International Relations Office Universidad Carlos III - Getafe
Campus C/ Madrid, 126 - 28903 Getafe (Madrid) - Spain
Tel.: +34 91 6248422 Fax: +34 91 6249339 irico@pa.uc3m.es
http://portal.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/students/exchange
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Become a WELL-INFORMED traveler! Research you host country before you
leave, and avoid going abroad unaware and unprepared. It is up to YOU, the
participant, to research and educate yourself before you leave.
3 Travel Resources
Visit: www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad, select “Before You Go.”
This is general information about the student visa for Spain. For specific, up-to-date information, students are asked to
refer to the Spanish Consulate in Chicago website if they have Michigan resident status. If you are not a resident of
Michigan, you must follow the instructions for the Consulate with jurisdiction over the state you have residency in.
Students studying in Spain for more than 90 days will be required to secure a student visa. The student visa will take a
minimum of 4 weeks for processing. In addition, students will be required to schedule an appointment to deliver your visa
application materials in person.
Students should carefully review the immigration requirements at least 4 months prior to your departure to be sure you
understand the regulations. Immigration regulations are subject to change without notice.
Students studying in Spain for an academic year will be required to supply an FBI background check as part of your student
visa application. The FBI background check can take 4-10 weeks for processing. Plan accordingly. There may not be an
option to request expedited visa processing.
 VISA Information
The Consulate will not accept your visa documents more than 3 months prior to your departure. Make sure your schedule
appointment is within 3 months prior to your departure.
 Link to consulate
Spanish Consulate in Chicago website: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/CHICAGO/en/Pages/inicio.aspx
Be prepared to supply the following documentation: (details can be found on the consulate website)
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National visa application form
Original passport and photocopy of State ID
Passport-size photo
Original acceptance letter
Planned flight itinerary – do not purchase your ticket until you have your visa, but you will be asked to supply
your intended travel itinerary.
Evidence of funds equal to $2,200 per month.
Proof of health insurance
Criminal record certificate (for academic year participants only) See website for information.
Medical certificate
Pre-paid, self-addressed express mail USPS envelope
Visa fee of $160 (subject to change)
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Students attending UC3M will fly into Madrid Barajas Airport. UC3M does not arrange for an airport greeting, so
students will need to make their own way to the university. Students may apply to have an assigned “buddy” to
help them become familiar with the area. In the past, students have been able to arrange for their buddy to
meet them at the airport. This will depend on your arrival time and the availability of your buddy. In some cases,
students have missed their buddy. If happens, you should be prepared to make your own way to the University.
 Flights/Arrival City/Travel to host
institution
The most affordable way to get to campus is to take the metro into the city center at station Sol. From this
station, you would get on the regional Renfe train to Las Margaritas University. Additional instructions are
available on the UC3M website.
Detailed instructions on how to get to UC3M are available on the website at:
http://www.uc3m.es/ss/Satellite/UC3MInstitucional/en/ListadoHijas/1371206554301/How_to_get_here
 CDC Report/WHO
All study abroad students are strongly encouraged to carefully review the CDC report for the country they plan
to study in. The CDC report provides information on required and recommended immunizations, health and
safety advice, and packing tips. Visit: www.cdc.gov
The World Health Organization (WHO) offers extensive information on health topics, critical health situations,
statistics, world health reports, country-specific information for travelers. Visit: www.who.org
 State Department Travel Information
All GVSU study abroad students are required to register their trip with the US State Department through the
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Visit: http://travel.state.gov for details.
4 Safety and Security
 Resources for emergency situations
 Reporting an incident
Concerns about safety and security are very common among study abroad
students and their families. PIC offers a pre-departure orientation, online
resources, and individual support to students who have concerns about safety in
another country.
http://www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad/health-safety-538.htm
If you experience an incident abroad, please contact Rebecca Hambleton, hambletr@gvsu.edu to file a report
on the incident. When you file a report, every effort will be made to connect you with resources that are
available to you if you.
Other important campus resources that are available to GVSU students in need of assistance with a critical
incident:
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Women’s Center, http://www.gvsu.edu/women_cen/
Counseling Center, http://www.gvsu.edu/counsel/
5 Cultural Adjustment
 Culture guides
Attitude is everything!
You will get out of this experience what you put into it.
PIC offers a variety of country-specific resources that you can explore. Visit our website at:
www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad. Enter your program into the search engine on our main page. Once you get to the
main program page with information about Kingston University, you can select “Additional Information.” This
section contains a variety of resources you may find helpful in your pre-departure planning.
http://www.uc3m.es/Life_On_Campus
While many of the courses at UC3M are available in English, we do recommend that students have a
background with the Spanish language. It is recommended that students have an intermediate level of Spanish
to navigate the many administrative procedures that will be necessary during your stay.
 Campus Life at UC3M
UC3M offers an amazing recreation facility with a pool and fitness equipment. Students must pay a fee of 60
Euro per semester for access to this center, which is well-worth the price.
The campus is set among a local residential community. There are not a lot of restaurants or activities in the
immediate surrounding area. Students often take the train (20 minutes) into the city center for shopping,
theatre, museums, and other activities.
 Returning home
http://magazine.lifeafterstudyabroad.com/contents
Many students indicate that returning home from study abroad is far more of an adjustment than the initial
adjustment to the host country. Students have a variety of experiences upon their return home. PIC offers a
welcome back event that brings study abroad students together to share what they learned abroad, and to
connect about the challenges of returning home after adapting to a different culture for many weeks or months.
This event offers a career planning component to help you think about how to articulate to future employers
what you learned through your experiences abroad and how this will help you in your career development.
Visit the PIC website for information about adjusting to life back home after study abroad!
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