Son going to study in Spain. Any advice?

Question

Looking for any good advice on what to expect, things to buy, etc. Thanks.

Answer 1

Way back in the 1980s, I left Chicago to study in Seville for a semester.

We were part of a University program called CIEE, and everything went quite well. The organization delivered on what they promised, although you might say they were a bit deceptive about the housing arrangements. They said you would live with a "family", but in 80% of the cases, you were living with a widowed or divorced woman who needed the extra rent money.

Here is my advice:

1) You will never learn a language well unless you are absolutely forced to use it. I know. I moved to the Czech Republic last year, and I don't speak nearly enough, even though I go to a private language school for lessons. I should look for a Czech roommate to force me to speak every day. I would recommend that your son live with a family. At the end of his stay, his Spanish will be light years ahead of other people.

2) Spain actually manufactures a lot of good things. Even my silverware is made in Spain. He doesn't need to bring a lot of clothes with him. Europeans manage to fit their whole wardrobe in two average sized armoirs; some have even less. A lot of clothes that look fine in America will look out of place over there. My advice: don't buy new clothes in America. Buy them in Spain. Many things will be more expensive over there, but it's worth it.

3) Get travel insurance. Most University programs include some sort of medical coverage, but it may not be enough. Find some travel insurance. You'll be happy you did.

4) IMMODIUM. Yes, I said it. Your son may find that his body won't quickly get accustomed to the new food, and this will be his best friend. I remember literally running at breakneck speed to get to a bathroom sometimes. After that, I'd keep a pill in my wallet at all times, and take it around noon as a preventative measure.

5) If your son is going to study at an institute geared for foreigners, he'll do fine academically. However, if he is going to take regular university classes (as our CIEE group did), he should know that they don't make allowances for the fact that Spanish is his second language. He has to study!

6) Consider buying a Eurail pass. All of Europe awaits his visit, and he can also fly cheaply to many places. A couple of bargain basement-priced European airlines have popped up, making air travel very cheap.

7) Rather than calling home, you should install ICQ on your computer (just go to www.icq.com). You can have VIDEO chats.... for free. It's better than SKYPE. I'm going to figure the school provides a computer with internet access. He just needs to buy a cheap $50 Logitech webcam and microphone, which he can connect to the school's computer.

8) Your son will absolutely need a good mobile phone. I would recommend he buy one in Spain and then just purchase prepaid calling cards. That's what I do here in Prague. When he leaves, he can sell the phone.

Last word of advice: Europe is a paradise for petty thieves. There is not so much violent crime like in the U.S., but if your son isn't watching his bag on a train, it will disappear in the blink of an eye. I know it sounds alarmist, but it happened to me, and I couldn't believe it. I was sitting right across from it, and I must have closed my eyes for a couple minutes. Buy one of those security cables you can use to strap a bag to another suitcase, or secure a bag to an immovable object.

Answer 2

I have not been to Spain but I have traveled abroad plenty. People are only as rude as you are to them. Also, don't mistake rudeness for cultural differences. Make sure your son respects the differences in cultures. He should also learn some basic Spainish. Things are different. Like the electrical plug-ins, showers, how you flush the toilet, but this what makes it so fun!

I studied in Italy. What was the best thing I brought? Several electrical converters. Go to Brookstone or a travel store to get your converters. I recommend him buying the Lonely Planet for Spain and one for Europe (it is so cheap to travel between countries). The lonely planet offers excellent information regading history, culture, climate, etc. The Lonely planet has saved me more times then I can count on places to eat, where to go to check e-mail and bus information! Lonley Planet can provide great info on the lay of the land & culture, also places he should see when he is there.

Lonely Planet also provides seasonal information so you can pack appropriately. We had an exchange student from Russia that came with little but went home for a lot. Don't go over loaded with stuff. People don't realize you can get the same or like product most anywhere. You can also send everything he needs or is missing in a care package. His host family should have the basics such as bedding etc. If he is staying in a dorm, then the program should advise what else he should bring.

I never leave home without:
Electricity converter with multiple plugs
laptop (make sure you get a converter)
camera
anti-bacterial wipes/gels
a backpack of clothes fit for the season

Also, encourage your son to travel to the other Euro countries when he is there. It is really one of the greatest experiences he will have.

Answer 3

I wish you had said how old he was, where in Spain he's going, and where you are from. Without this information, it is difficult to answer your question.
Anyway, I'll tell you what I know, and hope it helps.
I lived in Spain a few years ago with my son. The schools there are different -- you have to buy the books, and the hours are different (they close for two hours at lunch time). The weather there is also likely to be different (but you don't say where in Spain, and you don't say where you're from, so I can't give specifics). In any case, check out what the climate will be like where he's going and buy clothes accordingly! Where will he be living? With a family? If so, he will probably have access to computers/phones. If not, there are plenty of 'locotorious' in Spain (little stores where you can walk in and use a phone in a booth and then pay for the call -- it's quite cheap to call internationally from those places). Or he can buy calling cards (also cheap) or a mobile phone (Movistar is a good company). Mobile phones over there only charge for outgoing calls, so you could call him from here and it won't cost him anything. If he's older (i.e. teenager) be prepared that it's normal for teens to drink and be out all night partying in Spain (and I do mean all night -- most bars/nightclubs are open until 5 a.m. and most young people stay out until that time). Alcohol is cheap and freely available without ID. Just a warning.
Lastly, transportation. Unlike the US, teens/young people don't need cars over there. They get around by walking and public transportation. So that's a non-issue.
Spain is a great country and it will be a cultural experience like no other for your son.
Don't be surprised if he calls you at midnight (his time) and tells you he's out having dinner. 11 p.m. is dinner time in Spain! 3 p.m. is lunch time, and most everything closes between 3 and 5 for siesta. Even in the big cities.
I assume (and hope!) he speaks at least some Spanish because, contrary to popular myth, people don't speak English all over the world! When my friend came over to visit me in Spain (while I was living there) she didn't talk to another living soul in the whole 3 weeks she was there -- other than me -- and was shocked that 'they don't speak English.' I had tried to warn her, but there you are. Although in the popular tourist destinations it will probably be easy to find people who speak English, you can't count on it at all.
A spare pair of shoes will also be useful! the city sidewalks are covered with dog poo because they don't have laws against it. Although the streets are washed off by machines early every morning, by lunch time they're full again. So, tell him to look where he's walking, don't wear expensive shoes, and have plenty of spares! I can't tell you how many pairs of shoes we had to throw away when we lived there!
Good luck :)

Answer 4

He'd have got to pass to tuition in Britain, to research Spanish at A Level so he can talk the language larger. Find a spanish institution and practice for it. He'll desire a pupil visa as good to stick over there. It could be outstanding for him to visit one other nation to research, believe of the tradition!

Answer 5

my aunt and her family actually went to spain and we noticed that the people were rude to us in madrid. so watch out for that, but other than that it is a beautiful city and it will be an amazing experiencee