Frequently Asked Questions
LINKS TO OTHER FAQs
Travel to Salamanca
Travel from Salamanca to the airport in Madrid
Travel from Salamanca to other cities
BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE USA
1. Scan your
passport (bring one copy; leave one copy home)
2. Scan your credit
and debit cards
3. Call your credit
card and debit card companies to tell them you will be in Spain from May 21 to
June 26.
4. Be sure the
program director (Dr. Oliver) has your emergency numbers and cell phone number
Should I get a youth hostel membership? Probably yes. This will let you stay in youth hostels all over the world. They can be the cheapest accommodations for student travelers. See http://www.hiusa.org/
WHAT TO BRING
What we should bring with us?
Comfortable clothing.
Comfortable shoes for walking. Something to remind you of home and friends if you
get lonely.
What is the weather like in Salamanca in May and June?
Spain is
warm and comfortable in May and June, maybe a little hot. Be prepared for variable weather
in May, average 14 degrees C. June may be hot during the day and cool at night, average 18.4 degrees C.
How much we should pack?
As little as possible. One large suitcase
and one carry on like a backpack are sufficient. You have laundry facilities in
the dorm. You need to leave room to bring back souvenirs. It is better to buy
an extra cheap bag for the return than to carry two on the way over. Remember,
you have to lug these things around the airport, Madrid subway, train station, and Salamanca
unless you take taxis everywhere.
Do we need a computer?
A laptop computer is convenient
to use in Salamanca at the University. You will have access to cable and
wireless in the dormitory rooms. Computers are available in some dorm
rooms and in the computer center at the Neuroscience Institute.
Will we have computer access at the Neuroscience
Institute?
Yes
Do we need towels and sheets?
No
Do
we need to buy a plug/electrical converter? YES
You will need an adapter for the
plug. Spain uses two round prongs, not the standard US plug. USA
uses 120V but Europe mainland uses 220V. Most computers and phone chargers will be OK since they use 100-240V input to the transformer. You just need the plug adapter.
You also may need a transformer
to cut 220V to 110V for some devices like hair dryers. If your hair dyer only takes 110-120V it will fry if you do not use
a transformer. Check the input voltage range for your
appliances.
If so, where can they be purchased?
In Salamanca, they are 1€ at small electric shops. In the USA, go to Radio Shack; Best Buy, or
airports. Or other places on the web
See http://goeurope.about.com/cs/electricity/l/bl_electricity.htm
How much spending money we should bring?
This is a personal decision that
depends on how much shopping, traveling, and eating/drinking you plan to do outside the dorm.
Is food included in the bursar payment?|
Yes. Your food is included in
your room and board payment. But….You will need money to eat in restaurants or
tapas bars.
MONEY
You can use your ATM card and credit cards in Spain just like you do in the USA. You get euros instead of dollars. The fee for currency exchange is actually lower than if you go to a currency exchange booth. Because ATMs are so easy, there are now very few currency exchanges. There will be an ATM in the airport after you exit from the luggage pickup. Set up online banking so you can check your balance.
Be sure you have a backup plan in case a card is lost or stolen and you have to wait for a replacement. Be sure to tell your card companies and banks that you are traveling to Spain, so they won't think it was stolen.
Some travelers prefer to have a travel debit card that is not attached to a bank account. AAA offers one. Link to AAA card.
Travelers checks are still possible, but there are fewer places that will take checks instead of cash.
THE DORMITORY
Residencia San Narciso
http://www.residenciahelmantica.es/index_sannarciso.htm
Calle de Narciso nº 8, down the street from the Fonseca (Colegio Arzobispo Fonseca), 37007 – Salamanca,
Tfno/Fax: 923 261 943
residenciahelmantica@ono.com
When you arrive in Salamanca, take a taxi (or walk) to the dormitory. It works like a hotel. They will have your reservation and will check you in and give you keys.
What is the method of access to building and rooms?
They will give you an individual key for the room and for the
building so you can get in and out at anytime.
Can a friend or family member spend the weekend in the dormitory room?
Not really. After 23:00 non-residents
are prohibited in the rooms. So, unfortunately friends or family will have to
stay elsewhere.
Is there other security?
There is a receptionist during
the day and a security guard at night.
How does the food service work? Hours?
Cafeteria style service
breakfast 7:30-9:00 am, saturday and sunday 10:00 a 11:00
lunch: 13:30 - 15:00 pm
dinner 21:00- 22:30 pm
if someone needs to change the schedule it can be done if noticed in advance
How does the internet access work? Is there wireless?
The rooms have a PC and there is also a wireless
service. Their IT guys will set up your personal laptop if necessary.
Will the students have double or single rooms?
So far, there are single rooms free, so they can choose
to be single or share (The director should you provide a list ASAP, otherwise
they will have to go to double)
How are rooms assigned?
The director will provide a list.
How much does laundry cost there? Is there a place to
do it in the dorms?
I found at least one coin
operated laundry on Google. The web site for the dorm says that laundry service
is provided, but it is not self service. "Complete laundry
including (washed and ironed) for personal clothes and bed linen. We give back
your washed and ironed clothes to you." See: http://www.residenciahelmantica.es/index_sannarciso.htmThe cost is €30 for the five week period.
Coin Laundry on the street past H&M on the right: 3.15euro for wash and
3.15 for dry (the owner speaks English and is very helpful)
Walking Directions to Dormitory at Calle de Narciso, 8
37007, Salamanca, Spain from Salamanca Train Station. About 2.5 km (1.5 miles), 35 min.
Start address: Salamanca Train Station Calz de Medina 7
37004 Salamanca, Spain
End address: Calle de Narciso, 8 37007, Salamanca, Spain
Link to map:
Start at: Salamanca Train Station Calz de Medina 7 37004
Salamanca, Spain
1. Head southwest on Plaza de la Estación toward Calle de
los Zúñiga - 44 m
2. Continue on Paseo de la Estación - 0.6 km
3. Continue on Plaza de España/SA-804 - 63 m
4. At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit and stay on
Plaza de España/SA-804 - 0.1 km
5. Turn left at Calle del Toro - 0.5 km
6. Cross Plaza Major to opposite corner - 0.2 km
[the Google map does not know how to cross the plaza]
10. Continue past Burger King on Calle de Prior -
64 m
12. Cross street to Plaza de Monterrey - 10 m
13. Turn right at Plaza de las Agustinas - 79 m
14. Go up hill at Calle de Ramón y Cajal - 0.2 km
15. Turn left at Calle de Fonseca - 0.2 km
16. Continue on Calle de García Tejado - 0.2 km
17. Turn left at Calle de San Silvestre - 44 m
18. Turn right at Calle de Narciso Destination will
be on the right - 27 mArrive at: Calle de Narciso, 8 37007, Salamanca, Spain
Walking Directions to Dormitory at Calle de Narciso, 8 37007, Salamanca, Spain from Bus Station. 1.1 km, 14 minutes.
Estacion de Autobuses de Salamanca Avenida Filiberto Villalobos, 71 - 85 37007 Salamanca, Spain to Calle de San Narciso, 8 37007 Salamanca, Spain
1. Head southeast on Av de Filiberto Villalobos toward Calle del Candelario 600 m
2. Turn right at Paseo de San Vicente/N-620a/N-630 130 m
3. Turn left at Calle del Espejo 100 m
4. Turn right at Calle de García Tejado 230 m
5. Turn left at Calle de San Silvestre 44 m
6. Turn right at Calle de San Narciso Destination will be on the right 28 m
WHAT TO DO
Are there certain things or sites that you recommend
that we see / do?
Absolutely. The afternoon walk
around Salamanca is mandatory. Afternoon is until sunset at 10 pm.
For more ideas, see: http://www.spain.info/us/tourspain or http://www.aboutsalamanca.com/
What are tapas?
The tapa is the bar food
that comes with a drink. Tapas are a cheap way to eat in Spain, especially in Salamanca. The food is in
display cases on top of the bar. You order a drink and get something to eat
with it. Pointing is OK. The price depends on the drink more than the tapa. Dr. Oliver likes Zaguan and Ruta de la Plata for the ribs (costilla); Casa Paca for the selection and the marinated bonito tuna; Cafe Real for the pinco maruno.
Warning: in the more tourstic cities, Madrid, Seville, etc, you will pay more for tapas and they are usually not free with a drink.
What are the best local places in Salamanca (according to Aggie Stygares, 2010):
Tapas – Unamono, Bambu
Discotecas- Kandavia, Kubik
Restaurants/Cafes – Don Quixote, La Luna, Mandala, ice cream shops in the
plaza!
Bars- Calle Mayor (thurs 4euro open bar), Atahualpa, Ubelinda, La
Hacienda, La Chupiteria, Gatsby
Public Park on other side of the river from town, across the Puente de Sanchez Fabres (bridge) near the dorm, for tennis courts, track, soccer fields, etc.
OUT OF TOWN TRIPS
What are good ideas for weekend trips?
Long weekend: by bus: Barcelona and Seville; by train: Madrid (discotecas:
Kapital and Joy, museums: Prado and Reina Sofia) and Segovia also Lisbon,
Portugal
Day trips: Avila, Zamora
Hostels are cheaper than hotels. See:
http://www.hihostels.com/
http://www.hostelworld.com/
Hint: Join the Hostelling International USA before you depart the USA. http://hiusa.org/
Aggie Stygares, 2010, recommends:
In Madrid: Hostel Andorra, 20 euro a night for a four person private room and bathroom right on Gran Via.
In Seville, Hostel Urbany was 12 euro a night for an 8 person room or 16 a night for a four person room and this included free breakfast.
Book hostels and busses early, especially if you are travelling in a big group -- they do get sold out!
Helpful hint: Spanish travel agents may be able to get you a great deal in a hotel with discounts below internet prices.
BUS and TRAIN
For travelling to Avila, Madrid, Segovia, Valladolid the bus company is Auto-res
http://www.avanzabus.com/web/
For travelling by bus to Zamora there is a company called Zamora-Salamanca S.A., but for travelling there and to other destinations you need to buy the tickets directly in the bus station. Bus Station Salamanca Tlf.: 923 22 01 87
Finally, the website for the train services is http://www.renfe.es/
MONEY
How much do we need in our accounts to make up for the
exchange rate?
The US dollar is now worth less
than a Euro (€), the currency used in Spain. For the current exchange rate from
dollars to Euros, see: http://www.xe.com/ucc/
How should I exchange money in Spain?
Use a debit or credit card in an
ATM at a major bank. ATMs are everywhere, just like here.
CLASSES
What is our class schedule like?
Each class is Mon-Th.
See websites for lecture
schedule. Classes will be 2 hrs each. This year, Spanish is in the morning 9-11, the MEDS class is 12-14 (12-2 pm) and the PNB class at 16-18 (4-6 pm).
What is our schedule really like?
Sleep
Light breakfast of café con
leche and croissant 8-9
Big Spanish lunch in the
dorm cafeteria 14-16
Afternoon walk and tapas 18-21;
entertain visiting professors from Hopkins or UCONN
Note: Sunset will be around 21
Small dinner (if necessary)
after 21. Dinner in dorm is 21-23.
Disco and clubs open at midnight.
CELL PHONES
All students must have a cell phone that functions within Spain so that we can reach you. If you do not already have one that works in Spain, we will provide you with a cell phone in Salamanca. We already collected money for this in your fee.
Here is how it works, the Spanish phone has a SIM card with a spanish phone number. It is a pay as you go system. You buy more minutes at the phone store. Each card is for a specific network and the rates are set by the local network provider. Vodafone is the biggest provider in Spain, and they own Verizon in the USA. Movistar is another provider. There will be one rate for local calls in Spain and a higher rate for international calls. Usually there are plans with lower rates for the USA that you can buy when you get the phone.
Only GSM phones with SIM cards will work in Europe. This excludes most USA phones. Calls from these phones may not be cheap. Iphones and some Andorid phones can use WiFi and use Skype over WiFi. Be sure that your phone is unlocked if you want to buy a Spanish SIM card with a Spanish phone number. However, I do not recommend it.
Can I buy or rent a cell phone here to take to Spain?
Yes, but why bother? We will give you a phone. If you insist, see: https://www.piccellwireless.com Or http://www.isiconnect.ekit.com/ekit/home Or http://www.vodafonerental.com/
WARNING - A phone without a Spanish phone number may be a problem and only good for roaming calls. Spanish numbers have the +34 country code.
ALTERNATIVES TO PHONE FOR INTERNATIONAL CALLS
See http://www.skype.com/
You will have an internet connection in your room and if you have speakers/headset and microphone, you can use it to call the USA. Web cam works too.
USEFUL LINKS
Madrid tourist guide http://www.madrid-tourist-guide.com/
Spain tours: http://www.spain.info/us/tourspain
