Coming to Granada? Welcome!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Take Off!!!

On receiving your CA you will be given a person of contact you should email or call before you come to Spain including your card of confirmation. If you are not given an answer you can always call or e-mail us.

If your country belongs to the UE you don't need any type of visa. If your country doesn't belong to the UE you may call your embassy to gather information about the documents you need.

Yes, everyone needs to get a medical insurance: You can apply for a private one or check any possible special relationship with Spain which can give ou some insurance coverage. For any enquires on this subject contact your local embassy.

Touchdown!!!

For many of you this touchdown will happen in the airport of Madrid or Málaga so we offer you the best choices on how to get to Granada on our web page (getting here). Upon arrival in Granada you will be met by either one of our co-workers or the person who will put you up in his/her house. Make sure you have let us know about your arriving time!!!

Your first morning in Granada will be a very busy one so make sure your first night isn't too crazy!!! Someone will accompany to you to the hospital so that you can be introduced to your supervisor (the doctor in charge of the department you have chosen). You will also be given a voucher that will allow you to get your meals during the training period in our hospital. Remember that we will only pay for your meals and lodging for the period you have been assigned (only a month).

Could I be fired?: We will not lie and say that it does not happen, as it does. We are proud to say though that it just happened once so far. Those who follow the rules and have a positive attitude will get on fine. Remember that you should be here no later than 3 days after the date you have arranged with us. This is not only an opportunity to widen your medical knowledge but a an experience to mix and learn from another culture. That is why that we are looking for motivated students that will make a good use of this chance. Meaning that if you miss more than 4 days of your training period you may not get your certificate.

What if I am sick?: If you are not feeling well and you are not able to assist your training you must notify your supervisor and let them know you are sick. If you miss a day or two of work this should not affect your getting the certificate.

Time Off: We expect you to work for 8 hours a day for 5 days a week. You will have your evenings off to do sightseeing or you can always find out about our social program with other foreign students.

What if I am unhappy?: It is not usual to be unhappy but it may happen with the culture shock or for many other reasons. If that is the case, here is what you should do:

Speak with your supervisor concerning the problem. They will understand what you are going through and they will try to help you with anything you need.

Speak with other students for support.

Speak with any of our co-workers. Finally if none of the suggestions given above have not helped call us. You should never leave without letting us know first.

For those with an early arrival in Spain: If you arrive before the date arranged because you want to do some travelling, all the expenses will go on you.
Usual clothing (in summer it can be very hot, but winter can be cold as well).
Your pocket money.
Don’t forget your white coat and your stethoscope
Tooth brush, comb and any medications you may have to take.
IFMSA-Granada will provide you with acommodation. There will be somebody waiting for you at the station (just let us know first when and where your are arriving, in order to pick you up and show you around). Depending on the dates, season etc... we will be get different acommodation:
- Shared flat with other students.
- Residency.
- Youth Hostel

The easiest way to make a phone call is getting a phone card in a tobacconist or a cigar store. The best phone card we have found are: "FORTUNE CARD" AND "HAPPY CARD".

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Getting around Granada

Admittedly, if what you really like is to travel, see new landscapes, people and different ways or life and working systems, don’t hesitate, not even for a minute, to come to Granada. Students return home not only with new skills but often with a new approach to life, and the benefits -and the friendships- continue long after the clerkship has ended.

Besides Granada being a cultural and remarkable spot, it’s famous for its cosy and charming atmosphere, created mainly by students, who full the streets any time of day spreading their cosmopolitan way of life.

Apart from night parting, clubbing...very well known and widely spread all over the country, you can fancy many cultural and scientific landmarks. For instance, rooted in the marrocaine empire “Alhambra Palace” will amaze you, and its astonishing views all over the city will convey you an indescriptible feeling of peace and admiration towards ancient generations. To get to it, although you can do it on foot, you should better take bus Alhambra-Albayzin numbers either 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, C or F, which will leave you right in front of the entrance. You can either take it from “Plaza Nueva” or the main road “Gran Vía”, where you can find almost all the buses needed to get around.

Tucked away in the Muslim town (Albayzin), which you can glance from Alhambra, you find some typical cafeterias called “teterias”, where you can enjoy all sort or teas, from the most exotic to the most traditional ones. You can walk towards it since it’s downtown: right in front of “Gran Vía” street you can find some smaller streets which will lead you to the Muslim town, and once there the atmosphere will evolve you and drive you there easily by following the way.

While strolling around there you will come across some narrow streets which will subsequently take you to “El Paseo de los Tristes”, a nice pathway along the river (Darro) with views of Alhambra. Doubtlessly, it conveys a sense of history and tradition, which can be found entrancing.

Moving onto another field, let’s talk about “Parque de las Ciencias”. In a wide area of 3000 m² there are 4 buildings with the latest technologies and holds 8 interactive exhibition areas, a planetarium, a meeting room, a cafeteria, a shop and a glazed entrance hall and a 12 metres Foucault Pendulum. In the outside, there is a Tower for Observation, 50 metres high, a privileged viewpoint of Granada and a place to make scientific experiences about meteorology, geography, astronomy... The Temporal Exhibitions Pavilion, the lake with dynamic sculptures and the Astronomy Garden are other elements in the outside. Among Pergola paths and waterways there are a Tropical Butterflies House, the Water Games, the Acoustics Area, the Distorted House, the Giant Chess, Botanical Journeys and the Plant Labyrinth. To reach it, get on city bus 5 (in the Park), 4, 10, 11, (Plaza de las Américas).

Last but not least, as it’s time to relax after all that sightseeing, you should fancy “Parque García Lorca” : a natural and quiet spot where youngsters go to enjoy nature, walk, get rid of stress... You will find it in “Camino de Ronda”. You won’t miss it.

Thereafter, it’s up to you to make the most of your trip. Ah! And don’t forget to eat our nourishing Mediterranean food and of course, to go for the traditional “tapas”, you will definitely love it.

All in all, stay away no longer from the land that will enthral you and try to make the most of it in all senses, hospital experience, culture, parting...

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How to get to Granada?

When you arrive to Spain, you can use many different transports to get to Granada.

If you go ashore in Madrid or Málaga you can take a plane, coach or train. Coach is the cheapest and leaves very frecuently. We recommend the use of the coach when your destination is Málaga.

Plane is the fastest (it takes 1/2 hour to arrive to granada from Madrid ), but it is the most expensive, its price varies from 35€ to 200€ (one-way ticket). Train is slower, but it also has a direct line to Granada. Besides, it is a good way to enjoy the spanish landscape.

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