HANDBOOK:GALICIAAND

OURENSE

OOcéanoAtlánticoenPraiaAmérica(Pontevedra).TheAtlanticOceanatPraiaAmerica(Pontevedra).

(…orhowtolivetowardshappiness…)

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TableofContents……….................................................................................…….…….……..……. 1-2

INTRODUCTIONWelcome…………………………………………………..........................................…….…….……..……..…TheHandbook……………………………………………........................................…….…….……..……..…

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PARTI:PRE-DEPARTUREDocumentation……………………………….………..........................................…….…….……..……..…….Stayingincontact……………..…………….………...........................................…….…….……..……..……Phone………………….……….………………….............................................…….…….……..……..…….Internet:Wifi,Skype,LINEandWhatsApp………………..............…….…….……..……..……FinancesandMoney…………………………..………........................................…….…….……..……..…TransportationtoOurensefromMadrid,Santiago,Vigo,other....…….…….……..…….TipsforTransportation………………………………………………………….…….…….……..……..…Packing…………………………………………….…….............................................…….…….……..……..…Tipsforpacking……………….………………..…………………..………..…….…….……..……..…Whatishappening?………….……….………………..........................................…….…….……..…….

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PARTII:ON-SITEGalicia(fastfacts)……………………………….............................................................…….……..…….TheHost-City:Ourense…………………………................................................................……..…….Ourense:WeatherEssentials…………………...................................................................……..…Ourense:Transportation…………………………................................................................……..……Ourense:Whattodo?..............................................................................................................……..…Ourense:Wheretogo?..........................................................................................................……..…LivinginOurense:Safety,meals,waterandmore…..................................................……..……CultureShock:IsItMe?.........................................................................................................……..……LocalProvider:ReceivingSiteCoordination…………………………….......................……..……Ourense:Housing………………………………………..……………………………......................……..……Host-FamilyandStudentsRightsandResponsibilities………................................……..……1.ConditionsoftheStay……………………..………………………………........................……..……2.PersonalandMedicalCare,andLaundry………………………….....................……..……..…3.Stayingincontact:phoneandinternetatthehost-family….....................……..……..…4.Keys…………………………………………………………………………….....................……..……..……5.GuidelinesandTips:Do’sandDon’ts?AndSchedules.......................................……..…6.Housevisits……………………………….……………………………..…….....................……..……..…7.Host-family:Issues…..………………………………………………..……............................……..…8.Notes……………………………………………………………………..……….....................……..…….ALLPROGRAMS……………………………………………………………………….......................…….….ClassroomSiteandMeetings……………………….…………………….....................………..……..…EDUCATION.COMPARATIVEPERSPECTIVESANDC.O.S.TPROGRAMSONLY..............1.Host-Schools………………………………………………………………….......................……..……2.Host-Schools:CooperatingTeachers(CT)…..………….…………….......................……..…3.Host-Schools:Guidelines,BasicExpectations&DressCode….......................……..…ATHLETESPROGRAMONLY……………………………………………………….....................……..….

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ALLPROGRAMS:MaintainingAnActiveLifestyle:Exercising…………………………………Traveling…………………………………………………………………….…………..….......................……..ProgrammedTrips…………………………….............................................................................…….IndependentTrips…………………………...……...……...........................................................……..…Suggestionsforweekendand/or1dayescapades…….………………........................……..…MoreinformationaboutGalicia………………………………………………...........................…….

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PARTIII:BEFORERETURNShopping……………………………………………....................................................................……..……..…UnderstandingTax-Free……………………......................................................................……..……..…SuggestionsforShoppingUniqueItemsinGalicia.................................................….……..…ReverseCultureShock:IsItMe,Again?........................................................................….……..…

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CONTACTEmergency…………………………………………...................................................................……..……..…Incaseofemergencyoraccident……………………………………….….....................……..……..…Non-emergencyandgeneralmedicalsituations…………………….......................……..……..…Localprovidercontact........................................................................................................….……..…

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APPENDIXCell-phone.PlanFeaturesandSpecifics.Pre-Paid“Orange”…..……..…….Images,sourcesandcredits……………………………………………..……..……..

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INTRODUCTIONWelcomeCongratulations!Ifyouarereadingthisguide,itmeansthatyouhavealreadydonealotofworktoparticipate in thisprogram.Andalthoughthe international learningcomponentwithitsresponsibilitiesandtherealfunareabouttobegin,youneedtoremember some of the main reasons you probably applied in the first place:developing intercultural advancement and academic/professional progress in aninternational setting.Thisoutcomedependsmostlyonyou, sinceyouare the firstcontributor and beneficiary of the experience. Therefore, being proactive -before,whileoverseas,anduponreturn- isoneof thefactorsthatwilldirectly impacttheresult. Understand “being proactive” in a holistic way. It is an approach thatsometimesrequiresyoutomakedecisionsandchoices,whileothertimesyouwilldonothing-asithappensinyourdailylife-,oryouwillbejustanobserverofeverydayoccurrences. There are not right or wrong choices when it comes to having asuccessfuloverseasexperience.Ashumanswecanmakethebestfromlessthanidealsituationswith thehelpofapositiveattitude, ideas, strategies,and tools tobetterourselves,andthosearoundusinaconstructivewayandforfutureimprovement.WhileinSpain,Galicia,andOurenseyouwillgainaquantitative,palpablebenefitfromyour participation in this experience. Some of these positive outcomes have beenreportedinareassuchaslanguagedevelopment,interculturalcompetence,realisticexpectationsofprofessionalsettings,developmentofprofessionalskills,andcreditstowardsanacademicdegree.Inaddition,youarealsolikelytodevelopintangiblelifeskills.Thesetaketimeandyouwillprobablyputthemtopracticewithoutrealizingit.Someof themost commonly reportedones, tonamea fewareahigherdegreeofindependence,bettertimemanagement,enhancedorganizationandsocialskills,anincreasedsenseofself-confidence,flexibilitytowardserrormakingwhiledevelopingprofessionalskills,awarenessandrespectofculturaldifferences,collaborativeandteam-workingskills,andtolerancetowardstheOther(s).Two key ingredients to develop these skills and other ones while concurrentlyachievingtheprogramgoalsareflexibilityandcommunication.Allparticipantsneedtobeopentochangesthatwillhappenbasedoncircumstancesandpeople,andstayinregularcontactwiththepeoplethatwantthebestforyou.Theseare,particularly,yourprogramdirector,yourinternationalhost-family,andtheprofessionalsaroundyou during your stay (school teachers, provider´s staff, etc…). Depending on thesituationyouwilldecidehowisbesttorelatetoyournewfriendsandacquaintances,andimportantpeoplefromyourlifeinyourhomecountry.Youareembarkinginaprocesswithmultipledynamicsatplay,andwhereeverybodyinvolvedhasrhythmsandmakesprogressinwaysthatmaydifferfromeachother.Beflexible!Forthoseofyougoingoverseasforthefirsttimeforacademicpurposes,thestressofthefirstdayswillbeeventuallyoverafteraperiodofadjustment,andyouwillsoon

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starttoseethemeaningofyourexperience,tounderstandtheimportanceofyouroriginaldecisiontogoabroad,andtobereadytotakeadvantageoftheopportunitiesthatlayaheadofyou.Lookforbalance,communicateandstaypositive!AlthoughthestructureandformatoftheprogramsofferedinOurenseissimilarforalltheparticipatingstudentsregardlessofwherestudentscomefrom,itisuptotheindividualparticipanttocontributeinmeaningfulwaysandmakeitauniquepersonalexperience.LiketheSargadeloscupsinthepicturebelow,eachfinalproductdisplaysdifferentfeaturesembeddedinthesamemodel.Learn,share,growandbeyourself!

CerámicaartísticadeSargadelos.EscaparateenACoruña.PotterybySargadelos.DisplayinACoruña.

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TheHandbookThishandbookisdesignedtoserveasaresourceforthosewhoparticipateinanyoftheprogramsinthecityofOurense.Thecontentisdistributedinthreemainareasofinformation: “Pre-Departure”, “On-Site”, “BeforeReturn”,and intends tobemostlypractical.Althoughitdoesnotprovidedetailsofallaspectsrelatedtoyourprogram,thereisagenuineattempttocoverthemostrepresentativetopics.Notethatallparticipantsneedtomakeanintentionalefforttolearn,adaptandgrowinordertoenjoythisexperienceregardlessofthedurationoftheirprogramand/orstay.Althoughthishandbookwillnotmakeyouhappy,itdoespresentinformation,toolsandstrategiesthatmighthelpyoutobuildaunique,educational,responsible,andhopefullyfun,experience.LikethedifferentroutesoftheUNESCOWorldHeritage“CamiñodeSantiago”(=“St.Jaime´sWay”)below,eachofuswilldevelopaway(=Camiñoor Camino) to our destination,whatever thatmaybe. Same as in life, the“way”iswhatmatters,notjusttheoutcome.Whatwedoalongthe“camiño”,andwith“whom”wewalkthecamiñooflifemakesitmeaningfulforallofus.

Santiago de Compostela e o Camiño de Santiago: Camiño francés principal e outros roteirostradicionais.PatrimoniodaHumanidade,UNESCO/SantiagodeCompostelaandtheSt.JamesWay:ThemainFrenchrouteandothertraditionalroutes.UNESCOWorldHeritageSite.

Some of the items discussed in the handbook have been included and expandedfollowingthehelpfulsuggestionsandupdatesfromparticipatingstudentsofpreviousyears.Ifyouhavequestions,doubts,needextrainformationorwanttoshareyourideas,please,donothesitatetosenduscomments.Wegladlywelcomeyour feedback tomaintain theaccuracyandusefulnessof thisguide.Please,usetheemailreferenceattheendtocontactatanytime.

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PARTI:PRE-DEPARTURE

Documentation

Beingoverseasrequiresattentiontopaperwork,documentation,andotherusefulandnecessaryitems.Bringavalidpassport,yourUniversityID,andacreditand/ordebitcard.IfyouhaveanISICcard,bringitaswell.Ifyouareinaprogramthatinvolvesworkingwithstudentsinateachingsetting(primaryorsecondaryschools),please,bring a copy of your background check or a valid equivalent (letterhead fromUniversityDepartment,ProgramCoordinator,Director,etc…)aswell.

Considerthepassportasoneofyourmostvaluableitems.Althoughlosingitisnottheendoftheworld,youwanttoavoidsuchasituation.Whentravelinginternationally,toSpain,inSpainandoutsideSpain(evenforaonedaytrip),takeyourpassportwithyouatalltimes.Passportsaretheonlyacceptedformofidentificationinternationally(photocopiesofpassportsarenotlegalformsofID).

BringalsoyourUniversityID.Itwillbehelpfultogetdiscounts,promotionsandspecialfaresasastudent,facultymemberand/oruniversitystaff.Thismightbethecasewhenapplyingforagymmembership,gettingareducedpricedintransportation,buyingamovie-ticket, entering a museum, visiting monuments and historical sites, andattendingotherculturalevents.

As it happens in all theEuropeanUnion (UE) “SchengenTreaty” countries such asSpainyoudonotneedavisa,as longasyourstay is lessthan90days. Ifyourstayequals 90 ormore days, let us know andwewill assist youwith instructions anddocumentationtoapplyforaVISAataU.SSpanishConsulate.Inthecaseofthe12-15weeksteachingassistingstayswiththeC.O.S.Tprogram,VISAShavenormallybeengrantedforupto180days(6months)witha“multiple-entry”feature.

Spainiswellconnectedinternationallyanddomesticallybyplane,bus,andtrain,andwith theexpansionof low-costairlinesandspeed train lines, travelinghasbecomevery affordable, ubiquitous and time efficient. If you have travel plans to othercountriesbefore,whilein,orafterSpain,checkthewebsiteoftheUSADepartmentofState,theU.SEmbassyinMadrid,oranyofitsofficesforanyupdates.

Finally,considerthatSpainisoneofthetop-3touristicdestinationsworldwidewithapproximately80millionpeoplespendingsometimewithinitsborderseveryyear.Inthe main transportation sites (airports, major train stations,) and in touristicdestinationsyouarelikelytofindpeoplethatspeakEnglishwithdifferent levelsofproficiency. See to make plans in advance for both domestic and internationaltravelingtogetthebestfares,toactuallygetaseat/spot,toreducestressandtypicaltravelingissues,andbe……flexible.

Stayingincontact

Forsomeofyou,thisisthefirsttimeinahomeforseveralweeksawayfromhome.Over the years, andmainly in College, we all develop personal relationships thatdemand our time and attention. This aspect is slightlymore complexwhen living

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overseasbecauseof factorssuchasculturaldifferences,personal featuresand thetimedifference.Everybodyneedstounderstand,youfirst,thatonecannotbeintwodifferentplacesatthesametime,norshouldtrytoaccomplishthisimpossible.Trytomakethebestfromyourlifeinyourinternationaldestination,beflexible,andstayincontactwithoutexhaustingyourself.Everybodywantsyoutohaveagreatexperienceand you need to be rested. Organize your time to fulfill your academic andprofessional responsibilities. Plan to set some time aside to enjoy yourself, andobservequiethoursatyourhost-familysetting,whichallowforreflectionandqualityrest.

Tipsforthissection1. The timedifferencebetween theEasternU.SandSpain is6hours (andmostofWestern Europe with the exception of the U.K, Portugal, Ireland and Iceland).Twiceayear,inSpringandFall,SpainandtheU.Sobserve“DaylightSavingsDay”,wherewemovetheclocksonehourtoadapttowinterandsummernaturallight.Theexactdaywhenthisisdonedoesnotmatchbetweenbothcountries,soeveryyearandforafewdays,thetimedifferencewillbe5,and7hoursrespectively. i.e.Asareference12:00noonintheStates,is18:00(6:00pm)inSpain.

2. Getusedassoonaspossibletothe24hrstimeschedule.ThisstructureisthenorminWesternEurope,anditisdominantineverydaylife. i.e.7:009:0011:0013:0015.0017:0019.0021:0023:00hours

3. Consider also the differenceswith “meals” regarding amounts and timeswhencomparedtotheU.S.InSpain,lunchhappensonweekdaysbetween13:00-15:00;dinner21:00-23:00.FridayandSaturdaydinnerscanbelater.LunchonSaturdayandSundaymightextendacoupleofhours.Rememberthisschedulewhen,amongotherneeds,makingplansfor“eatingout”.Mostkitchensareclosedbetweenthesemainmeals,thoughmanyplaceshave“tapas”and“bocadillos”.InOurense,afewplacesinthecityhaveakitchenwithextendedhoursofoperation(i.e.from12.00noonuntil0.00midnight).Finally,considerthateachhost-family’sschedulemaybedifferentbasedontheirprofessionalschedulesandpersonalneeds.Talktoyourhost-familytodecidethebesttimetoenjoyeachother´scompanyovermeals.

4. People/familiesarelikelytoextendeatingtimewitha“sobremesa”period.Thisiswhen people talk about everything, and about nothing. Even if your languagecompetencyinSpanish/Galician/Portugueseislimited,andtheEnglishlanguageskillsofyourhostfamilyarenon-existent,youarelikelytobepartofthisculturalsobremesawhenithappens.Notdoingsomightbeconsideredrude,andyouwouldbemissing out on a chance for cultural learning and sharing. Each host-familymight be different based on schedules, context and your own schedule. Payattentiontodetailsandasthesayinggoes:“whileinRome….”,andactaccordingly.

5. Ingeneral,andwhencomparedtoSpanishlife,theU.Sgetsupearlierandgoestosleepearlier.Considerthisandthetimedifferencewhendiscussingscheduleswithyourhost-family,makingplans,andwhenthinkingaboutcontactingthepeopleinthe US or in other countries. Also, Spanish siesta or post-lunch resting time, isdisappearinggraduallyfrommostpeoples´livesduetochangesdailydemands,jobpatterns, and society as-a-whole. If you can enjoy one, seize the opportunity,mostlyifyouplantobeupuntillate.

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Phone

Acell-phoneisthebestdeviceforyoutotrytocontactpeopleandtobereachedatanytime.Inaddition,studentsareadvisedtogetalocalSpanishSIM-cardandphonenumber during their stay. Students are responsible for this expense and for thechargesderivedfromitsuse.

Check if it is convenient (and if you can) to “add” an international calling or datafeaturetoyourcurrentU.SproviderplanforsometimeoryourwholestayinOurense.Then,thiscouldbedisconnected/discontinuedviatheInternetorbyphoneafteryourarrival,whileactivatinganewSpanishnumberfortherestofyourstay.

Thebestprices(deals),andservicearefoundlocallywithcarriersthatoperatefromSpain.Asaninternationaltemporaryvisitor,youareonlyeligibletopurchaseaPre-PaidplanwithaSpanishcarrierforyourdevice(forotheroptions,youneedtobearesident, have a long-term visa -more than 90 days- and have a bank account inSpain).SomeofyoumightarrivetomainlandEurope,ortoSpainafewdaysbeforecomingtoyourfinaldestinationinOurense.Ifthisisyourcase,wesuggestthatyouuseallofyourdevices’wificapabilities,software,programsandapplicationstostayincontactuntilyourSpanishphonenumberisoperative.FreewifiiswidelyavailableinSpainwithvariousdegreesofreliabilityandqualityinmostcoffee-shops,airports,malls,shopping-centers,parks,streets,andlodgingfacilities(hotels,hostals,etc).

Ifyouwanttogetaphone-planinSpain,youcandoitonyourown,oruponarrivaltoOurense,yourlocalproviderstaffwilltakeyoutoaphone-storeofcarrier“Orange”togetaPre-paidplan“Mundo”.Bringyourpassporttothe“Orange”cell-phonestoreastheonlyvalidsourceofidentification.

Studentscanchoosetoadddata(Internet)totheirPre-paidplanforacharge,orgetonlyphonecallingandSMSfeatures,whilehavingaccesstodataviawifiintheplaceswherethisfeatureisavailableforfree.Notethatthehost-familiesinourprogramsarenotrequiredtohavewifi.

Cost.Expecttopaybetween€20foraSIMcardwhichthenyoucanusetogetaPre-paidplan(dependingon featuressuchasdata,#megas,#minutes in theplan,andusage),plusthecostof thedevice(phone) ifyouneedone. i.e.Therearedifferent“Mundo”plans:€7,€10,etc…Ifyougeta“Mundo”planthatcosts€10,thiswillbedeductedfromthecostoftheSIMcard(€20),leaving€10euroofbalancetouse.All“Mundo”planscanmakefreephonecallstoanyoneelsethathas“Mundo”plan.

Tipsforthissection1. AnysmartphonewillworkanywhereintheworldIFthedeviceis"unlocked".Toverify if your device is "locked/unlocked" contact your carrier. If it is “locked”requestthemtounlockitsinceyouwouldliketouseyourdevicewhileawayfromtheU.S.Also,thewififeaturewillworkevenwithoutacalling/dataplanorwithouta SIM/Mini SIM, or chip, in places where wifi is available. This might requireregistration(free)toaninternetsitepriortohavingaccess(i.e.someairports).

2. Ask also your carrier representative about placing your U.S. phonenumber/accountlineon"suspension",or“hold”.Thismeansthat:youwillsuspend

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yourU.S.servicefortheperiodyoudecide(startingdate/enddate),youwillkeepyourphonenumber,andyouwillnotpayfortheperiodyouareaway(mostofthecompaniesprovidethisserviceforfreeorasmallfee:i.e.$10/month).WesuggestthestartingdateforthesuspensiontobesetabitafteryourdeparturefromtheU.S (a day or two), and the reactivation date one day before your return.Sometimes,youcandothisonyourownfromthecarrier´sphoneapplication.

This “suspension”maynotbepossible if youareona familyplan.Docall yourcarrier,though,toverify#1above,andseeif#2ispossible.YouwillbeabletousethesesavingstouselaterforyourSpanishlocalphonenumber.

Internet:Wifi,Skype,LINE,WhatsApp,etcFreewifiiswidelyavailable,andasawhole,easilyaccessibleinSpain.Someplacesoffertheirnetworksforfreebuttheyaresecuredwithapasswordwhileothershaveitopen.Ifonewantstousewifiatacoffee-shop,firstaskiftheyhaveit(manytimestherearesigns/iconsindicatingavailability),andaskforthenetworknameandthepassword (if theyhaveone).Then,orderadrinkora smallbite: coffee, tea, soda,mineralwater,“tapas”,sweets,etc.Foraslittleas€1.20forcoffee,youcanbehoursconnectedandwarm.

Host-familiesarenotrequiredtohaveInternetinthehouse(wiredorwifi). Ifthisfeature exists, students can have access to it at no extra cost. Participants in theprograms in Ourense who are 18 years or older are adults according to SpanishLegislation.Therefore,participantsare responsible for theon-lineuseandon-lineactivitieswhileconnectedtotheInternet.

Tipsforthissection1.Dobringanoutletadapterforyourdevice/s.Ifyouforgettobringone,orneedmore,yourlocalproviderstafforsomeonefromyourhostfamilycangowithyoutoastoretopurchasethisitem.Ifyouarenotsurewhattolookfor,check“euroadapter”intheInternetforoptions.Pricesvarydependingonwhattypeofadapteryouget:From€1.50-€10.00.Thesetwoareverycommon:

2.Considerbecomingfamiliaranddownloadingtoyourdevicestheseapplications:SkypeWifi,Skype,LINEandWhatsApp.Thiswillallowyoutovideo-chat,ortalkforfreetootherpeopleIFtheyhavethesameapplicationsontheirdevices(computers,tablets,phablets,smartphones).Assomeofyouknow,thisisveryusefultokeepupwithfriendsandfamily.LINEisoneofthecompetitorsofWhatsApp.YourProgramDirector(ifany)andyouron-sitecoordinatorprefersLINE,andwilluseittobeincontact.

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FinancesandMoney

CashiswidelyusedinSpain,andapreferredmethodofpaymentforsmallpurchasesinplaces such as coffee-shops and small businesses. Debit/Credit cards are commonlyaccepted,especiallywiththeMasterCardandVISAlogos(muchlessAmericanExpress,andveryrarelyDiscover).GetintouchwithyourBank/CreditUnioncustomerservicetoverifythatyourcardisvalidoverseas,andinformyourfinancialinstitutionthatyouwillbeawayforanextendedperiodoftime.Thispreventsthemfromblockingorfreezingyouraccount/credit/debitcardwhenthefirstchargesfromoverseasstarttoappearinyouraccount.

Considergettingacardwithchiptechnologyoracontactlesscard.TheindustryinEuropeisaheadoftheUSandcardswithamagneticstripmightnotbelongeraccepted.Finally,digitalcreditcardsordigitalwallets(likeApplePay,GooglePay,SamsungPay,Alipay,etc)arenotverycommonthoughttheiruseisincreasing.

Tipsforfinancesandmoney1. Yourlocalproviderdoesnotsupportpaymentwithacredit/debitcard.Yourprogrammaynotincludehousingaspartofthetotalcost.Ifthisisthecase,yourbestapproachistheusetheATMswhileinSpaintowithdrawcashineuros.

2. Youarealsoresponsibleforyourindependenttravelandyourpersonalexpenses.• Yourflightgetsdelayedandtransportationtowhereyournewfamilylivesisnot

availableorconvenientlateatnight(youneedalast-minutehotelroom).• Your flight gets rerouted to another European country, or another airport in

Spainandtheairlineisnotresponsible.• TransportationcoststoOurensefromtheairportofyourarrivalmaynotbepart

ofyourprogram(train,bus,taxi).• Local transportation inOurense such as to/from the host family, to/from the

school-placement,andpersonaluse,isnotpartofyourprogram.• Phonecharges(€15-20eurostogetalocalSIM-cardandactivatealocalline).• Youdecidetoeat-outatanytime.• Medicalexpenses.Checkwithyourhealthinsurertoseewhetheryouwouldneed

to pay first and be reimbursed later, and features of the health plan forinternationalstays.

• Unexpectedexpenses.• Havesomecashforyourfirst4-5daysofexpenses,in€and/or$,orboth,until

youverifyon-sitethatyourdebit/creditcardworksforpurchasesand/orATMwithdrawals.Bringsomecash,cashisKing(andQueen)!!

3. Attentiontocreditcardfees.Everytimeacreditcardisusedtopurchaseaproductoraserviceoverseas,yourBank/CreditUnionmayassessafee.Thefeemaynotbepriced in the item,but it showsup in thebank statement, normally as a separatecharge.Also,ifonewithdrawsmoneyfromanATM,inadditiontothefeeassessedbytheUSAcardissuer,customersalsopayafeeforusingtheATM.IfyouuseanATM,withdraw the largest daily amount allowed tominimize the impact of these fees.Consider getting a Foreign Transactions Fee Free (FTF) credit card, and become

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familiarwith its features. InOurense,we have located a fee freeATMof a CreditUnion:CaixaRural.Address:AvenidadelaHabana,4.

4. WhenusinganATMinSpain,considerwithdrawingmoneyduringbankingbusinesshours(9:00-14:00hrs).IfanythinghappenswhileattheATM,therewillbesomeoneinsidethebank/credituniontoassistyou.Somefinancialinstitutionsdoalsoopennowoneortwoafternoonsduringweekdays.Ifyouplanondoingsometravelovertheweekend or holidays, get some cash a day or two before. AlthoughATMs arealwaysoperative,banksareclosedduringweekendsandholidays.Finally,attentiontopersonalsafetywhenusingATMs,somehavedoorswithlocks,someareontheactualstreet.Alwaysbeawareofyoursurroundings.

5. The option of getting “cash-back”when you purchase items, such as groceries, ingrocery stores or chain stores does not exist in Spain. In the absence of a bankaccount,theeasiestandmostcommonmethodthatgivesyouaccesstoyourmoneyisbyusingadebit/creditcardatanATM.

6. Makesureyouhaveeasyaccesstothephonenumberofyourbank/creditunionandyourCredit/debitcardcompanyincaseyouneedtoreportalostorstolencard,oranyissuesderivedfromtheuseofcards.Considerthe6hrstimedifference.

Manysituationscanhappenwithcredit/debitcards,docontactusifyouseeyourselfinneedofassistance.Wearelocalandwehaveplentyofexperienceinternationally,weknowwheretogoandwhattodo,andwewillbehappytoassistyou.

Transportation

OpenamapofSpain(Googlemapsisfairlyaccurate),andbecomefamiliarwiththenamesofcities,locationofcities,andlocationoftrainstationsandairportsthatyouwillbeusing.ThereisnoairportinOurense,butverywellconnectedtrainandbusstations.Westrongly recommendusing the train to come toOurense, either fromMadrid,Barcelona,SantiagoorVigo.Mostoftheinformationherepertainstheuseofthismeansoftransportation.Whentakingthetrain,yourfinaldestinationisOurense(not Ourense San Francisco). Also, download maps to be used offline fromGooglemaps.

The National Spanish Railway Company is Renfe. We recommend checking thewebsiteandlearnaboutwhatisavailableandwhenbeforeyourarrivaltoSpain.Atthewebsite,chooseyour languageoptionandcheckschedules, faresand itineraryinformation. The on-line website runs promotions regularly with better farescomparedtotheticketofficeson-site,makingitcheapertopurchasetrainticketson-line thanat the trainstations(eitherat theboothwithastaffmemberor fromanautomatedticketvending-machines).MostmajortrainstationsinSpanishcitiesoffera variety of services such as cafeteria (with wifi), lockers (consignas), restroomfacilities and waiting areas, making your waiting time more amenable.www.renfe.com

In case of doubt, ask at the corresponding Customer Service and/or Informationdesks/kiosksavailableatAirportsandTrainStations.TheyarelikelytospeaksomeEnglish.

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Tipsfortransportation1.UponlandinginSpain,youwillbetireddespiteoftheexcitementofhavingarrived,andyoustillneedtotraveltoOurense.Ifyouhavedoneyourhomework,youwillknowhowmuchtimeyouhaveavailablebeforeyournextmove.YoumayprefertorelaxalittlebitattheAirportbeforecontinuingyourjourneytoOurense,oratthemaintrainstationwhiletryingtousetheirwifiserviceforyourneeds.2.Ifyouroriginalflightgetsreroutedtoadifferentairport(inSpain,orelsewhere),seeiftheairlinecantakeyoutoSantiagodeCompostelaAirportasyourfinaldestination.Then,followinstructionson#3bbelow,onhowtogettoOurense.IfyoudecidetocometoOurenserightawayafterlanding,continuereading#3.Ifyoucannot(delays,lateness)orifyouhaveotherplans,goto#4.3.DonotpurchaseyourRenfeTraintickettoOurensebeforeyourflightlandsinSpain.Yourflightmightgetdelayedorrerouted,andrememberthatuponlanding,youstillhavetoexittheplane,makeitthroughimmigration,claimyourluggage,passcustoms,andmovethroughtheairporttowardsgroundtransportationareas,and/oraninformationstand.Youwillloseyourtrain-ticketfareifyoudonotmakeitontimetothetrainstation.But,ifyouaregoingtostayinEuropeorSpainafewdaysbeforegoingtoOurense,savesomemoneyandpurchaseyourtrainticketsbeforehandonline.Trainticketsareavailableupto60daysinadvanceforupto40%insavings.

FlyingtoSantiago,VigoorPorto(northernPortugal)isnormallynotfaster,orcheaper.Thesearesecondaryairportsandyouarelikelytobewaitingforhours(layover)inamajorairportbeforeboardingaflighttoeitherofthesesmallercities.WestronglyrecommendlandinginMadridandthentakingthelong-distancetraintoOurense.Still,dependingonthetimeoftheyear,youmightbeabletofindgooddeals.

a) Landing in Madrid Airport. Your train station of reference in Madrid is “Madrid-Chamartin”,whichisabout15kmfromtheairport.Checkamaponline.AlltrainsfromMadrid to thenorthandnorthwestof Spain (Galicia andOurense)depart from thisstation.Options to get toMadrid-ChamartinTrain station fromMadridAirport are:CommuterTrains,Taxi,BusorMetro.WestronglyrecommendCommuterTrains.

AfterlandingandwhenyouareclearedthroughImmigration,claimedyourluggageandpassedAirportcustoms,youneedtogotoTerminal4.TheRenfeTicketOfficeandVendingMachinesareattheBasementlevel/Lowerlevelofthisterminal.Thereisalsoafreeshuttlethatconnectstheairportterminals.

Youneed2tickets:aCommutertrainticket(“Cercanías)fromtheAirporttoMadridChamartinTrainStationandalong-distanceticketfromMadridChamartintoOurense(notOurenseSanFrancisco).Ourenseiswhereyourhostfamilyresides. Ifyouhavepurchased the long-distance ticket, Madrid-Ourense online beforehand, take apicture/screenshotoftheticket.WhileatanyTrainstation,youcangotothevendingmachinesandprintthistrainticketwiththe“localizador”numberontopoftheticket,oryoucangototheRenfeOfficecounterandaskthemtoprintaticketforyou.

Then,getalsoyour2ndticketfortheshortsegment:MadridAirport-MadridChamartinRenfeTrainstationwiththeCommuterTrainsservice(=”Cercanías).AskattheRenfeOfficecounterforassistancetogetthispaperticket.

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FrequencyandtraveltimebetweenMadridAirportandMadrid-ChamartinRenfeTrainstationbyCommuterTrain(=”Cercanías”):every25minutesforatripofabout20-30minutes. Frequencyand travel timebetweenMadrid-ChamartinRenfeTrain stationandOurenseTrainstation:5-6trainsperdayandabout4h30minutes.Thesetrainshaveacafeteriaandrestrooms:drinksareveryaffordableinthetrain,butfooditemstendtobepriceyandlackoptions.Tip:purchasefoodatMadridChamartinStationandenjoyitwhilewaitingforthetrainortakeitto-goandenjoywhileinthetrain.Finally,Madrid-ChamartinRenfeTrainstationhaslockersforallluggagesizes.

Cost. CommuterTrains(about€5)arefreewiththepurchaseofa“longdistance”trainticket.ButyoustillneedtogetapaperticketfromtheVendingMachinesorthedesk.Thecostforthelong-distancetrainisabout€45foraone-waysame-dayticketwhenpurchasedattheAirportRenfeTrainticketoffices.Thecostisthesameregardlessofwhichstationyoupurchaseinperson.Thefaremightbeloweronlineeventhoughthisdifferenceisminimalifthepurchasetakesplaceonthesamedayoftravel.Ifyoubuyinperson,useyour student ID togetaTarjeta Joven (“YoungCard/Pass”) thatmightallowyou toreceive discounts with Renfe. Train tickets can also be purchased and printed invendingmachinesattheTrainstations.Ifyouusethisoptionthepriceisthesameasintheticketingoffice.

TaxiserviceisalsoavailablefromMadridAirporttodowntownMadridforabout€30flatrate.PublicBusserviceisalsoavailableforabout€6.Metroisavailableforabout€6,butit is inconvenientwhentravelingwithlargesuitcases,anditmakesfrequentstopsatmetrostations.Checkonlineformoreinformationonanyoftheseoptions.

Finally,Ourenseisnotthelaststopofthattrainroutesoyouwillnotseethename“Ourense”ontheinformationboardsatMadrid-ChamartinTrainstation.Relyontheinformation on your paper ticket that specifies the train number and the time ofdeparture and match it with the same information on the Boards to find out thedeparturePlatformnumber,and/oraskat thecorrespondingCustomerServiceandInformationDesks/Offices.TheyarelikelytospeakEnglish.

b) Landing in Santiago de Compostela Airport. You need to go to the Train station inSantiagodeCompostela.Takethecity-busorataxi.Thebusstopsevery30minutesinfrontoftheAirportTerminal;traveltimeisabout30minutes,costsabout€3one-way.ThebushasastopinfrontoftheTrainstationbuilding.Taxiisalsoavailableforabout€20flatrate.

IndowntownSantiago,thebusfirstpassesclosetotheRenfeTrainstation“EstacióndeFerrocarril”makingastopatanearbystreet.Then,thebusheadsuphilltodowntown,goingbacktotheRenfeTrainstation(“EstacióndeFerrocarril”)whereitmakesastopinfrontofthestationTerminal/MainHall.AttheRenfeTrainTicketoffice,orfromthevendingmachinesgetyourinformationandticketstoOurense.Traveltimeisabout40minutes and costs about €17 one-way for the best/fastest trains. Other trains, lessregular,slowerandoflowerqualityareabout€10andneedabout90minutes.

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Ifyou findyourselfwith timeandsomeenergy,venture towardsold-townSantiagoUNESCOWorldHeritageSitetoenjoytheviews,thewalk,andrelax.TheRenfeTrainstationinSantiagodeComposteladoesnothavelockers(consignas).

c)LandinginVigoAirport.YouneedtogototheTrainstationinVigo.Takethecity-busorataxi.Traveltimeisabout30minutes.WerecommendthetaxitogettooneofthetwoRenfetrainstationsofVigo:UrzaizorGuixar.AttheRenfeTrainTicketoffice,orvendingmachinesgetyourinformationandticketstoOurense.Traveltimesandfaresdependon the typeof trainandrange from90minutes to2hoursand€10-15 forone-way.Checkonlinebeforehandtoseewhichtrainstationyouneed.

4.IfyouhavedecidedtonotcometoOurenserightawayuponlandingandrelax/restforafewdaysinMadrid,SantiagodeCompostela(orsomewhereelse),orbecausetherearenomoretrains/busesavailablethatday,followtheseindications.

You can book your lodging from the USA or anywhere online: sites such asbooking.com, or hotel.com, Airbnb, etc offer many lodging options based on yourpreferences.

TipsforMadridFind lodging around Madrid-Atocha Train station. This station has lockers for allluggagesizes.ThedayofyourfinaltravelbytraintoOurense,youcangetonanotherCommuting Train atMadrid-Atocha Renfe station toMadrid-Chamartin Renfe trainstation easily. The area of Atocha station is a cultural mecca: museums, parks,monuments,coffee-shops,restaurants…andeasytransportationtootherpartsofthecityforshopping,sites,etc

TipsforSantiagodeCompostela.FindinglodgingindowntownSantiagoiseasy.Thereare many hostels and hotels that cater to the thousands of pilgrims that walk the“CaminodeSantiago”everymonth,travelersandtouristsalike.

FormoredetailsontransportationaboutMadridandSantiagogobackto#3.

5.“Jetlag”:trytogetusedtothelocaltimeassoonaspossible.Onewaytohelpisbynotsleepinguntilitisnighttimeatyourlocaldestination.Stayhydrateddrinkingwaterandnatural juices. Stay away from caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, sodas) and alcoholicbeverages since they increase dehydration. This applies to all your transportationsegments(plane,bus,train)untilyougettoyourfinaldestination.

6.Allowplentyoftimebetweentravelsegmentsandtocommuteto/fromtrainstations.Iftimeisinyourside,youwillbelessstressed.

7.Plentyofresourcesareavailableforyoufrominformationdesksandcustomerservicerepresentatives at airports, train stations, andotherprofessionalswhoare likely tospeakEnglishtoacertaindegreeofquality.Also,othertravelerssuchasyourselfcanbeveryhelpful.Incaseofdoubt,askforhelp!

When you know your final arrangements, please contact your local provider viaLINE/email to offer anupdateof your traveling schedule,mainly, your arrival time toOurense,sothatyourhost-familyoryourlocalprovidercanwelcomeyouatthetrainorbusstation.

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PackingSpain is a modern country where you can find anything you need when it comes toclothing,shoes,personalitems,andmore.Yourregularbrandsandothergoodorbetterqualityalternativesareavailableaswell.Yourhost-familywilldoyourlaundryasmanyas two (2) times perweek, onewithwhites and onewith colors. Consider thiswhenthinkingaboutwhattobringtoSpain.Inaddition,youmayfindsomeinterestingitemstobuyinSpainforyouand/orforfamilyand/orfriends.Leavesomeroominyourluggage:youdonotneedtostuffyoursuitcasestocometoSpain.

Tipsforpacking

1. Take a large suitcase (max 23 kg or about 46 lbs. IATA norms), and take asmall/mediumcarry-on.Placethecarry-oninsidethelargesuitcase,packingboththeareaaroundthecarry-onandthecarry-on.Thiscomboischecked-inattheairportsothattheairlinewilltransportitfromdeparturetodestination.WheninSpain,youwillhaveacarry-onforyourshorttripsplusextraspaceforyourEuropean“goodies”attheendoftheprogram.Checktheairlinesinformationonrestrictionsandotherbaggageallowances.

2. If youwant to enjoy the “hot springs” inOurense, or the coastal Iberian sun at thebeaches (depending onwhere andwhen you travel), you probablywant to have aswimmingsuit,flip-flopsandsunlotion.YoucanalsopurchasetheseinOurense.

3. Savespaceanddonotbringatowel,ahair-dryeroranumbrellasincehost-familieswillhavetheseitemsavailable.Maybebringasmalltowelforpersonalusewhiletraveling.Avoidtravelingwithjewelryand/or“hanging”itemsonyou.Puttheminyourpersonalbag.

4. Packasetofcleanclothesinyourplanecarry-on/bag.Thingsdohappen:yourluggagemaynotcomeuntilhours/daysafteryourarrivaltoSpain,andyouwillfindyourselfinneedofcleanclothes.Ifyouprefernottobestressedaboutthis,takewithyouintheplaneapairofcleansocks,at-shirt,underwearandcomfortablepants(andanemptyplastic bag for the used items), and any other personal items you use regularly (atoothbrush,toothpaste,etc…).

5. Bringanymedicationsyoumayneedoradoctor´sprescription/photowiththenameand/ortheinformationofyourmedicationswithyouorinthecarry-on/bag.

6. Checktheweather!Andingeneral,bringaraincoat,andawintercoat(unlessyouarecomingbetweenMay-September).YoucanalsopurchasetheseitemsinOurense.

Whatishappening?

Weknowyouarebusywithyouracademic,personaland/orprofessionallife.However,sinceyouaregoingtobelivingoverseasforsomeweeks,trytofollowthelocalnewsandgetasenseofthecurrentsocial,economic,andculturalevents/topicsofSpain.Ifyouarenot familiarwith the language, just check the headlines fromon-line newspapers andrelatedwebpages.Thisinformationwillguideyourexpectationsandwillhelpmakeyourtransitioneasier,helpingtocontrolcultureshock.-www.laregion.es -www.lavozdegalicia.es -www.farodevigo.es-www.rtve.es -Spain:www.elpais.es(availableinEnglish)

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PARTII:ON-SITEGalicia(fastfacts)• Galiciaisoneofthe17autonomouscommunities(regions)ofSpain.Itcomprisesfourprovinces,ACoruña,Lugo,OurenseandPontevedra.TherearesevencitiesinGaliciawithapopulationofmore than80.000people:Vigo,ACoruña,Ourense,Santiago de Compostela, Pontevedra, O Ferrol and Lugo. The autonomousgovernmentofGalicia(establishedinApril1981)iscalledthe"XuntadeGalicia".Thethreebranchesofgovernment:Executive(theXuntadeGalicia),Legislative(the Galician Parliament), and Judicial (the High Court of Galicia), areheadquarteredinSantiagodeCompostela,thecapitaloftheregion.

DistributionofthefourprovincesinGalicia(boldlines)withmunicipalities(Ourenseinred).

Galicia,NorthernPortugalandWesternSpain(NASA).

• Galiciahasfivecathedrals,themostfamousbeinginSantiagodeCompostela.Thisis also the last stop of the “St. JamesWay” (Camiño de Santiago, O Camiño, ElCamino): a pilgrimage route that goes East-West through northern Spain andcomesfromdifferentpartsofEurope,datingbacktotheMiddleAges.Inthelast30years, theCamiñohasachieved international fameagainattractinghundredsofthousandsofpeopleeveryyearfromallovertheworld.TheCamiñoisnotonlyfortouristsbutalsoforallkindsofpeoplewithacultural,spiritual,adventurousorpersonalgoal.

• FromtheNorthwestporttownofACoruña,aSpanishArmadadepartedduringtheattempted invasion of England in 1588. In 1589, terrible weather conditionsscatteredtheSpanishfleetwhichwaseasypreyfortheEnglishnavyandresultedinthealmosttotaldestructionoftheSpanishArmada.Manyoftheshipsdidinfactsurvive the English onslaught, but were lost or destroyed as they headedunintentionallyhundredsofmilesoffcourseintotheNorthSea,aroundScotlandandIreland.

• Galiciahasmanyrivers,mostofthemquitesmall,andisknownthroughouttherestofSpainas"the landofa thousandrivers".The largestand longest isMiñoRiver,whichsplitsGalicia in itscourse fromNortheast toSouthwest, creatinganatural border between Spain andPortugal before entering theAtlanticOcean.MiñoRiverisdepictedintheGalicianRegionalflagasabluediagonalline.

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• Galicia's most popular regional wines are the five (5) certifications of origin:Albariño, Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras and Monterrey. The province ofOurensehostsfourofthesequality-labeledwinecertifications.RibeirowineswereintheshipsofChristopherColumbus´1492tripthatledtothe“discovery”ofthe“Americas”. Upon return to Europe, one of Columbus´ ships docked in Baiona(Pontevedra/Galicia),asecondonearrivedtoLisbon(Portugal)andthethirdonenevermadeitback.Thesetwoportswerethefirstinthe“OldWorld”tolearnabouttheexistenceof“unknown”landstotheEuropeansacrosstheAtlantic.

• Argentina's capital city, Buenos Aires, has the largest single city population ofGalicians anywhere in the world. In Galician popular culture, Buenos Aires isdeemedtobethe“fifthprovince”duetomigrationinthe19thand20thcenturies.

• Despite his efforts to destroy the concepts of regional identity, language andcultureduringhisdictatorshipofalmost40years(1939-1975),GeneralFranciscoFrancowasinfactfromGalicia.ThefounderoftheSpanishSocialistParty,PabloIglesias,attheendofthe19thcentury,isalsofromGalicia,andwasbornandraisedinthesametownasFranco(OFerrol/ElFerrol).

• ContemporaryGaliciaisconnectedwithanumberofcivilizationsthatalsoshapedtheIberianPeninsulaidentityanditswaysofbeinganddoingforcenturies.Amongthem, you can find features of Pre-Roman (Celtic), Roman, Germanic, Visigoth,Arabic/Muslim, Christian and Jewish cultures in different cultural traits, frommonuments, to food, to architecture, urban planning, landscaping, and trade.Ourenseprovinceranks3outof50provincesinSpaininthecategoryofnumberofhistoricalsites/monuments.

• Notsolongago,ashappenedinmanyareasintheworld,Galiciawasakingdomwithitsowndynastyandroyalfamily.Andasitalsohappensworldwide,youcanstillseetracesofthatpastinpresentlifeGalicia.

Adaptedfrom:http://www.galiciaguide.com/Galicia-facts.html

AntigoReinodeGalicia,séculoX/OldKingdomofGaliciainthe10thcenturyA.D.

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TheHost-City:Ourense

YourhostcountryisSpain,integratedby17AutonomousCommunities(Regions)and2AutonomouscitiesinNorthernAfrica(CeutaandMelilla).TheseregionsareatthesametimeintegratedbyProvinces,ofwhichthereare50inthecountry.Ourenseisthecity-capitalofaProvinceofthesamenamelocatedintheregionofGalicia.InGalicia,thereare4Provinces:ACoruña,Lugo,OurenseandPontevedra.

Ourensehasapopulationofabout106,000(2014)makingitthethirdlargestofGaliciaafterVigoandACoruña.In2016,6%ofthepopulationwasofforeignorigin.

OurenseiscrossedbyMiñoRiver,thelargestandlongestriverinGalicia,althoughthereisatotalof fourriversthatmergeinthecityarea.Thesurroundingmountainsdisplayforestsofmainlyoakandpinetrees.ManylocalstraveltotheAtlanticcoastofGaliciainJune-September:theRíasBaixasonthesouthwestandtheRíasAltasonthenorthwest,both between 1-2 hours away by car, and to Portugal. Many people have family orpropertyinthetinyvillagesofthecountrysideand/orthecoastaltownswhichseeahugepopulationincreaseinthedaysandperiodsofvacation.

Oneofthemaintouristicattractionsofthecityisrelatedtothepresenceofnumeroushotsprings asOurenseholdsoneof the greatest amountsof geothermalwater inEurope,secondonlytoBudapest(Hungary).MostofthespringsinandnearOurensearefreeofcharge,andcanbereachedbycity-busorwalking.Theoriginofthisgeothermalactivityistheexistenceofwater(andrainwater)beingheatedatabout3kmdownsurfacinginthearea through fractures in the bedrock creating these hot springs with mineral andmedicinalwatersindifferentpartsofthecity-area.TheMunicipalityofOurenseisoneofthe foundingmembersof theEHTTA(EuropeanHistoricThermalTownsAssociation).Seepicsat:https://ehtta.eu/portal/ourense/

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The economy of the city/province is predominantly depending of the service sector,mostlyadministrative(local,regionalandnationalgovernment),educationalandhealthrelated.Otherrelevantindustriesareconstruction,textilefactoriesandfashiondesigners,automotive suppliers and car parts, agriculture, cattle, poultry and derivatives, wine,hospitalitybusinessandtourism.

Ourense:WeatherEssentials

Altitude:143metersabovesealevelLatitude:42°19'31''N-Longitude:7°51'35''WThecityisintheheartofavalley,withamicroclimatethatbringshotdrysummersandcoldwinterswithtemperaturesthatmayfallbelowzeroatnight.SpringandFallareverytemperate,withregulartransitionsbetweenseasonsintermsoftemperaturesandcolors.Foranyweatherrelatedinformation,checktheAgenciaEstataldeMeteorología(AEMET)site:www.aemet.esandthispopularCzechsiteforcoastlineweatheroriginallycreatedwithsurfersinmind:www.windguru.cz/esIt isrecommendedthatstudentshaveclothingandshoesappropriateforcoldweather(except May-October), rain and walking. Do not forget that most of your dailytransportationwillbeonfoot,sobepreparedtoenjoywalking!SeethistableforOurenseClimateEssentials(1972-2018),inCelsiusandmetricsystem:

Mes/Month Xan Feb Mar Abr Mai Xuñ Xul Ago Set Out Nov DecAno/

Year

Recordhigh 22.0 25.0 30.6 32.9 37.4 40.9 42.6 42.7 41.2 34.9 26.3 22.4 42.6

Averagehighs°C 12.7 15.1 18.7 19.8 22.9 27.5 30.2 30.6 27.5 21.7 15.9 12.8 21.3

Dailymean°C 8.0 9.2 11.9 13.3 16.2 20.2 22.5 22.6 19.9 15.6 11.1 8.5 14.9

Averagelow°C 3.4 3.2 5.0 6.7 9.5 12.8 14.8 14.5 12.3 9.6 6.3 4.1 8.5

Recordlow°C −7 −8 −6.8 −3.2 −0.4 2.4 6.4 1.5 3 −3 −6.8 −8 −8Average

precipitationmm 89 66 59 72 64 36 20 22 57 112 103 112 811

Averageprecipitationdays

(≥1mm)10.2 8.6 8.4 11.1 9.5 4.6 2.9 3.3 5.8 10.4 10.5 11.2 96.9

Meanmonthlysunshinehours 87 115 166 180 205 249 278 268 204 138 84 70 2,052

Highlights:-Lotsofblueskieseverymonth,atleast2/3ofdayspermonth,isnotcloudy.-Everyyearitrainsapprox.96daysor25%ofthedays,onaverage.-Ourensegets2,052hoursofsunshineperyear.

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Ourense:Transportation

To/FromthecityThecityisatransportationhubforroadandrailcommunicationsinGaliciaandfromGaliciatotherestofSpainandPortugal.Itisservedbythenationalrailroadserviceoperated byRenfe, featuring direct routes toVigo, Santiago de Compostela andACoruña,andotherSpanishcitiessuchasMadrid,BarcelonaandBilbao.Askyourhostfamilyandfriendsforhelpandadvice.Forinformationonschedulesandfaresyoucangodirectly to the train stations (Estaciónde tren/ferrocarril)duringbusinesshours,checkthelocalnewspapers,checkanupdatedonlinemapofSpainrailroads,orvisitRenfe´swebsite:www.renfe.com

Thebusstation(Estacióndeautobuses)operatesmanynationaland internationalroutes.Checkthelocalnewspaperandaskyourfamilyandfriendsforhelpandadvice.Significant companies are www.avanzabus.com www.monbus.es www.dainco.eswww.alsa.es

In general, it is recommended to travel by train whenever available in long (i.e.Ourense-Madrid), and short distances (i.e. Ourense-Santiago, Ourense-A Coruña,Ourense-Vigo,Ourense-Vigo-Porto).ForlocaldestinationsinGalicia,smalltownsinnorthernPortugal,andotherpartsofSpainwherethereisnodirecttrainservice,lookupyourbusoptions,oracombooftrainandbus.ie.ForSalamanca,Cáceres,Mérida,Sevilla, the bus is a good alternative. Another option is a car-sharing/car-poolingservice.Thisisanoptionforwhichyouneedtoregisteronlinewiththeproviders.Awell-knownoneisBlablaCar:www.blablacar.com

ForEuropeandestinations,trytouselow-costairlinesfromGalicianairports(mainlySantiago), Porto “Sá Carneiro” Airport in northern Portugal, or Madrid “Barajas”Airport,andfordomesticdestinationsyoumaybeabletofindgreatdealstofly-outtowardstheCanaryIslands,Málaga,Alicante,etc…

InthecityOurenseisaverywalkablecity.Formostofyourdailyroutines,youwillwalkatmostfor30minutestogettoanyofyourdestinations.Publictransportationisavailable(bus),aswellastaxis.Weencouragestudentstogetacitybus-passtowhenusingthebussystem.Togetabuspass,bringyourPassportandcash,andalocalstaffmemberorsomeonefromyourhostfamilywillassistyougoingtotheautomatedmachinesatany branch of “Abanca”, the banking institution thatmanages the concession thatoperatesthisservice.Getgoodshoes/bootsforyourdailywalkingroutinebeforeoruponarrivaltothecity.Yourfeetneedtostayhealthy!

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Ourense:Whattodo?Assoonasyougettoyourfinaldestination,seeifthereisachancetointegratepartofyourlifebackhomewithyourlifeabroad.OnewayofdoingthisisbyparticipatinginactivitiesandeventsavailableinOurense.Whateveritisyoudo,tryandfindateam,a club, a site, or a venue that relates to your interests.Ormaybe youwant to trysomethingnewandunique.Afeweventsinthecityandnearbyareaare:• Oct-Dec: Outono Fotográfico (PhotographyExhibition)

• November: OUFF (Ourense Film Festival),CarreiradeSanMartiño(10KRace),and“SanMartiño”Day:ChesnutsandBonfires

• December: Christmas related activities &MOTI (MostradeTeatro Infantil) /TheaterforKids)

• January:“ThreeKings”Parade• February:“Antroido”Carnival/MardiGras• March: Women´s Day, several eventsthroughoutthemonth

• April:Easterrelatedactivitiesandevents

• May:LaborDay,“DíadeOsMaios”(streetart creations), and “Día das LetrasGalegas”(GalicianWriters´Day)

• May-June:FestadoBoi(Bull´sFair)• June: CorpusChristi related events. Cityfestivities.

• June:HoguerasdeSanJuán(Bonfires)• August:MITEU(MostraInternationaldeTeatro Universitario/ InternationalFestivalofUniversityTheatre

• Jan-Feb&May-Jul:Rebaixas(Sales)• OurenseTraditionalstreetmarket:the7and17ofeverymonth

Yourhost-family,classmatesandlocalproviderstaffwillbehappytoshareideaswithyou.Checktheprintedoron-linepressfordailyevents,localradioandTVforupdatedinformation:monthlyflea-markets,livemusic,filmscreeningsinoriginalversion,etc•“LaRegión”(Ourense),alsohttp://www.laregion.es/•“FarodeVigo(Ourenseedition),alsohttp://www.farodevigo.es•“LaVozdeGalicia”(Ourenseedition),alsohttp://www.lavozdegalicia.es/

FestadosMaios.Ourense,Maio.“OsMaios”celebration.Ourense,May.

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Ourense:Wheretogo?Ourenseoffersavarietyofactivities,thatunlikeMadridorBarcelona,orlargecities,youcanenjoyinlessthan1hourtraveldistance.Dependingontheseason,theofferof leisure activities goes from doing outdoor sports, to participating in seasonalfestivals,races,rivercanyontours,winerytours,hiking,kayaking,skiing,astronomyobservations, toursofmedievalmonasteries,biking,night-lifeevents,afternoonoftapasandcafés,sun-bathingatworldclassbeaches,museumvisits,UNESCOWorldHeritage sites, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and National Parks. More routineactivities are available in places such as movie theaters, gyms, free outdoorspas/hostspringsorpools. i.e:TeatroPrincipal,CentroComercialPonteVella,SalaBerlinandtheAuditorioarevenueswhereonecanenjoymovies,theatre,classicalmusicconcerts,andothermusicalandartrelatedevents.Due to the proximity of Ourense to other cities, some interesting activities areavailableinnearbylocationssuchasVigo,SantiagodeCompostela,ACoruña,LugoandPontevedra.Thesecitiescanbeeasilyreachedbytrain(about1hour),orbus.Madrid is5hours awayby train and the airportsofVigo, Santiago,ACoruñaandPorto, serve locationsboth inSpainand Internationaldestinationswhereone cantravel to with low-cost airlines. These are very popular and when/if planning inadvance,youcanfindamazingdeals.Youjustneedtimetogetinformation(askyourhost-family,thelocalproviderstaff,yournewfriends,uncle/auntGoogle),andtimetoenjoytheseactivities,andyeah,abitofmoneydependingonyourinterest.WhenbeingawayfromOurense,youneedyouroriginalpassportwithyouatalltimes,itistheonlyvalidformofidentificationaway from the U.S. Finally, check your Program “Calendar/Itinerary” to see theholidaysandnon-schooldaysthatapplytotheweeksyouwillbeinOurense.

TermasnoRíoMiño.Ourense,Xuño/HotSprings,MiñoRiver.Ourense,June.

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LivinginOurense:Safety,meals,waterandmore

ThereisaUniversityCampusinthecitythathostabout6,000students.Thiscampus,embedded intheUniversidaddeVigosystem(Vigo-PontevedraandOurense),andtheneighboringareasattractsmanyyoungpeopleofcollegeagefrom/tothecity.IfyouwanttoexploreamoredynamicSpanishcollegetown,visithistoricSantiagodeCompostela, or Salamanca. These two famous University towns boast more than25,000studentseach,and theircampusesattractavarietyof students frommanycountries.

Thereareplentyofcoffee-shops(cafeterías),patiosandoutdoorplaceswhereyoucanrelaxwithacupofcoffee,tea,sodaoranydrinkofyourchoice.Moreandmoreplaces feature Internet services (wifi) everywhere in town, even in the cityparks.Some of the “Casco Vello” (“Old Town”) cafeterías, bars and restaurants, and inresidentialareasaswell,areopenfromtheearlyhoursofthedayuntillateatnight.

Ourenseisacomfortablecity,wherethecostoflivingisveryaffordableandwithoneofthelowestcrimeratesinWesternEurope,whencomparedtosimilarcitiesofthesamesize.

Talkaboutyourlikesandpreferencessothatyoucangetadviceaboutsitesandspotsthat youmay enjoy: vegetarian restaurants, Asian style restaurants, breweries orplacesthatspecializedinbeerand/orwineproducts.AlthoughGaliciaisconsideredtobe“pork-country”andyouwillbeabletoenjoyallpork-relatedproductshere(pigears,pigtail,etc),meat(beef)andpoultryitems,andfishandseafoodareabundantand affordable due to the geographical location of the region, local culture anddemand.Ingeneral,tapwaterispotableunlessyourfamilysaysotherwise(iftheylive in a buildingwith oldwater pipes), and bottledwater (mineralwater/springwater)isveryaffordableandacommonitemtoorderinoneofthemanycafeterías.

Ifyouwanttoeat-out,forlunchtime,youwillseesignsandflyersadvertising“Menúdeldía”,or“PlatodelDía”.“Menú”isbetween9-11€(moreinweekends),andconsistsof a first and second course, anddessert. Someplaces includebread, adrink, andcoffeeintheprice,butothersdonot.“PlatodelDía”isnormallycheaperandconsistsofonecourseandagain, sometimesbread,adrink,andcoffeeare included.Checkfirst.“Buffets”arebecomingmoreandmorepopularaswellandthereareafewinOurense.Expectkitchenstooperatebetween13:00-16.00hrs.

Fordinnertime,youhaveyourregularrestaurants,baresdetapas,pizzaplaces,etcWeekendsisapopulartimeforlocalstohopfromtapastotapasgoingtodifferentplacesinoneevening.Expectkitchenstoworkbetween21.00-24.00hrsandlater.Afewplaceshaveextendedhourskitchens,from12.00noonto0.00midnight.

Tippingisnotexpectedwhenyougoouttorestaurants,barsorcafeterías.Thestaffinthehospitalityindustrygetsaregularsalaryanddoesnotrelyontips.However,ifyouenjoyedtheserviceandyoufeelliketipping,mostpeoplewillgladlyacceptit.i.e:Atypicalexampleforarestaurant.Afinalcheckcomesfortwopeopleandthetotalis€20.20.Fortheconvenience,acustomermayaswellleave€21.00or€22.00.Thispracticeiswelcomebutnotexpectedeither.

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CultureShock:IsItMe?

Cultureshock(CS)canbedefinedasthepersonaldisorientationonemayfeelwhenexperiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to contexts such as traveling, movingbetweensocialenvironments,etcFourmaindifferentphaseshavebeenidentifiedaspartofCS:honeymoon,frustration,adjustment,andmastery.AlthoughculturaldifferencesbetweenSpainandGalicia,whencomparedtotheUSA,are not exactly large, individuals react and adjust differently. So you need to bepreparedforcultureshock,whichisexpectedtohappenatsomepointandwithsomedegree.Understandandacceptthefactthatmanyaspectsaregoingtobedifferentfromyourlife inyourhomecountry.Becomfortablewiththeideaofexperiencingnewfooditems,newdrinks,aswellasnewwaysofsocializingand,expectationsandsituations.Itisoktonotfeelcomfortable,andeachpersonwillreactdifferently.Someof the reported problems of CS include language barrier, information overload,homesickness,boredom,dependency,etcTipforthissection1.JustbecauseyouarefromtheUSA,itdoesnotmeanthatyouwillagreewithyourgovernmentdecisionsindomesticandinternationalaffairs,northatyouareawareoftheseactions.TheUSAisahuge,diversecountrywhereamultiplicityofideas,situationsandinterestsconverge.Thatsamediverse,andmanytimescontradictoryreality,appliestoEurope,SpainandGalicia.Ifyoufindyourselfinasituationwheretheconversationseemstogonowhere,requestandofferrespectfordifferentideas,andgetsomefreshair!!2.InSpain,youwillseethatpeopleconverseloudly,usebodylanguagealotandtalkveryclosetoeachotherwhencomparedtotheUSA….Itisnotaboutyou,theconceptofphysicalspaceinSpaindoesnotmatchtheoneexpectedintheUSAstandardculture.Peoplegetphysicallyclosewhenconversingface-fo-face.3.Makeanefforttoappreciatethelocalcultureandlandscape,andtolearnandsharewithpeopleaspectsofyourownculture.Trytoputinperspectiveanynegativethoughtsthatmaycrossyourmind.Remembertobeflexible,tocommunicateandtostaypositive.Formoreinformationoncultureshock,please,checkthesesites:

• GVSUhasexcellentinformationaboutthetopichttp://www.gvsu.edu/istudents/culture-shock-20.htm

• CESA.“dealingwithcultureshock.”ManagementEntity:OfficeofInternationalResearch,Education,andDevelopment.Web.29Sept.2009.<http://www.oired.vt.edu/cesa/currentstudents/cs_culturalshock.htm>

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LocalProvider:ReceivingSiteCoordination

Yourprovider isD3N3, a local family-own company founded in 2016. ThepeopleworkingofD3N3havetraveledinternationally(visitedandstayed)tomorethan40countries, are connected through a network of friends, colleagues, and partnercompanies/customersinSpain,northernPortugal,andmanyotherplaces.StudentsarelikelytomeetthefollowingpeoplefromD3N3duringtheirstayinOurense:Dosi,RosaandAlberto.

Dosi,managerofyourlocalprovidercompany, isaPhysicsmajorthatfoundedhisfirststart-upinthemid1990´swiththegoalofpromotinganddevelopingculturalandleisureactivities.Sincethen,hehasbeeninvolvedinnumerousactivitiesfromsummercamps,toprofessionalsciencegatherings,andastronomyevents,tonameafew.Hehasbeencooperatingwithinternationalprogramssince2014,andin2016,anewcompany “D3N3” (read: “De tres en tres”)was created to continueprovidingthese professional services. Dosi speaks Galician, Spanish, English and somePortugueseandGerman.

Rosaisaprofessionalphotojournalist,blogger,andHistorymajor.Sheworkedinthefield of photojournalism for more than 25 years. Her photography job has beenexhibitednumeroustimes,earnedherafewawards,andtookhertoplacesasdiverseandapartasMexico,Brazil,orrefugeecampsinnorthernAfrica.Intherecentpast,she has taught photography at the University of Santiago de Compostela and shecontinuestodothatinOurenseatdifferentvenues.RosajoinedD3N3in2016.ShespeaksGalician,Spanish,FrenchandsomePortugueseandEnglish.

Alberto is a Translator and Interpreter of English/Spanish/Galician, withspecializationsandyearsofexperienceinthemedicalfieldandU.S.taxation.HeisanEnglishPhilologymajorandhastaughtinU.SUniversitiesandCollegesforalmost20years. In 2012, he had his first study abroad experience as Program Director inTrujillo(Spain),andhelovedthechallengesandopportunitiesoftheprogram.Sincethen,Albertohasredirectedhisprofessionalintereststowardsthenever-boringfieldof study abroad and internships, trying to help students developed their culturalcompetence,awarenessandprofessional/academicskillsduringtheirstaysinSpain.HespeaksGalician,Spanish,English,andsomePortugueseandFrench.

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Ourense:Housing

YouwillbelivingwithaSpanishfamilywhereyouwillhaveyourownroom.Yourstayincludesthree(3)meals,seven(7)daysaweek,linen,blanketsandtowels,andlaundry twice a week (if needed). Generally, since your family will cook foreverybody,youwillnothaveaccesstothekitchentocookforyourself,thoughsomefamilieswillloveitifstudentsoffertocookforeverybodyfromtimetotime.Eventhough living with a family brings some limitations, many students report theirhomestayasahighlightoftheirtimeinSpain!

Homestays and flats are carefully screened. All accommodations are safe, clean,centrallylocated,oreasilyaccessiblebypublictransportation.Host-FamilyandStudentsRightsandResponsibilities(#1through#8,below)

Duetoculturaldifferences,lifestyleandexpectations,misunderstandingscanhappenbetweenthestudentandthehostfamily.Inordertominimizetheseissues,wehavepreparedalistofrightsandobligationsthatbothstudentsandhostfamiliesadheretoandaccept.Thislisthasbeenpreparedtoclarifyresponsibilitiesandhelptoavoidsituationsrelatedtothelisteditems.Bothstudentsandhostfamiliesreceiveacopyofthisdocument.All parties are asked to promote communication and hold a flexible and positiveattitudewhendealingwithanyof these situations.Host-familiesandstudentsareexpectedtoshowareasonableandopenattitudeatalltimessothattheexperienceoflivingtogetherisbotheducationalandbeneficialforeverybody.If the host family and/or the student realize that the presence of a third party, amediator,canbebeneficial,donothesitatetousethisoption.AtD3N3,wewouldbehappytocontributeifthesesituationsweretooccur,asithashappenedinthepast.1.Conditionsofthestay

General.Thestudentwillhaveaprivateroom,withnaturallight(window/s),adeskor study-table, a chair, a closet, a shelf/es and appropriate lighting features. Thefamilywillnotkeepanypersonalitemsinthisroom.Ifastudentplanstobeabsentatanygivenday/night,s/heshouldtellthefamilyinadvance.Ifthefamilyneedstoalterthisroutinetoattendtootherneeds,theyareaskedtocontactthestudentaswell.Host-familiesandstudentsshouldtalktofindthebestwaytocommunicatewitheachother:phone-calls,SMS,Line,WhatsApp,etc…Meals.Thestayincludesfullboard:threemealsperday,sevendaysaweek.Studentsmustbeontimeformealsunlessthereisadifferentagreementwiththehost-familyorneedbasedonschedules.Ifafieldtripisplanned,thestudentcanhavebreakfastthemorning of departure and dinner the day of arrival in case of need. If/whenstudentstravelindependently,s/heshouldinformthefamily,theProgramDirector,and the local provider´s staff using the corresponding form (“Independent Travelform”).There areno reimbursementsor refunds for thedays that youdonot eat

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and/orsleepwithyourhost-family.Theseincludeprogrammedculturaltrips,yourownindependenttravels,orsomeonecomingtovisityou.Ingeneral,familieswillprepareavarietyoffooditemsthatwillincludeanabundanceoffruitandvegetables.Host-familieswilltakeintoconsiderationanyspecialdietaryneedssuchasvegetariandiets,orallergiestoanyproductsbasedontheinformationyouprovidedintheHousingQuestionnaire.Thisinformationismadeavailabletothefamiliesbeforehandtomakesuretheycanaccommodatethisneed.Uponarrivaltothe host-family setting, students are encouraged to communicate with their hostfamilyaboutanyaspectrelatedtothestudent´sandthefamily´swell-beingthattheydeemrelevant.Other. If the family plans to be absent from the house, they need to contact thestudent.Thehostfamilywillleavefoodforthestudent,andinformaboutwheres/hecanfindit.Studentscanhaveaccesstothefridgeandwiththehost-familypermission,studentscanbuyandkeepinthefridgesmallitemssuchasyoghurt,refreshments,etc… Host-families are not responsible for buying these small items beyond theregularusefordailymeals.Host-families may, if the schedules and the situation allow it, invite students tocelebrations,parties,and/orfamilyevents,thoughtheseinvitationsarenotrequiredor expected. Students may kindly reject these invitations as well. As a reminder,studentsarenothereonvacation,butparticipatinginaUniversityacademicprogramcompounded by several aspects that involve academic work and culturaldevelopment, each of them with different responsibilities and duties. All of us,students included, cancontribute tohavehealthyworkingandstudyinghabits, aswell as good resting and leisure activities for thebenefit of programparticipants,host-familiesandstudents,andtheirperformance.2.PersonalandMedicalCare,andLaundryStudentshaveaccesstothesharedfamilybathroom,andhavetherightto,atleast,onehotshowerperday.Ifthebroilerneedstobeturnedonsothatthestudentcanshower, we ask the host-families to teach the student how to do it in case aresponsiblepersonfromthefamilyisabsent.Thestudentisresponsiblefororganizingandmaintaininghis/herprivateroomtidyand according to the standards of the family. Host-families and students areencouragedtocommunicateaboutthisaspectandfindanarrangementthatsatisfiesbothofthem.Studentsarenotallowedtoeatinthebedroomortokeepperishableitemsthere.Host-familiesprovidelinen,blankets,andtowels.Studentshavetherighttoat leasthavingtheir laundrydonetwice(2times)aweek,onecolorandoneofwhites.Host-familieswilltellstudentsaboutthenextlaundryday.Cleanbedlinenwillbeprovidedat leastonceaweek.Finally, it isasked that itemssuchasahairdryer,abeachtowel,anumbrellaand/orotheritemsoffrequentuseareavailableforthestudentsbasedondemand/need.

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Ifastudentneedsmedicalattention,weaskstudentstorequestassistancefromtheirhost-familyfirst,andtoinformtheProgramDirectorasap.Host-familiesarefamiliarwiththeSpanishuniversalpublichealthsystem,oneofthebestintheworld,andanyissuemightjustbesolvedwithavisittothepharmacytogetaprescribedmedicationorover-the-counterdrugs,and/oravisittoafamilydoctor.Ifnecessary,yourhost-family, your Program Director and/or local provider staff will accompany you amedical facility (reference at the end of this guide). Students are encouraged toconsult with their health insurance plan from the U.S about the procedure forpaymentand/orreimbursementofmedicalexpensesforaninternationalstaysuchasthis.

3.StayinginContact:PhoneandInternetattheHost-Family(SeePre-Departuresection:“Stayingincontact”,foradditionalinformation)

Phone:Studentshavecell-phonesand/orelectronicdevicesthatcanbeusedtobeconnected.Studentsarenotallowedtousethelandlinefromthehouse(ifthereisone)tomakeinternationalphonecalls.Studentscanreceivephonecallstothehouselandline(ifthereisone),aslongasthesephonecallsarenotverylong.Inthecaseofastudentgettinganinternationalphonecall,thestudentneedstoinformthefamilyandmustpayattentiontothetimedifference,andingeneral,studentsareaskedtoavoidsuchphonecallsafter23:00(11:00pm).Hostfamiliesareaskedtoshareassoonaspossible thenumberof the landline, if there isone,and/or thecell-phonenumberthattheywilldecidetousetofacilitatethecommunicationamongalloftheparties.Internet:HostfamiliesarenotrequiredtohaveInternetinthehouse(wiredorwifi).So far,all thehost-families thathaveparticipated in theprogramhavewifi in theirhouseholds. If this feature exists, students can have access to it at no extra cost.Participating students are adults according to the Spanish legislation; therefore,studentsareresponsiblefortheiruseandactivitieswhenconnectedtotheInternet.

4.Keys

Host-familiesgivestudentsasetofkeystoaccessthehouse/apartment.Inmostcasesthis involvestwokeys,oneforthestreetdoor,andasecondonefortheapartmentdoor.Keysmustbereturnedattheendoftheprogram,orifthestudentchangeshost-families.Ifthestudentlosesthekeysandthelockneedstobereplaced,thestudentwillberesponsibleforthisextracost.5.GuidelinesandTips:Do’sandDon’ts?AndSchedules

Formanystudents,goingoverseasimplieslivinginafamilysettingagainforthefirsttimeinyears.MostU.SstudentsthatareinCollegeliveindormsorshareanapartment,andingeneralmayhavenotlivedinafamilysettingforsometime.Inaddition,youwillberesidingwithafamilyinaculturewhichisdifferentcomparedtotheU.S.Eventhough it is possible to find many affinities, consider the following to make youradjustmentandthehostfamily’soneassmoothaspossible:

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a) Whenyouaredonewithyourmeals(lunch,dinner),donot leavethetablerightaway.If,asadvised,youpaidattentionthefirstdays,youmighthavenoticedthatyourfamilyextendsmealstimewithconversing,orsharingtimeatthetable.Trytobepartofthisrelaxtime,anddonotberudedisappearing.

b) If/whenyouareexcusedfromthetable,followthefamilypractice,whicheverthatis:placeitinthesink,dishwasher,orjustleaveyourusedplateatthetable.

c) #1and#2abovearecrucialiftherearechildreninthefamily.Yourpresenceisnottodisruptthefamilyroutinesbuttocontributetoitinameaningfulway.Beamodelof behavior for kids. No matter how much in a hurry you are to attend thatimportantneedyoumighthave:kidsfirst.

d) Yourhost-family setting is not a hotel. Familymembers arenot at your service.Makethempartofyourconversationsandyourlife.

e) Studentsarenotattheserviceofthefamilyeither.Youarenottodobaby-sitting,orwatchoversmallkidsaloneunlessit isrequestedincaseofneedoryouhavepermission from the family. Sometimes there are unexpected needs: use yourcommonsenseandtrytohelpifyouareaskedandifitsoundsreasonable.

f) SomefamilieswillbehappytocompensatestudentsforEnglishlanguageclassesfortheirkids.Anyarrangementsforsuchanactivityaretobeconductedbetweenthefamilyandyourself.Ifyoureachadeal,commitandfollowthrough.

g) Students are free to come and go as they please. There is no curfew, butwhencomingbacklateatnightinformyourhost-family,respectthefamily’squiettime,andminimizeyournoiseatalltimes.

h) Itisabsolutelyforbiddentohaveorconsumeillegaldrugsinthehost-familyplace,andduringyourparticipationintheprogram.

i) Use resources such as water and energy responsibly. Electricity is much moreexpensiveinSpaincomparedtotheU.S.Turnthelightsoffwhenexitingaroom.

j) Exchangephonenumbersorcontactinfotofacilitatecommunication.k) Try to spend quality time with your host-family. Minimize your time using theInternetatthehost-house(ifavailable)todevelopmeaningfulrelations.

l) Feelfreetopolitelyrejectaninvitationforanyhost-familytriporgathering.Ifthefamilymakes suchplansandyouare invite it,understand that theremightbeamodification or cancelation of these plans due to unexpected factors. Do notcomplainandplayitbyear!

m) Donot relyonly andall the timeononline communication to talk to yourhost-family.i.e.Ifyouareinyourroom,andyouwanttocommunicatewithyourhost-family,makesurethattheyarenotathomebeforeyousendamessagewithyourcellphone.Iftheyareathome,trytotalkface-to-facewithwhoeveryouaretryingto communicate. In Spanish culture, sendingamessage fromyour room toyourhost-mom/dadiftheyareintheapartment/flat,ischildishandrude.Trytoconveymessagesface-to-facefirstevenifthereisalanguagebarrier,andonlyaftertryingverbalcommunication,goaheadandtrytocommunicateinwriting.

n) Bathroometiquette.Forbothmaleandfemalestudents.Sitdownwhenusingthetoiletandleavethesitdownafteryouaredone.Donotdisposeofgarbage,plasticin the toilet. Place sanitary pads, tampons and similar items in the trash bin. In

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general,trytoleavethebathroominthesameconditionaswhenyouenteredit.Ifyouhavequestionsaboutanyofthis,askyourhost-family.

o) Useyourcell-phoneatthediningtableonlyforappssuchasgoogletranslatetohelpyoucommunicatewithyourhost-family.Again,observeyourhost-familyroutinesandfollowsuit.

6.HouseVisits

Asageneralrule,studentsarenotallowedtohavevisitorsinthehost-familyhouse.However,thisdependsonofeachofthehost-families.Ifstudentsreceivepermissionfromthehost-familytohavefriendsover,studentsareaskedthatthesevisitsdonotextendintolateatnight.Anyovernightstayneedstobeapprovedbythehost-family.If a familymember or a friend from outside Ourense comes to visit, they are notallowedtospendthenightatthehost-family’shouse.However,thestudentcanstaywithhis/hervisitorsatahotel,hostel,etcas longastheyinformthehost-family inadvance.Weencouragestudentstocommunicatewiththeirhost-familyfirsttoinquireabouttheirpreferences,andtoinformfamiliessotheyknowwhattoexpect.

AgoodqualityhotelroominOurensefaresatanaverageof€40-50pernight.

7.Host-family:Issues

Studentsareguestsinthehostcountrybuttheyneedtomakeanefforttoadapttothenewculture.SpainisaWestern,modernandinmanyaspectssimilarcountrytotheU.S and its European counterparts. However, there are still significant differences,somevisible,some intangible thatshape itscultureandexpectations.Dueto these,misunderstandingscanhappenbetweenthestudentandthehostfamily.Ifacaselikethiswere tohappen, thehost-familyand/or thestudentmust contact theProgramDirectorand/oralocalproviderstafftoresolveanymiscommunication,andtocreateviablechannelswherecommunication is restoredbasedon trustandrespect.Onlywhenasatisfactorysolutionforallthepartiesisachievedthroughmediation,healthycommunicationcanberestored.Inrarecircumstances,thedifferencesareimpossibletoreconcileandoneofthepartiesmaywishforachange.Thiscouldbeachangeofhost-family because the student prefers to stop his/her stay, or because the host-familyprefersnottocontinuehostingthestudent.Wewanttoavoidtheseoutcomesandforthat,goodcommunicationbetweeneveryoneisvital.

8.Notes

a) Ifthestudentisworkinginhis/herroom,s/heisallowedtousethelightsintheroomiftheavailablenaturallightisnotenough,orifs/heisstudyingatnight.

b) Host-families are asked to not limit the spaces available to the student in theapartment:usingtheliving-roomtorest,watchTV,orstudyingaslongasit isatreasonabletimes,orwhenitisnotbeingusedbythefamily,accesstothekitchentogetasnack,adrink,etc…

c) Studentsmightbemaderesponsible foranypropertydamages thatmightoccurduringhis/herstayintheapartment.

d) Attheendoftheprogram,studentswillbeaskedtocompleteanevaluationwherethey can report about their experience.Wewill also ask host-families for their

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feedbacka fewtimesduring theprogram.Commentsandsuggestions frombothwillhelpusimprovetheexperienceforallthepartiesinvolvedandtoimplementchangesifnecessary.

e) Weallwishthatthestudents´andfamilies´experienceisbeneficial.Tomakethishappen,pleasedonothesitatetocontactyourlocalproviderstaffatanytimeduringtheprogramtoaskfor/offerideas,advice,assistance,andingeneral,anycommentorobservationthatwillhelpallofusimprove,andrepeatanotheryear.

f) Somestudentshavelow-SpanishlanguageskillsorspeakonlyEnglish.Weaskthehost-familiestotrytofacilitatecommunicationusinganylanguagetheyarefamiliarwith (includingEnglish andGalician) asmuch as possible. If the student speaksSpanish,weaskthehost-familiestousebothlanguages.

g) If,attheendoftheprogram,thestudentwishestostayforalongerperiodoftimewiththefamily,s/heshoulddiscussthisrequestwiththecorrespondingfamilyandreachanagreementtocompensatethehost-familyonhis/herownaccountbasedonthetermstheyagree.Ifthemediationofyourlocalproviderstaffcanbeuseful,wewillbehappytoassist.

h) Mail/Receivingpackages.Please,usethemailingaddressfromyourhostfamilyandthe name of one of your host members for incoming mail (packages as well).Include: “Host Person Full Name” and Attention to: “Your name”. Note that anypackagethatisreceivedinSpainwillincurinextrafeesfromCustoms,andthesecanbeveryhefty.Considerwhethertheitemsyouarereceivingareworthpayinganextra$20,or$30justtogetthem.Yourhostfamilywillhelpyouintheprocessof receiving these shipments but you are responsible for the cost. Please, beproactiveandfollowupwithyourhostfamilyforthepayment.

Yourlocalprovider´sgoalistoofferthestudenttheopportunitytobecomeandfeellikeafamilymember,andtobeintegratedinthedailylifeofthefamily.Wewanttocollaboratewithfamiliesthatareinterestedinknowingthestudentsandtheirculture,andthatareavailabletotalktothestudenttohelpthemlearnandbefamiliarwiththediverseaspectsofGalicianandSpanishculture,andinparticularaboutlifeinGalicia.Weareinterestedinfamiliesthatoffersomethingelsethanarentalroom.Ifyourexperiencewiththehost-familydoesnotmatchthisdescriptionorstandards,please, let us know immediately. And if as a host-family, your experiencewith thestudentyouarehostingdoesnotmeetthedesiredstandards,letusknowimmediatelyaswell:programas@altega.com

Thankyouverymuchforbeingpartofthishousingexperience.

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ALLPROGRAMS

ClassroomSiteandMeetings

Ifyouareattendingclassforacademiccredit,orifyourProgramDirectordecidestoholdagroupsessionorindividualsessionwithyou,thesemeetingsarelikelytotakeplaceatthe“LiceodeOurense”or“Liceo”.Thisculturalorganization,foundedintheyear1850,movedin1870toapalacebuiltbyandfortheOcaValladaresFamilyinthe16th century. The building has three floors,meeting rooms and classrooms, loungeareas,officesandacoffee-shopintheinteriorcourtyard.

Name:“LiceodeOurense”.Address:RúaLamasCarvajal,5.Ourense32005

Tolearnmore,check:http://www.liceodeourense.com/2.0/orhttp://turismodeourense.gal/recurso/pazo-de-oca-valladares-liceo/

EDUCATION,COMPARATIVEPERSPECTIVESANDC.O.S.TPROGRAMSONLY

1.Host-Schools

Yourstudyabroadprogrammightincludeaplacementwithalocalschoolwhereyouwillworkwithacooperating teacherand local teachers,or justasetoforganizedvisits to a local school. If your program does not include this feature, skip to thefollowingpage.

AllSchoolsbelongtotheSpanishnationaleducationalsystem.Still,therecanbeslightdifferencesbetweenthem.Placements/visitscanbe inapublicschooloraprivateschool,andprivateonescanbereligious(mostlycatholic)orsecular.Ifyouhaveanypreferences,wewilltrytoaccommodateyourrequest,butbeflexible.

2.Host-Schools:CooperatingTeachers(CT)

YourfirstdayatyourhostSchool,youarelikelytomeetyourCooperatingTeacher(CT),andyouwillgeta tourofyourschool.Duringthetour,youwillbe informedabout the spaces that you can usewhile being at the School, aswell as themostimportant norms and regulations pertaining this academic environment. Listencarefullyandifthereisanythingyoudonotunderstand,askasmuchasyouneed.TheCTisthepersonresponsibleforyouracademicandprofessionaldevelopment.Eventhoughyouwillbeaskedtoassistindifferentclasseswithdifferentteachers,refertoyourCTforanyquestions,concernsandissuesthatmayariseduringyourplacement.Theschoolplacementintendstohavefive(5)orlessteachers,dependingonneeds,schedules,andlevel(Primary,Secondary)underthecoordinationofone(1)CT.Note:InteractionbetweenSpanishstudentsandU.Sassistants.YourstudentsinSpainareminorsunderSpanishLegislation.Therefore,youarenevertobealonewithanystudentwithoutyourCT,ateacher,orwithoutthepresenceofanothermemberoftheSchoolsystem.Noexceptionswhatsoever.Thisapplies toboththeschoolgroundsand outside of the school. If you have any doubts, talk to your CT, your ProgramDirectorfromtheU.S,orcontactthelocalproviderstaffatanytime.

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3.Host-Schools:Guidelines,BasicExpectationsandDressCodea) Some schools will let you use and stay in the Teacher´s Lounge (if there is one)betweenclassesorduringbreaks.OtherSchoolswillnot,ortheydonothaveone.

b) Spanishstudentsmayseeyouasa“role-model”ofbehaviorandattitude.Howyoudress, the languageyouuse andhowyou conduct yourselveswill beobservedbytheseyoungminds,andthelocalteachers.Inclass,donotusecell-phones,orengageinanyactivityunrelatedtotheclass(i.e:readingabook),donotplaceyourfeetonchairs,anddonotdoanythingyouwouldnotdoinyourUSAplacementseither(i.e.nofoodordrinksallowedintheclassrooms),andabsolutelynosmokinganywhereintheSchoolgroundsorclosetoit.

c) Someteacherswillbeveryinterestedincreatingwithyourassistance“international”activities/eventstoengagestudentsfromSpainandfromtheU.S.i.e:Aletter/emailcorrespondence partnership, on-line group chats, etc…We encourage your activeparticipationatalltimes,andwealsorecommendthatyoudonotmakeanypromisesorcommitments thatyoucannot followthrough.Appreciate the interestandstatethatyouwillexploretheopportunity,orstatethatyouare innopositiontomakethosecommitmentsyet.

d) SameasintheU.Sbecourteous,respectful,arriveontime,informyourCooperatingTeacherand/orlocalstaffofanyissuesthatmayhappen.Beyourself,learnfromtheexperience,andenjoyit.

e) Dress code: is business casual. i.e.: No ties, no suits, no high-heels, no sneakers,comfortableclothesforbothmenandwomen.Preferablynojeans.Attentiontotheuseofintenseperfumesand/orcolognessincethesecanpromptallergicreactionsinlocalstudentsandco-workers.

CelebraciónsdeAntroido.VilariñodeConxo.Ourense,Febreiro.Carnivalcelebration.VilariñodeConxo.Ourense,February.

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ATHLETESPROGRAM,ONLY

ThisprogramincludesamembershiptousetheUniversidaddeVigo,OurenseCampussportsfacilities,bothindoorsandoutdoors,andspecificallytheUniversitypoolandthegym/fitnesscenter.Formoreinformationandpicturesaboutthiscenter,seeCDUAQAOurenseat:http://aqadeporteysalud.net/Centros/aqa-ourense/orhttps://deporxest.uvigo.es/WebDeportesUVigo/instalaciones/datos.jsp?idInstalacion=63ALLPROGRAMS:ExercisingandMaintainingAnActiveLifestyleThesportscomplexoftheUniversityofVigo,OurenseCampusisopentoanymemberoftheOurense communitywhowants to use the facilities for a fee. Any student of anyprogramcangetamembershiptousethesefacilities.Therealsomanyprivatelyownedgym-facilities,andplaceswhereyoucanpracticeyoga,conductregularphysicalactivitiesandmaintainyourselvesphysicallyactive.Ifyouareinterested,andthisfeatureisnotpartofyourinternationalprogram,letyourhost-familyorusknow,andwewillassistyou.

Ourense is a verywalkable city. Before you realize it, youwill have completed a fewkilometersofwalkingeverydayjusttoattendtoyourbasicneeds(classes,goingto/fromtraining/placements, sightseeing, window shopping, etc…). If you are interested in amoreactivephysically-demandingexperience,running(andothertypesofexercise)isverypopularalongbothbanksofMiñoRiver.Thereisatrailthatconnectseachsideoftheriverviapedestrianbridgesnorthandsouthoftheriver(upstreamanddownstream)whichintotalrunsforabout13kilometers(abitmorethan8miles).Inmanypartsofthetrail,youwillberunning/walkingnexttothemanyhotspringsavailableintheareawhichmakeOurenseoneofthegeothermalcapitalsofEurope.Traveling

ProgrammedTrips

Yourprogrammayincludeprogrammedactivitiessuchasculturaltrips.Ifthisisthecase,allyourexpensesarecoveredwithyouroriginalprogramfee(transportation,lodging,meals,entrancetomuseumsandsites).Thesedaysthatyouwillbeawayfromyourhost-family you are responsible for your personal expenses (shopping, and in general,expensesnotrelatedtotheculturalactivities).Therearenorefundsofreimbursementsif you do not to participate in any of these planned activities. A detaileditinerary/calendarofactivitieswillbepresentinduetime.

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IndependentTrips

Someofyouwillhaveafewlong-weekends(Fri-Sat-Su)tobenefitfromotheraspectsofyouroverseasexperiencesuchaspersonalculturaltrips.Inaddition,holidaysandnon-schoolingdayswillhappeneveryacademicsemester.YourlocalproviderD3N3,yourCT,and/oryourProgramDirectorwillinformyouofthesedaysinadvancesothatyoucanmakeyourpersonaltravelarrangements.

Ifyoutravelindependently,thereisaformtokeepeverybodyinformedoftheseplansthat all student need to fill out and send. Please, inform your host-family and yourProgramDirector,oryouron-siteLocalProviderCoordinator.

Therearenorefundsorreimbursementsfromthedaysthatyouwillnotbewiththehostfamily,orthedaysyoudecideto“eat-out”.Whetheritisaculturaltripincludedintheprogramoryourown independent traveling,host-familiesgetcompensated thesameamount.

Suggestionsforweekendand/or1dayescapades

Thesearesomeoftheplacesreachablebytrainand/orbusfromOurense.Eachofthemoffersuniqueopportunitiesforthingstodo,peopletoseeandplacestogo….Ifyougettwo-waytickets,askfordiscountsaswellaswhenbuyingentranceticketsforculturalevents and historical sites. Bring your college ID and your passport to qualify fordiscountsorreducedfares.

InGalicia• ACoruñaprovince:ACoruñacity(TorredeHércules,UNESCOWorldHeritageRomanLighthouse); Santiago de Compostela, city (UNESCO World Heritage “Old Town”);Finisterre,town,andLighthouse(“theendofthelandknowntheRomanEmpire);Fishingtowns:Muxía,Malpica,etc…Carnota(thelongestbeachinGalicia).

• Lugo:UNESCOWorldHeritage“RomanWalls”.Ribadeo:PraiadasCatedrais(Beach),anaturalmonumentwithasupernaturaldimension.

• Pontevedra city; the Atlantic Coast: Praia América (beach); Parque Nacional Illas doAtlántico (National Park of the Atlantic Islands); coastal towns: Combarro, Sanxenxo,Portonovo, Cangas, Baiona, Nigrán, A Guarda andMonte Santa Tegra (views ofMiñoRiver,theAtlanticOceanandNorthernPortugal).

• Ourense:MonasteriodeOseira;Manzaneda:Winterresortstation;Celanova(9thcenturymonastery);CastroCaldelas(medievalCastle);Ribadavia(JewishQuarter);Monasteryroutes;SilRiverCanyonandRibeiraSacrawineries;ParqueNáuticoCastrelodeMiño:eating-out, kayaking, paddle-boats, swimming in a dam; San Cibrán de Las: ParqueArqueolóxicodaCulturalCastrexaLánsbrica(Museumandhistoricalpre-Romansite).

OutsideGalicia

• Madrid,Barcelona,Salamanca,Bilbao.• UNESCO World Heritage “Old Towns”: Salamanca; Burgos; Ávila; Segovia; Toledo(Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures); Cáceres; Granada; Seville; Córdoba; Mérida(NationalMuseumofRomanArt,RomanTheatreandAmphitheatre).

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• Parque Nacional de Mongrague (migratory birds and one of the largest colonies ofvulturesinEurope),etc,Trujillo(medieval“oldtown”).

• León;Oviedo;Gijón;Santander(ParquedeCabárceno:wanttoseeelephants,giraffesandAfricananimalsoutdoors?);Astorga;Zamora;Ponferrada.

• UNESCO:CaminosdeSantiago,etc…• Porto(Portugal):UNESCOWorldHeritage“OldTown”,alovelyplacetovisit.SantiagodeCompostelaAirportoperates15internationalroutes,andPorto(Portugal)afewdozenones.MoreinformationaboutGalicia

LonelyPlanethttp://www.lonelyplanet.com/search?q=galiciaTourGalicia(RegionalGovernment):maps,applications,andlotsofinformationhttp://www.turgalicia.es/subportada-de-descargas-e-utilidades?langId=en_US

Xamonescuradosederivados.Cured“Jamón”andporkproducts.

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PARTIII:BEFORERETURNShoppingOneoftheactivitiesthatmanyofusenjoydoingisshopping,eitherforourselvesorforagood friendand/or familymember.Youwillhave theopportunity todo thatwhileinSpain.Therearedifferentlevelsofsalestax(VAT)inSpaindependingonthetypeofitempurchased(super-reduced:4%,reduced:10%,standard:21%).SalestaxinSpainis21%forclothes,shoes,andingeneral,allculturalactivities.Youcanseethisinanyticket/receiptofitemsyoumighthavealreadypurchased.UnderstandingTax-FreeOnlystoreswithavisible"Tax-Free"stickerondisplayqualifyforthisextra-discount.In Spain, there is no minimum expenditure anymore to qualify for a tax-freeexemption.So,ifyourshoppingissignificantandtheamountoftaxdisplayedontheticketisworththepaperwork,requestthetaxfreeformsifthebusinessispartofthissystem.

Process:Ingeneral,youpurchasetheitemsatagivenstoreandwithyourpassportrequestatax-freedocument.OnceyouexitSpain,throughthepointofdeparture,lookforthetax-refundoffice(Customsdesk)attheAirportbeforecheck-inyourluggage.There,youwillgetanotherdocumentstamped.Thencheck-inyourluggage,crossthegatestowardstheboardingareaoftheairportandlookforthetax-freerefundOfficesbeforeboardingtheplane.Showthestampeddocumentsandpassportsandgetallthemoneyyoupaidintaxesback(minusacommission).Legislationonhowtoreceiveyourtax-freepurchaseschangesperiodically.Consulton-lineoraskthestorestaffdirectly.SuggestionsforShoppingUniqueItemsinGaliciaThese are a few ideas that might help if you are still thinking about getting agift/souvenirora“sth”uniquefromGalicia.1. T-shirts.Thisstorecustomizesthedesigns,makesthemonthespot(youcanseetheend-versiononacomputerscreen).Yourlocalproviderordersitst-shirtsfromOtisandMonica,owners.TheyspeakexcellentEnglish.Storename:“Lobishome”.Ourenseaddress:RúaErvedelo,44Price:€10-€20

2.GalicianPottery/Ceramic.This traditionalworld-famousblue-paintedceramicandpottery institutionstillmakes itsproductsat thetwofactoriestheyhave inLugoprovince.Inorangeandredtonessincethe1970´s.Everyyeartheyreleasenewproducts:coffeeandteasets,lamps,pendants,necklaces,shotglasses.Itemstoprotectpeopleagainst“theeveil-eye”orcursesareverypopular.StoreName:“Sargadelos”.Ourenseaddress:AvenidadaHabana,12Price€2-€1,000+

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3.Fooditemsandlottery.ConsideringtherestrictionsfromtheUSDA,rememberthatanyimportationofpork-basedproductsisprohibited.Betterenjoythechorizoand jamón in Spain than seeinghow it is thrown away in front of youby aUScustomsofficial.However,theseitemsareallowed:• Chesnuts, in the jar versionwith chocolate or caramel, or syrup. It is called“marrón glaçé” and they are original from Ourense. Found only in Galiciansupermarkets brands (Gadis, Froiz) and some local stores. (This item is alsoproducedinsomepartsofFrance).Price:€6-€12perjar,dependingontypeofchesnutandsize.

• Before Christmas in Nov/Dec, people start to stock traditional Christmasdessertsandsweets.Allofthegrocerystoreshavespecialtables,shelvesandspacefor“turrón”andholidayproducts.Price:€2-€10perpackage,dependingonweight,typeofturrón,etc

• Chocolate. As happens with most regions of the planet where cacao is notharvested,inSpainispossibletogetyourlocalversionsofchocolateawayfromthe major world-commercial players. A local brand, “Chocolates Chaparro”markets thick chocolate bars that you can melt and make your own hotchocolate favorite. Another company, “Chocolates Valor” from Villajoyosa(Alicante)hasachievednationalstatusforitschocolateproducts.Theseitemstravelwellifpackedwithcare.Availableinmostsupermarkets.Price:€2-6perpackage.

• Lotteryticket.Thefamous“ElGordo”tickets(SpanishChristmasLottery).Thisisa100+yeartradition,extremelypopularandthebiggestlotteryworldwide.TheeventtakesplaceeveryDecember22.Price:€20/ticket.

4.Books.Whatabetterwaytoshowwhereyouhavebeenthangoingtoabookstoreandgetabookwithimages,picturesandstoriesofGalicia.Thereisalargevariety,eveninEnglish.

Price:€6-€100+

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ReverseCultureShock:IsItMe,Again?Anotherchallengeforreturningparticipantsinstudyabroadprogramsoroverseasexperiencesisreversecultureshock.Inbrief,itreferstothedifficultyofre-adaptingtotheotherlifeandrealitiesbackhome.Studentshavereportedhowtheirpriorities,valuesandthewaytheythinkofthemselvesandtheirculturesisreexamined.Itisimportant that participants talk and are able to seek help/counseling to receiveassistanceinthissituation.Each participant student experience is going to be different. In general, reversecultureshockischaracterizedbychangesintwoelements:anidealizedviewofhomeandanexpectationoffamiliarity.Homemayfallshortofwhatyouhadenvisionedafteryourreturnsincenowyouhavereferencesforcomparison,andrealitymayhavechangedbackhomesinceyourdeparture:peoplehavetheirlives,andissues,lackofinterestonthepartoffriendsandfamily,etcThismayleadtofrustration,feelingsofalienation,andmisunderstanding/s.Ingeneral,ifyoufeeldisengaged,euphoric,irritableandhostileorhavedifficultiesreadjustingandadaptingtolifebackhome,youareprobablyexperiencingacaseofreversecultureshock.Thisisnotuniquetoyou,talktopeopleandtoprofessionalstohelpyoufindthewaybacktoyournew,adaptedgoals.Someextrareading,canbefoundhere:• GVSUsite:http://www.gvsu.edu/istudents/culture-shock-20.htm• AllAbroad.us–ReadjustingtoHome:Mentorsaddressthemostimportantissuesstudentshavewhenreturninghomeafterstudyabroad.

• IES–InstitutefortheInternationalEducationofStudentsSiteonhowtomarketyourstudyabroadexperience,includingbuildingyourresume.

• TeachabroadGuidetointernationalteachingpositions.• VolunteerAbroadAcountry–specificguidetovolunteeringoverseas.

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CONTACT

EmergenciesEuropeanUnionandSpain:Dial112Thesafetyandwell-beingofalltheparticipants(host-families,students,professors,teachers,localproviderstaff,etc)isapriority.

InCaseofEmergencyorAccident

ThisistheProtocoltofollow:• StaySafe:Help/assisttoplacepeopleandyourselfoutofdanger• Inform:Emergencyservicesincaseofneed.Dial112• Assist:Anypersoninneeduntilemergencyservicesarrive• Communicate:withyourlocalproviderand/ortheProgramDirectorasap.

IncaseofemergencyinOurense,yourProgramDirector,and/oryourHost-familyandorD3N3staffwillusethismedicalproviderandthis24/7facilitylocatedinawell-knownandeasytoreachdowntownarea:

CentroMédicoElCarmenAvenidadeLaHabana50,52,71Ourense,32003http://www.centromedicoelcarmen.es/

Non-EmergencyandGeneralMedicalSituations

Studentsintheprogramhavemedicalinsurancewithinternationalcoverage.Asaresult,services suchasmedicalexpenses (doctor´svisits,drugs,visits to thedentist, etc),orexpensesderivedfromlegalassistance,arecovered.

SomeU.Suniversitiesofferhealthcoverageviaprovidersthathaveidentifiedlocalhealthcarefacilitiesthatwillprovidemedicalserviceswhenneeded.Ifyourinsurancepolicyoperatesinthisway,youmightbeabletoavoidthepaperworkofthereimbursement.However,youwillalsoneedtheinformationofthespecificlocalmedicalfacility.Ifyourhost-familyoryourlocalproviderdoesnothavethisinformation,youwillbetakentothemedicalfacilityspecifiedabove.Itistheresponsibilityofthestudenttolearnthesedetailsandifapplicable,pay,askforandkeepthecorrespondinginvoicesand/orreceiptstorequestanyreimbursementsfromtheirinsuranceuponreturntotheU.S.

Host-familiesareaskedtoassiststudentsincaseofneed(visittothedoctor,goingtothepharmacy,etc),andtoinformtheProgramDirectorand/orD3N3staffiftheyareunabletodothissothatsomeoneelsewillbeavailableforassistance.

Inanon-emergencysituationstudentswillbetakentothemedical facilitymentionedabove,unlesstheyortheirinsurancehaveadifferentpreferredmedicalfacility.Youcanalsoaskforatranslationofthemedicaldocumentation:diagnosis,treatmentandinvoice.

Pharmacy.Thisserviceisavailable24hrsaday,365daysayearineverytown.Lookforthe green cross signs and if that pharmacy is closed, check the displaywindows forinformationabouttheneareston-callPharmacy.Ifyouarenotsureand/oryouarenotinOurense,lookforahotel,ataxidriver,apoliceofficer,abusinessthatmightbeopenwhereyoucanaskforhelp.

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LocalProviderContact:D3N3Ourense-SpainD3N3•Email:programas@altega.com•Phone-(24h/7)AlbertoVeiga,Ph.D.Coordinator:BilingualGalician/Spanish,FluentEnglish

•Phone:Only1ofthemwillbeactiveatanygiventime-U.S.number:+1-5173033746-Spainnumber:+34-645675917

-(24/7)DositeoVeiga.D3N3.Manager.BilingualGalician/Spanish,IntermediateEnglish Spain:TBA(ToBeAnnounced)

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APPENDIXCell-phone:PlanFeatures.Pre-Paid“Orange”

Rememberthatanysmartcell-phonecanaccesswifievenin“AirplaneMode”.Sometimesyouwillneedtoregisterbeforeyouhaveaccess,othertimes,serviceisavailablewithapassword,andothertimes,thenetworkserviceisopen.

Togetaphone-planonyourown,please,followbelowforaPre-paidplaninSpainwiththecarrier:“Orange”.Bringyourpassporttothe“Orange”cell-phonestoreastheonlyvalidsourceofidentification.

IfbythetimeyouarrivetoOurenseyoudonothaveaSpanishphonenumberyet,alocalstaffmemberwillgowithyoutoadesignated“Orange”cell-phonestore.

Studentscanchoosetoadddata(Internet)totheirPre-paidplanforacharge,orgetonlyphonecallingandSMSfeatureswhilehavingaccesstodataviawifiintheplaceswherethisfeatureisavailableforfree.

Specifics

Compañía:ORANGECarrier:ORANGEPlanPrepago:“Mundo”4G+TarjetaPrepago.Custe€20,00approx.PrepaidPlan:“Mundo”4G+PrepaidCard.Cost€20.00approx.

SummaryStudentspay€20,00foraSIMcardandreceive€20,00balance.Fromthisamount,deductthecostofthedesireddataplankeepingtherestasbalance.Balancedoesnotexpire.

Feature Description Charges* Details*asofSeptember2019International

calls24/7Connectingfee

Perminute29.9cents0.01cents

i.e:USA1mt=29.91cents;10mts=30.00cents

Domesticcalls24/7

ConnectingfeePerminute

26.9cents0cents7cents

Duration:7daysafterrechargeFromday8ifnorecharge

“Mundo”to“Mundo”calls

24/7

ConnectingfeePerminute

00

30 days after recharge including initialpurchaseIf no recharge, from day 31 pricing =domesticcalls

Data(optional)

5MB7GB15GB

€7/month€15/month€20/month

If you finish your data allowance, internetdoesnotcancel,itjustslowsdown.If you recharge, call 1470 to reactivate thePlan(feecall)

1. AllpricinginEuros€2. CustomerService:dial1470:Free.ForrechargesandPlanreactivation(after30days).3. Minimumrechargeof€5.4. “Connectingfees”:applytoeachphonecallunlessindicated.5. Allstudentsareadvisedtotohavethis“MundoPlan”sincecalls“Mundo”to“Mundo”are

freefor30days.If,andwhenyourecharge€5,yougetanother30daysextension.

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Image

Imaxedesatellite:PenínsulaIbérica(EspañaePortugal),nortedeÁfrica(Marrocos) e surdeFrancia. / Satellite Image: IberianPeninsula (Spainand Portugal), Northern Africa (Morocco), and Southern France. NASAEarthImages.

Sourcesandcredits• GaliciamapCopyright:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/via

WikimediaCommonsGalicia,CreativeCommonsCC-BY-SA-3.0• NorthernPortugalandWesternSpainmap:ByNASAHugo22atgl.wikipedia

[Publicdomain],fromWikimediaCommons.http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/Land_of_Galicia%2C_NASA_satellite_image.jpg

• OldKingdomofGaliciamapcopyright:CreativeCommonsCCBY-SA2.5eshttp://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imaxe:MapofkingdomofgaliciaX.jpg

• Spainmapcopyright:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)CreativeCommonsCCBY-SA4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0

• OurenseClimateEssentials(1972-2000):www.aemet.es• SatelliteImage:IberianPeninsula,NorthernAfrica,andSouthernFrance.NASAEarthImages:

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=76777• AlllocalphotographyiscopyrightedbyRosaVeiga.Forreproductionrights

andpermissions,pleasecontactrosafoto@gmail.com

(UpdatedSeptember,2019)PreparedbyD3N3

programas@altega.com