Policy, Law, and Regional Autonomy in Europe

Fall 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COUNTRY OVERVIEW ...... 3 General Information 3 Climate and Geography 3 Local Customs 3 Diet 4 Safety, Security, and Health 4 Accommodations 5 Transportation 5 Communication 5 Phones and E-mail 6 Mailings 6 Money 6 Visitors and Free Time 7 PACKING GUIDELINES ...... 9 Clothing Guidelines 9 Computers and Other Electronics 9 What You Can and Cannot Obtain in Country 10 Alumni Contacts 10 PACKING LIST ...... 11

SIT Study Abroad - 2 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/26/2021 which is composed of nationalities and regions to COUNTRY OVERVIEW which the constitution recognizes and guarantees the right to self-government. These autonomous regions have a strong historically constituted sense GENERAL INFORMATION of identity and language and exercise their right to self-government within the limits set forth in the PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON constitution and their autonomous statutes. SHIFTING CONDITIONS IN THE US AND . Spain is a colorful and beautiful country built on a CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY generous foundation of art, culture, history, and is located in what is known as “España politics. Bilbao, the program base, is the largest city Verde”, Green Spain, and is a lush region in in northern Spain and is home to roughly 400 Northern Spain that stretches along the Atlantic thousand people in the metropolitan area. Bilbao is coast from the boarder with Portugal to boarder of also the main urban area in what is defined as the France. Greater Basque region. Its proximity to the Bay of gives Bilbao a temperate oceanic climate, with precipitation occurring throughout the year. This climate helps green pastures and forests thrive, providing a landscape similar to that of Ireland, Great Britain, and the west cost of France. The rainiest season is between October and April, November being the wettest. Snow is not frequent in Bilbao, although it is possible to see snow in the surrounding mountains, during the winter months.

Bilbao, Spain: AVERAGE HIGH/LOW TEMPERATURES (°F) During the nineteenth century and the early twentieth, Bilbao was the second most industrialized JAN FEB MAR APR MAY region of Spain, after . The city relied on 56/41 57/41 61/43 63/45 69/51 iron, steel, and shipbuilding as major exports. As the industrialized economy declined in the early AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC twentieth century, Bilbao is now transforming into a 78/60 76/56 70/52 61/46 57/42 service city known for its art, food, culture, and architecture. This revitalization process was started by the building of the iconic and admired Bilbao LOCAL CUSTOMS Guggenheim Museum on the Nervión River in 1997. Spaniards are in general very welcoming. For a foreigner it will be easy to establish a personal The Basque country, officially the Basque rapport with them by showing interest and being Autonomous Community, was granted nationality friendly. Off course, despite that, it is necessary to status within Spain in 1978. Spain is a diverse take into consideration local cultural customs that country integrated by different contrasting regions might differ from your own. that show varying economic and social structures, as well as different languages, and historical, In Spain they like keeping the family close and political, and cultural traditions. According to the family life is very important, so expect to be invited Spanish constitution, the Spanish nation is the to some family and friends’ events. Whatever time of common and indivisible homeland of all Spaniards, the year, Spanish like to go out and have drinks and

SIT Study Abroad - 3 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/26/2021 tapas as a very common and systematic social way Note: if you have special dietary needs, including of interaction and keeping in touch with their friends. allergies, please inform our office prior to the start of Social life is very important for them. your program. We will advise you on realistic expectations about avoiding or incorporating certain There are distinct boundaries between the private foods within the program context. and the public often expressed in a different sense of personal space; for example, greetings and good byes are expressed, as in other parts of Europe, with two kisses, one each cheek. Lack of “political correctness” from the US perspective in referring to people with distinct physical characteristics or behavior use to be quite common, but is changing rapidly. All North Americans and Europeans, for instance, are called “guiris,” however this should not be understood as an insult.

DIET Special Diets: SAFETY, SECURITY, AND SIT Study Abroad provides experiential learning HEALTH opportunities where students become embedded in Maintaining good health is critical to having a their host community. As such, we strive to successful semester. To help you do that, we have accommodate serious food allergies where possible, provided Health Guidelines and Requirements for but simply cannot ensure that all dietary restrictions your program. or non-medically mandated diets can be It is very important that you read the Health accommodated. Guidelines and Requirements document as early as Students are encouraged to participate in the local possible and examine it with your medical provider. food culture as a central aspect of daily life. By The guidelines include recommended trying to replicate your diet at home you may miss immunizations; a suggested calendar for out on an important part of your host culture. Due to immunizations and other prophylaxes; and valuable the unique living and learning community central to information on how to avoid exposure to common all SIT programs, we cannot separate food and carriers of disease. eating communally (including with your host family) SIT will require COVID-19 vaccination for all U.S. from the program experience. Please consider local students. Recognizing that not all international diet seriously when selecting your program of students will have access to vaccines, SIT asks choice. Your admissions counselor is a great that international students who wish to travel in and resource in better understanding the local diet. who do not have access to a vaccine apply for an accommodation by emailing your admissions The main meal is lunch, breakfast is usually much counselor. lighter than in the states. However at mid morning Spanish usually go out to a bar or a café to get a The Health Guidelines and Requirements will coffee and a tapa. In Spain meals are commonly also provide recommendations related to later than in other countries, lunch being many times preventing the contraction and spread of COVID- way after 2pm and dinner sometimes as late as 9 or 19. Students will be provided with COVID-19 10 pm. In Spain a significant amount of meat is related information and requirements prior to consumed, especially pork and the famous “jamón.” your travel in order to provide you with the most

SIT Study Abroad - 4 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/26/2021 up-to-date information. General information about SIT´s response to COVID-19 can be found on our webpage here: https://studyabroad.sit.edu/health-safety-and-well- being/risk-management/sit-health-and-safety- update-in-response-to-covid-19/ Students are thoroughly briefed on safety considerations during in-country orientation and are updated throughout the semester if and when circumstances change. For information regarding safety and security, emergency communications, SIT policies, accident and illness insurance, and ACCOMMODATIONS general program tips, please read the Safety, During the program students also will be staying at Security, and Health document and Student Colegio Mayor student residence with Handbook. individual rooms and shared commons spaces. All meals will be provided. Ben linen, towels, and Remember that while you are a student in a cultural access to a laundry facility will be provided. Other education program in your host country, you are accommodations during excursions include hostels also an ambassador for your home country, home or hotels. institution, and SIT Study Abroad. We ask all students to abide by all policies and guidelines in order to help maintain those important relationships TRANSPORTATION as well as their own safety and wellbeing. Failure to Bilbao has a very good public transportation. The abide by established guidelines may result in main means of transportation are city buses called disciplinary measures. , the subway, and the tram. While in Bilbao you will be supplied with a “Barik card”, a Bilbao is one of the safest cities in Spain with a very card that will allow you to use all city buses, the low crime rate, so no major considerations are metro, the tram, intercity buses (Bizkaibus), some necessary. Follow the advice of locals (in particular train lines (Feve and an EuskoTren line) and other your host family)—e.g. if people do not go jogging in means of transportation near Bilbao. To get to the a certain area, and tell you not to, listen to them and University and SIT office you can use the tram, the don’t do it. bus or there is a metro station about 10 minutes’ walk away. (Stop: Deusto, exit: Lehendakari Aguirre).

COMMUNICATION While you may want to be in regular communication with friends and family from home during the term abroad, please bear in mind that different time zones, unreliable phone lines, and changing program activities can complicate communication. It’s important to be clear with family and friends about your availability during the term. Many students recommend making an appointment to call home or to receive a call. You should also consider the impact of constant communication with friends and family at home on your cultural immersion.

SIT Study Abroad - 5 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/26/2021 PHONES AND E-MAIL The campus offers you free wireless Internet connection. Besides, you can also As part of SIT’s commitment to student safety and find multiple Wi-Fi areas both in Bilbao, often for security, all students are required to have a working free as well. smart phone capable of making and receiving both local and international calls throughout the duration of the program. For that purpose students are MAILINGS required to either (a) bring an open, unlocked smart Unlike receiving a package here in the US, receiving phone from the U.S. to the program that is able to a package at your program site is usually accept a local SIM card, and is compatible with and expensive and problematic. Customs agents must usable at the program location, (b) work with the inspect all packages and you, as the recipient, are staff within the first week upon arrival in country to responsible for duty and storage fees. In addition, purchase a smart phone locally, or (c) bring a dual there are cases of items being lost in the mail or SIM smart phone. DO NOT purchase an taking so long to reach the recipient that the international plan unless you have a dual SIM recipient is nearly back in the US by the time the phone. We discourage this for regular smart phones items are received. For these reasons, sending because your homestay family will not be able to packages should be done only for emergency communicate with you as they would have to call situations. Additionally, sending valuables is highly internationally. discouraged. During orientation, with assistance from SIT Study For this program, DHL, FedEx, UPS services are Abroad staff, students will learn how to use their available in country. Despite cheaper prices, smart phone, how to purchase and use an reliance on the US Postal Service is not advised due appropriate local SIM card, and how to acquire to delays and unreliability. When given the option, minutes for calls and texting. SIT Study Abroad it’s always a good idea to send packages certified requires that each student have a local number for and with a tracking number that allows the sender to communication with the homestay family and track the package. program staff. While we recognize that alternative communication MONEY methods can be free or cheaper than cell service i.e. In addition to tuition, SIT Study Abroad program Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp, etc. those programs fees cover room and board throughout the program. alone do not satisfy our need for regular When room and/or board are not taken with the communication with the local program staff and group, students will be given a stipend to cover partners, nor do they meet our emergency related expenses. SIT will cover daily commuting communication needs. Therefore, local cellular costs, if any, and excursions that are part of the capacity on each student’s phone is required for the normal program itinerary. Any domestic travel, duration of the program. Students are required to interpretation services, or supplies necessary maintain a minimum amount of phone credits at all for academic projects/ISP are the students’ times for emergency calls. Full compliance with this responsibility. Please plan accordingly. policy is expected. In Spain and most parts of Europe students can There are several cell phone companies in Spain. access funds and pay in most stores from their US The most popular ones are Movistar, Euskaltel, bank accounts using their VISA or MasterCard debit Vodafone or Orange. They all offer a rechargeable cards. Any debit card that is linked to the PLUS or card system that means that students won’t need to CIRRUS networks should also work at ATMs in have a contract. You can find many stores of these country, take under consideration though that you companies in Bilbao where you can get information will be charged for every withdrawal. Credit cards about offers and prices. (VISA, American Express, MasterCard) will also work as well. ATMs are very easily accessible

SIT Study Abroad - 6 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/26/2021 throughout all over Spain and the Basque country. you don’t need this in cash. To determine where you Traveler’s checks are not recommended or useful. might fall in this range, please examine your In case of an emergency it is possible to get cash spending habits during a typical semester at your advances on major credit cards in Spanish banks. home school and consider any exceptional expenditures you may have on the program, Check current exchange rates: including travel costs for your planned ISP or a http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/ specific personal expense. Please budget approximately:

Personal spending (from past $1,400 – student suggestions): 1,600

Books, printing, supplies: $50 Up-front medical costs (you will get reimbursed for these $50 Per visit expenses)

Potential ISP/travel expenses $50-200

COVID-19 Entry Test(s) (may be required for entry; subject to $100-250 If using a debit and/or credit card, you should change and costs may vary) contact your bank and/or credit card companies regarding your travel plans. If you don’t inform these Visa: $190 companies that you will be away, they will often Varies by assume the card has been lost or stolen and will put Typical Internet café usage: student an immediate hold on the card. You should also $1,800 – Estimated total: check on costs of withdrawal, as these costs vary 2,200 and can sometimes be very expensive. Renewing and receiving reissued credit and debit cards while on the program will be an expensive and highly inconvenient process. Before you leave for your VISITORS AND FREE TIME program, please check the expiration dates on your SIT strongly discourages and will not provide cards to ensure that they will not expire while you support for any visitors to students during the are abroad. It is also very important that you make term, due to the rigorous nature of the program and photocopies of all your debit/credit card information the disruption that such visits cause in program flow and leave them with someone you trust in case your and group dynamics. Students should be sure that card(s) is/are lost or stolen. relatives and friends are aware of this policy and that visits are scheduled for dates after the formal Following are suggestions for spending money conclusion of the program. Students will not be during the program, including estimates for excused from program components to attend to textbooks, academic/ISP-related expenses, medical visitors. See the Attendance and Participation expenses, personal spending, and gifts. Figures are section of the Student Handbook. based on recent student evaluations, though individual spending habits vary widely and these Please note that any visitors during the course of costs are averages. the program must plan their own independent accommodations; SIT Study Abroad homestay A suggested total amount of money to budget families can accommodate only their assigned ranges from US$1,800 to $2,200, remember that student and, due to cultural and contractual

SIT Study Abroad - 7 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/26/2021 understandings with SIT, should not be asked to break during the program, such as Thanksgiving or host students’ guests. Spring Break. During the program, students follow an intense schedule of classes and field-based learning assignments, even during the ISP. Free time for pursuing an independent interest or hobby during the program will be limited. Your admissions counselor can advise you about particular interests you may have. For example, if you must keep in shape for your next athletic season, or if you play a musical instrument and want to know whether to bring it, we can help you to understand your schedule and any concerns or limitations that may exist. Please note that you will not have a long

SIT Study Abroad - 8 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/26/2021

your personal property and responsibility. SIT does not provide personal property insurance and it is recommended that you insure your computer or PACKING GUIDELINES other valuables for full coverage. For details on SIT’s insurance, please see the full Description of Coverage on our Student Insurance. SIT is not LUGGAGE responsible for any duty tax you may have to pay Please pack lightly and include only necessary when you enter the country, theft, or loss. items. You should be able to carry all your luggage A laptop will be very useful both during the period in significant distances on your own. Try to minimize Bilbao and excursions, as well as during the ISP both the number of bags and weight of your bag(s) period. Remember to bring any necessary adapters. since you will likely be acquiring more belongings It is not necessary to bring a printer. while abroad. The University of Deusto campus offers you free If carrying prescription medications, you should wireless Internet connection. Besides, you can also carry a letter from your doctor to prevent any find multiple Wi-Fi areas both in Bilbao and in concerns at customs or in transit. (Please see the , often for free as well. “General Health Tips” section in the Safety, Security, and Health pre-departure document.) Some WiFi areas in Bilbao: Plaza Nueva (), Jardines de Albia (), Plaza de Please check the current requirements of the , Plaza Botica Vieja (Deusto), Plaza Transportation Security Administration Levante (San Inazio), Centro Comercial Zubiarte, (http://www.tsa.gov) as well as those of the airline Biblioteca Bidebarrieta (Casco Viejo), etc on which you are flying for domestic and international baggage restrictions. There are also many coffee shops where one can have wifi access. CLOTHING GUIDELINES Unfortunately, it is not possible to rent a laptop While informal dress is acceptable and common in locally. most settings, it is essential to keep a neat, clean Please see the following website for information appearance. Jeans with holes, sloppy T-shirts and about electricity, voltage and electrical adapters. tank tops are discouraged. It is not necessary to be https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and- fashionable, just neat and clean. It is very important sockets/ . to have at least one set of clothes for semi-formal occasions and one set of clothes that can get dirty during excursions. You will experience a seasonal change during this semester, however Bilbao has rain almost all through-out the year. So be sure to pack accordingly. It is advisable to bring clothes that can be used for both seasons. All homes and at the university in Bilbao there is central heating so layers are recommended especially during the winter. During the excursions to Catalonia and Scotland, the weather will be very similar to Bilbao so clothing also may be similar.

COMPUTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS It is strongly recommended that you bring a laptop computer. If you bring a laptop, the computer will be

WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT OBTAIN IN COUNTRY Many imported (North American) brands of toiletries, medicines, vitamins, etc., can be bought in Spain although local or European made brands can be more affordable as a substitute. For women, there are local as well as American brand tampons and cups available.

ALUMNI CONTACTS If you have further questions, please contact your admissions counselor and/or Contact a Former Student. Don’t miss the Packing List on the next page! These packing guidelines are based on suggestions from past students and your academic director.

SIT Study Abroad - 10 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/26/2021

PACKING LIST o Wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap (for sun protection) To prevent the contraction and spread of COVID- GENERAL 19 students should come prepared with: o 1 nice outfit suitable for a social event o Lightweight clothes including pants, long- o At least 3 reusable masks* and gloves sleeved shirts, light T-shirts, opt. medium for personal protection (disposable length skirt) masks will also be available) o Underwear and socks (10-day supply) o Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% o Warm pajamas or nightgown alcohol for use when soap and water is o Slippers or flip flops (for use inside house not readily available and on excursions) o Anti-bacterial wipes or solution to wipe o 1 pair comfortable sneakers down high-touch surfaces, especially o 1 pair sandals while traveling from the US o 1 pair nice shoes *Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others. o Rain gear (waterproof jacket, poncho, or Masks help reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 both by close contact and by airborne transmission. Masks must have umbrella) two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric. Do not wear o 2–4 pairs pants or jeans face shields alone (evaluation of the effectiveness of face o 1 medium-length skirt and/or dress shields is ongoing but is unknown at this time). o 5–6 mixed long and short-sleeved t- shirts o 2–3 blouses or button-down shirts o Sweater OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS o Jacket or fleece o Medium-sized day pack (to pack clothes o Bathing suit for 3–4 days for excursions) o Optional – workout clothes o Small, quick-drying towel o Flashlight o Spanish/English dictionary TRAVEL DOCUMENTS o Reusable water bottle o Passport o Small luggage lock o 2 photocopies of your passport stored o Laptop computer (please insure it) separately from your actual passport o Photocopy of visa (if applicable) o 2 passport photos o COVID-19 Vaccination Record OPTIONAL o Travel guide (particularly if you plan to do post-program travel) HEALTH/TOILETRIES o Small camera and film/batteries (please o Adequate supply of any medications insure valuable cameras) you use regularly o Small first aid kit (most supplies can be bought here) o Extra eye glasses and/or contact lenses o Sunscreen (at least SPF 30 ) o Sunglasses

SIT Study Abroad - 11 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/26/2021