Student's Guide for Internship Summer Program in
Salamanca (Spain)
INDEX
Packing
Responsible Behavior
Personal Safety
Housing and Families
Cell Phones
Laptops
El Centro: Wake Forest in Salamanca
Academics/Internships in Salamanca
Health and Medical
First Days in Salamanca
Group Trips
Personal Trips
Spanish Customs
Food
Gyms/Sports/Recreation
Weather
Extra Activities/Special Interest
Sightseeing and entertainment
Shopping
Finances
Money
Requirements for a Student Visa
Travelling from Madrid to Salamanca – Directions
This guide is meant to familiarize you with Wake Forest policies in Salamanca
and to provide basic information to help you during your first days in Spain. This
is not a definitive blueprint for your Spain experience because part of studying
abroad is discovering new things and "living the adventure."
At the Salamanca Program, we embrace what Rick Steve calls “the Back Door Travel
Philosophy” and encourage you to do the same!
“The Back Door Travel Philosophy”
(from Rick Steve’s Europe Through the Back Door: 2007)
The average American enters Europe through the front door. This Europe greets
you with cash registers cocked, $5 cups of coffee, and service with a purchased smile.
To give your trip and extra, more real dimension, [enter through] the back door.
Through the back door, a warm, relaxed, personable Europe welcomes us as friends.
We’re part of the party—not part of the economy.
Traveling this way, we become temporary Europeans, one of the family—
approaching Europe on its level, accepting and enjoying its unique way of life. We’ll
demand nothing, except that no fuss be made over us.
Extroverts have more fun. If your trip is low on magic moments, kick yourself and
make things happen. If you don’t enjoy a place, maybe you don’t know enough about it.
Seek the truth. Recognize tourist traps. Give a culture the benefit of your open
mind. See things as different, but not better or worse. Any
culture has much to share.
Of course, travel, like the world, is a series of hills and
valleys. Be fanatically positive and militantly optimistic. If
something’s not to your liking, change your liking.
Travel is addicting. It can make you a happier American,
as well as a citizen of the world. Our Earth is home to six and a
half billion equally precious people. It’s humbling to travel and
find that people don’t envy Americans. Europeans, like us, but
with due respect, they wouldn’t trade passports.
Globe-trotting destroys ethnocentricity.
It helps you understand and
appreciate different cultures. Regrettably, there are forces in our society that want you
dumbed down for their convenience. Don’t let it happen. Thoughtful travel engages
you with the world—more important than ever these days. Travel changes people. It
broadens perspectives and teaches new ways to measure quality of life. Rather than
fear the diversity on this planet, travelers embrace it. Many travelers toss aside their
hometown blinders. Their prized souvenirs are the strands of different cultures they
decide to knit into their own character. The world is a cultural yarn shop, and Back Door
travelers are wearing the ultimate tapestry. Join in!
Packing
When you pack, keep in mind: It is better to underpack than to take too much! You can
buy most of what you need in Salamanca, so do not bring more than you can carry
comfortably for a substantial distance!!! Do not take more than one large suitcase, a
backpack (preferably a hiking-type pack with a detachable daypack, which you can use
for day trips and classes), and a carry-on. If you can take even less - perhaps one
medium suitcase with a hiking pack stuffed inside - great. It's not a bad idea to make a
list in Spanish of the correct words for everything you will
need to buy on arrival; that will make your first shopping trip
much easier.
The weather in Salamanca varies from year to year, but
summertime is usually hot, especially July. Don't worry too
much about trying to fit in by wearing certain articles; the fact
that you are an American will be written across your face,
and anything you wear will do little to help you mesh.
However, you may feel more comfortable if your clothes at
least blend in. Black is the staple wardrobe color in Spain, but it is amazing how similar
their clothes are to current American styles with a rainbow of colours and styles. Focus
on how to make your wardrobe mix and match best. On a more important note, be sure
to bring comfortable shoes because you will be walking up to several miles every day.
Clothes Recommended for Girls:
2 pairs of dark pants
2-3 pair jeans (The Spanish wear jeans just as much as we do.)
3-4 long sleeved knit shirts
3-4 sweaters (lightweight, cardigans are better)
5-6 t-shirts (a couple nice ones and some old ones for sleep, exercise, or wearing under
other clothes)
1 pair shorts OR 1 pair sweatpants/lounge pants (for sleeping or exercising)
10-14 pairs of underwear and socks
1 nice skirt or 1 pair of dress pants
1 dressy top for going out
1 pair tennis shoes
1 pair black dress shoes (bring something dressy but practical for walking - because
that's how you'll be getting around!)
1 pair of waterproof, sturdy boots (optional)
Clothes Recommended for Guys
10-14 pairs of underwear and socks
1-2 pairs jeans
2 pairs dark slacks or nice khakis
3 long-sleeved shirts (at least one nice one)
2-3 sweaters or sweatshirts
5-6 t-shirts
1-2 pairs shorts or sweatpants (for sleeping/exercising)
1 tie
1 pair tennis shoes
1 pair dark shoes
1 pair waterproof, sturdy boots (optional)
Other essentials:
· Bathing suit
· House slippers (Your family will be appalled if you walk around the house barefoot)
· 1-2 towels and a washcloth or loofah
· Enough prescription medication to last for your time there
· Any over-the-counter medicine that you rely on or take regularly; for example, if you
get frequent headaches and Motrin is the most effective medicine, bring a large bottle.
· An extra pair of contact lenses and your glasses
· If you need them, ethnic hair products and makeup. Hair and makeup products for
black women are usually only available in the biggest cities, and even then they are
hard to find. Although Spain has a growing immigrant population, Salamanca is not
racially diverse, and Spain in general does not have the racial diversity of its neighbours
like France and Portugal.
· A travel-sized amount of toothpaste, shampoo, etc. for your first few days. You can
buy almost any toiletries you need once you're there.
· If you bring a hairdryer, curling iron, electric razor, etc. remember that you will need an
adaptor to fit the European-style plugs, which have two round prongs. Once in Spain,
you may also need to get a volt converter to prevent blowing out your appliance, since
Spanish electricity is at a higher voltage than in the U.S. (220V) You can buy adaptors
in luggage and hardware stores in the US and converters (which cost around $15) at
most electrical appliance stores in Spain. You may find it easier to buy a cheap
hairdryer, etc., in Spain - it will save room in your suitcase and the cost will be similar to,
or even cheaper than, buying adaptors and converters.
· A travel, battery-operated alarm clock
· A camera + adaptor
· mp3 player
· A money wallet or pouch for carrying cash or traveler's checks under your clothes
· A couple pictures of your family and hometown to show your host family.
· A small housewarming-style gift for your host family - this could be a nice set of
dishtowels, a candle, a book of pictures of your home state, candy, etc. Try to pick
something that reflects who you are, your interests, or where you are from.
Not essential, but recommended:
· A good paperback Spanish/ English dictionary
· A Spain guidebook - Lonely Planet, Let's Go, or Rick Steve's are all good choices.
Lonely Planet seems to be very oriented towards college students and their budgets! A
very good choice. Rick Steve's does not include all Spanish cities, but he gives good
opinions on what to see and what you can skip which can be useful in planning trips.
You can find some guidebooks at the WF Center library.
· Maps of cities you plan to visit outside of Spain, the office of tourism has maps of
Spanish cities available at no charge
· And of course, don't forget your toothbrush! Je
Don't bring:
More than three pairs of shoes. Uncomfortable shoes or very delicate clothes remember you will be walking several miles every day, and washing and wearing the
same clothes again and again anything valuable or irreplaceable Books, especially
hardbacks. A conversation book is useful if it contains a lot of vocabulary. Bilingual
dictionaries and other resources can be found in most bookstores and libraries
(remember, Salamanca is serving a huge international student population).
When packing, remember that you really can buy anything you need in Salamanca. I
know it's on the other side of the world, but you can find everything you need usually
with the same brands here. I also advise making a group trip to Carrefour, the European
version of Wal-Mart, one of the first afternoons you get there. It's a bit of a walk,
(straight up Calle Zamora), but it's an easy place to pick up all of the essentials you
need or forgot.
Also, the Spanish do not like to waste electricity, so be very careful about anything you
bring that requires a plug. Bring battery operated alarm clocks instead of ones that need
to be plugged in.
Responsible Behavior
Included in this guide is the document “Words of
Caution” in which you will find a section addressing
“Responsible Behavior for WFU/Salamanca” (Appendix
A). You are asked to read it carefully. It states the main
guidelines to keep in mind during your program abroad.
They are meant for your own protection and to maintain the
integrity of the program. After you read it, sign it and return
it to the Director of your program in Salamanca. Keep the
guidelines in mind throughout your stay in Salamanca.
Most important is the policy about alcohol consumption.
It is unfortunate that students have not always been responsible about the amount of
alcohol they consume. Because of excessive drinking, students have found themselves
in dangerous situations. Please, make sure you act responsibly when you consume
alcohol. As part of your application to Salamanca, you need to read and then sign the
“Alcohol Memorandum” document (Appendix B), and return it to your program
Director.
Punctuality is also very important if schedules are to be maintained, especially in group
travels and class attendance. While traveling, make sure you are on time because the
group will not wait more than ten minutes for anyone. If you arrive more than ten
minutes after the agreed-upon time, you will have to find your own transportation to the
next destination point where you will join with the group. Wake Forest will not be
responsible for covering the expenses that you incurred because of your tardiness.
Personal Safety
Although Salamanca is considered to be a safe city with a low crime rate, do not forget
to be watchful and careful at all times. Do not carry your wallet in the back pocket of
your pants because that is the first place robbers will search. There is no need to carry
too much money or too many credit cards with you when you go out. Fifty Euros will be
more than sufficient for your daily expenses. To be watchful is even more pertinent in
large cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla or Valencia. Girls should be particularly
careful with their purses; the best way is to carry them close to your body. When using
the subway, try to stand with your back against the wall so that you can have a good
view of the people on the train.
If you are returning home late at night, taxis are the safest way. When compared to the
States, taxis in Spain are not expensive and you can always share the cost with
someone else. For only 3-5 Euros you can go almost anywhere in Salamanca. Girls
should never return home alone late at night. No one should accept a ride from a
stranger. Be watchful for strange behavior in people around you. You will confront in
Spain similar problems as those in the States; also similar are the ways to handle them:
act as an adult, mature person; be responsible and use your common sense.
ALWAYS BE WATCHFUL AND ALERT: if you look
and act like someone from another country, you will
become an easy target for pickpockets and other
delinquents.
Always carry with you a Xerox copy of your passport
but leave the original in some safe place. The
original passport is necessary only for “official”
matters, such as making a report to the police,
registering in a hotel, and traveling by plane.
Remember that your passport is not yours but
property of the United States; your country lends it
to you to allow you to travel. To tear, sell or falsify a
passport is a crime.
Salamanca has its share of beggars, it is best not to give to them because it will only
make them harass you more the next day. To deal with any heckling by groups of
students, beggars, etc., the best approach is to keep walking and ignore them.
"Déjame" or "Déjame en paz" (leave me alone!) will usually work if ignoring doesn't.
Many of the churches and other tourist sites will be surrounded by beggars and gypsies.
One of their tricks is to give you a flower and then ask for money. Then, while you reach
for your money, one person will distract you while another steals your wallet. They will
also refuse to take the flower if you try to return it, and keep demanding money. The
best way to avoid this is to refuse the flower (or whatever they're offering). They will be
very persistent and continue to hassle you, but again ignoring them and a firm "¡No!" will
usually do the trick.
As a norm, you will not see people running for exercise through the streets. There are a
number of parks throughout the city, but it is best if you do not go running alone at night,
and exercise caution during the day. Parks are ideal spots for perverted youth and dirty
old men to unleash their personal frustrations on young women. The area down by the
River Tormes is considered unsafe after dark; be alert during the day as well and stay
where there are lots of people around.
U.S. State Department
We advise that you let the State Department know you’re traveling abroad. You can
register online at (http://www.travel.state.gov/). In case of political/environmental/ other
disaster, the US will know where you are and can help you out. They can also send you
occasional emails about things to be aware of while you’re traveling.
Housing and Families
Students in the Salamanca program live with Spanish families carefully selected by the Housing
Office of the University of Salamanca. Daily contact with a Spanish family insures total
immersion in the language and culture. Take advantage of the opportunity to become part of a
Spanish family. It is almost certain that you will have a wonderful memory of this experience.
Students remember their “madres” with fondness.
As with all relationships, it is important to establish some rules from the
outset. Each family is different and yours will not be better or worse
than the others. Rather than comparing to see if you got a better or
worse deal than your friends, focus on your own family and try to get to
know its members. Talk to them from the very beginning so that you
get to know the dynamics of the family, its likes and dislikes, its ways
of doing things.
When you meet your family, expect to be hugged and/or kissed once
on each cheek. They will then soon begin to tell you about the house rules. Pay attention to
what they say and if you don’t understand something, ask that they repeat it. There are several
things you need to keep in mind:
•
•
•
Electricity in Spain is very expensive in comparison with the States. Turn lights off when
you are not using them.
Water is also expensive and Spain often suffers from drought. Do not waste water by
taking showers that last longer than 10 minutes.
Meals: Breakfast is typically a very light meal in Spain. It consists of coffee, milk and
some kind of cookie or sweet roll. Lunch, however, is the largest meal of the day with
two courses, bread, dessert and some kind of drink. The “Mediterranean diet” is an
essential part of eating in Spain but in Salamanca, being inland, meals tend to be
heavier. People tend to fry more than on the coast and eat more meat, especially pork. If
you want to eat more fruit and vegetables, don’t hesitate to ask your family. We suggest
that you try all the different dishes at least once. If you don’t like something, tell your
family, otherwise you risk having it more times during the program. Likewise, if there is
something you like a lot, the family will be very glad to fix it often for you.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Your family will do your laundry once a week. You are responsible for separating color
from whites and to tell your “madre” if some pieces need to be washed separately. Be
reasonable with your laundry. Some students like to change clothes every day and even
several times during the day. Do these clothes need to be washed or could they be worn
again? Use your common sense and try to be ecologically sound. Do not give the family
work in excess of what is reasonable.
Houses are much smaller in comparison to the States. Most only have one bathroom
which has to be shared with the rest of the family. You need to design a plan with the
family so that there are no conflicts when using the bathroom for showering.
You should ask permission if you want to watch television.
Usually the family cleans your room, but if you do not want to have your things handled,
tell the family and clean it yourself.
Ask permission if you want your friends to visit you. They should not come after dinner.
YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE YOUR FRIENDS STAY OVERNIGHT. If you have
a visit, especially of someone of the opposite sex, do not lock your room door.
Do not walk barefoot around the house.
If you encounter problems with your family, contact the on-site Director who will be glad to
assist you with the situation. Most often problems with families are caused by cultural
misunderstandings that can be solved easily by talking and explaining.
Do communicate to your family your plans and if you are not going to eat with them. Your
family is not a hotel.
Your On-Site Director will inform you of the name and contact numbers for your host family
sometime prior to departure. We understand your impatience to know who your family will
be. However, this information comes to us from the Housing Office of the University of
Salamanca. We have to wait until the information is made available to us. Rest assured that
you will have a family and that you will be informed in due time.
Some students ask about bringing a gift to their host family. Some have opted for a book of
North Carolina or of Wake Forest. Since families have worked with our program for many
years, they may already have received those books. Other possibilities could be something
that is distinctive of your state or city, some decorative piece, some typical foods that can be
transported, etc.
Cell Phones
It is required to have a cell phone because it can be your way to contact the Directors in
case of emergency. It is thus essential that you keep the phone on and that you have a
viable account to make calls. As a non-national, you will not be allowed to have a phone
contract, which limits your options to a card phone. The system for a card phone is
different from in the States because you cannot buy minutes. You need to put money in
your phone and depending on the time of your call, you will be charged a different fee.
To recharge your phone, you may use an ATM machine
or buy the minutes at a store. Furthermore, every time you
make a call you will be charged approximately 15 cents
for establishing the call and 16% IVA (VAT taxes). You
won’t be charged for receiving calls. You should carefully
choose the plan that suits you best. Some important
features of the most important phone companies in Spain
are listed as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
MOVISTAR: It is the largest company and its
sound quality is excellent but the fees are high. http://www.movistar.es/
VODAPHONE: It is the second largest company with excellent sound quality
and equally high fees: http://www.vodafone.es/
ORANGE: It is the third company with better prices but more reduced
coverage: http://www.orange.es/
YOIGO: This company is a favorite one among students because all the calls
among phones in this company are free and the rest of calls within Spain
have a unique and very competitive fee: http://www.yoigo.com/
HAPPYMOVIL: It is another company also well-liked by students because it
offers good prices to call the States, a fairly good fee for calls in Spain and is
free
for
calls
between
phones
in
the
same
company:
http://www.happymovil.es
Most of these companies offer very advantageous packages of phone +money for
around 50 to 100 Euros. Generally they offer more in money than the total cost of the
package. One of the most interesting stores for purchasing a phone is THE PHONE
HOUSE (http://www.phonehouse.es/), because it sells phones from all the companies
and has special offers every month of the year. This store in Salamanca is located in
Calle Toro very close to Plaza Mayor.
How to Dial International calls:
o To Spain
Dial the international access code of the country you’re in (011 from the US or
Canada, 00 if you’re calling from Europe), then Spain’s country code (34), then the
area code (without its initial 0) and the local number.
To call the WFU Center (923 21 24 66) from the US, you would dial
011- 34 - 923 21 24 66
o From Spain
Dial the international code (00 from Spain), then the country code of the country
you’re calling (1 for US), then the number you’re calling.
To call the WF Center for International Studies (336-758-5938) from Spain, dial
00 – 1 – 336 – 758 - 5938.
Laptops
Students are advised to bring their laptops, following
complaints about the inconvenience of completing
academic work in internet facilities and on campus at the
University. This policy change has been well received, and
students are finding their laptops convenient.
Note that you will NOT be using your laptop for internet
access from home, but only for word processing and other
academic applications. Bringing your laptop makes it even
more important for you to pack light!
The new Wake Forest Center in Salamanca offers you the option to access internet
several hours a day and you will have wireless at the University Salamanca buildings
during their opening hours as well. We recommend you to read the following website
related to Study Abroad Information: http://ocst.wfu.edu/abroad/
Please check this website for instructions to install the print driver on your laptop:
http://ocst.wfu.edu/abroad/salamancaprinter.html
El Centro – Wake Forest in Salamanca
El Centro is your second home in Salamanca. You can go there to study, to meet other
students, to read, to chat in SPANISH, to see films in SPANISH, to Xerox, to print, to
have some coffee/tea or to connect to the
Internet.
At the Centro you will be able to meet with
the on-site Director, Prof. Garrido, and
talk to him about any concerns you may
have.
Remember, however, that you are in
Salamanca to immerse yourself in the
language and culture of Spain. It would
not be wise for you to spend most of your
time at the Centro, emailing or chatting
with your friends in the States instead of interacting with Spanish people.
GENERAL RULES OF THE WFU CENTER
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
No smoking anywhere in the CENTER.
No amplified music in the garden area.
No ball games.
No pets and no outside animals fed or invited in.
Any alcoholic beverages brought into the house should be consumed with food in
the kitchen in a neighborly fashion.
Academics/Internships in Salamanca
The Director of the Salamanca Programs on the Wake Forest campus oversees all predeparture arrangements. The on-site Director oversees the local administrative aspects
of the program and supervises students.
This is an ideal program for students wishing to apply their knowledge of Spanish to a
variety of professional fields, such as medical and healthcare professions, teaching,
business and translation. The immersion setting provides the best
environment for improving language skills, furthering cultural
knowledge, and learning about the functioning of agencies in different
professional settings. Remember that internships count towards
graduation, but not for the major or minor in Spanish. In combination
with SPN 316I, internships count for three credit hours towards the
major or minor.
Students are required to meet the obligations established by the
internship site and complete a series of written assignments related to
their experience at the internship field. Students should consult the on-site Director for
guidance with these assignments, and submit all work to him for evaluation.
•
Internships/service learning must be approved by the Director of the Salamanca
program.
•
Students must be accepted in the program; they will then be placed at an
internship site that best fits their preferences and language skills. Students may
be moved to another location if language skills prove to be inadequate for the
required work. The on-site Director will contact the internship location and
arrange the approval of the student and the first day meeting.
•
Internship/service learning students will meet on a regular basis with the on-site
Director in order to discuss their progress. Only grades of pass/fail will be
assigned.
•
Students must work out their schedule with the internship site. If registered for
SPN 316I, the schedule will be arranged with the on-site Director as not to
interfere with the hours assigned to the internship.
•
Any problem at the Internship place must be reported as soon as possible to the
On-Site Director.
•
It is not permitted to change the hours you signed up once you are accepted at
an internship place.
All Salamanca courses are regular
Wake Forest courses. No pre-approval
is required for Wake Forest students.
Non-Wake Forest students will need to
consult their respective institutions for
credit transfer.
There are a number of libraries
throughout the city, which you can use
for study and research. Using a library
in Salamanca is much, much more
difficult than in the US. In most, you
must fill out a form in order for the
librarian to bring you a book and let you look at it in the library (most do not have open
stacks); if you want to check it out, you have to fill out another form. In order to check
books out, you need to get a library card; bring your Salamanca student ID, your
passport, and a passport-sized photo to the Biblioteca de Filología. Most libraries will
only allow you to take out four books at a time (if that) for a few days (if that). In general,
the Biblioteca de Geografía e Historia is a little easier to use than Filología, since it is
smaller and more manageable. Use the computer system to look up books; the
computer system searches the whole university library system, so make sure the book
you're looking for is in a library that you know. (If it's not in Filología or Historia, it's
probably not worth trekking across town for.) The central university library, Santa María
de los Ángeles, on Calle Libreros, is a good place for finding reference books and has a
nice study atmosphere, but you can't check any books out of it.
Remember that you go to Salamanca to participate in an academic program, not in a
European vacation. The courses you take in Salamanca will count towards your GPA; if
you do not apply yourself as you do on the Wake Forest campus, your final grades will
suffer.
Class attendance is obligatory, just as it is on the Wake Forest campus. The rules
described in the Wake Forest Bulletin pertaining to class attendance apply to classes in
Salamanca. Professors will take roll and if you miss more than two days per class, your
final grade will be affected. If you miss because of illness, you will need to present a
written justification signed by the responsible person (doctor or medical assistant) where
your absences are justified by date. If you miss
for other reasons, contact your Academic
Director immediately and explain the reasons.
(See Appendix C for Class Attendance Policy).
All Salamanca classes abide by the same Honor
Code as classes on campus. All course work
you turn in has to be your own work. Tutors or
other people from whom you may get assistance
can help you understand some concepts and
practice the language, but may not help you do
assignments for which you are going to be
graded. If you use material from some source,
apply the appropriate rules for crediting those
sources. If you do not, you will be committing
plagiarism. (see Appendix D for Honor Code
rules)
Health and Medical
All students who are registered at the University of Salamanca are covered by a private
health insurance (Sanitas Company) which permits them to see a doctor whenever they
need it at no cost and in any part of Spain. As a Wake Forest student in Salamanca,
you are also covered for all the basic health necessities except for dental needs.
If you need to see a doctor, do not forget to take your
University of Salamanca student ID card, which you will
get as soon as you arrive in Salamanca. On the back of
this card, you will find a list of medical clinics and their
phone numbers. If you happen to lose this card, we can
order you a new one immediately. For special medical
visits, visits to specialists, surgery or medical tests, you
will need to get a medical “volante” at Sanitas (C/ Sol
Oriente 2). A “volante” is a piece of paper which allows
you to make use of special services. They will issue you
one at Sanitas but if you have concerns, consult with the on-site Directors.
In case of an emergency, go to the Hospital de la Santisima Trinidad.
Do not wait until the last minute to visit a doctor. Remember, also, that you will need a
written justification if you miss class for medical reasons.
Verification of Health Insurance
Participants will need to certify that their health insurance coverage applies outside the
continental United States. There is a form that you will have to complete for the Center
for International Studies regarding your health insurance.
iNext
•
As part of your program fee, Wake Forest University will purchase for you the
iNext Travel Card. iNext is designed to supplement your private insurance by
providing additional coverage for the costs of accidents and routine sicknesses
while you are abroad. Additionally, the policy offers Emergency Evacuation and
Emergency Medical Transportation coverage, 24-hour Medical, Legal, and Travel
Assistance Services, Travel Document Replacement, as well as limited Travel
Delay, Baggage Delay, and Baggage and Personal Effects coverage.
•
Wake Forest will purchase the card for you once your study abroad plans are
finalized. You will then receive an email from iNext asking you to follow a link to
complete the registration. You will need to upload a photo on the iNext site and
indicate to what address the iNext card should be sent.
First Days in Salamanca
During these first days the program has planned several activities for you in Salamanca:
a guided tour of the city, visits to some museums, etc. We will also hold the welcome
dinner during this initial period where you will taste some of the typical foods of the
region. You will be informed of all these activities ahead of time by email or your cell
phone. Attendance to the all the activities related to this initial period of the program are
obligatory. Please, check your email and cell phone messages regularly.
Group Trips
As part of your Salamanca program, you have the option of taking some trips.
Depending on the number of students participating in the program, these trips may be
organized for the group, or students may be directed to
join group trips organized by the University of Salamanca.
Ask your On-Site Director for dates and destinations. Personal Trips
Whenever you go on a personal trip, you are required to inform your Director of the
dates when you plan to be away from Salamanca and the places you plan to visit.
When you plan your trips you may find it helpful to talk to the on-site Director, Prof.
Garrido. Because of his experience living in Spain, he can point out to you numerous
sites of interest in the country for weekend trips. You may also use some of the travel
agencies because they often have inexpensive and interesting offers. A travel agency
can help you book flights or find a package tour to different destinations.
Salamanca is connected with the South and East of the Peninsula through Madrid. To
travel to Madrid you may go by bus or by train:
•
•
•
Bus: The bus company to Madrid is called Auto-Res: Salamanca→Madrid
(Estación de Auto-Res in the bus station Méndez Álvaro). The trip takes 2.5
hours. From each point buses leave every hour from 6:00 A M until 11:00 PM.
http://www.avanzabus.com/web/
The bus station is located in the northwest part of Salamanca. Several different
lines come through here. The bus is also a more efficient way to travel
throughout Spain, but the Salamanca station will not have those schedules.
Salamanca has a municipal bus system that can carry you to more distant areas
of the city, including the Centro Comercial Tormes (Salamanca's mall) across the
river. You can buy tickets right on the bus. Ask in the Oficina de Turismo about
finding routes and schedules.
Train: RENFE is the name of the train company in Spain. Trains go to Madrid,
Barcelona, Portugal and other sites in the North. Always when you buy train
tickets (billetes) make reservations (reservas) in advance to avoid problems. You
can also make your plans ahead of time by going to www.renfe.es, which has
schedules and connections for trains all over the country. A Carnet Joven can be
obtained for about $3 in the youth section of the office building located in Plaza
de la Constitución near the post office on Gran Vía. With this card you can
receive up to a 20% discount on train fares over a certain mileage within Spain.
The train station is in the northeast section of town. Credit cards accepted.
Airplane (low-cost airlines)
•
-RyanAir leaves from Valladolid, which is located 1.5 hours to the North of
Salamanca by bus. You will need to take another bus to take you from Valladolid
city to the airport.
-EasyJet leaves from Madrid.
-Salamanca has a little airport 10 km out of the city with some international and
national connections but no low-cost airlines. This option may result more
convenient in some cases, because you don’t need to travel to Madrid.
Car Rental in Salamanca: You have to be 21 or older to rent a car; cars do not
have automatic transmission.
In any major city, take advantage of the Metro subway system if there is one. Madrid
and Barcelona have speedy, safe and relatively clean metros, and your guide book will
generally tell you which stop the sight you want to see connects to. Passes are usually
sold individually or in packs often, and one pass is good for one ride, no matter how
long your commute. Keep in mind, however, that the metro does not run all night, so if
you go out you will have to get a cab.
If you do take a cab anywhere, the rate is reasonable, but insists that the driver use the
meter so that you don't get ripped off. A good strategy is to approach a driver and ask
how much it will be approximately to take you to a certain location; this way he can't
take you for a ride around the city. If his estimate sounds high, ask someone else. Be
aware that there are extra fees for luggage and going out of the city. Taxi drivers are
also good people to ask if you are lost or are trying to find something.
Remember that you are in Salamanca to immerse yourself in the language and culture
of Spain. If you spend every weekend traveling to other European countries, you will not
be speaking Spanish. It would be unfortunate if at the end of your time in Salamanca
you have visited several European countries but
missed seeing Spain, the country that should be
your main focus.
Remember also that you are not to ask professors
to change dates for tests, exams or for turning in
assignments for any unjustified reason, let alone
because you will be traveling. Expect these
absences to affect your grade.
If you do want to do extensive traveling, and it is at all possible, stay after the program
and go then. This is also an excellent time for your parents to come visit you if they are
planning on doing so - you'll have more time, fewer obligations, and won't have to cram
places in. After days of travel, you'll want more than a few hours to spend in a city once
you get there.
Trying to go somewhere like Paris or London for a weekend usually requires taking an
extra day (or more) to justify the time and expense. You will have the opportunity to see
different part of western Europe, but don't do anything really ambitious - a trip to
Amsterdam, Berlin, and Prague in one week, for example, will cause more pain and
exhaustion than it's worth. A week is enough time to visit two major cities and one
smaller town within the same country, while enjoying your travels.
We recommend seeing Spain first - it's diverse, beautiful, and cheap with your Carnet
Joven discount. And most importantly, always remember that you are on wonderful,
exciting, once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Travel everywhere, see everything, meet
everyone and have the best time of your life!
Spanish Customs
You will soon notice differences between Spanish and US customs. It is not a question of which
customs are better or worse; they are simply different.
•
•
•
•
Tips: Spaniards do not leave tips in restaurants, taxis or any other place. Only if you
wish to “reward” the person for especially good service, you may do so, but it is never
obligatory. You should not feel forced to tip.
If you are at a restaurant and have not
finished your food, it is not customary to ask
for a bag to take it home. There are no
“Doggie bags.”
Taxis in Spain are white. All taxis are required
to display their prices on the back windows.
Schedules:
a. Restaurants;
i. Breakfast: 7:00-10:00
ii. Lunch: 13:30-15:30
iii. Dinner: 21:00-23:30
b. Shops:
i. In Salamanca, and in most parts of Spain: 10:00-14:00 and 17:00-20:00
(some stores do not close during lunch hours)
ii. In Madrid schedules tend to be longer: 10:00-22:00.
Differences in Communication:
a. Spaniards tend to speak somewhat loudly but do not scream in the streets.
b. It is common to hear many conversations taking place at the same time.
Although it may seem like people are agitated or angry, that is not the case.
They are simply expressing themselves.
c. Spaniards gesticulate a great deal.
d. Physical contact is very normal while in conversation (tapping on your arms
or hands; shaking hands or kissing twice on cheeks when meeting someone;
hugging). Although there is always the possibility of abuse, please do not
take these gestures to be “sexual harassment” just because they are different
from what you are used to.
e. Physical space is not respected as it may be in the States. People get closer
to you when talking.
f. There is some notion of PC (Political Correctness) in Spain but not at the
level of the States. Spaniards tend to be quite direct and they do not mince
words in their opinions whether they are positive or negative.
g. It is normal for people to look others in the eye when walking on the streets.
h. If you do not understand when people talk to you, ask them to repeat more
slowly.
Put English aside; as a matter of fact, make every effort to forget that you are an English
speaker. If you miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the Spanish language and culture,
when will you ever have a similar opportunity? Take advantage of it as much as possible!
Food
Food: at home and on your own
Breakfast is typically light - some toast or cookies with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee.
You'll eat before you go off to class in the
morning. Lunch, or comida, is the big meal of
the day. It's rare to eat before 2, and many
families wait until 3. Everything shuts down
between 2 and 5 in the afternoon, when
everyone goes home for a big meal. Some
families will serve a first course, primer plato,
which usually is vegetarian, followed by
segundo plato, some kind of meat or fish.
Staple foods include tortilla española (a thick
potato omelette), sausages, pork and chicken,
lentils and beans, soup, potatoes, and the
ever-present pan - crusty, baguette-style bread. Food is cooked with a lot of olive oil.
The typical dessert is a piece of fruit or a small cup of yogurt. Dinner is a smaller meal,
eaten around 9 or 10 at night, sometimes later.
Students are usually concerned about offending their families if they can't or don't want
to eat the food that is offered. If they serve you heaping portions, simply explain that you
don't eat much or are watching your weight, and you hate to see good food go to waste.
(Spaniards as a rule are more sensitive to the concept of waste than Americans.) As far
as food preferences go, the first rule goes back to the advice your mom gave you - try it,
you might actually like it. However, if you are a vegetarian, have a food allergy, or are
just an extremely picky eater - politely explain that you can't eat meat, eggs, onions, etc.
Be forewarned that this will probably invite comments, but if you are polite but
determined you won't have to eat it.
The first few weeks or month on the
Spanish “horario” may be a difficult
adjustment, but remember that eating
between meals here is a way of life. Many
people have a small snack around 11 or
12 in the morning, and another at 6 or 7.
This is where tapas, or bar snacks, come
in. You can also buy cheap snacks at the
grocery store - there is a Carrefour
Express on Calle Toro, and the discount
grocery chain, Día, has stores scattered
around the city. There is a 24-hour convenience grocery store (overpriced, but the only
one of its kind!) right behind the public library in the Plaza de Gabriel y Galán.
There are tons of cafés in Salamanca, each with an atmosphere to suit your mood. The
ones in the Plaza Mayor are over-priced, but they are good places to meet friends and
watch people, especially when it gets warm, as you can sit outside. There are also
many cafés near school in which you can pass the time between classes. Some
favourites are Don Quijote and Mandala, which has excellent batidos (milkshakes), but
be forewarned that milkshakes in Spain are more like thick chocolate milk than Cook
Out. Find your favorite(s).
Some cafés charge a higher amount for your food or beverage if you sit at a table than if
you sit at the bar, as there is no tipping (often resulting in poorer service than you
typically receive in the States. The reason they charge more at tables is because you
are served by a waiter and waiters in Europe are paid a salary; tips do not count much
for them since there is not the 15% or 20% gratuity principle. Besides, waiters do their
job as a life profession). Unless there are many tables, you will probably not be waited
on, so you can order at the bar. You should pay immediately if you take your food/drink
to a table rather than waiting till you leave to settle your tab. If you are unsure about
whether they have table service, just walk in, sit down, and if a waiter/waitress doesn't
approach you within a few minutes, go order at the bar.
Tapas or pinchos are simply small portions of various foods that you can order with your
drink, usually with beer, wine or sangría. The most common (and edible) tapas are
tortilla española (it is a potato omelette, sometimes called tortilla de patatas) usually
served with bread, fried calamari, patatas bravas (fried potatoes with a spicy sauce),
olives, cheese, tuna, egg, chicken, or whatever else you can identify. Other tapas
options for the more brave among you include items like octopus and various fishrelated delicacies. In Salamanca, some of the best places to go for tapas include Don
Quijote and Mandala. Sometimes the bars charge you extra for the tapas, and
sometimes they are free with your drink. Almost every bar has its tapas on display.
Gyms/Sports/Recreation
After eating all the tapas and your madre's cooking, you may want to find a way to work
it all off. The majority athletic activity (for those who do exercise) takes place outdoors,
but do not expect beautiful weather. You will be walking further and more frequently
than you ever imagined your feet could take you, so you will be getting a lot of incidental
exercise. It is not customary to jog through the streets, so take advantage of the long
afternoons for additional invigorating activity at the following places.
Head to Salas Bajas. It's quite a hike, located on the other side of the river to the right of
the modern bridge as you leave the city, so you even get somewhat of a workout before
you arrive there. It is well worth the walk. We spent many an afternoon there, running on
the l km dirt track, playing volleyball, basketball, soccer, tennis...and even picnicking.
Your Universidad de Salamanca ID can get you the necessary equipment (with the
exception of tennis racquets) at the field center. You can also use the locker rooms
there.
If the weather is poor or if you just prefer indoor exercise, many gyms offer aerobics,
salsa and flamenco classes, karate classes, free-weights, Stairmasters and treadmills.
Shop around a bit before joining a gym to make sure its facilities, hours, and prices suit
you. Some have cheaper rates if you use them in the mornings, and you often will have
the option of 2, 3, 4 or 6 days a week for 2 weeks to a month. Depending on the deal
you choose, you can expect to pay an average of $40 a month for gym membership and
use. Make sure to check your calendar before joining because you don't want to pay for
the gym when you will be out of town.
Gyms include Splashthic by the RENFE station (the best facilities in town, but more
expensive), Gimnasio Pasadena on Calle Ancha near Placentinos, Gimnasio Kata on
Paseo de Carmelitas, next to TIVE; Gimnasio Pesa, near Cine Van Dyck on Fernando
de la Peña; and Gimnasio España in Plaza de España. Ask your host family if there are
any near your house - more likely than not there are. Try to get group rates if several
people join.
Professional Sports: If you get the opportunity, attend at least one pro soccer game.
The Spanish fanáticos will show you what passion is all about. Tickets can be
purchased at the stadiums and range from US$6 - $80, depending on which teams are
playing and where the game is held. If you consider bullfighting a sport and think you
can stomach it, go to a bullfight. What may seem like animal cruelty to some of us is
really a significant part of Spanish culture. Pamplona, San Sebastian, Sevilla, and
Madrid all have famous bullrings.
Weather
Salamanca is located in the Spanish Central plateau, a place
with Continental climate of hot summers and cold winters. The
city enjoys good warm weather throughout a long summer - from
late April to late September. During the summer months
Salamanca is absolutely beautiful. Warm and sunny skies keep
temperatures ranging from 17°C - 35°C (62°F - 95°F). Winter is
a different case. During the fall and winter months Salamanca
can get quite breezy and rain showers are common. An umbrella
and warm jacket are essential items during these months when
temperatures
range
from around 1°C (34°F)
during the night to 8°C
(45°F)
during
the
daytime.
Salamanca
enjoys a lot of sun and
little rain. Spring and
autumn are good times
to
visit
Salamanca
although these seasons
last only few weeks.
Month
Avg.
Temperature
Avg.
Precipitation
(° F)
(inches)
Jan
39
1.4
Feb
42
Mar
Month
Avg.
Temperature
Avg.
Precipitation
(° F)
(inches)
Jul
70
0.7
1.4
Aug
69
0.4
45
1.1
Sep
64
1.3
Apr
49
1.5
Oct
54
1.4
May
56
1.6
Nov
45
1.8
Jun
64
1.4
Dec
39
1.4
Extra Activities/Special Interest
Looking for activities besides classes, la marcha, and
travel to fill your time? Unfortunately, the university
bureaucracy can be absolutely maddening, and,
predictably, getting involved in student organizations and
student life can be difficult. Your best bet is to read the
student newspaper (la Tribuna Universitaria) religiously,
where you'll find announcements of different club activities.
Also talk to Spanish students - they will be your best
source of information. There are many catholic churches around town. If you are
looking for a nondenominational protestant church, there is
one at 30 Paseo de la Estación that offers worship services
and other opportunities for involvement, like Bible studies.
Check the phone book for other churches, such as the
Jehovah's Witnesses and Latter Day Saints. For nonChristian religious services, you may be able to find them in
major cities like Madrid, but you will have a hard time finding
them in Salamanca.
The best way of finding what you want is to ask other young people. Take advantage of
the fact that you are in a city of more than 40,000 students - get to know some Spanish
or other international students. Admittedly, it is difficult to "make good friends,"
especially if you are only there for 5 weeks, but there are
many opportunities to practice your Spanish with other
young people while getting to know some people outside of
your circle of American friends. The easiest way to do this
is through an intercambio - you will see small notices in the
academic buildings from Spanish students who want to
practice their English/German/French etc. with native
speakers. You may want to put up a few of your own - you
are practically guaranteed more than one response and
others will take the initiative to contact you. List a few of your interests - sports, music,
history, film, literature - so that you can find people who have more in common than just
a desire to speak another language. Remember to exercise common sense and be safe
- only put your phone or email address, NOT your street address. Meet in a public
place, and go to a café for coffee and speak for half an hour in Spanish, half an hour in
English. If for some reason you don't feel comfortable with your intercambio, or don't
feel that you have much in common, you're under no obligation to meet again. Not every
intercambio will work out perfectly, but keep trying - you will learn a lot and maybe even
make a few friends in the bargain! Make use of the opportunities to meet Spaniards via
the Intercambios program listed at the Servicio de Orientación al Universitario (SOU)
http://websou.usal.es
Sightseeing and entertainment
Salamanca is rich in history, art, and architecture. You will tour the Old and New
Cathedrals and the University as a group, but be sure to stop by the Oficina de Turismo
(on the plaza mayor and in the Casa de las Conchas on the Rúa Mayor) to get more
ideas. From the Roman Bridge to the round church at the Puerta de Zamora, the old city
is an amazing place for exploration. Take an afternoon or two to get lost and discover
on your own - find the mirador that overlooks the river, the bowling alley behind the
Carrefour Express, the movie theatres Van Dyck and Vialia. Explore the parks and the
tiny winding streets. See the little University museum and the other cathedrals around
town. Every corner can bring a new discovery.
Shopping
You will be able to buy almost everything you need in Salamanca. There are a variety of
stores on all the streets branching out from the plaza mayor. Aside from the regular
clothing and shoe stores, you can buy school supplies in papelerías, books in librerías
(check out the Librería Cervantes on Calle Azafranal - it has two shops on both sides of
the street), and medicine and personal care items in
farmacias (look for the neon green crosses). Keep your eyes
open for rebajas - clearance sales. There is a Carrefour
Express grocery store on Calle Toro, and the bottom level
includes some school supplies, personal care items, and
clothes. The mall, the Centro Comercial Tormes, is newly
built and across the river - you can take a special bus. The
European equivalent of Wal-mart, Carrefour, is in the north
part of the city on Avenida Torres Villarroel and sells a bit of
everything.
Finances
•
•
•
•
Your ATM card from home is the standard, most convenient way to get money in
Spain. Fewer, larger withdrawals are normally cheaper than many small ones). Call
ahead to let them know your travel pattern, so they don’t flag your account as
fraudulent.
Set up a system for monitoring your finances while abroad; most banks will now let
you do it online, or make sure that someone at home can access your info and is
keeping track of your statements. Establish a means ahead of time for someone at
home to make deposits to your account if necessary.
Buy a money belt to wear around your neck or waist, under your clothes.
Budgeting. Prices in Spain are roughly comparable to those in the U.S.
Money
Spain is full of telebancos (ATMs) and you can usually find
one that services PLUS or Cirrus cards. When you arrive in
Salamanca and haven't had time to find your nearest ATM
yet, you can find some inside or around the Plaza Mayor.
The exchange rate is usually excellent; however, service
fees vary for each bank, so you may want to call your bank
before you leave the States and inquire about their fees for
international withdrawals.
Credit cards are also accepted almost everywhere (several
students have encountered problems finding places that
accepted American Express). Credit cards can also be used in ATMs to make cash
withdrawals. Call your credit card company to inquire about how they charge fees on
cash withdrawals. Do not depend solely on a credit card because many establishments
simply do no accept them. Also, if you are in a hurry, try to use cash because credit
cards can sometimes take longer. If you plan on using your card in an ATM do not
forget your PIN.
Traveler´s checks are increasingly hard to use. It is almost impossible to find banks that
will cash them and they give you horrible exchange rates coupled with commission
charges.
Always remember that banks in Spain close at 2:00 pm and do not reopen and only a
select few are open on Saturdays.
Don't forget to bring something secure (like a money belt) to put your money in while
traveling. Americans are particularly vulnerable to theft and replacement credit and ATM
cards may take as much as two weeks to arrive.
Requirements for a Student Visa
US citizens ARE NOT required to have a visa when planning to stay in Spain for three
months or less.
This section applies only to non-US citizens whose country of origin may require a visa.
Be sure to find the Spanish consulate with jurisdiction /over your home state/ – the state
where you maintain permanent residence. This is where you must request your
application. The following requirements are only applicable for the Consulate of
Washington. If you need different instruction for other Consulates please check this
website: http://www.maec.es/es/EYC/Paginas/embajadasyconsulados.aspx
1. Personal appearance is required in order
to submit documentation. Students or
Parents. Students must appear in person
at least once, either to apply or to pick it
up. 2. 1 Schengen Application form filled out and
signed. 3. Passport. The passport must be valid for
at least six months with at least one blank page to affix the visa. Also, you should
provide us with either one of the following: US drivers license or current Student
ID and a copy of each as well as a copy of your passport. lf you are not a US
citizen you must show proof of legal residency in the US (Green Card or proper
visa) B1IB2 holders do not qualify to apply for a visa in this Consulate Office.
4. 1 recent passport photo size with a white background.
5. Original Letter of Acceptance and 1 copy from the University or school addressed
to this Consulate General verifying enrollment as a full time student in an official
university or school in Spain. THIS LETTER MUST ALSO state that the student
has medical insurance coverage while the student is in Spain. lf there is no
insurance information on this letter, the student will need a letter from their
insurance company verifying that he/she is covered internationally. We do not
accept insurance cards.
6. Proof of Financial Means during your stay: please provide one of the following:
• Letter from the University or School in Spain or in the USA assuming full
financial responsibility during your stay (this is often included into the
acceptance letter).
• Proof of Hnancial aid or scholarship for a minimum of $1,000.00 per
month for tuition, room, board and personal expenses.
• lf financial responsibility is not assumed by the program, notarized letter
from your parents or legal guardians assuming full financial responsibility
for at least $1,000.00 per month for the student expenses.
For those students staying more than 6 months, please provide the following:
7. Police Record original and 1 copy issued by the Police Department from the
city-cities where you have lived during the past year.
8. Medical Certificate original and 1 copy; Doctor's statement on a doctor or
medical center letterhead, indicating that the student has been examined and
found in good physical and mental health to travel abroad and it is free of
contagious diseases. This document must be signed by the doctor.
9. Self-addressed and Pre·Paid US "Express-Mail" envelope from the Post
Office if you wish to have your passport returned by mail. We do NOT accept any
other type of courier or messenger service. Tracking of mailed items is the sole
responsibility of the applicant. However this will only be accepted if the applicant
comes in person to apply.
10. We will only accept complete applications. YOU MUST bring the ORIGINAL
DOCUMENTS and ONE COPY of each requirement including copy of your
passport, where the picture is and your personal information.
11. FEES- CASH OR MONEY ORDER WE DO NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL
CHECKS OR CREDIT CARDS.
US citizens- $100.00 non-refundable
NON US citizens — $76.80 non-refundable
Canadian citizens — $125.00 non-refundable
These visas are only valid for 6 months. If you are staying longer, before your visa
expires, you need lo go to the police office with your passports and original documents
to get a student residency card that will cover your stay in Spain.
Travelling from Madrid to Salamanca – Directions
There are two main ways to make the trip from Madrid to Salamanca,
Or
by train: (www.renfe.es).
by bus: http://www.avanzabus.com/web/?lang=en
We recommend the bus because there are buses running every hour from 7:00 am until
10:30 pm. It is possible to purchase your ticket in the Internet or directly at the bus
station (Estación de Méndez Alvaro:
http://www.estacionautobusesmadrid.com/frameset.html).
To get to the Estación Méndez Alvaro from the Madrid Barajas Airport you should take a
taxi (approximately 25 euros) or the subway (http://www.metromadrid.es). The subway
is much cheaper but you will need to change lines which may be difficult if you are
carrying luggage. Attached you will find a Subway map.
If you prefer to travel to Salamanca by train, you need to go to the Chamartín train
station (North of Madrid) which you can reach either by taxi (approximately 20 euros) or
by subway.
The trip to Salamanca by bus or train takes 2:30hours.
Appendix A
Some Words of Caution
Wake Forest University
Department of Romance Languages
Program In Salamanca, Spain
Personal safety is a major concern we all have, or should have, no matter where we are. We
just have to open the newspaper or turn on the television to learn about the increasing number
of attacks and crimes committed against people all over this country, including in our own
neighborhoods and communities. Wake Forest campus, as we all know, is no exception.
We could all recite (so many times we have heard it from parents, teachers, friends, the media)
the various precautionary measures we need to take in order to ensure some type of personal
safety. These measures apply to some circumstances more than to others. Traveling seems to
be one of those special circumstances where alertness and caution are in order. You are going
to be traveling to Salamanca, in Spain, which is a small provincial city. The population is
composed mostly of students since the University is the heart of the city. Salamanca is a fairly
safe city but, as in any other place, different city areas and hours of the day affect the risk level.
Salamanca, like the Wake Forest campus and Winston-Salem area, has its share of violent
crime. Students, as on the Wake Forest campus, are responsible for their own safety. In order
to avoid putting yourself in unnecessary danger, please, use your COMMON SENSE.
Someone said that common sense is the least common of all human senses; somehow we all
manage to forget about it or block it out at one time or another. The following are some
commonsensical suggestions to prove that “someone” wrong:
Be aware of your surroundings. Right after you arrive in Salamanca you will have an orientation
period that will inform you about the city, its different areas, and main points of interest. If you
choose to visit an unsafe area, do not go by yourself. Most people in Salamanca, and students
in particular, do not use a car when moving around the city. Therefore, the streets are normally
more frequented than those in a US city. You will see people walking out on the streets almost
at all hours of the day. However, do not walk back home alone late at night; go always with a
group.
Regarding your personal possessions, since you are going to be walking a lot, it is wise to use
strapped purses that can be worn diagonally from shoulder to hip. You do not want to have
your purse snatched by someone in the street.
Do not carry large sums of money with you.
For identification, carry your student ID card or a copy of the identification page from your
passport. Carry your passport with you only when you need it to exchange money.
Do not wear jewelry that looks costly.
Regarding alcohol, Spain does not have laws regulating the use of alcohol. This means that
alcohol is available in bars, cafes, stores and practically everywhere. We want to remind you
that as a Wake Forest student participating in the Wake Forest program in Salamanca, you are
under the Wake Forest jurisdiction. It is thus your responsibility to abide by the same rules that
apply when you are on the Wake Forest campus.
There is also the question of personal safety in relation to alcohol. It is likely that you will not be
driving, thus minimizing the risk of having an accident if alcohol consumption is involved.
However, alcohol will put you in a situation of personal vulnerability where your own safety as
well as your possessions may be at risk. If you plan to drink, be sure that you take the
necessary precautions to not endanger your life and possessions.
We want your stay in Salamanca to be an academically as well as a life-enriching experience.
Be careful and do not act in ways that will endanger your person and possessions
unnecessarily.
Department of Romance Languages
Wake Forest University
Appendix B
Alcohol Memorandum
MEMORANDUM
To:
All Wake Forest Students Participating in the Salamanca Program
Re:
Responsible Behavior in Salamanca
Dear Students:
As students at Wake Forest University and as participants in the WFU in Salamanca program,
you are extremely fortunate to be enjoying unique privileges. As foreign students, you have a
special opportunity to live and study in a different culture in a program designed to provide you
with every security, comfort and consideration possible. While in Salamanca you have the
constant guidance and support of WFU to assist in making your experience overseas as
beneficial and pleasant as it can be.
As American students interacting with Spanish citizens, professors & merchants, you are acting
as representatives of the United States and of Wake Forest University. Irresponsible behavior
on your part is an embarrassment not only to yourself, but to your country as well, and an insult
to the school and officials in it who placed their trust in you by selecting you to study abroad.
As WFU in Salamanca students you must demonstrate enough maturity to responsibly enjoy the
freedom and opportunities provided by the program. This freedom, in our program in Spain,
includes the ability to drink alcohol legally.
Unfortunately, one widespread and all too-accurate stereotype of Americans in Europe is that
they are especially immature with drinking. As you may know, many Europeans grow up
drinking in moderation from a fairly young age. While there is abuse, by their adolescent years,
most young Europeans are accustomed to alcohol, know their limits, and view drunkenness as
an embarrassment. On the other hand, Americans habitually arrive in Europe, where alcohol
age limits are scarce or non-existent in contrast to the controls in the U.S., and grossly
overindulge. Sadly, it is often easy to identify the Americans in a Spanish city by their blatant
inebriation and the often loud, rude, foolish and dangerous behavior that accompanies it.
Alcohol abuse will not be tolerated in this program. Above all, it is dangerous to the abuser
as well as embarrassing and unhealthy. It has no part in our program.
All students are hereby advised of the following policy:
▪ In the existence of a substantiated report, the semester program director will immediately
confront any student seen or reported to be behaving irresponsibly due to excessive drinking.
An official warning will be issued at that time. Furthermore, the semester director will contact the
Program Director and the Chair of the Department of Romance Languages, and the student’s
parents, to inform them of the student’s misbehavior.
▪ If a drunk student causes a disturbance a second time, he or she will be officially cited again,
the Program Director, Chair and parents will again be contacted, and sending the student home
will be directly considered.
Alcohol-related behavior constituting grounds for a warning or citation from the semester
director would include but not be limited to: destruction of property intentionally or due to a
drunken stupor, vomiting, urination in inappropriate places, loud or abusive behavior, arriving
drunk to group events, causing a disturbance to host families, or fights. In addition, absolutely
no alcohol will be permitted in hotel rooms on group trips, on the bus or in your host homes
unless offered by your family. Possession of alcohol in these places would also represent an
infraction.
▪ If a student is found to be using or possessing illegal drugs, the Program Director, Chair and
parents will be promptly notified and expulsion from the program will occur.
We regret deeply having to set these rules. It is unpleasant to have to discuss and enforce
them, and it is unfortunate that they must be imposed in the first place. We would hope that all
students would possess enough common sense, self-respect, courtesy and maturity to make
these stipulations unnecessary. However, enough past students have demonstrated an
appalling lack of these qualities to make strict alcohol rules a necessity.
With your cooperation it is sincerely hoped that the group can enjoy a time in Spain that is free
of any alcohol-related incidents.
All students are asked to read the above memorandum closely and sign below to signify their
understanding of it.
____________________________________
Name
Date
Appendix C
Class Attendance Policy
Asistencia: Se requiere asistir a la clase regularmente tal y como se
estipula en el Boletín de Wake Forest para el curso académico de 20082009, pág. 30.
Más de dos ausencias injustificadas afectarán la nota final. Las
justificaciones deben presentarse por escrito y firmadas por la persona
responsable.
3 ausencias bajará la nota un + o -. Por ejemplo, si el estudiante tiene una
B+, recibirá una B.
4 ausencias bajarán la nota una letra. Por ejemplo, si el estudiante tiene
una B, recibirá una C.
5 ausencias o más, el estudiante recibirá una F.
El estudiante que se ausente de clase, ya sea por razones justificadas o
no, tiene la responsabilidad de ponerse en contacto con otros compañeros
de la clase para informarse de la tarea y ponerse al día con el material.
Appendix D
Honor Code
Honor System
THE WAKE FOREST HONOR SYSTEM IS IN EFFECT IN THIS CLASS.
AS STATED IN THE 2008-2009 BULLETIN, THE Honor System is central to University life; its essence is a
commitment by each person to do what is right and abide by community standards. Each student is
pledged to be trustworthy in all matters, and a violation of that trust is an offense against the community as
a whole. In the specific terms of the Honor Code, a student pledges in all phases of life not to cheat,
plagiarize, engage in other forms of academic misconduct, deceive, or steal.
HONOR AND ETHICS SYSTEM AS IT APPLIES TO THIS COURSE
Any work turned in for a grade (including homework) must be your own individual work. Any sign of
collaboration, plagiarism, or other unauthorized assistance will be regarded as cheating and turned to the
Judicial Council for investigation. You may receive no help (no tutors, no friends, no translators
[human or machine]) in the preparation of your compositions or other written work. The ideas and
the language must all be your own. If you are unacquainted with the exact meaning of plagiarism or
have any doubts about the materials you are using, do not hesitate to ask me.
Plagiarism is “to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own; use a created production
without crediting the source; commit literary theft; present as new and original an idea or product derived
from an existing source” (Webster’s Dictionary). This applies to printed work in the traditional manner as
well as posted in the Internet. You need to give credit:
1. For every direct quotation (even if you are translating it or changing a couple of words).
2. When you paraphrase or summarize in your own words the whole or part of someone else’s work.
3. For information which is not common knowledge
ROMANCE LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT GUIDELINES FOR TUTORS (OR OTHER HELP).
•
•
In general terms, tutors should explain questions and problems and guide students' work. They
should not do the work for the students; nor should they translate (or encourage translation of)
the material into English or from English.
Essays ("trabajos escritos") should be written completely by the student. This means that students
cannot consult with anyone about assignments. Written essays should reflect what students have
learned in class. If you write them with the help of a tutor or someone else, you will be turning in work
that does not reflect what you have learned, thus making it difficult to ascertain your progress in the
class. The grade needs to reflect your work, therefore the help of the tutor in those assignments
will constitute an infraction of the honor code.