intensive spanish language program 2016 2017 · 2016. 5. 10. · granada – intensive language | 4...

Granada–IntensiveLanguage|1

IntensiveSpanishLanguageProgram

2016‐2017


TABLEOFCONTENTSINTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 4

PROGRAM OVERVIEW................................................................................................................................... 4

The City of Granada .................................................................................................................................. 5

The University of Granada ........................................................................................................................ 6

The Modern Languages Center (CLM) ...................................................................................................... 6

Location ................................................................................................................................................. 7

Academic Calendar 2016‐2017 ............................................................................................................. 7

CASA Granada Program Staff ................................................................................................................ 8

Academics ............................................................................................................................................. 9

Housing ............................................................................................................................................... 11

GETTING TO GRANADA ............................................................................................................................... 12

Travel and Transport between the Airport and Granada’s City Center .............................................. 12

GETTING AROUND GRANADA ..................................................................................................................... 13

PREPARING FOR YOUR DEPARTURE ........................................................................................................... 14

Passport .................................................................................................................................................. 14

Applying for a Student Visa ..................................................................................................................... 14

MANAGING AND BUDGETING YOUR MONEY ............................................................................................. 15

ATM Cards and Debit Cards .................................................................................................................... 16

Traveler’s Checks .................................................................................................................................... 16

Credit Cards ............................................................................................................................................. 16

HEALTH RELATED ISSUES ............................................................................................................................ 17

Prescription Medications ........................................................................................................................ 17

Immunizations ........................................................................................................................................ 18

Contraception, STD’s and Counseling Services ....................................................................................... 18

TRAVEL DURING THE PROGRAM ................................................................................................................. 19

OTHER HELPFUL TIPS .................................................................................................................................. 20

When are things open? ....................................................................................................................... 20

Services and Tips ................................................................................................................................. 20

Eating Habits ....................................................................................................................................... 21

Electricity ............................................................................................................................................. 21

Postal Services..................................................................................................................................... 21


Cell Phones .......................................................................................................................................... 21

Laptops ................................................................................................................................................ 22

Internet ............................................................................................................................................... 22

HELPFUL LINKS ............................................................................................................................................ 22

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND STAYING SAFE ......................................................................................... 23

TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE .............................................................................................................................. 23

GRANADA & U.S. CONTACT INFORMATION ............................................................................................... 24

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION ...................................................................................................... 24


INTRODUCTIONThishandbookisdesignedtoprovideyouwithawealthofinformationthatwillguideyouasyoupreparetoimmerseyourselffullyintotheacademic,culturalandsociolinguisticcontextofthecityofGranada.Useitasaresourcebutdon’tconsiderittobeyouronlyguide.ThededicatedstaffattheUniversityofGranadaisfullycommittedtodeliveringaprogramthatwillchallengeyoutogobeyondyourcomfortzoneanddiscoverallthatthisexperiencehastooffer.Asyouprepareforyourexperienceabroad,considertheadviceprovidedinthishandbookanddoyourowninvestigatingintotheregionyouareabouttovisit.Thetruevalueofalengthyandprofoundsojournabroadisthatiterasesthefrontierbetweenculturalawarenessandculturalexperience–experienceGranadainawaythatnoshort‐termtravelercouldeverimagine.

PROGRAMOVERVIEW

TheConsortiumforAdvancedStudiesAbroadinGranada(CASA‐Granada)offerstheopportunityforstudentsatalllevelsofSpanishlanguageproficiencytoexpandtheirhorizonsthroughacombinationofrigorousacademicstudies,traditionalimmersionprogramming,andinnovativeexperientialactivities.ThegoalisforCASAstudentstoengagewiththelocalanduniversitycommunitiesinmeaningfulandcollaborativewaysthatwillhavelastingimplicationsfortheirformationasglobalcitizens.

TheUniversityofGranada'sCenterforModernLanguages(CLM)specializesinthedeliveryofanintensiveSpanishlanguageprogramappropriateforseriousstudentsfromacrossacademicdisciplinesinterestedinacquiringthereading,writingandoralproficienciesnecessarytocommunicateeffectivelyintheSpanishlanguage.RecognizedbytheCervantesInstituteforexcellenceinthedeliveryofabroadarrayoflanguageprograms,theCLMisapioneerinSpanishlanguageinstructionforinternationalstudents,withoriginsthatdatetothedeliveryofitsfirstprogramnearly50yearsago.Utilizingacommunicativeapproachintheclassroom,highlyqualifiedfacultyprovidestudentswithanintensiveprogramofinstruction–20hoursperweek–designedtoimmersethemfullyinthelanguage.


TheCityofGranadaGranada,locatedinthesoutheastofAndalusia,standsatthefootofSierraNevadabeforeawide,fertileplainwateredbytheDarroandGenilrivers.Thefirstsettlementinthisregiondatesbacktothe5thcenturyB.C.andinRomantimesitwasknownbythenameofIlíberis,whichlaterchangedtoElvira.ItwaslaterdominatedbyVisigothswhosereignendedintheyear711withtheIslamicconquest.FromtheirveryarrivalinSpain,theMoorssettledinthecity.In1013,theZiriedynastydeclareditanindependentkingdomandthetownunderwentaperiodofexpansion.FortwoandahalfcenturiesGranadaexperienceditseraofmaximumsplendor,becomingasymbolofeconomic,artisticandculturalwealth.Themainaimofitssuccessivekingswasto

embellishthecityinwaysthatnobodycouldmatch.ItsbeautyisenhancedbyattractiveconstructionssuchastheAlhambraandtheGeneralife.GranadawasthelastIslamicbastioninSpainandwithKingBoabdiltheNasriddynastycametoanend,whenhehandedoverthekeysofthecitytotheCatholicMonarchsin1492andagreedthetermsofsurrenderinSantaFe.Fromthecity’sArabpastremainmanymonuments,quarters,gardens,dozensofsmallsquaresor“plazas,”hiddencornersandfountains,whichtellusofthespellcastbyapasthistorysurroundedbylegend.IncontrastwithMuslimGranadaaretheRenaissanceandBaroqueareasoftheChristianera.Thecityishometooneofthecountry’soldestuniversities,whosestudentscontributetoananimatedculturalandcivillife.Granadatodayconstantlysurprisesthevisitorwiththecontrastbetweenoldandnew,betweenareassuchastheAlbaicínortheAlhambra,withtheirhiddencornerswhichfillthesoulwithpeaceandmemoriesoftimesgoneby,andthebustlinglowerpartofthecity,fulloflifeandcolor,ofpeoplecomingandgoing,withitsbarsandshops.Evenmore,onlyafewkilometersawayisoneofSpain’sbestskiresorts,andatlessthananhour’sjourneyistheMediterranean,withattractive,tropicalbeaches.


TheUniversityofGranadaTheUniversityofGranada,foundedin1531bytheEmperorCharlesV,isoneoftheoldestinEurope.ItsIslamicrootsgobacktotheoriginalPalaciodelaMadraza,foundedin1349bySultanYusufI.Foralmost500years,theUniversityhasbeenaclearexponentofhistorical,intellectualandculturaltraditionandaimportantcenterofeducationamongEurope’suniversities.Today,itisacomprehensiveuniversitywithover60,000studentsandavastrangeofcoursesoffered,makingitoneofthelargestinSpain.Comprisedofsevencampuses,theUniversitytodayreflectsitshistorythroughitsstunningarchitecturethatspansfromthe16thcenturytothepresent.Duringitsgrowth,theUniversityhasadaptedtothedifferentsocialchanges,becominginternationallyrenownedforitsqualityinallareasofhighereducation:teaching,research,cultureandservicesbothtotheUniversitycommunityandsocietyingeneral.Finally,theUGRisstronglycommittedtoplayingamajorroleinallinitiativesthatfavoritsinternationaldimensionandplacestheinternationalizationofitslistofcourses,itsservicesandthewholeoftheuniversitycommunityasoneofthekeystrategiesfordevelopmentandgrowth.TheModernLanguagesCenter(CLM)TheUniversityofGranada'sCenterforModernLanguages(CLM)offersbothlocalandinternationalstudentsamulti‐cultural,multi‐lingualenvironmentwhereworldperspectivesandtraditionsareexchangedonadailybasis.Studentsfrom35differentcountriesaroundtheworldcomeyearlytotheCLMtostudySpanishlanguageandculture,whileSpanishstudentsarestudyingothermodernlanguagesintheclassroomsrightnextdoor.RecognizedbytheCervantesInstituteforexcellenceinthedeliveryofabroadarrayoflanguageprograms,theCLMisapioneerinSpanishlanguageinstructionforinternationalstudents,withoriginsthatdatetothedeliveryofitsfirstprogramnearly50yearsago.TheCLMisfullyequippedwithaspecializedlanguagesandlinguisticslibraryandthemostup‐to‐dateaudio‐visualaidsinbothclassroomsandlanguagelaboratoriesthataresetupformultimediaandaudio‐videoactivities.ThetwoCLMbuildingsarelocatedinthehistoricRealejoneighborhoodincloseproximitytothenewlyrenovatedUGRSchoolofArchitecture.


LocationTheCenterforModernLanguagesoftheUniversityofGranadaissituatedinthecitycenter,inthecentralandauthenticneighborhoodof"ElRealejo"andonlyashortwalkfromtheTownHallandtheNasridpalace,"theAlhambra.”TheCLMishousedintwolocations,aboutasevenminutewalkapart.ThemainbuildingisfoundintheoldPalaceofSantaCruz(16thC.),whoserestorationforeducationalpurposeswascompletedin1992.ThesecondbuildingistheoldHotelKenia,adaptedforteachingpurposesin2005.

PALACIODESANTACRUZBUILDING(Mainbuilding)PlacetadelHospicioViejos/n18009GRANADATelephone:(+34)958215660Fax:(+34)958220844HUERTADELOSÁNGELESBUILDINGCalleMolinosnº6518009GRANADATelephone:(+34)958229729Fax:(+34)958228486

AcademicCalendar2016‐2017FallSemester8/29/16 ArrivalinGranada8/30‐9/1 Mandatoryorientationmeetingsandactivities8/31/16 Moveintohomestays9/1/16 LanguageLevelPlacementTest9/2/16 FirstdayofIntensiveSpanishLanguageclasses12/20/16 LastdayofIntensiveSpanishLanguageclasses12/21/16 DeparturefromGranadaSpringSemester1/23/17 ArrivalinGranada1/25/16 Moveintohomestays1/25‐1/31 Mandatoryorientationmeetingsandactivities1/30/17 LanguageLevelPlacementTest1/31/17 FirstdayofIntensiveSpanishLanguageclasses5/31/17 LastdayofIntensiveSpanishLanguageclasses6/1/17 DeparturefromGranada


CASAGranadaProgramStaff

MaríaMaldonado,ProgramDirectorMaríaisfromasmalltowninthe“AlpujarraGranadina,”theregionofvalleysnestledinthesouth‐facingsideoftheSierraNevada.MaríahadtheopportunitytoliveinFranceforseveralyearsandthisexperienceawakenedinherapassionforothercultures,havingcometorealizehowmuchtheyenrichlife.ShestudiedTranslationandInterpretationattheSchoolofTranslationandInterpretationoftheUniversityofGranadaand

wentontostudyFrenchcultureandliteratureintheSchoolofPhilosophyandLetters.MaríalovesGranadaandshelovesbeingabletosharewithstudentsthisopportunitytoexperienceanewculture,especiallyinthiscityanditssurroundings.HavingworkedwithNorthAmericanstudentsforover20yearsastheAssistantDirectoroftheCaliforniaStateUniversityProgram,Maríaisveryawareofthechallengesthattheyfaceandiswell‐equippedtohelpthemsurpassthedifficultiestheymayencounterlivinginacompletelydifferentcultureandsystem.

ChristineKelly‐Vereda,ResidentDirectorChristineisoriginallyfromsoutheasternMassachusettsalthoughbynowshehasspentonethirdofherlifelivinginSpain.PriortomovingtoGranada,ChristineworkedattheOfficeofInternationalProgramsatBrownUniversityandfortheLASPAUProgramatHarvardUniversity.ShemovedtoGranadatodirectArcadiaUniversity’sprogramsinSpain;and,sincethenChristineandherhusbandhavebecomefully

integratedintothelocalcommunity,havestartedafamily,andhaveembracedallofthebenefitsoflivinginGranada.AmongherfavoritesaretheproximityoftheSierraNevada(greathikingandskiing!)andtheMediterraneanSea.

Christinehasbeenworkingininternationalhighereducationforover20years.Themostfulfillingpartofherworkisfacilitatingthelearningthathappensoutsideoftheclassroomwherestudentslivinginanotherculturenotonlylearnaboutthatculturebutlearnalotaboutthemselvesaswell.ChristineholdsaMaster’sDegreeinDevelopmentalandEducationalPsychologyfromBostonCollegewhereshefocusedonidentitydevelopmentincollegestudents.Together,in2012,ChristineandMaríalaunchedtheBrowninGranadaProgram,whichultimatelyevolvedintotheCASAGranadaProgramin2016.CASA*isanon‐profitconsortiumofnineleadingUnitedStatesresearchuniversitieswhichorganizesanddeliversrigorouseducationabroadprogramsincollaborationwithleadingworlduniversities.


AcademicsThisprogramisappropriatefor1)studentswhohavehadnopriorSpanishlanguageinstructionand2)studentswhoareatabeginnerorintermediatelevelofSpanishlanguageacquisition.Theprogramisexclusivelylanguagefocused.StudentsarenotpermittedtoenrollincontentcoursesoutsideoftheIntensivePrograminSpanishLanguage(CILE).TheCILEprogramconsistsof20hoursofinstructionperweekoverthecourseofthesemester.Classesaresmall(maximumof12‐15students)andaretaughtbyhighlyqualifiedSpanishlanguageinstructors.CILEclassesare4hoursinlength,generallytwohourswithoneprofessorfollowedbytwohourswithanotherprofessor,withashortbreakinbetween.Uponarrival,studentstakealanguageplacementtestadministeredbytheCenterforModernLanguagesandareplacedintheappropriatelevelofinstruction.Astudentcanexpecttoprogressthroughapproximatelythreelanguagelevels(maximumoffourinsomecases)overthecourseofthesemester.Astudent’sclassschedulemayvaryeachmonthaccordingtothetimetheirlevelisoffered(morningsessionorafternoonsession).CLMLevels CommonEuropeanFramework1Beginner A12Elementary A23LowerIntermediate A2+4Intermediate B1.15UpperIntermediate B1.26Advanced B2.17UpperAdvanced B2.28Superior C19Proficiency C2Studentperformanceiscarefullymonitoredthroughoutthesemester‐lengthprogramandplacementlevelsadjustedaccordingly.Studentssuccessfullycompletingtheprogramwillearnafullsemesterofcredit.


CourseLoadandGradingRequirementsStudentsintheIntensiveSpanishLanguageProgrammustsuccessfullypasseachmonthlyclasswithagradeof“C”(6.0)orbetterinordertoreceivefullcreditforthesemester.Attendance,classparticipationandassignmentsandexamgradesarealltakenintoseriousconsiderationwhendeterminingafinalgradefortheclass.Studentsshouldonlymissclassintheeventofanexcusedabsence(documentedillness,officialgroupexcursion,etc.).Astudentwhomissesmorethan20%oftheclass(excusedornot)willnotbepermittedtosittheexamandwillfailtheclassautomatically.ClassesmaynotbetakenS/NC(Pass/Fail).Besuretoalsoreviewyourhomeschoolpoliciesregardingallacademicrequirementsforstudyabroad.GradeConversionScale9.0‐10 A 8.0‐8.99 B+ 7.5‐7.99 B7.0‐7.49 B‐ 6.5‐6.99 C+6.0‐6.49 C 5.0‐5.99 C‐4.5‐4.99 D0‐4.49 F


Housing

HomestaysMoststudentslivewithcarefullyselectedSpanishhostfamiliesinGranadawithina20‐minutewalkfromschool.Therearenumerousbenefitstolivingwithahostfamily,themostimportantofwhichistheconstantexposuretoSpanishlanguage,culturalnormsandcuisine.Inahomestay,allmealsareprovidedandsharedwiththefamily(asworkandclassschedulesallow);anddailyconversationsaroundthetablecanbeawonderfulwaytoexpandyourvocabularyandunderstandingofcurrenteventsinSpain.Bedlinensandtowelsarealsoprovidedandstudents’laundryiswashedweekly.Studentsaregivenkeystothehome(generallya“piso”similartoacondominium)andcancomeandgoastheyplease.Thereisnocurfew,onlyanexpectationofcommoncourtesyandopencommunication.Internetaccessisalsoprovidedineveryhome‐stayaccommodation.Itisimportanttomakenotethat,asintheUSAandelsewhere,thecompositionofaSpanishfamilywillvaryfromhometohome.A“family”maybecomprisedofafullfamilyincludingmother,father,kidsandadog,orasinglemomandherkids,orayoungcouplewithnokids,orawidowedseñoraandheradultson/daughter,etc.,etc.ItisalsoapossibilitythatCASAstudents(oneortwotoahome)willsharetheirresidencewithanotherinternationalstudent.TheUniversityofGranadaisthemosthighlyrequesteddestinationamongERASMUSstudents(Europeanstudyabroadstudents)andisalsoapopulardestinationforAsian,NorthAfricanandLatinAmericanstudents.Thisbringsayoung,engagedinternationalcommunitynotonlytothecityofGranadabuttothehomesofitsresidentsaswell.NorthAmericanstudentsoftenlearnagreatdealaboutothercountriesandculturesthroughfriendshipswiththeirinternationalhousematesandcontinuetoimprovetheirSpanishasitisgenerallythesharedlanguage!IndependentHousinginLocalApartmentsCASAstudentsmaychoosetosecuretheirownhousinginlocalapartmentswithotheruniversitystudents.Onlystudentswhohavelivedontheirownpreviouslyshouldconsiderthisoption.Studentswhochoosethishousingarrangementareresponsibleforlocatinganapartment,signingalease,findingroommates(insomecases)andlivingindependently(groceryshopping,cooking,cleaning,etc.).Theidealarrangementistolivewithlocalandinternationalstudentsfromnon‐Englishspeakingcountries.StudentswholivewithotherEnglishspeakerswillbeataseriousdisadvantagewhenitcomestopracticingandimprovingSpanishlanguageskills.Withover60,000studentsinacityof250,000,Granadadoeshavemanystudent‐orientedapartments,cafeteriasandcafés,whereindependentstudentscanfindeconomicalaccommodationsandmealoptions.PrivateResidenceHallLimitedspacesarealsoavailableatacentrallylocated,full‐boardstudentresidencewhereseriousCASAGranadastudentscanliveandstudywithUGRstudents.


GETTINGTOGRANADAGranada'snationalairport,namedafterFedericoGarcíaLorca,is15kmoutsidethetowninthemunicipalityofChauchina.TherearenodirectflightsfromtheUnitedStates,soyourinitialarrivaltoSpainwilllikelybethroughMadridorBarcelonawithaconnectingflighttakingyoutoGranada.StudentsareresponsibleformakingtheirowntravelarrangementsandmustarriveinGranadabythefirstdayoftheprogram(seeAcademicCalendarforspecificdates).KeepinmindthatmosttransatlanticflightstoSpaindeparttheU.S.theeveningpriortoyourarrivalday.Thismeansthat,inmostcases,youwillbeginyourinternationalflightonthepreviousdayandflythroughthenight.Whencheckinginforyourinternationalflight,verifythatyourluggagewillbecheckeddirectlythroughtoyourfinaldestination.Inmostcasesthiscanbedone,evenifyoubeginyourtravelwithoneairlineandconcludewithanother.UponarrivinginSpain,youwillproceedtopassportcontrol,afterwhichyouwillpickupyourluggage.IfyourfirstportofentranceisMadrid,inmostcases,yourluggagewillbeautomaticallycheckedthroughtoGranada.Thismeansyouwillnothavetoclearcustomsuntilyoureachyourfinaldestination.

TravelandTransportbetweentheAirportandGranada’sCityCenter

Theairportislocatedabout15kmoutsidethecityofGranada.TheairportcodeisGRX.Ittakesabout30minutesbyroadfromthecenterofGranada.

Airportbus:Thereisafrequentairportbusserviceandthebusestieinwiththearrivalsandislocatedjustoutsidethearrivalsarea.Thebuscosts3eurosandthereareseveralstopsintheCenterofGranada.ThemostcentralstopisthestopontheGranVíanexttotheCathedral.IfyouaregoingtoPlazaNueva,it'sagoodideatogetoffatthisstop.Formoreinformationvisit:http://www.aena.es.http://www.autocaresjosegonzalez.com/index.php/es/servicios.html


Taxi:Ifyoudon'twanttowalkthroughthestreetswithyourluggageyoucangetataxitoyourexactdestination.ThereisgenerallyafixedtaxifarefortaxisfromtheairporttothecityCenter(currently28eurostotheCenterofGranada)soit'sagoodideatoaskhowmuchitwillcostbeforegettinginthetaxi.Thetaxidrivershouldnotusethetaximeter.

YouwillreceivespecificinstructionsonhowandwheretomeetupwithCASAGranadastaffwellbeforeyourprogrambegins.FormoreinformationontransportationtoGranadavisit:http://www.lovegranada.com/transport/

GETTINGAROUNDGRANADABybusGranada’surbanbusnetworkcoversthewholeofthecity.Athttp://www.transportesrober.comyoucanfindinformationontheticketprices,buspassesandroutemaps.ThereareanumberofotheroptionsforbusesthatruntodestinationsoutsideofGranada.Moreinformationonairportandintercitybusesvisit:http://www.lovegranada.com/buses/.BytaxiTaxisareasafeandaffordablewaytogetaroundonacold,rainydayorlateatnight.Youcanhailataxionthestreet,getataxiatoneofthenumeroustaxistandsthroughoutthecityorcallthecompanyat958‐280‐654.Studentsshouldprogramthisnumberintotheircellphonessothattheyhaveithandyatalltimes.BytrainSpainhasasinglenationalrailcompany,calledtheRedNacionaldeFerrocarrilesorRENFE,anditswebsite,www.renfe.es,providesdailytraintimetablesandotherusefulinformation.GranadaislinkedbytrainwithAlmeria,Algeciras,Madrid(viaLinares‐Baeza),Barcelona,MalagaandSevilla.SomeofthesetrainsmakestopsinGranada'sprovincialtowns,suchasLoja,Guadix,IznallozandMoreda.However,Granada'ssuburbanrailnetworkisnotwelldeveloped.TherearethreewaysyoucanbuytrainticketsfortravelfromGranada:theInternet,viatheRenfewebsite,atwww.renfe.es;attheticketofficeinthestationwhereyoucanpaybycredit/debitcardorcash;andfinally,youcanalsobuytrainticketsinGranadathroughtravelagents,buttheychargeasmallcommission.Granadatrainsareusuallyontime,butbepreparedfortheoccasionallengthydelay.Intercitytrainsareusuallypunctual.


PREPARINGFORYOURDEPARTUREPassportIfyoudonotcurrentlyhaveapassportyoushouldstartthisprocessassoonaspossible.Theprocesscantaketwoweekstoamonthdependingonwhichprocedureyoufollow.YouarenowabletodownloadprintablepassportapplicationsfromtheinternetaswellasconsultgeneralPassportServicesinformationatwww.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.HtmlTogetyourpassportyou’llneed:

a)apassportapplicationb)proofofcitizenship,e.g.abirthcertificatec)twoidenticalpassportphotosd)thepassportfee$60(pleaseverifywiththepostoffice)

Remember:YourpassportisthemostimportantdocumentyouhavewhenoutsidetheUnitedStates.Knowwhereitisatalltimes.Whenyoureceiveyourpassport,makeseveralcopiesofthefrontpagesandkeepthecopiesseparatefromyourbaggage.Youshouldleaveacopyofyourpassportwithyourparentsathome.Onceinaforeigncountry,keepyourcopiesinasafeplace,andaskyourprogramtokeepacopyonhand.Thiswillfacilitatereplacementifyourpassportislostorstolen.

ApplyingforaStudentVisaTheSpanishgovernmentrequiresavisaforallUScitizens,andmanynon‐UScitizens,studyinginSpainformorethanthreemonths.IfyouareaUScitizen,thismeansthatyoumustobtainastudentvisapriortodeparture.Donotleavethismatteruntilthelastminute.Youcannotapplyforyourvisawithoutavalidpassport.Ifyoudonothaveone,orifyourcurrentpassportexpireswithinsixmonthsaftertheendoftheprogram,visittheU.S.StateDepartment’sTravelWebsite(www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html)toreneworrequestapassport.StudentsmusthavetherequiredSpanishvisainordertoparticipateintheGranadaprogram.Immediatelycheckyourwindowofopportunityforvisaapplicationandfortheconsulatethatcorrespondstoyourpermanenthomeaddressatthefollowingaddress:www.immihelp.com/visas/schengenvisa/spanish‐consulates‐usa.htmlYoumustcontacttheconsulatewithjurisdictionoverthestateinwhichyouresidetoobtainthenecessaryvisaapplicationsandinstructions.Insomecasesitmaybepossibletousetheconsulateassociatedwiththestateinwhichyouruniversityislocatedbutthismustbeverifiedwiththeconsulateitself.Itisyourresponsibilitytoinformyourselfoftherequirementsandtogetyourownvisa.


NotethattherequirementsforobtainingavisamayvaryfromoneSpanishconsulatetoanother.ALWAYSverifytheapplicationprocedurewiththeconsulatewithjurisdictionforyourhomeresidence.Oneofthedocumentsrequiredforastudentvisaisaletterstatingthatyouareenrolledinafull‐timeprogram.Yourstudyabroadofficewillprovideyouwithsuchaletter,closertothedatewhenyoushouldapplyforyourvisa.IfyouarestudyinginSpainforthefullyear,youmayalsoberequiredtosubmitaphysician’sletterindicatingthatyouareingoodhealth,freeofcontagiousdisease,drugaddictionormentalillness.Theseitemsmustbespecifiedintheletter,andamedicaldoctormustsignit.Asafullyearstudent,youmayalsoberequiredtopresentastatementorrecordfromthepolicedepartmentindicatingarecordofgoodconduct.Someconsulateswillnotprocessvisaapplicationsbeforeoraftercertaindates,andtheprocesscantakeseveralweeks,soitisveryimportanttochecktherequirementsearly,tolearnsuchdetails.Generally,oneortwovisitstotheconsulatearerequired,sostudentsmustplanaccordingly.WhenenteringSpain,makesurethattheofficialstampsyourpassportonthesamepageasyourvisa.Thestudentvisaisgoodfor180daysforsemesterstudents;fullyearstudentswillreceiveavisawithadurationof90dayswhichtheyusetoapplyforatemporaryresidencycardwhentheyarriveinSpainthatallowsthemtostayforthefulllengthoftheirprogram.Theprogramstaffwillhelpyouextenditforthelengthofyourprogram.Anyquestionsyouhaveaboutthevisaapplicationprocess,orentryintoSpain,shouldbedirectedtotheSpanishconsulatefromwhichyouobtainedthevisamaterials.

MANAGINGANDBUDGETINGYOURMONEYBankingandmoneymattersareyourresponsibility.Pleasebudgetandmanageyourmoneycarefully.Theprogramfeeyoupayyourhomeuniversitycoverstuitionandrelatedacademicprogrammingactivities,programexcursions,andotherprogram‐relatedevents.Itdoesnotcovermandatoryhealthinsurance(seeHealthRelatedIssuesbelow),airfare,housingandmeals,books,localpublictransportationandrelatedpersonalexpenses.Refundpoliciesmayvary.Consultwithyourstudyabroadoffice.BeforeyouleaveforGranada,youshouldplanhowyouwillhandleyourmoneyduringyourtermabroad.Youwillneedtobudgetforexpensessuchasgroceriesandutilities(ifyoumovetoanapartment),localtransportation,toiletries,socialactivities,andanyadditionaltravel.TheSpanishbankingsystemcanbecumbersome,andtherecanbelongdelaysintransferringmoneytoalocalaccountinGranada.WiththeabundanceofATMsthroughoutthecity,itisnotnecessarytoopenabankaccount.Ifyoudecidetodosohowever,itisadvisablethatitbeasavingsaccount(LibretadeAhorros)ratherthana


checkingaccount(cuentacorriente).Checks–evenonlocalSpanishbanks–aregenerallynotacceptedforpurchases.BanksaregenerallyopenMondaythroughFridayfrom8:30amto2:00pm.

ATMCardsandDebitCardsItisgenerally,notdifficulttofindanATMmachineinGranada(oranywhereinSpain).ThemostcommoncardsusedintheU.S.(PlusandCirrus)areacceptedinnearlyallmachinesandstudentshavefoundthistobethemostconvenientwaytoaccessfunds.Ifyouneedmorefundswhileabroad,itismucheasier(andlesscostly)forparentstosimplydepositmoneytoyourU.S.accountratherthansendyoumoneybywire.ATMwithdrawalsgenerallygiveyouacompetitiveexchangerate,butbearinmindthatyouwillbechargedatransactionfeebyyourhomebank.IfyouplantouseanATMcard,adviseyourhomebankthatyouwillbeoutofthecountryandforhowlong;sothatitcanensurethatyourcardwillnotberejectedinGranadaduetoaconcernaboutidentitytheft.Youmayalsowanttoconsiderhavingyourparent’snameonyouraccount.Finally,makesureyouhaveaPINthatfunctionsinternationally(mostATMsinEuropehavenumberratherthanletterkeys).

Traveler’sChecksTraveler’schecksofferthesecurityofarefundiftheyarelostorstolen.Whenobtainingtraveler’schecks,makesureyoukeepthecheckreceiptsandsecuretheminasafeplaceseparatefromthechecksthemselves.Keeparecordofthechecksasyoucashthemsothat,iflostorstolen,youwillknowwhichonesaremissing.Whencashingchecks,makecertainyoucountersigntheminthepresenceofthebankteller,notbeforehand.Keepinmindthattheexchangeratefortraveler’schecksisoftenlowerthanforATMcards,andthatbanksmayalsochargeadditionaltransactionfees.

CreditCardsCreditcard,particularlyVisaandMasterCard,havebecomecommonplacethroughoutEuropeandcanbeinvaluableinafinancialemergency.AskyourbankforaPINidentificationnumberthatwillbevalidinEurope.Intheeventofanemergency,youcangointoanyVisaorMasterCardparticipatingbankanddrawcashimmediatelyorpurchasetraveler’schecks.Becauseofhighinterestratesandfeeschargedforcashadvances,itisadvisabletoavoidthismethodtoobtainmoneyunlessyouhavenootheroption.Insomecases,aSpanishmerchantmaynotallowacreditcardtobeusedwhentheamountbeingspentistoosmall.Forexample,itmaynotbeanoptiontousacreditcardtopayforaninexpensivemealinarestauranteventhoughtheremaybeaVisaorMasterCardlogointhewindow.Spaniardsunderstandthatthecardcanbeusedtopayalargebillforapartyofguests,butnotforlesseramounts.Itiswisetoaskbeforeassumingyoucanuseyourcreditcard.ItisimportanttocarrysomeformofIDwithyouwhenmakingpurchaseswithyourcreditcard,asyouwillinvariablybeaskedtoshowyourID.Aphotocopyofyourpassportisusuallysufficient.


Atacardholder’srequest,mostmajorlenderswillissueanadditionalcardinthenameofason/daughter.Ifyouplantouseyourparent’screditcardaccount,youshouldrequesttheadditionalcardearlyenoughforyoutohaveitbeforeyouleaveanditshouldhaveyournameprintedonitexactlyasitappearsonyourpassport.Ifyouelectthismethod,thelineofcreditisthesameamountasonthecardholder’saccount,andthemonthlybillisalsopresentedtothecardholder.

HEALTHRELATEDISSUESQuestionstoconsiderwhenacquiringhealthinsuranceforstudyabroad Willtheplancoverhospitalizationforaccidentsandillnessesfortheentireperiodwhile

Iamabroad?Somepoliciesprovidedbyaparent’semployermaycovermedicalexpensesforbriefstaysabroadbutnotforthefulltermofastudyabroadprogram.

Willtheplancoverdoctorvisitsandmedicationprescribedabroad? Isthereadeductible?Ifyes,howmuch? Isthereadollarlimittotheamountofcoverageprovided? Whataretheproceduresforfilingaclaimformedicalexpensesabroad?DoIneedto

payexpensesupfrontandthensubmitreceiptstotheinsurancecompanyforreimbursement?Makesurethatyougetfullinformationfromyourpolicyabouthowtoarrangeforroutinetreatment,medicalemergencyprocedures,andwhatisrequiredtopayfororbereimbursedforaclaim.ManyoverseashealthproviderswillnotprocessAmericaninsuranceclaimsandwillexpectpaymentatthetimeofservicesostudentsshouldhaveaccesstoaminimumof$400(eitherbycreditcardortraveler’schecksheldinreserveforemergencies)intheeventthatmedicaltreatmentisrequiredabroad.BesuretoobtainareceipttosubmitwithyourinsuranceclaimforreimbursementuponyourreturntotheUS.

Whendoestheplanbeginandend? WillthisinsurancecovermeintheUSfortheinsuredsemesterifIdecide,formedical

orotherreasons,toreturnbeforetheendoftheprogram?(Ifstudentshaveaseriousaccidentorillnessabroad,theymayneedtoreturntotheUSorfurthercare;itisthereforeimportantthatthestudentcarrycoveragethatappliesnotonlyabroad,butintheUSduringthestudyabroadperiodaswell.)

Doestheplancoverpre‐existingmedicalconditions?

PrescriptionMedicationsIfyourequireprescriptionmedication,youshouldbringasupplywithyoutolasttheentiretimethatyouwillbeabroad.Althoughmanymedicationsareavailableworldwide,theyarenotalwaysidenticalinstrengthorcompositiontowhatyoutakeathome.Inaddition,brandnamesofthesamemedicationusuallydifferbetweenUSandEurope.Bringmedicationsinyourcarry‐onluggage,intheiroriginalcontainers,alongwithaletterfromyourdoctorexplainingthedosage,whythemedicationhasbeenprescribed,andwhyyou


aretravelingwithalargequantity.ThisisespeciallyimportantifyouenterSpainwithmedicationsthatarehighlycontrolledduetotheirtendencytobeabusedinothercontexts.Note:ItisillegaltoshipmedicationstoSpain;anymedicationsfoundwillbeconfiscatedandaheavyfinemaybeassessed.

ImmunizationsIfyouplantotraveloutsideofSpain,particularly–givenSpain’sproximity–tothecontinentofAfrica,pleasemakesureyouhavehadthenecessaryimmunizations.YoucanlearnaboutassociatedhealthissuesthroughtheCenterforDiseaseControlathttp://www.cdc.gov/travel/.

Contraception,STD’sandCounselingServicesItisextremelyimportanttobeinformedaheadoftimeabouttheavailabilityofvariousservicesandproductsrelatedtocontraception,STDsandsexualactivity.ThefollowinginformationisabriefoutlineofwhatyoucanexpecttofindinSpain.BirthcontroliswidelyavailableinSpain.Birthcontrolisavailableatclinicsandfamilyplanningservices.Condomsarealsoeasilypurchasedinpharmaciesandinvendingmachinesinbars,pubsandonthestreet.Abortionisillegalandissanctionedonlyincasesofrape,incest,fetusmalformation,andthreatofseriousphysicalorpsychologicalharmtothemother.Unprotectedsexualactivityrisksexposuretosexuallytransmitteddiseases,includingAIDS.TherateofinfectionhasincreasedmorerapidlyinSpainthaninanyothercountryinEuropeinrecentyears.IfyouworrythatyoumayhavebecomeexposedtoHIV,youcanbetestedinhospitalsinSpain;theresultsareconfidential.AlistofavailablehealthclinicsandcounselingservicesinGranadawillbeprovidedtostudentsduringOrientation.Brownstaffwillbeavailabletohelpmakeappointmentsand/oraccompanystudentswhorequestsuchassistance.


TRAVELDURINGTHEPROGRAMStudentswillbeinvitedtoparticipateindaytripsandanovernightexcursionincludedintheCASAGranadaProgram.DestinationswillvarybysemesterandmayincludeSevilla,Córdoba,Ronda,ÚbedayBaeza,theAlpujarraregion,theMediterraneancoast,etc.Alistofincludedexcursiondatesanddestinationswillbeprovidedtostudentsduringtheonsiteorientation.StudentswillalsohavetheopportunitytotravelontheirowntootherpointsinSpainandtherestofEurope.YouwillbegivenacalendarofschoolholidayspriortoyourarrivalinGranadasothatyoucanbegintoplanaccordingly.IfyoutraveloutsideofGranadaduringtheprogram,youmustprovideprogramstaffwithyouritineraryandcontactinformationpriortodeparture.Becausethispolicyrelatesdirectlytostudentsafetyandtheprogram’sabilitytorespondtoanemergency,failuretofollowtheappropriateprocedurecouldresultinastudent’sexpulsionfromtheprogram.Youwillbegivenspecificinstructionsonhowtoreportthisinformation.Youareresponsibleforanytravelpriortotheprogramstartdateorafteryourlastfinalexam,soyoushouldestablishaplanwithfamilyathomeforhowyouwillcontactoneanother,andproceduresyouwillfollow,incaseofanemergencyduringthosetimes.AllhotelsinSpainrequiregueststopresentavalidpassportatcheck‐in,soit’simportantyoualwaystravelwithyouroriginaldocumentevenwhennotcrossinginternationalborders.Oncethesemesterisunderway,youareexpectedtoattendyourclasses.Yourtravelplansshouldnevercauseyoutomissclasses.


OTHERHELPFULTIPS

Whenarethingsopen?Manyshopsandretailstoreswillcloseforsiestaandthenre‐openintheafternoon.NormalShoppingHoursMondaythroughFriday–10:00am‐1:30pmand5:00pm‐8:30pmSaturday–10:00am‐1:30/2:00pmBigSupermarkets&DepartmentStores(ElCorteInglés,Mercadona,Carrefour,Alcampo,Hipercor)MondaythroughSaturday–9/10amto9/10pmOpencorSupermercado‐24hoursPostOfficeMondaythroughFriday8am‐8:30pm/Saturday8am‐2pmBanksMondaythroughFriday8:30am‐2:00pmPharmaciesPharmaciesaregenerallyopenMondaythroughFriday9:30‐1:30and5:00‐8:30.MostareclosedontheweekendsexceptfortheFarmaciasdeGuardia.Thesearethedesignatedpharmaciesthatopenallnightandontheweekendsonarotatingbasis.Youcanfindoutwhichonesareopenbycheckingthelistinallpharmacywindowsorinthelocalnewspaper.Therearealsosix24‐hourpharmaciesinGranada:GranCapitán,9tel.958272125Recogidas,48tel.958251290PuertaReal,2tel.958263113PeriodistaJoséMa.Carulla,8(cercadeBellasArtes)958154949Avda.Dilar,16(Zaidín)958811806ReyesCatólicos,5tel.958262664Youmustgotoapharmacyforallmedications,includingaspirin,sincetheyarenotsoldindrugstoresorgrocerystores.PharmacistsinSpainaretrainedtodoover‐the‐counterdiagnosesforminorailmentssothepharmacyisagoodfirststopifyouarenotfeelingwell.

ServicesandTips

Inrestaurants,allservicesmustbeincludedinthecostofthesetmenu.Onlyincaseswhere“IVAnoincluido”isindicatedmayVATbechargedasextra.Tippingisnotobligatory,butisfrequentwhenclientsaresatisfiedwiththeserviceprovided.Tipsareasmallgestureofappreciationandarenotbasedonapercentageofthetotalbill.


EatingHabits

Breakfastisusuallyeatenearly,beforeleavingforworkorclass.Around11o’clock,itistypicalforpeopletohaveasecondbreakfastatacafé.Lunchisnormallyeatenbetween2:00–3:30p.m.,dependingontheroutineofeachfamilyandisusuallyservedinseveralcoursesincludingastarter,mainandfruitfordessert.Between5:00–7:00p.m.it’scommontohavecoffeeorteaasanafternoonsnack.Finally,alightmealistakenbetween8:30–10:30p.m.Everyhouseholdmakesdinnerinadifferentwayanditiscommontoenjoydinneroutsideofthehousewithfriendsatalocaltapasrestaurantorcafé.GranadaisoneofthefewSpanishcitieswheretheyserveyouafreetapawhenyouorderadrinkinacaféorbar.Forthisreason,studentsfrequentlyhavedinnerbysimplyorderingtapasinthebarsofthecity.

Electricity

ComparedtotheU.S.,wherethestandardelectriccurrentis110volts/60cycles,themostwidespreadelectriccurrentis220voltsand50cycles.ElectricalitemsbroughtfromhomewillneedtobeadaptedforEuropeancurrentandelectricaloutletsbyuseofbothatransformerandaconverterplug,whichallowsyoutopluganAmericanitemintoaEuropeanwallsocket.You’llfindthatmostelectricalappliances(hairdryers,shavers,etc.)canbepurchasedinGranadaforreasonablecostatanyappliancestore(“electrodomésticos”).

PostalServices

Stampsmaybeboughtattobacconists(lookfortheTabacosign)orpostoffices.Packagesmustbesentfromthepostoffice.Letterdropsarefoundthroughoutthecity,andtheycan’tbemissedwiththeirbrightyellow(ordinarypost)andred(urgent)coloring.ThePostOfficeinGranadaiseasilylocatedinthePuertaReal,theverycenterofthecity.

CellPhones

Forsafetyandconvenience,theprogramhighlyrecommendsthatstudentshaveacellularphoneinGranada.Unlessyourcurrentcellphoneisspecificallymadeforworldwidecoverage,itwillnotoperateinSpain.Cellphones(“moviles”)areeverywhereinSpain,however,andalthoughpricesandcallingplanswillvary,therearesomeaffordableoptionsthatyoucanlookintouponyourarrival.TheprogramstaffcanofferadviceduringyourfirstdaysinGranada.

MakingaphonecallTomakeaninternationalcall,youmustfirstdial00,followedbythecountrycodeandfinallytheregionalcodeandnumberyouarecalling.Forlocalandinter‐provincialcalls,youdialtheprovincecode,andthenthenumberyouarecalling,althoughtheprovincialisnolongerquotedseparately.


ToreceiveacallCallerstelephoningyoufromabroadmustfirstdial34(Spain),andthenyournine‐digitnumber,whichnowincorporatesthedigits“95,”whichusedtobeaseparateprovincialcode.

Laptops

Itisbecomingmoreandmorecommonforstudentstobringlaptopswiththemwhenstudyingabroad.Youwillwanttomakesurethatyourlaptoporpowercordhasaninternaltransformer.Beforebringingitwithyou,checkwithyourmanufacturerandthepropermeasurestoprotectthisvaluablepieceofequipment.Lowqualitypowertransformerscandamageyourlaptop.Also,considerinvestinginalaptoplock,adevicedesignedtobesecuredaroundastationarypieceoffurniturethensecuredtoyourlaptoptopreventtheft.

Internet

InternetviaaWiFinetworkisavailableatallhomestayaccommodations,allUniversityofGranadabuildings/campusesandinmanycafésthroughoutthecity.Internetaccessinprivateresidencesisalsowidelyavailablenow.

HELPFULLINKSCenterforModernLanguages http://www.clm‐granada.comUniversityofGranadaWebsite http://www.ugr.es/InternationalRelationsOffice http://internacional.ugr.esGranadaInformation http://www.turgranada.es/en/ http://granadainfo.com http://www.andalucia.com/cities/granada.htmAndalusiaInformation http://www.andalucia.org/es/SpainInformation http://www.spain.info/


EMERGENCYPROCEDURESANDSTAYINGSAFESpainisgenerallyassafeastheU.S.,andinsomecasessafer.Asistrueofanycity,however,thereareproblemswithpettythieveryinGranada.Youcanavoidmanyproblemsbybeingcautiousandrememberingtheimportantpointslistedbelowaboutstayingsafe.Whilecrime,mostcertainlyviolentcrime,islessprevalentinGranadathaninsimilar‐sizedcitiesintheU.S.,foreignersarealwaysafavoritetargetofcriminals,sopleasebemindfulofyoursurroundingsandbelongingsatalltimes.Ifanemergencysituationrelatedtoyourhealthorsafetyoccursduringtheprogram,itisimportanttocontactoneoftheCoordinatorsandyourfamilyathomeimmediately.Thisincludestheunlikelyeventofanaturaldisaster(earthquake)orlarge‐scaleemergency(terroristattack,largebuildingfire)inGranada,elsewhereinSpain,orinanareawhereyouaretravelingduringtheprogram.Ifyouimaginepeoplemaybeworriedaboutyou,theyprobablyare.Soonafteryouarrive,yourprogramwillgiveyouinstructionsforhowtocontactprogramstaffincaseofanemergency.Sinceyouwillbeonyourownifyoutravelbeforeoraftertheofficialprogramdates,pleasemakeplansanddiscussemergencyprocedureswithyourfamilyforuseatthesetimes.

TIPSFORSTAYINGSAFEThefollowingisalistofsomeprecautionsyoucantaketoensureyoursafety:

Packlightlysothatyoudonotneedhelpwithyourthingswhentravelingplacetoplace

Donotleaveluggageunguarded Donottakeanythingofrealorsentimentalvaluewithyou;itisnotnecessaryto

wearexpensivejewelryorwatches Donotcarryyourpassport,planetickets,orlargesumsofmoneywithyouunless

theseitemsarenecessaryforaspecificpurpose Keepaphotocopyofyourpassport,includingthevaliditypagewithyourpicture

andsignature,inasafeplacebothintheU.S.andinSpain.Shouldyouloseyourpassport,itwillhelptohavethesecopies

Ifyougooutatnight,donotwalkhomealone.Bothmenandwomenshouldobservethisprecaution.Staywithafriendandtakeacabhome,allthewaytothedoor

Donottakeapursewithyoutoaclubunlessitisoneyoucankeepwithyouatalltimes

DonotletanyonedistractyouwhileyouareatanATMmachine.


GRANADACONTACTINFORMATIONMaríaMaldonadoRubiño,ProgramDirectorChristineKelly‐Vereda,ResidentDirectorCASAGranadaOfficec/SacristíadeSantaEscolástica2,1ºB18009GranadaTel(011‐34)958‐210‐526Email:[email protected]:[email protected]

EMERGENCYCONTACTINFORMATIONChristineKelly‐Veredacell (011‐34)628‐183‐422MaríaMaldonadoRubiñocell (011‐34)639‐384‐699LocalPolice(Granada) 091Police 112Ambulance 112FireDepartment 112

U.S.CONTACTINFORMATIONBrownUniversityOfficeofInternationalProgramsTel.(401)863‐3555Fax(401)863‐3311OfficeHours:Mon.–Fri.8:30am–5pmwww.brown.edu/oip/[email protected]‐relatedand/orsafetyemergencyoutsideofbusinesshours,calltheBrownCampusPoliceat(401)863‐4111.ForadministrativeandacademicquestionscontactyourOIPStudyAbroadAdvisorat(401)863‐3555.Forprogrampaymentandfinancialmatters,contactOIPFinancialManager,CarolBridge,at(401)863‐3555.

intensive spanish language program 2016 2017 · 2016. 5. 10. · granada – intensive language | 4...

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