Spain Guidebook 2016 - Office of International Programs

Spanish Language
& Culture
in Madrid & Malaga
Program Handbook
Bring this with you to Spain! It’s worth the space in your luggage!
1
Table of Contents
Program Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Details about Program Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Group Flight Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Packing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Courses, Academics & Workload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Student Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Program Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Housing Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Program Rules & Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
Needing Help, Health Concerns & Emergencies . . . . . .14
Finale Weekend in Paris: Detailed Description . . . . . . .15
2
Useful Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2016 Program Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
16
17
18
Depart
Arrive
Costa del Sol/
Gibraltar tour
25
19
20
21
22
23
24
Granada tour
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Class 4
Class 5
26
27
28
29
Class 6
Class 7
Class 8
Nerja Tour
30
Class 9
Ronda tour
1
2
Class 10
Depart for Sevilla
City Tour
3
4
5
Orientation
[4 week students]
Arrival in Madrid
Class 1
17:00
Madrid Tour
Class 2
22:00
Tuna
10
11
12
13
9:00 Segovia tour
Class 6
Class 7
9:45 Reina Sofia
Museum
Class 8
17
18
19
20
21
22
Class 9
Class 10
Class 11
Class 12
Class 13
Barcelona Break
6
Class 3
9:45
Royal Palace
7
Class 4
8
Class 5
9:45 Prado Museum
14
15
9:00 Toledo
16
Barcelona Break Barcelona Break Barcelona Break
9:45
Bernabeu Stadium
Flamenco
9
23
9:00 Salamanca
24
25
26
27
28
29
Free Day
Class 14
Depart for Paris
10:00
Paris City
Tour
Paris
Return to USA
3
Details about Program Costs
Program Fee and Tuition
Four Week Program: the program fee and tuition together cover your courses (6 credits); all instructional costs in Madrid; your housing in Madrid and Paris; 3 meals a
day except for Sunday dinner (only breakfast is included during finale weekend in Paris); international airfare from NYC to Madrid, from Madrid to Paris, and from Paris
back to NYC; transportation from the airport in Madrid to your residence hall and transportation to the airport in Paris; and program administration in Madrid and at
Binghamton.
Six Week Program: the program fee and tuition together cover your courses (9 credits); all instructional costs in Madrid and Málaga; your housing in Málaga, Madrid
and Paris; two meals a day (breakfast and lunch OR dinner) in Málaga; 3 meals a day except for Sunday dinner in Madrid (only breakfast is included during finale
weekend in Paris); international airfare from NYC to Málaga, from Madrid to Paris, and from Paris back to NYC; transportation from the airport in Málaga to your hotel,
from Málaga to Madrid, and transportation to the airport in Paris; and program administration in Madrid and at Binghamton.
Expenses Not Covered by the Program Fee and Tuition
Primarily, the following are not covered by the program fee and tuition: the optional excursions, one meal a day in Málaga, Sunday evening dinner in Madrid, meals on
all the optional day excursions, meals (except breakfast unless the departure time is early in the morning and the kitchen is closed) on the overnight excursions, meals
(except breakfast) during the finale weekend in Paris, and transportation to and from JFK airport in NYC. Other possible expenses not included in the program fee and
tuition are listed below.
Other Possible Expenses
Other possible expenses include, but are not limited to, passport and visa (if not a US citizen); textbooks and course supplies; fees for internet café use; costs related
to cell phone usage or long distance calls; transportation to JFK in NYC for the flight to Madrid or Málaga; health insurance; optional excursions offered through the
program; independent travel; local transportation (train, metro, taxi); laundry associated expenses; personal expenses (activities, clubs, performances, events, personal items); and cost for meals that are not covered by program fees (one meal a day in Málaga, Sunday evening dinners in Madrid, meals in Paris, and meals during
the optional excursions). Depending on your taste and food preferences, you may find yourself eating out more often, which will certainly add to your additional
expenses.
Budget for Other Expenses
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The estimate for personal expenses listed on our cost sheet assumes that you will eat all meals provided by the program and that your other costs will be relatively
minimal. It is very possible to stick to this estimate if you are engaging primarily in free activities, bring a laptop or use public computers and phones, and buy few
souvenirs. However, if you eat meals out, go to clubs or other late-night venues, often go shopping for souvenirs and other items, and attend performances and
events, your budget for personal expenses will need to be higher.
Group Flight Details
AIRLINE INFORMATION
This section may undergo changes as the airlines occasionally change their regulations. We recommend participants to check the airline’s web site for the current airline
policies, especially on the day of departure. We will advise students of any changes involving the specific agreement between Forspro and the airline. Airline policies are
subject to change at the airline’s discretion.
If you are providing own airfare - If you are providing your own international transportation and do not want the airfare Forspro includes in the price of
the program, you receive a $1200 credit. Please be aware that the Madrid/Paris flight is part of the international transportation Forspro provides. Therefore, if you are
making your own travel plans, you must make the arrangements to travel from Madrid to Paris as well. Note: Participants traveling on flights different from the group’s
flight itinerary and connecting with the group’s ground transportation at the airport may use our airport transfers as long as space is available. Otherwise, he/she must
provide their own airport transfers.
If Forspro is providing the airfare - Included in the program price is the international round trip transportation. Our function with the airline is similar to that
provided by your local travel agent or internet travel site providers. You may cancel the flight provided by Forspro up to 60 days prior to departure and receive a credit of
$1200. If you cancel the airline provided by Forspro within 60 days prior to departure, you will not receive a credit or refund.
Deviations. Deviations from the group’s flight itinerary are not allowed. If you want to change your return date, we suggest you make your own flight arrangements.
Flight itinerary - The airline is the one who makes all the flight arrangements, the itineraries for the program flights, and sets its policies. The itineraries are
randomly selected by the airline. Some participants may encounter longer delays than others in their connecting flights. However, the delays are no different than many
of the connections you experience in flights you may arrange yourself.
The flight information: The flight information is in your statement. The international carrier is Iberia Airlines (IB). The domestic carrier for the group departing
from LA to connect with the international flight is American Airlines (AA).
The airline is constantly revising their schedules and may make minor changes to their flight departures. Therefore, there is a possibility that your flight itinerary may have
minor changes from the original reservation. Please refer to your statement to read your flight itinerary. Below is an example of the eastbound segment of your flight from
the U.S. (departure). Use the same formula for the other segments and the westbound (return) flights.
IB6252 02JUL JFKMAD 20:55 10:15+1
IB6252= Flight number
02JUL= JFKMAD=
Date of departure NYC to Madrid
20:55= =
New York Departure time
10:15+1=
Arrival time in Madrid (+1 indicates next day arrival)
CITY CODES:
MAD=Madrid AGP=Malaga ORLY=Paris ORLY airport MIA =Miami JFK=New York LAX = Los Angeles
Ticket Information - The airline ticketing process begins at 60 days before departure. We will post on our website and/or email the ticket information about 3
weeks prior to departure. Upon receipt of your ticket information you should review it to make sure the information is accurate. The ticket information includes your ticket
number in addition to your name and flight information. Although we recommend that you print the information and take it with you, it is not required. You can actually get
your boarding pass with the information in your statement. Therefore, don’t panic if you don’t have it with you at the airport.
Seat Assignment & Luggage Check-in - Since these are group reservations, we are unable to make individual seat assignments. Seat assignment may
only be made at airport check-in. You are allowed one carry-on and a checked luggage. Visit the airline’s web site for the weight and size limitations:
Carry-on - http://www.iberia.com/us/luggage/hand-luggage/
Checked luggage - http://www.iberia.com/us/luggage/allowance-in-hold/
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Packing Tips
You do have to be somewhat clever in order to pack for four or six weeks and still adhere to the luggage restrictions. Here are some tips and advice
from our office and past students!
• It’s hot! While you may need one or two long-sleeved items for the evenings, in general, think light, cool, comfortable clothing. (Except
for Paris, during the evening it can get cool.)
• You will be walking a lot: bring comfortable shoes. Shoes take up a lot of room so choose wisely.
• You will want to buy souvenirs and other items while in Spain and Paris, so keep room in your bags. July is sale month in Spain and every
store will be having discounts and sales. If you forget something or need something once you arrive, you’ll be able to find it.
• You can do laundry in both Málaga and Madrid, so plan to wear clothing more than once. Also, it’s so hot that you can easily hand wash
items and they will dry overnight.
• Bed linens: pillow, pillowcase, and sheets are provided for you, as are towels. Don’t bother bringing this stuff with you as it takes up a lot
of room! That said, if you wish to use a towel at the pool in Madrid or on the beach in Málaga, you will need to bring your own—dorm towels
are not allowed in the pool area.
• Bring travel sizes of shampoo, soap, detergent, etc. Or, don’t bring it at all and just purchase these items in Spain, use them, and then
throw them out before you come home. There are some Spanish “dollar-stores” right near the dorm in Madrid which are good for this type of
purchase.
• Some students do bring laptops but you DON’T need a computer for your classes, and it will take up a bunch of your luggage allowance;
also computers are valuable and can be lost or stolen while traveling. You may find a computer useful for communicating with friends and
family, and it may help for classes as well. The decision whether or not to bring a laptop is up to you!
• Roll your clothes and fill every space in your suitcase: how you pack does actually matter. You can fit much more in one suitcase than you
would think.
• Day-to-day going to classes, you will want light, comfy clothing—think low-key. For going out, you may want some dressier items.
Europeans don’t dress down the same way that Americans do.
• For women: Spanish men can be more overt and aggressive than we are used to (not dangerous, just vocal and persistent). The more you
cover up, the less attention you will attract!
• For any electronics you bring, it is best if you only bring dual voltage devices. Electronics that heat up, like hair dryers or flat irons, will
generally break even with the converter!! Live without, or buy a cheap one in Spain. Bring more than one plug adapter: (a) they break easily;
(b) they usually bring more than one device; (c) it is not so easy to find them in Spain whereas they are reasonably cheap in the US.
Luggage Restrictions
PLEASE NOTE: FORSPRO only allows you to have one
checked bag.
There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule—if you have more
than one bag, FORSPRO will not provide transportation to
and from the airports to the dorm/hotel and you will need
to make your own arrangements.
• You must check the airline website to make sure that
you comply with the most up to date baggage restrictions for both your carry on and checked baggage!
6
Courses, Academics, and Workload
You may download the full course descriptions- the syllabi- from the FORSPRO website here: http://www.foreignstudy.com/courses.html. Students
participating in the 4-week program will take two courses for three credits each for a total of 6 credits. Students participating in the 6-week program will take one
three-credit course while in Málaga, and two three-credit courses in Madrid, for a total of 9 credits.
Difficulty and Workload
Not surprisingly, students respond differently to the workload in the various courses. All the courses are cramming a full three-credit course into a very short span, so
they tend to feel intensive, even if they are about the same workload as an ordinary class. The literature-level courses in Spanish tend to be particularly demanding,
depending on your background in the language. We strongly recommend students taking the literature courses to do some or all of the reading ahead of time so that
it is easier to keep up with the coursework without feeling overwhelmed. Attendance in almost all the classes is weighted very heavily; classes are seminar style and
meet for three or four hours, so missing even one class may have a real impact on your grade.
Free Time Outside Classes
Students on the 6-week program will definitely have time to explore because they only take one course during that portion of the program. For all students, during
the 4-week portion of the program that takes place in Madrid, there is NOT much free time on class days. All students MUST take two classes, and can choose between
morning, afternoon and evening classes. With two three-hour classes and homework, there’s not much time left over to explore. The program, however, grants a free
day (or more) every few days of class. Take advantage of your free days to explore. Also, Madrid’s nightlife is famous, and the city is wide awake into the early morning
hours every single night (and a long afternoon siesta is traditional). Many students take advantage of this even on days when they have class. For a detailed calendar
of the program, see the program calendar in this handbook. Remember, this is a study abroad program. If you want a vacation—take a vacation!!
NOTE: We require all of our students to take two courses during the 4-week portion of the program because financial aid cannot be used for summer programs unless
students are earning at least 6 credits. It is our strongly held belief that our programs should be open to all students regardless of financial circumstances and that all
students participating in our programs should be held to the same expectations—in this case, to take 6 credits on the 4-week program, and 9 credits on the 6-week
program.
Textbooks and Course Materials
If the course syllabus online lists the specific texts for a course and recommends websites where you can purchase these texts, then you SHOULD buy the books beforehand. **Some courses require books which have been published in the US. It is virtually impossible to find them in a bookstore in Spain.** If the course syllabus
online does not give specific text information, or indicates that the instructor will provide materials, then you do not need to buy anything ahead of time. We do
recommend purchasing and actually reading the texts ahead of time if you plan to take one of the literature courses in Spanish (García Lorca, Hispanic Short Stories,
etc.).
Computers
Technically, computers are not needed for any coursework on the program. However, you may find a computer useful for some assignments. Many students do bring
their laptops with them on this program. If an instructor assigns work that requires a computer, please go to the FORSPRO office and report this immediately as
computers should not be mandatory for coursework.
Credits
Our office will receive transcripts for all students participating in the program in late August or early September. We will then process the transcripts in our office and
either send the transcript or transcript supplement out to your home campus, or, for BU students, send the grades to the registrar to be added to your BU transcript.
YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM TO RELEASE YOUR GRADES. You will be invited via email after the end of your program to complete the
online evaluation. All students are responsible for getting their approvals for major or minor requirements through the respective departments at their home campus.
Binghamton students will file a credit recognition form with our office to register approvals. Students from other schools should confer with their study abroad and
academic advising offices about procedures for study abroad credits. Getting approvals BEFORE the program will speed up the transcripting process considerably!
Pass/Fail Policy
Students participating in this program through Binghamton University are allowed to take one course on a pass/fail basis. Students must notify the study abroad
advisor for the program at Binghamton University in writing (email is acceptable) by the midpoint of the class: by the end of the first week of classes during the initial
2 weeks of the 6-week program, and by the end of the second week during the 4-week program.
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Student Life
Program Participants
Generally Binghamton University sends between 50 and 60 students on the summer program; these students come from Binghamton, several other SUNY schools, and a
variety of other colleges and universities. The organization that runs the program in Spain, FORSPRO, generally has between 150 and 200 students on the program from
many different colleges and universities all over the United States. FORSPRO also runs a program for high school students during the same summer session; they live and eat
in a different building, though they may participate in the same excursions as the college students, and one or two of the courses have both high school and college students
in them.
Integration and Meeting Locals
Because FORSPRO uses the entire Colegio Mayor Mara during the summer for its own program, you will not be living with, dining with, or taking classes with Spanish students. (There may be a few Spanish students completing final exams for the first few days.) However, your instructors are primarily Spanish, and the program staff on-site, as
well as the residence hall staff, are all Spanish as well, so you have many opportunities to practice your Spanish! Social life in Madrid, as in much of Spain, takes place outside
the home in the coffee shops, tapas bars, squares, and clubs of the city, so if you are interested in meeting young Spaniards, it is relatively easy to do so in these types of
settings.
Finding Your Way Around Madrid
Madrid is a relatively easy city to navigate. The subway system is very clearly marked and easy to use. You can pick up a subway map at any station, or print one out from
online before you leave: http://www.metromadrid.es/export/sites/metro/comun/documentos/planos/Planoesquematicoespanol.pdf, or use the one included
in this booklet. The closest stop to the Colegio is Metropolitano, on the grey Circular line. Central Madrid is 10-15 minutes away by subway, and is very walkable. Take the
Circular line to Moncloa, transfer to the yellow line and take it to Sol to start exploring Madrid from one of the central plazas. Keep in mind that the subways do NOT run
all night—they close at 1:30a.m., so if you are out late, you’ll need to take a cab back to the Colegio. Cabs can be expensive, so try to share with our program participants.
Need to buy stuff for your room? There are convenience stores nearby or take the Circular line to Moncloa, where there is a huge department store. Subway tickets are not
too expensive, as long as you buy a 10-ticket pass, which you can do at any station. Don’t know how to find the Metropolitano station? Exit the Colegio, cross the traffic
circle and bear right to continue on Paseo Juan XXIII. The Metropolitano stop is just at the top of the hill at the intersection of Paseo Juan XXIII and Ave. de Gregorio del Amo.
Want to explore the neighborhood around the Colegio? Print yourself a map before you go: just plug the address “Paseo Juan XXIII, 15, Madrid 28040” into Google Maps or
Mapquest, or use the map included in this booklet. The nearest busy street with shops, internet cafés, and restaurants is Ave. de la Reina Victoria. There are also other busy
streets that Ave. de la Reina Victoria crosses, so it’s a good place to explore. If you wish to walk downtown from the Colegio, you definitely can—bring a map and the walk
will take about 45 minutes.
Torremolinos (in Málaga)
Torremolinos is a tourism-oriented city and municipality on Spain’s Costa del Sol, 12 km to the west of the city of Málaga, in the province of Málaga and the autonomous
region of Andalucía in southern Spain. There is a regular train service connecting Torremolinos to Málaga. It’s the best way to get around the city. There are several supermarkets within walking distance (10-15 min). However, specialty stores are scarce (most will be located in Málaga). Torremolinos is known for its beaches and good weather, and
thus attracts a lot of tourists during the summer months. Students should expect to encounter plenty of them in the hotel. Torremolinos can be loosely defined as consisting
of three distinct areas, namely the town center, the various beaches, and the old town, known as El Calvario. Main Tourist Information Office: Plaza de la Independencia, s/n
- 29620 Torremolinos Málaga. Tel. 0034 952374231. For more information about Torremolinos check out this website: http://www.andalucia.org/en/destinations/provincias/
malaga/municipios/torremolinos/
8
Program Activities
Day-to-day Activities: In addition to the optional excursions, some of the staff may offer impromptu visits around Málaga/Madrid and while most students
really enjoy these activities, there is no set schedule. Below are some of the activities conducted in the past. Each individual is responsible for their OWN expenses.
• Get acquainted with Madrid: Metro and walking tour of the area of Moncloa, Royal Palace, and Puerta del Sol. Both college and high school students are
welcome to explore the city through the eyes of a Spanish student.
• Teleférico: A ride by cable car to the Casa de Campo where students can take pictures of Madrid from high above the city. Then on to the Plaza de España area for
some tapas and learn about the typical foods in Spain.
• Parque del Retiro: Paddle boat ride around the lake. Later continue to the area of Moncloa for more tapas.
• Chueca Area: Get acquainted with the nightlife. Visit different areas and places where the young Madrileños gather.
• Amusement Park: The park has the very best in new-generation attractions such as the “Tornado”, or the “Lanzadera”. A great way in which to relax and enjoy
the endless supply of street theater, shows, restaurants and theme stores.
• Campo del Moro and Royal Palace gardens: Eat in the gardens of the Palacio Real and watch street performances with a magnificent view of the surrounding
area.
• Ice Skating: A fun time to enjoy ice skating with friends.
• Santiago de Bernabéu: Visit the stadium where the Real Madrid plays. Real Madrid is one of the best soccer teams in the world having won the European Cup
several times.
• Bullfight: Everyone is welcome to see one of the most typical entertainments in Spain.
• Zarzuela and Tapas in Sevilla area: One of the most popular activities where teachers and students alike get to enjoy the great Spanish popular music theatre
that originated in the 17th century with the great playwright Calderón de la Barca. Later (college students only), more tapas around the area of Madrid known as
Sevilla.
Optional Excursions:
Remember that the cost of the optional excursions is NOT included in your program fee. If you elect to participate in any optional excursions/cultural activities, this will be an
extra cost for you. The cost for the excursions/cultural activities must be paid directly to FORSPRO, our partner that will coordinate all of the activities.
All excursion/activity dates and details can be found at: http://www.foreignstudy.com/tours--excursions.html
It is strongly recommended that you review these details before selecting the activities that you would like to participate in on your application form.
9
Housing Details
Residence Hall in Madrid:
Colegio Mayor Mara
Address: Paseo Juan XXIII, 15, Madrid 28040
Ph: (011-34)-91-553-6603
The residence where participants are housed and take classes is the Colegio Mayor Mara.
Some of the dorm facilities are: Laundry room, dining room, student lounge, lobby, snack
bar, tennis court, pool, auditorium, and basketball court. The pool is very nice, but does
have limited hours and you need to bring your own towel (not one provided by the dorm).
The dining room also has specific hours for meals. All of the classrooms are in the Colegio.
Some of the classrooms and common areas have air-conditioning; however, the rooms
do NOT. You will probably need to buy a small fan. All students live in single rooms with
private bathrooms. The rooms are furnished, and sheets, pillows, and towels are provided.
Floors are separated by gender and while women are allowed to be on the men’s floors,
men are not allowed on the women’s floors. Most of the dorms in Madrid and the rest of
Spain are mixed/co-ed. In the particular case of Mara, it is a female-only dorm for the rest
of the year and they have strict regulations about the presence of male students. The
residence hall is run by Spanish nuns, who are very nice and hospitable. The nuns and the
other residence hall staff all speak Spanish and only Spanish. Speaking with them and
getting to know them a bit is a wonderful way to practice your Spanish while in Madrid.
Communicating with Friends and Family
In Madrid: There is usually wireless access in the rooms, though unlike here in the United
States, technology is not as consistent and ready—sometimes there are problems with
the wireless! Most people in Spain do not have internet access in their homes so internet
cafés (many include public phone booths as well and are called Locutorios) are very
common, popular and very cheap. There are several internet cafés within a twenty-minute
walk of the Colegio. While out and about in Madrid, it is very easy to simply pop into an
internet café to use a computer or make a long distance phone call. In the Colegio there
are no phones in the rooms, but there is a phone on every hallway, and incoming calls come
into a central office and are transferred up to the appropriate hall. The phones on the hallways can NOT be used for outgoing calls. There are a couple of public pay phones in
the residence hall, which you can use for international calls if you purchase a phone card in Spain—you can usually buy a phone card with good international calling rates at
most newspaper/tobacco shops and other small convenience stores.
In Málaga: you are living in a hotel and there is no internet access in the rooms, but you can use local internet cafés for internet use and long distance phone calls (Locutori-
os). You also have a phone in your room and can accept incoming calls that would come through the front desk of the hotel. You can make outgoing calls directly (at very high
hotel rates), or inexpensively with a phone card (just make sure you check the up-to-date hotel regulations).
NOTE: Some students choose to bring or buy a cell phone: please see the section on cell phones in our general pre-departure packet for more information.
NOTE: To make an international call to Europe from the US, you must dial 011, then the country code (Spain is 34; France is 33) and then the number. If you are dialing the
number from within Spain or France—drop the 011 and the country code. To make an international call from Europe to the US, you must dial 001, and then the US telephone
number.
Location of the Residence Hall in Madrid
The Colegio Mara is located in the University area of Madrid, about 30 minutes walking to the main Princesa or Gran Vía avenues (two of the main arteries in the downtown
area). The metro is two blocks away from the dorm and it takes 10 minutes to go to Argüelles or Plaza de España (same areas as mentioned above). The bus is 1 block away
from the Colegio and it also takes you to the areas mentioned above. There are several stores, internet cafés, restaurants and shops within a twenty-minute walk from the
Colegio.
10
Living Arrangements in Málaga
Hotel Natalí
Phone: (011-34)-952-37-1047
Address: C/Hoyo, 28, Torremolinos, 29620 Spain
The hotel is located approximately half a mile from the beach in the center of Torremolinos—in the province of Málaga. Torremolinos is a small town 15 minutes away from the city of Málaga (the capital of the province). The hotel consists of 415 air conditioned
rooms with in room telephone, safe, balcony, & private bathroom. The hotel has a pool, but no gym. Students will be placed in
air-conditioned, double rooms, and you can request specific roommates ahead of time. Roommate requests will NOT be accepted
after departure. A good collection of restaurants, bars, & other amenities can be found locally. The location of the hotel is also
ideal for those wishing to explore the surrounding towns & coastline, or simply to lay back & relax.
Laundry
In Madrid at the Colegio Mayor Mara: There are token operated washing machines and dryers available 24 hours a day; however,
there are many students in the residence hall and there are ONLY A COUPLE washers and dryers. Do NOT plan to do laundry often.
It is a short program, and you shouldn’t need to do much laundry. Consider hand-washing some of your clothes in your private
bathroom and simply hanging them up to dry—it’s hot in Madrid, and almost anything will dry overnight.
In Málaga: there is a nearby Laundromat where you can do laundry.
Meals and Food
In Madrid: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided daily except Sunday evening at the dorm in Madrid. Breakfast includes
coffee, juice, bread, cereal and cold-cut meats. Lunch consists of a salad/vegetable, main course, side dish, bread, and fruit/
dessert. Seconds are allowed. Dinner is similar to lunch. The Spanish diet is based heavily on meat (especially pork) and seafood.
Vegetables and fruits are available; however, the variety and amount is limited. Salad is commonly comprised of lettuce, onions,
and tomatoes. Salad dressing is commonly oil and vinegar, but there are other varieties as well. If you are a vegetarian, we will
make an effort to meet your needs. However, you will be limited with the variety of foods available. There are set hours for meals,
so if you are used to snacking or eating at odd times, you may need to budget more money for off-hour snacks and meals. There
is not a lot of variety in the meals, so you may also choose to eat out more often if you do not like the common options available at the dining hall. The snack bar, which is open in the mornings, early afternoons and evenings (closed for siesta) is a good,
cheap alternative for a quick bite to eat. You can also supplement your meals with snacks purchased at one of the nearby grocery stores and kept in your room. There is no
refrigerator available for students to store food. Please note that lunch is not provided on the one day city tours that depart in the morning and return in the afternoon and
only breakfast is provided on the overnight excursions and on the final weekend in Paris (depending on the departure time, breakfast might not be available if the kitchen is
closed).
In Málaga: At the hotel in Málaga, breakfast and dinner are provided, but not lunch. Meals are more European or British than Spanish, as the hotel caters to many tourists
from other countries in Europe and from the United Kingdom. Most students find the food at the hotel in Torremolinos satisfactory, but like in Madrid, meals hours are
limited, as are food options.
Housing and Meals in Paris
During the finale weekend in Paris, students stay at the Hotel Novotel La Défense in double rooms. A continental breakfast is provided at the hotel, but no other meals are
provided. Please see the detailed description of the Paris weekend at the end of this booklet for further information.
Roommates
In Madrid, students are placed in single rooms. In Málaga and in Paris, all students are in double rooms. In addition, on the optional overnight excursions, you can choose to
pay extra for a single room. If not, you will be placed in a double or triple room. You may request specific roommates BEFORE departure to Spain, but not after. Roommates
should not be changed upon arrival in Lisbon and Barcelona since the hotel and the program need to have an accurate list of which students are in which room. During the
finale weekend in Paris, you will be placed in a room which has one double bed, and one double fold-out sofa bed: both are comfortable. Who gets the bed? Try flipping a coin
or trade off each night! Again, you can only request specific roommates before the program starts!
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Program Rules & Regulations
While enrolled in one of our programs, you agree to abide by the rules and regulations of FORSPRO. You acknowledge and accept FORSPRO has the authority
at all times to establish rules of conduct necessary for the operation of the program, which includes your free time. You assure FORSPRO that you shall comply
with the rules and regulations by FORSPRO and act in an appropriate manner at all times. These rules are designed to provide you and others the opportunity
to have an educational, safe, and enjoyable trip abroad. Participants dismissed from the program for violating our rules and regulations will receive no refunds
of any kind.
Drugs and alcohol abuse:
• You are not allowed to buy, sell, use or possess illegal drugs. “Illegal” means drugs that are prohibited by law in either the U.S. or the program’s host
country. Anyone caught with drugs or taking drugs will be dismissed from the program immediately.
• Participants, who are of legal age in their host country, may consume alcohol within reasonable limits. If you are a minor and your parent/guardian
instructs FORSPRO in writing you are not allowed to consume alcohol and you do, it violates this policy. If you are of legal age and choose to drink
alcohol you are responsible for your actions at all times. Consumption of alcohol is not permitted on any FORSPRO sponsored transportation vehicle.
Open containers of alcohol are not permitted in your private quarters at your student residence. Any infraction or violation of this policy is considered
serious and may at FORSPRO’s discretion result in your dismissal from the program.
• Excessive alcohol consumption or violating drug laws abroad may have very serious consequences for you. While abroad, you as a U.S. citizen are subject to that country’s laws and regulations, which may differ significantly from those of the United States and may not afford the protections available
to you under U.S. laws. If you are convicted of violating alcohol or drug laws while abroad you can expect a lengthy jail sentence and significant fines. In
addition to the criminal penalties you may face, the purchase or sell of illegal drugs greatly increases your risk of personal harm.
Dorm Rules:
• Quiet hours in the dorm are at midnight– It is of the utmost importance to respect this rule in order to allow everyone the opportunity to rest and
study in a quiet atmosphere. If noise is coming from a specific room, then the individual in that room is responsible. A student is subject to dismissal
from the dorm or terminated from the program for being a repeat offender of this rule.
• Participants are responsible for the condition of their rooms and to any damage they may cause directly or indirectly to the residence.
• Dining room – Tops and shoes are required for the dining room. Tops are required at all times in the lobby and common areas.
• Drinking alcoholic beverages in the room is not allowed.
Hotel Behavior
Participants are expected to behave properly and follow norms of behavior. Participants are responsible to the hotel for the condition of the rooms and for all
of their personal expenses (phone calls, mini bar). If a student vandalizes, causes property damage, or exhibits inappropriate behavior in the hotel, he/she may
be subject to dismissal from the hotel or terminated from the program.
Punctuality
FORSPRO will adhere to all scheduled departure times. Consequences for students who do not show up on time are as follows:
• If it occurs at the dorm or hotel at the time of departure, the bus will depart on time. Anyone not on board will be left behind.
• If it occurs after departure during the tour:
* If the student is 18 years old or older he/she is subject to be left behind. If a student is late a second time without previously informing a
FORSPRO representative or his/her sponsor, then he/she will forfeit the remaining tours or visits. Forspro will provide the address and telephone
number of the main tourist office of the cities visited. The tourist office can help in providing transportation information in the event you miss
your bus.
NOTE: If, for any reason, a participant misses the return transportation for an excursion, the participant is responsible for all expenses relating to their return transportation.
The participant assumes all responsibility and risks associated with their return trip and fully and completely release FORSPRO from any and all liability for events that may
happen during their return trip.
Respect for all FORSPRO staff, sponsors, and fellow participants
Anyone who physically or verbally threatens, or uses abusive language towards any sponsor, staff member, host family, or student is subject to immediate
dismissal from the program.
Sexual Harassment
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Program participants who become aware of sexual harassment or who believe they have been subjected to such treatment should report such actions to the
on-site Resident Director, or to the Program Director. Participant violators of this policy are subject to dismissal from the FORSPRO facilities or program.
Visitors and Guests
Due to security reasons, insurance requirements, and your safety and the safety of others around you, FORSPRO has the following policies regarding visitors and guests.
• Non-participant family members (limited to parents/spouses/siblings): may visit you for brief periods but will not be allowed to stay in Forspro arranged student housing. You are reminded that FORSPRO cannot provide any administrative support (transportation, housing, childcare, etc) or assume
any responsibility for non-participant family members. Such accompanying non-participant family members are not part of the program and therefore
cannot attend classes, field trips, or any other activities formally associated with the program. If such individuals become disruptive to the program, it
may be grounds for your dismissal.
• Other non-participant visitors and guests: may visit you during your stay abroad but are not allowed to participate in any activity formally associated with the program. Non-family (as defined above) visitors are not allowed in the sleeping quarters of the residence or hotel. Under no circumstance
is a participant allowed to take a non-family member (as described above) inside the sleeping quarters of the residence. Visitors cannot stay in program
arranged housing. Violators are subject to disciplinary action or dismissal.
• If you intent to have a spouse visit you while you are in the program, contact Forspro prior to departure. Your spouse must adhere to Forspro’s rules
and regulations. If your spouse is making his/her own arrangements, he/she is considered a non-participant family member.
PROCEDURES IN THE EVENT OF A VIOLATION OF THE RULES & REGULATIONS: In the event of a violation there will be an investigation of the circumstances
and the participant(s) involved shall provide information to facilitate the investigation. The Program Director and others, including the representative of the
host institution, will review the violation(s) and make recommendations.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS: Disciplinary actions can take a variety of forms, and can be issued in combination, depending on the violation in question. FORSPRO
at its sole discretion will determine what action, if any, to take for violation of the Rules & Regulations. You will not receive a refund or credit for missed
activities or events as a result of any disciplinary actions. Such actions include but are not limited to the following:
• Restitution: Payment of the cost to repair or replace any damage of personal property because of damage or theft.
• Loss of Privileges: Your privileges to use facilities or to participate in activities or events may be restricted for a designated period of time or completely withdrawn.
• Housing Termination: You may be required to leave the FORSPRO-arranged housing and obtain housing accommodations on your own and at your
own expense.
DISMISSAL POLICY: The Program Director will warn participants who are abusing the rules and are in danger of disciplinary actions; however, when
the offense is serious enough to warrant dismissal, no warning shall be necessary. The Program Director may place a program participant on probation. The
probation may restrict you to in-house, or you may be required to find alternative housing at your own expense. A program participant who is removed from
the FORSPRO program will receive no grades for course work in progress. In addition, the dismissed participant will not be entitled to a refund or credit for any
fees paid. If you are dismissed from the program, you are responsible for changing your flight or purchasing a one-way ticket home on the next available flight
and all associated ground transportation costs.
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Needing Help, Health Concerns, and Emergencies
Parents/Family
In case of an emergency and your parents/family need to contact us, call the appropriate number below. Unless you have an emergency, don’t call your parents or have your
parents call FORSPRO about things we can solve in Spain. Note that FORSPRO will not return phone calls unless it is an emergency. If it is an emergency, your family needs
to leave their name, phone number, the type of emergency, and the best time to call them. Refer to the lodging section and the calendar for the appropriate hotel/residence.
Another option in case of emergency is for your family members to contact the Office of International Programs at Binghamton at 607-777-2336.
Participants
While in Malaga & Madrid
If you have a concern or question that is not an emergency, you may discuss it with the FORSPRO staff in the office—which is generally open from 12:00 to 5:30 (hours are
different every year) and is located in the Colegio. You can also contact Prof. Sobejano, the faculty director for the Binghamton program. Concerns about academics should
be directed to Dr. Cano, the dean for the program—he holds open hours that will be posted on the main board in the Colegio and announced during the orientation.
If you have an emergency during the regular office hours, go to the FORSPRO office immediately. If the emergency occurs outside of those hours, go to the front desk, which
is staffed 24 hours. Ask for help and they will contact the FORSPRO representative on duty, and the program faculty director. The front desk staff does not speak English, so
you can follow the directions below to ask for a specific individual, or use a phrasebook and make sure you know how to say “I need help,” and other useful phrases!
If the emergency occurs off-site (not at the Colegio), depending on the nature of the emergency, you should call the Colegio: 915536604, or call emergency services by dialing
112 (same number in all EU countries). When calling the residence, the individual may not speak English; therefore, say the following “Por favor con” and the name of the
person.
• Dr. Orlando Moreno (Dean of Students)
• Professor Vanessa Canete Jurado
In Paris and Málaga
Since in both Paris and Málaga, you will be staying at a hotel, the best thing to do in an emergency is to go to the front desk. Most front desk personnel at hotels speak
several languages. If there is an emergency, ask the front desk of the hotel to contact the FORSPRO representative. If you are not at the hotel, follow the directions above
for emergencies off-site. The phone number for the Paris hotel is: (011-33) 1-4145-2323. The phone number for the Málaga hotel is (011-34) 952-37-1047 or (011-34) 952-384000.
Away From Your Main Location
Most front desk personnel at hotels speak several languages. On an excursion, if there is an emergency, ask for the Forspro tour representative. For routine and non-urgent
enquiries you can call the local tourist office or visit the links to their pages and get phone numbers to police departments, transportation companies, hospitals, and so on. To
contact the emergency services in any EU country, dial 112. The Tour Sheet for each tour and excursion provides additional information.
If you are traveling on your own or with other students, please notify FORSPRO of your travel plans. In addition, be sure to tell your teachers and/or friends as well. Several
people should know that you are planning to travel. In Madrid, there is a sign-up sheet at the front desk. Be especially vigilant if you are traveling alone—we recommend
traveling with at least one other person. Before you leave, be sure to write down necessary information—hotel addresses, tourist information address and numbers,
hospital information, etc.
Healthcare and Health Insurance
If you are ill, but it is not an emergency, FORSPRO will coordinate a visit to a clinic. If it is an emergency, follow the instructions above.
You all have purchased HTH insurance through us, we provided you with materials and information about the insurance. You should bring those materials with you! In
addition, when you are enrolled in the insurance, you will receive an email that provides you with instructions for logging in to the HTH website. On the website, you can
print an “insurance card” that you can carry with you so that you have your insurance information handy. Also on the HTH website, you can locate doctors abroad who are in
the HTH-network (and even find doctors that speak English and/or have received medical training in the US). If you visit an in-network doctor, the insurance will cover your
medical services. If you visit an out-of-network doctor or hospital, you will need to pay out-of-pocket and then submit a claim for reimbursements.
The following information for various clinics and hospitals has been provided by FORSPRO. You do not need to seek medical services at these locations, and they may not be
considered in-network for HTH or any other insurance—they are just a place to start so you have some information about nearby doctors and hospitals.
In Madrid
HOSPITAL CLÍNICO SAN CARLOS
Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n
Teléfono: +34 91 330 30 00 -01
Hospital Quiron San José
Calle de Cartagena, 111,
Teléfono: +34 902 02 47 47
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Clinica La Luz
General Rodrigo, 8
Teléfono: +34 91-453-02-00
CLÍNICA SAN CAMILO
Juan Bravo nº 39
Teléfono: 91-402-21-00
In Málaga
CLÍNICA SANTA ELENA
Urbanización Los Alamos, C/Sardinero, s/n
Teléfono: +34 95 238 62 66
SANATORIO PARQUE SAN ANTONIO
Avda. Pintor Sorolla, 2
Teléfono: +34 952 12-11-00
Finale Weekend in Paris: Detailed Description
To get more information about Paris try the following websites:
http://en.parisinfo.com/ The official site of the Paris Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/france/paris/ The Lonely Planet Travel Guide webpage for
Paris
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/france/paris/ The Fodor’s Travel Series webpage for Paris
Your Hotel:
Novotel La Défense
Address: 2 Boulevard de Neuilly, La Défense 1
Tel : (+33)1/41452323
Breakfast: 08:00. Rooms are for two people with one double bed and one fold-out sofa bed. You
MUST request roommates before the program starts; otherwise you will be placed randomly.
Where is it located? The Novotel Paris La Défense is located on the doorstep of the commercial
area, La Défense, 50 meters from the Metro (underground station: LA DÉFENSE). The metro station
along with a Chinese restaurant and a few stores are around the back of the hotel.
Hotel Behavior: Participants are expected to behave properly and follow norms of behavior.
Participants are responsible to the hotel for the condition of the rooms and for all of their personal
expenses (phone calls, mini bar).
Itinerary:
• Day 1: Arrival Day: Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Time to rest or to start
exploring Paris. We suggest you take the L1 Metro to the Champs Elysees or to the Latin Quarter
to begin your Paris experience. The Avenue des Champs Élysées is a wide, tree-lined avenue that
is home to the city’s chic restaurants, shops and boutiques. There is a tourist office there as well.
The Latin Quarter is the oldest, university district in Paris and features charming, narrow streets
filled with little restaurants, bookshops, and boutiques.
• Day 2: Depart at 09:30 for sightseeing tour of Paris (only for those who purchased the 5 City
Tour Package). The tour takes about 2.5 hours. The afternoon is free to explore Paris on your
own. Suggestion: Visit the Louvre Museum.
• Day 3: Breakfast. Free day to explore Paris and its many attractions.
• Day 4: Breakfast. Return to the US.
Getting Around: Paris is a relatively easy city to get around. The center is fairly compact and most of the sights are within walking distance of one another. The best way to get around is by Metro.
Attractions: There are numerous sites to see in Paris. Below are just a few.
• Eiffel Tower: This breathtaking landmark was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889 to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution.
The most spectacular views of Paris can be seen from all floors of the Eiffel Tower.
• Montmartre: This elevated neighborhood features a collection of upscale shops and cafés while still retaining hints of old village charm.
• Place de la Concorde: This busy landmark square at the end of the Champs-Élysées offers a true Parisian experience. The Concorde Square was
formerly called the Revolution Square as it was the site of the guillotine that executed Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
• Place Saint-Sulpice: This famous square, which is situated in the heart of the fashion district, features a beautiful church.
• Montparnasse Tower: The striking tower at Montparnasse rises 209 meters/690 feet above Paris and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the
entire city from its observation deck.
• Conciergerie: Situated on the Île de la Cité, this former jail, which held prisoners during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, is open to the public
and now makes up much of the Palais de Justice complex.
• Musée Rodin: a museum of the works of the sculptor Auguste Rodin, 79 Rue de Varenne.
• Musée du Louvre, Palais du Louvre, Cour Napoléon: the most well-known museum in Paris—this huge museum has thousands of works including
the famous Venus de Milo, and the Mona Lisa.
• Musée d’Orsay: an art museum focused on impressionist work with pieces by Renoir, Monet and many others, 1, Rue de la Légion d’Honneur.
For a map of the Paris Metro, try the following website: http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_61595/finding-your-way-in-paris/
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Helpful Maps
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https://maps.google.com/maps?vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&ll=40.449454
Torremolinos (Malaga)- Exact Location of Hotel is approximate
Neighborhood around the Colegio in Madrid
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Office of International Programs
Binghamton University
PO Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13850-6000
phone: (607) 777-2336
fax: (607) 777-2889
email: [email protected]
web: oip.binghamton.edu
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