BURGOS 2012 Handbook Welcome Congratulations on your acceptance to ’s program in ! You are about to embark on what will no doubt be one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences of your life. As you are preparing to go on an unforgettable experience, you will undoubtedly have many questions. We hope that this handbook will answer most of these. If you have more specific questions or concerns, feel free to contact me or the BU in Burgos Boston University Study Abroad office.

Burgos is a medium-sized city, located about 240 1 Getting Ready to Go 7 Housing kilometers north of (approximately two and Language Preparation Housing Assignments a half hours by bus). You will take classes at the A Sense of Purpose Residence Hall (UBU), a university centered Recommended Reading Living with a Spanish Family in a complex of medieval buildings and modern Helpful Websites facilities. 8 Life in Burgos 2 Academics Food and Dining Also referred to as the City of Monuments, Burgos’ Courses Shopping charm and cultural richness make it stand out Classroom Facilities Entertainment among Spain’s great cities. The city’s gothic Libraries Museums and Historical Sites cathedral is a UNESCO monument as well as a stop Other Facilities Sports on the Way of St. James (Road to Santiago), the Textbooks Transportation: Getting Around most important European pilgrimage route. Academic Policies Burgos Mail Your experience in Burgos will not only be an 3 What to Bring Phones academic venture, but will also include immersion Handbooks Media into the Spanish culture and language. You will learn Documents Burgos Hotels and Hostels about Spain from first-hand experience in a city that Calling Cards Outside of Burgos balances tradition and modernity. Clothing Linens 10 Names and Numbers I look forward to welcoming you personally at Appliances Madrid’s Barajas Airport next semester! Computers Prescription and Drug Store Until then, Items Miscellaneous Items Amalia Perez-Juez 5 Money Matters Program Fee Currency Banking Cash

6 Arrival Travel Arrangements Orientation Getting Ready to Go Language Acquisition Are you willing to strike up a conversation with a peer in a café? Will you make your best LANGUAGE PREPARATION effort to listen to Spanish music and radio You will need to hone your language skills before you depart reports? Some people acquire languages from the US so that everyday life is easier for you and so easily. For others, the process takes more time, your language studies will have a greater impact. You should so remember to bring your patience abroad begin reviewing Spanish early. Listen to Spanish conversa - with you. tion tapes and review the grammatical structures you have studied in the textbooks you used in previous courses. Converse with a language partner and begin to familiarize yourself with idiomatic and colloquial Spanish. If you would RECOMMENDED READING like to brush up on your reading skills, pick up Spanish , by James Michener newspapers and magazines like El País , El Mundo , or ABC , or The New Spaniards (Second Edition, 2006), by John Hooper read them on the Internet. Boston University students can find such periodicals at Mugar Library. You might even try watching Spanish movies and Spanish news on television. HELPFUL WEBSITES There is even a Language Link conversation hour offered • Students Abroad Website throught the ERC ( www.bu.edu/erc/link ). www.studentsabroad.state.gov

A SENSE OF PURPOSE This website created by the Department of State offers valuable information for students studying or traveling There’s more to preparing for your semester in Burgos than abroad. The website is an excellent resource to refer to deciding what to pack or brushing up on your Spanish. You’ll before and during your semester abroad. In addition to also need to identify your own goals and objectives: practical information such as instructions on obtaining a passport and American Embassy contact information, the • Establish some general priorities before you go— website also provides health tips and links for information academic, personal, and professional—and try to keep regarding immunizations and health precautions to take them in mind throughout the semester. abroad. Visit the Smart Travel section for insights for GLBT • Consider what you hope to accomplish while you’re in travelers, women and travelers with disabilities as well as Burgos. information pertaining to local laws and packing for interna - • Think about how you might accomplish those goals. tional travel. The website provides two checklists in its To • Remember to keep an open mind. Learn from all of your Go section: a “Prep-list” and a “Pack-list” to help keep you experiences. on track as you prepare for your experience overseas.

• Universidad de Burgos Self-Assessment www.ubu.es Think strategically about setting your goals for • City of Burgos your semester in Burgos. www.aytoburgos.es • Region of Burgos • Why is this particular program of www.patroturisbur.es interest to you? • Spain’s Official Website • List and evaluate your personal and www.tourspain.es academic interests. What do you • Europa—Gateway to the European Union enjoy doing in your spare time? Why www.europa.eu.int did you choose your major? What • BBC Languages courses have you enjoyed taking? www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish • How does this program relate to your • Cheap/free internet calling course of study in college, career www.skype.com plans, and other interests? • Student Abroad, How to call abroad • How and what can you contribute to www.howtocallabroad.com make your semester in Burgos a success? • Be open-minded.

www.bu.edu/abroad 1 students in selecting appropriate classes. Students will need “In the process of increasing my proficiency and to discuss with their major advisor how courses will apply to integrating myself into Spanish culture, I their degree requirements. understood the Spanish point of view–a different way of looking at things, I guess more European.” LIBRARIES The Universidad de Burgos has five libraries that are open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. until 8:45 p.m. and on —Former Program Participant Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. Hours are subject to change. You may visit the UBU library website at www.ubu.es/biblioteca . There are also public libraries Academics located in the town of Burgos.

OTHER FACILITIES COURSES The UBU has an active theater group that is formed by All courses are held at the Universidad de Burgos. The students and professors. The name of the group is Aula de spring semester runs from mid-February to mid-June. Before Teatro and the students of Boston University are invited to classes begin in the spring semester there will be a brief join. Also, the Aula de Teatro offers reduced price tickets for orientation to prepare you for your the local theaters in Burgos for UBU students. classes. There are two Tunas Universitarias (musical troupes dating All registration, including class changes, will be done once back from medieval times) and a Coro Universitario (univer - students arrive in Burgos. Exams will take place in early to sity choir) that are open to all students. mid-June, depending on the courses you take. There are also gymnasiums and other sports Research Tutorial facilities, student clubs and many other activities With approval of the Resident Director, students may enroll in which all BU students may participate. Getting in a four-credit independent research tutorial. Detailed involved in the Servicio de Deportes is a fun, easy information on the approval process and eligible projects way to meet new people. will be discussed during on-site orientation.

TEXTBOOKS CLASSROOM FACILITIES All textbooks may be purchased at the UBU bookstore. The Universidad de Burgos is located on the campus of a Students will receive a syllabus for each class, which medieval hospital in the Way of St. James (Camino de includes a list of books that will be used for the course. Santiago—the main European route of pilgrimage). Many of the medieval structures have been preserved and integrated into the University’s campus. The combination of Medieval ACADEMIC POLICIES and Modern architecture reflects the spirit of the city’s You will receive more detailed information on academic balance between tradition and progress. policies once you are in Burgos. Please keep in mind the following: The university’s new facilities are very modern and include libraries, gymnasiums, laboratories, and dormitories. The Academic Conduct Code Universidad de Burgos is organized into eight schools (called All students participating in a Boston University facultades) which include: Humanities and , International Program are expected to maintain high Sciences, Engineering, Law, Business and Economics, standards of academic honesty and integrity. It is the Nursing, Tourism, and Social Work. responsibility of every student to be aware of the Academic Conduct Code’s contents and to abide by its provisions. The The Spanish educational system is quite different from its Academic Conduct Code can be found at www.bu.edu/cas US counterpart. The Universidad de Burgos does not /students/undergrad-resources/code . consider itself a liberal arts institution, where students have requirements from various disciplines. Instead, students Registration for Your Semester Abroad follow one area of study and concentrate solely on this You will be registered for your courses once you arrive in during the entire time they are at the university. However, Spain, and you will be notified of the necessary procedures Boston University students will be able to enroll in courses by the program staff shortly after the beginning of the term. in various facultades. The staff at Burgos will assist the

2 Boston University Study Abroad Burgos Tutorials What Are the Classes Like? For all students enrolled in the UBU, BU offers a tutorial At the UBU, all classes are conducted entirely service. BU will pay for a tutor for those students that need in Spanish. As is typical in the Spanish univer - help in their classes. sity system, professors tend to teach by the lecture method, and student/instructor All academic commitments must be completed before you interaction is generally limited. Class size leave Burgos; no incompletes are permitted. Students who do not complete a course on time will receive an ‘F.’ In varies, and the number of classroom hours is addition, students are not permitted to audit courses or to three hours per week. take courses on a pass/fail basis.

Exams Students must register for a total of 16-18 credits and cannot Students are required to take exams during the scheduled overload credits. exam period. Exams may not be taken early.

Transfer of Credits Dean’s List Please make sure that your credits will transfer to your Students studying abroad should be aware that differences home university before you leave—we cannot stress enough in the academic calendar at Boston University and at your how important this is. It is up to your university to grant international program site may mean that grades from your transfer credit. semester abroad are reported after the computations for the Dean’s List have been made. As the semester abroad may Once in Burgos, should you decide to enroll in courses end later than the semester on the home campus, grades for different from those which your academic advisor originally some programs may not arrive in time to be counted approved, you should obtain a new course approval from towards the Dean’s List. In this case, students are advised to your home school. Transferring credit is ultimately your notify the office of Student Records or the Dean of Students’ responsibility and your home institution’s decision. office in order to request that grades earned on a BU international program be counted towards the Dean’s List. It Attendance is the student’s responsibility to bring this to the attention of You are expected to attend each class session, field trip, and the student records office. any other course-related event. Attendance and class partic - ipation will influence your grade for the course. You will be required to account at any time for undue absence, either by personal explanation to the course instructor and the What to Bring resident director or by a written statement from another authority. HANDBOOKS If you have been absent from a course excessively, you may be required to withdraw from that course without credit. If Be sure to bring this handbook as well as your Student you expect to be absent from a class, you must notify the Handbook. They contain information you may need during resident director in advance, preferably in writing. If you are your semester abroad. absent from class for more than two days for medical reasons, please seek medical attention. DOCUMENTS Tardiness Passport and Student Visa All students must make every effort to be on time for all You must have a valid passport and student visa for your scheduled meetings and class sessions and should notify the semester in Spain. US citizens should refer to the visa appropriate persons by phone or written message of extenu - instructions that can be downloaded at www.bu.edu/abroad ating circumstances that result in tardiness. If you should /forms . If you do not hold a US passport, please contact the arrive late to class, please minimize the effects of your nearest Spanish consulate as soon as possible to determine arrival; it will be disruptive, and some instructors will not your visa requirements. Your visa may be set at 180 days in tolerate it until break time. Spain, but you will have the opportunity to extend the dates once you are in Burgos. The Burgos staff will assist in this Coursework process. You are expected to turn in all course assignments on time. Turning in assignments late will have a negative effect on your grades. Students who submit the same written work for two separate courses will fail one of the courses.

www.bu.edu/abroad 3 Passport-size Photos Burgos does get cold in the winter. You should bring a warm You should have already supplied BU Study Abroad with the parka and appropriate outerwear. Plan to bring warm specified number of photos along with your acceptance pajamas, a bathrobe, and slippers, as it is impolite to go paperwork. You will need more photos once you arrive in barefoot in Spanish homes and the floors of the residence Spain. However, it is much cheaper to take them in Burgos. halls are not carpeted. Students at UBU dress much like You will have the opportunity to take these photos during students at Boston University and wear jeans often. Make orientation. sure you bring rain gear and an umbrella. You may also wish to bring a bathing suit. It’s also a good idea to bring a money Student Identification belt to carry traveler’s checks, passport, and money. Bring your student ID card; it’s always helpful to have an extra form of photo ID. It’s also a very good idea to purchase As for luggage, remember to bring a bag that is suitable for an International Student Identification Card, which provides overnight and weekends trips, as you will be going on some student discounts and insurance benefits. Call 1-800- several program excursions. Backpacks are ideal, and some 2-COUNCIL for information on the nearest issuing office, or rolling bags also work well. check the STA website at www.statravel.com . If you forget to buy this card before departing the US, it is also available in Spain, but with limited benefits. LINENS Bed linens are provided, but towels are not. You may want to bring an extra beach towel for weekends away. You can also CALLING CARDS purchase towels when you arrive in Burgos. It is not necessary to buy an international calling card in the US. There are a variety of ways to make cheap calls from APPLIANCES Spain. Students can buy international calling cards at local newsstands, tobacco shops, mini-markets, and internet Leave electrical appliances at home. Fairly inexpensive cafés. These cards cost between 5 and 12 euros and provide models can be purchased in Burgos, and you won’t need to several hours of phone time on a landline (much less on a worry about adapters or converters. cell phone). Students can also use a locutorio, which is a combination internet café and calling center. There are Alarm Clock several locutorios in Burgos that allow students to make Alarm clocks are a must so you can be on time for classes. cheap international calls in individual, indoor phone booths. Be sure to bring a small, non-electric alarm clock. An electric clock will take up outlet space, is vulnerable to power outages, and will need its own adapter and converter. Travel CLOTHING alarm clocks work best. The most important thing to remember is that whatever clothes you pack will probably be more than you will need. If you plan on purchasing a cell phone while in Spain, you Layers of various weights are the best way to have a warm will likely be able to use it as an alarm clock. and flexible wardrobe both indoors and out. Since you will hopefully bring as little as possible, you will do best to bring clothes that are easily mixed and matched. COMPUTERS The UBU has a limited number of computers, which will be made accessible to all students for writing papers.

Because the number of computers available through the Clothing and Climate UBU is limited, students may wish to bring a laptop to In general, the clothes you will need in Burgos Burgos. If you do bring your own computer, keep in mind the will be about the same as what you would following: need in Boston. Fall, winter, and even spring can be cool and wet, with average tempera - • Make a complete backup of all the information/ tures between 35 and 40 °F in the winter and software on the computer. Bring along the computer 60-70 °F in the spring, so bring a variety of system maintenance or operating system disk if possible. clothes. You should note that most Spanish • Computers should be insured for the full value (including any peripherals, modem, CD ROM, etc.), under your buildings are not heated as much as American family’s general household policy or a specialized student buildings, so you will probably find yourself insurance policy. Check with companies such as wearing sweaters both indoors and out during Safeware ( www.safeware.com ) or National Student the colder season. Services ( www.nssinc.com ) for specialized coverage. • A security kit is essential due to the possibility of theft. A

4 Boston University Study Abroad Burgos wide variety of kits are available through companies such Please check the BU Study Abroad Burgos as Kensington ( www.kensington.com ) or Targus website for more information on what to bring. (www.targus.com ). • You’ll need an adapter to fit the Spanish wall jacks. You can ask about this at your local electronics store or www.bu.edu/burgos/before-arriving-to-burgos buy one in Burgos at low cost. • Check whether your computer has a built in transformer which can handle voltages of 110 (US) to 220 (Spain)— most newer computers are equipped with this. If your computer does not have a transformer, you may purchase Money Matters one in Burgos. • If in doubt, consult your computer’s manufacturer or the instruction manual for information on using your PROGRAM FEE computer abroad. For information about the program fee and personal • Make sure that you are entirely familiar with the workings budgeting guidelines visit: www.bu.edu/abroad/aid of your computer and software, as the Burgos office does /finances.html . not have a technical or computer support department. • You must ensure that your computer is loaded with Room and Board up-to-date anti-virus software. Boston University Your room and board bills will be paid on-site by the students can either visit the Boston University website to resident director. Students will live in a residence hall and download free software for both Mac and PC laptops, share a double with a Spanish student. You will receive a which is available at www.bu.edu/tech , or visit Common small stipend to cover bus transportation throughout the @ Mugar to configure their laptops. Visiting students city. You will receive a small stipend to cover dinners out on should consult with the computer/technology support Saturdays. department at their home institution. You can also search Web sites for free anti-virus programs or purchase your Field Trips and Program Activities own software. You are expected to participate in all orientation and field • Don’t have your parents send you a laptop as it can trip activities, the costs of which are covered by the program get caught up in Customs. and are not refundable. The schedule for these activities varies and is at the discretion of the resident director. PRESCRIPTIONS AND DRUG STORE ITEMS You should be sure to bring copies of prescriptions for any CURRENCY medications you may need and for glasses or contact lenses In January 2002, most of the member states of the if you wear them. Since medications tend to be expensive in European Union, including Spain, began the changeover to a and because it can be difficult to get the appropriate common currency, the euro. The advantage of the common equivalent medication, we recommend that you bring an European currency is that you will be able to use the euro in adequate supply of whatever medications you may need many countries all over Europe (with the exception of the while abroad. Any medications you bring should be in the UK and Denmark) without worrying about exchange rates original, properly labeled bottles. Your insurance provider and bank fees. may require a copy of your itinerary in order to cover the cost of filling a prescription for the entire time you will be in Burgos. BANKING Past students have suggested adding a parent or relative to You should also bring an extra pair of glasses or contact your US bank account and/or credit card so that they can lenses if you wear them, and any preferred brands of over- pay bills, make deposits, or check balances for you in the US the-counter drugs. If you plan to open an account overseas, check with your bank as to who its foreign affiliates are and ask for a letter of MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS introduction. You will want to wait until you arrive to open • Sewing kit—bring a small one; it will prove useful. an account so you can choose a convenient bank. In the • School supplies—you’ll find the supplies you need in past, semester students have not thought it necessary to Burgos, and it’s much easier to purchase them in open accounts. Burgos than to bring those materials with you. • Camera, film, batteries—be sure to bring a camera. You Expect more limited banking hours than you are used to at may wish to bring film and batteries since they may be a home; banks are only open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday little more expensive overseas. through Friday.

www.bu.edu/abroad 5 separate from your wallet. That way, if your wallet is stolen How much will I spend? or you face identity fraud, you have the information from Depending on your standard of living and how your cards. much traveling, shopping and dining out you do, expenses (exclusive of tuition, room, and CASH board covered by the program fee) will vary. In the past, students have spent $1,500–$3,000 The obvious danger of losing your cash or having it stolen does not make this a good option for large sums of money. per semester. Keep in mind that your buying No student should ever keep large amounts of cash in power is directly related to the strength of the his/her room or on his/her person. dollar. Cash for Arrival You should plan to exchange $50–$100 into Euros before ATMs you leave so that you will have money to use when you first Many students now rely on a combination of an ATM card arrive in Spain. Small denominations are best. You may also and a credit card. Remember to bring both types of cards want to keep some US currency, especially for your return with you, as your ATM card will be useless if it becomes trip. demagnetized, damaged, or lost. With your ATM card from home, you will be able to withdraw funds from your US checking account. Although there will be a fee for each transaction at another bank’s ATM, you will be charged the Arrival bank’s exchange rate in effect on that day, which is typically better than the one used for normal currency exchanges. US banks vary widely in the charges they attach to foreign ATM TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS withdrawals. Shop around before leaving and consider moving your account based on what you learn. Your program fee includes round-trip airfare from a designated city, usually New York/JFK. You should have Money deposited into your US bank account during the received separate information regarding flight arrangements normal working day is typically updated on the US bank’s by e-mail. If you are traveling with the group, you must computer at midnight that day, which means you cannot contact the travel agency directly to make your reservations; withdraw money until the Spanish bank’s computers have we cannot do this for you. similarly updated their records at midnight the following night—in other words, there will generally be a delay of two Upon arrival at the airport, students should immediately business days before you can access those funds. Details for check in and proceed through security to their departure using ATM cards abroad vary from bank to bank. For some gate. No one will meet students in the US prior to departure. banks, you will need to inform them that you plan to use your ATM card abroad so that bank officials can allow The group will be met at the airport, after obtaining luggage overseas card transactions. Be persistent in finding out and going through customs, by BU program staff and information on service fees and restrictions. together will board a bus that will take them directly to Burgos. If your ATM Personal Identification Number (PIN) is not four Early Arrivals digits long, change it to four digits before you leave the US To receive authorization to arrive before the start date of the Many European machines cannot accept a longer PIN, and program, students must notify BU Study Abroad in writing many ATM keyboards may not have letters indicated. of their travel plans. This information is needed in order to make sure all students are accounted for. BU does not Credit Cards provide housing for early arrivals. Credit cards are a very good emergency money source. Late Arrivals and Early Departures Holders can get cash on the spot from participating banks. Late arrivals are not permitted. Should your flight be Don’t forget to bring your PIN. VISA and Mastercard are delayed, please call Dr. Perez-Juez’s cell phone (011-34-679- more widely accepted than American Express and Discover. 417-741) or our Boston office (617-353-9888), depending on the time of day. Photocopy both sides of your credit cards and ATM cards in case they are lost or stolen. Leave one set of photocopies with a relative or friend in the US, and keep one with you,

6 Boston University Study Abroad Burgos RESIDENCE HALL On-Site Contacts Meals Dr. Amalia Perez-Juez will oversee all All meals will be at the residence hall. There are also cafete - academic, financial and student services rias in the university with reasonable prices. You will receive issues. Ray Green, Resident Director of the BU a small stipend to cover dinners out on Saturdays. This will Madrid Program, will also be available at the give you the opportunity to explore Burgos and try the local Madrid office for all students. cuisine.

Shower or Bath All the rooms in the residence hall have bathrooms and Early departures from the program are also not permitted. showers. Students cannot leave until their last final exam and they may not request to take exams earlier in order to leave early. Going Out and Coming Home You are free to come and go as you would be on the Boston If you arrive earlier than the official arrival date and/or stay University campus, but we ask you to be respectful of your later than the official departure date, you will need to make roommate. It is very important to let the resident director your own housing arrangements. You can e-mail the know if you are leaving for the weekend or overnight. program director for suggestions. Property Damage You are responsible for the repair or replacement of any ORIENTATION damage to the residence hall. Boston University declines all responsibility. Failure to settle these charges with the A four day onsite orientation begins on Arrival Day and lasts residence hall prior to departure from the program site will throughout the weekend. The orientation activities will result in appropriate charges being assessed to your Boston introduce you to your surroundings and the expectations of University student account. It may also result in your the program. You will also become familiar with the city of inability to register for courses; inability to have grades Burgos and its major cultural attractions. The local staff will assigned; transcript holds; and delays in processing financial help you during this period of adaptation to your new aid awards for future semesters. surroundings. Orientation will also include a brief intensive language orientation. LIVING WITH A SPANISH FAMILY Meals You will receive three meals per day, a small breakfast, lunch Housing and dinner. If you have a class or will not be home for meal time, you have the right to request a bag lunch to be substi - tuted for the missed meal. If you don’t plan to eat at home, HOUSING ASSIGNMENTS be sure to tell your host family so that they can make Students live in the residence hall with a Spanish roommate. arrangements. You will receive a small stipend to cover Students with dietary restrictions must contact Dr. Perez- dinners out on Saturdays. Juez ro discuss arrangements. Property Damage One of the best aspects of the Burgos program is living in a You are responsible for the repair or replacement of an student residence hall because it gives them the opportunity household item you damage or destroy. Boston University to interact with college-age Spaniards and become more declines all responsibility. Failure to settle these charges involved in UBU student life.

Students will be sharing double rooms with a Spanish Living with a Roomate student. Each room has its own bathroom. These dormito - Remember that although you will be a paying ries have all the facilities that the student will need. Boston guest, it is best not to think of your Spanish University in Burgos will make monthly payments to the home as a hotel. Rather, think of yourself as a university. Students are expected to abide by all UBU guest or boarder. Keep your room neat, make housing rules and regulations regardless of what their home your bed, clean up the bathroom after using it. school policy may be. These may include absence and guest These may seem like obvious points, but they policies that you are not accustomed to. do mean a great deal to the people with whom you will be living. Get to know your roommate.

www.bu.edu/abroad 7 with your host family prior to departure from the program ages. For those students interested in the origins of site will result in appropriate charges being assessed to your humanity, in Atapuerca, a city very close to Burgos, the Boston University student account. It may also result in your oldest fossil remains in Europe of hominids have been found. inability to register for courses; inability to have grades assigned; transcript holds; and delays in processing financial aid awards for future semesters. SPORTS Students at the University of Burgos will have access to its Personal Property Insurance gym facilities and sports teams. Students can also join other Each student is encouraged to review his or her family’s gyms for about the same price as it costs in the US. personal property insurance coverage. Boston University or Moreover, the city of Burgos has many public parks with any of its officers, agents, or representatives shall not be city-owned recreational areas. liable directly or indirectly for loss and/or damage to personal property by fire, theft, or other cause. TRANSPORTATION: GETTING AROUND BURGOS The city of Burgos has a good public transportation system. Life in Burgos However, the need for public transportation will be minimal considering the size of the city itself and the extensive pedestrian walkways. Expect to do a lot of walking while in FOOD AND DINING Burgos, so bring comfortable shoes. Typical Spanish food includes fresh vegetables, meat, eggs, Burgos also has an extensive network of bike paths and a chicken and fish cooked with olive oil. Breakfast generally free, easy-to-use bike rental system sponsored by the consists of a light meal of coffee, bread and ham, or government. crackers. A substantial meal is eaten at about 2 p.m., usually including a soup, salad, fish or meat, side dish and then fresh fruit. Dinner is eaten around 9 p.m. Local Transportation While abroad, you should remember that public transporta - If you dine out, keep in mind that service is slower and tion is the way the great majority of local residents get begins later than to that which you may be accustomed; around their town and country, and so it should be a part of you’ll need to request the check in a restaurant. Restaurants your experience as well. For that reason, and for reasons of will not serve dinner before 8:30 p.m. Also, the customary safety, we strongly discourage students from renting amount for tipping is only 5-10%, and 10% is considered automobiles or other motorized vehicles while abroad. If quite good. Tipping is not necessary at cafés and bars. your cultural reimbursement activities involve travel, you may not rent a car or other motorized vehicles for that purpose. Travel costs are not covered in the cultural SHOPPING reimbursement program. Businesses are open six days a week from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and then from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. During lunch time MAIL (approximately 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.), everything closes, except large department stores. Sending Packages Having a package sent to you is not recommended. Customs problems almost always arise and students usually have to ENTERTAINMENT pay some kind of duty. If someone needs to send you a The city of Burgos offers a varied amount of culture and package while you are in Spain, we recommend that it be entertainment. There are museums, theaters, movie sent by airmail. If you are in a big hurry to receive theaters, cafés, bars, clubs, etc. Burgos is also well located in something, DHL and Federal Express as well as other courier terms of travel. Travel to , San Sebastian, services ship to Burgos. and Madrid is very easy from Burgos. E-mail Boston University students can continue to use their Boston MUSEUMS AND HISTORICAL SITES University e-mail addresses. Visit www.bu.edu/pcsc/email /remote for instructions. Non-Boston University students Burgos is home to many medieval historical sites with one of who know the POP address of their home institution may the best and well-known Gothic cathedrals in the country. also continue to use their same address from that home Moreover, over time, its location on the Pilgrim’s Road to institution. Students can also use Hotmail, Yahoo, and Santiago has filled the city with churches, hospitals, and similar web-based e-mail accounts. many other important, historical buildings since the middle

8 Boston University Study Abroad Burgos MEDIA “The old ‘keep an open mind’ is easier to talk about Newspapers and other Publications before you realize that the food you just ordered is We recommend reading Spanish language publications to black squid that you're actually supposed to eat. But improve your comprehension. Spain has several newspapers ABC , El País , El Mundo and weeklies Cambio 16 and Tiempo . as the Spaniards say, Venga!” Newspapers include a guide for the weekend.

Television and Radio There are many TV stations in Burgos which offer news, Note for non-BU students: Your home university may cancel current affairs, sports, sitcoms, soap operas, and dramas. your account because you are on a leave of absence during There are also a number of radio stations offering everything your semester abroad. It is your responsibility to make from classical music to contemporary pop/rock. arrangements with your home university to keep your e-mail account open while you are away for the semester. BURGOS HOTELS AND HOSTELS In most cases, no overnight guests are allowed in the Address All Mail: residence halls. If friends or family members plan to visit you during the semester, please check with the Burgos staff; they Name of Student would be happy to provide you with more information on Spring 2010 local accommodations. c/o Boston University in Burgos Despacho 0062 Accommodations in Burgos range from cheap (30 euros per Facultad de CCEE y Empresariales night for a hotel or 15 euros for a hostel), to moderate (60- c/ Parralillos s/n 90 euros per night), to expensive (100 euros and higher per 09001 Burgos night). SPAIN OUTSIDE OF BURGOS PHONES There will be some opportunities for you to travel outside of Burgos during the semester through program field trips. You Telephone Information may also have some long weekends to do some traveling on Long distance phone calls can be easily be made from your own, but remember—your travel plans must not telephone booths or locutorios. The simplest means of conflict with your academic requirements. calling home would be to use a calling card or calling collect. When traveling outside of Burgos, always check with the Public pay phones are abundant in Burgos. There are also Resident Director and travel.state.gov for recommendations “locutorios” from which you can make international calls. In about what to expect at your destination or en route to it. Spain you can dial “1003” for directory assistance and “010” for information concerning Burgos. Telephone cards for use Intra-Spain Travel in public phones can be purchased easily in Burgos and can RENFE is the Spanish equivalent of Amtrak. RENFE offers be used for local or international calls. discounts to students, as well as a pass which gives you an additional discount over a two-month period. Depending on Cell Phones when you travel, some days are more expensive than others, Students are encouraged to buy cell phones in order to be and the schedule can be irregular. Be sure to obtain a available in case of emergency. Mobile phones are relatively calendar of “white” days and “blue” discount days from the inexpensive in Spain, especially those that work like pre-paid RENFE office. You also may wish to travel by bus. It is less phone cards. More information on cell phones will be given expensive than the train and reaches any city in Spain. You during orientation in Burgos. will receive more information about travel in Spain during the orientation in Burgos.

www.bu.edu/abroad 9 Names and Numbers Emergency Telephone Numbers Students experiencing any kind of emergency while overseas should contact Professor BOSTON UNVIERSITY STUDY ABROAD Amalia Pérez-Juez. BURGOS c/o Boston University in Burgos Emergency contact number Professor Amalia Despacho 0062 Pérez-Juez: 011-34-679-41-7741 Facultad de CCEE y Empresariales c/ Parralillos s/n Parents who need to contact their son or 09001 Burgos daughter overseas in an emergency should first SPAIN call him/her on his/her cell phone or at the Phone: 011-34-679-41-7741 dormitory. If s/he can’t be reached there, the parent should contact Professor Amalia Pérez- Amalia Perez-Juez, Director of Studies Juez directly. E-mail: [email protected] There is a six hour time difference between Ray Green, Resident Director (Madrid) Burgos and Eastern daylight time. E-mail: [email protected]

OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS Advantage Travel Phone: 315-471-2222

Susan Gordon E-mail: [email protected]

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All of the foregoing information is subject to change without notice.