Por favor, no toca la fruta!

Por favor, no toca la fruta!

During my time in Spain I have learned quite a few things about the culture and the people here. Unfortunately not all of these life lessons came so easily. Here are a few things you should avoid when traveling abroad:

1. Don’t touch the fruit: I know it seems strange to Americans, but in Spain touching the fruit at a supermercado or a fruteria is extremely rude. It is much more appropriate to tell the sales person what fruit you would like (and how many) as well as how ripe you would like the fruit to be. For example: I would like two peaches that I will eat today. If you are in a supermercado that doesn’t have someone working the fruit counter, you need to get the plastic gloves out of the box and pick your fruit that way. Don’t spend 20 minutes touching every piece of fruit in the crate, just grab one and put it in the bag. Also normally there is a station to weigh and pay for fruit that isn’t part of the normal super market cashier lines.

2. Don’t buy bottled water: It’s a little insane, but the wine here is cheaper than the bottled water. That’s not to say you should be buying wine all the time, I just mean that the bottled water is very expensive. Luckily Spain has great tap water and I have had no problem drinking water from the sink. I bought one bottle of water at the beginning of the trip (realized how expensive it was) and have been filling it up in sinks and water fountains ever since.

3. Learn to express your preferences: I know it may be tough, but you need to learn right away when to say no and when to compliment your host families’ cooking. Obviously tact is important in situations like these, but it’s important that you work to make your stay in Spain the best it can be. Your host families want you to be happy, and more than likely they will bend over backward to make sure you’re comfortable. Express how fantastic a dish tastes if you really like it and tell your mom when you’re not hungry so you don’t feel obligated to eat if she hands you food. Although it is important to stay gracious and polite, it is also important to make sure you are happy and healthy when you’re here. If that means asking for more vegetables and less fried food at dinner, it is more than likely that your host family will be happy to oblige.

4. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: okay so this really means don’t put all your money in one place. Money ettiqute is tough when your abroad. It’s easy to spend more money than you think especially when the exchange rate is so bad. Here are a few tips to help you budget your money so that it lasts:

a. Put your money in different places. Keep some in your room, some in your purse, and some secret stash in a safe place of your choosing. I had the unfortunate experience of getting robbed in Pamplona. Do yourself a favor, when you travel, split up your money as well. When the guy took my wallet, I pretty much had nothing left for the rest of the trip.

b. When you withdraw money from an ATM, withdraw as much as possible. Every time you take out money from an ATM your bank, and the bank in Spain, charge a transaction fee. You don’t want to be charged this fee more than a few times if you can avoid it.

c. Use cash, not credit cards. It is the same theory as before, but every time you use your credit card you are getting charged an extra fee for the transaction. For big things this fee is probably not a big deal, but you don’t want to get charged a one euro transaction fee every time you buy a 2 euro cup of coffee.

5. Find the closest Laundromat, and use it: it’s not your senoras fault. Cursos Internacionales has rules for host families. One of those rules is that host moms must charge 12 euros for every load of laundry the do for a host student. Translation: 18 dollars for every load of laundry. That is crazy and impractical. It’s not your host mom’s fault, she’s required to abide by the rules, but I promise she won’t be offended if you go to the nearest Laundromat and get all your laundry done for 6 euros. It just makes better sense.

Okay those are a few things that I had to learn the hard way. Hopefully I can save you the trouble of having to go through them too. Most importantly though, make sure you have a fun time in Spain and keep an open mind. If you are ready to listen, learn, and have fun, you will have one of the best experiences of your life.

Do's and Don'ts of Studying in Spain by Addy VanSledright

Here are my do's and don'ts for future students studying in Salamanca:

DO come prepared. Research Salamanca before you come, and anywhere else you might want to visit. Looking up restaurants or places you want to visit may help you to not feel so lost your first few days/weeks.

DON'T pack heavy: by this I mean two things: 1. Don't pack a lot of clothes. During July and August Spain has really good sales, or as they call them "rebajas." Plus you'll be buying a lot of souvenirs for yourself, family, and friends. Having to lug an over-weight suitcase home is not very much fun. 2. Don't pack heavy clothes-one light sweatshirt and pair of jeans is about the heaviest clothes that you will need. It is always sunny and hot in Salamanca!

DON'T forget the little things. Things like q-tips (which I forgot), aloe vera for sunburns, medicines (from basic stuff like ibuprofen or your allergy medicine. A copy of your passport is a good thing to remember as well.

DO be careful with your valuables. Always carry a copy of your passport, not the real thing. Don't carry too much money with you, and if you don't need your credit card, leave it at home (host parents home). Always keep track of all of your valuables that you have with you-camera, wallet, cell phone, etc. My second day in Spain I left my camera in a taxi in Madrid. Not so smart.

DO save up for excursions. We don't receive much information about excursions before we come to Salamanca, but there will be excursions and some of them you may have to pay for. I had to choose between to because of money reasons and it wasn't very fun. So save up and put away a couple hundred euro for extra trips you may want to make.

DON'T be afraid to talk. Learning to speak Spanish is why your here so don't be afraid to get out there and speak up, even if it is wrong. I went a couple weeks being too afraid to talk to my Señora and now I wish I would have spent more time talking to her, in Spanish of course.

DON'T spend too much time missing home/family/friends. We all have family and friends that we left behind and miss, but if you spend all your time missing them or spend all your time Skyping or on Facebook, you'll miss out on what Salamanca has to offer.

DON'T be afraid to try something new, especially food. Everything will be different than what we are used to, and that's a GOOD thing. Be a different person here-talk to people, try every food you see, go on a paddle boat ride. All these are memories you will cherish and will change
you forever.

DO take pictures of everything. Where you live, where your classes are, your host family, things you see every day but don't think about. And of course, take pictures of the beautiful places you go as well.

DO remember to enjoy being here. Studying abroad is stressful, but enjoy every second of it!

Salamanca Survival Guide

· Don’t bring rain gear!

o “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain” = true statement

· Eat everything! (Meat as well!)

o Before coming to Spain I was a vegetarian (as were many other Ann Arbor folk). However, most of us decided to let loose for this trip. If you haven’t eaten meat in a while, I suggest you start practicing in the U.S. so you don’t have stomach issues while abroad. The best ham in the world is here, as well as many other meat dishes – you don’t want to miss out!

· Clothes to bring

o People generally are a little dressier for class everyday. Jean shorts probably aren’t necessary. Being a girl, I wish I brought more sundresses because it is all I wear here. Also, you will go out a lot! Bring fun clothes to dance in.

· Comfortable shoes are a must

o You will easily walk at least 6 miles everyday.

· Bring tissue packets

o Many of the public restrooms will not have toilet paper. This will save you.

· Bring hand sanitizer

o Many of the public restrooms also will not have soap.

· Don’t travel every weekend

o There are a lot of cool things to do in Salamanca, and the weekend is a great time to get to know people here as well. Check out the market on Sundays or head to one of the many museums. A day trip to go hiking around the mountains close by is fun too.

· Exercising outdoors

o First of all, beware of the heat. Running between 1:00 and 6:00 can be dangerously hot. However, running is great for getting to know your way around the city. I recommend running with a friend/map until you feel comfortable though!

· Talk to your Señora

o You will learn so much just sitting in the kitchen talking to your Señora in Spanish and watching/helping her cook!

· Spend time with your new friends

o Housemates, classmates etc.

· To all you girls, do not walk home alone! It is better to spare a few bucks for a taxi than risk getting mugged.

· 6 a.m. is the most dangerous time of day. If walking to a bus for an excursion, meet a friend or take a cab.

· Take the drink coupons from the people in the plaza.

o Drinks are expensive and with these it is possible to get free drinks all night! (Remember not to have too much fun, you are still in a foreign country).

· Don’t bring credit cards with you at night, only cash.

o People have been pick-pocketed at clubs

· Bring a purse that zips/goes across your shoulder.

· Take your siestas!! (Try not to sleep for hours though, a Spanish siesta actually only lasts between 20 minutes to an hour tops)

· Be open-minded to the new culture you will be apart of.

o Be respectful. Take the time to learn the correct way to sit and order food at a restaurant.

· Don’t forget to say goodbye to the people and places that you see everyday.

· When in doubt, just do it. Don’t hold back, you are only here once!

Spain will drive you insane if you do or don’t do these thangs!..

DO’s:

Pack comfortable shoes:

Many people make the mistake of wanting to “fit in” and wear the “hottest fashions” here in Spain. I get it. But let’s be real, we’re students from U of M! Isn’t our motto dress for comfort? Imagine walking the campus at school in some flip flops or flats or even heels about two/three times. Yeah that’s how much walking you’ll do in Spain, especially your first week so please realize, cute isn’t always “cute.” Dress for you.

Make a “To-Do” List:

This is quite possibly the best thing I have done for myself here. The more I hear people say that there is so much to do but not enough time, I simply think of, “The List.” It helps to plan and organize so that way you’re not running around Spain, looking like a tourist, while you have five million things bouncing around in your head about where to go/do next. The List will help you to inform friends about your plans ahead of time. Believe me, you won’t regret it.

Try new foods:

Yeah so the food here is “different,” “weird,” “lacks taste,” etc. I’ve heard it all. I am not saying none of these things are true but venture out! Give new foods a chance. You will be utterly surprised at the things that you’ll like. I couldn’t begin to tell you how many things I’ve seen on a menu and have had translated and instantly think, “I’m not trying that!” But of course, I do. Why not? We are college students in Spain! Live it up.

Make the most of your Last Days:

So the time of departure is arriving rather fast and you are either very excited, in between, or could give two shits less. It doesn’t matter! How often do college students get a chance to travel outside their country? Not a lot, so whatever you didn’t get to do on that list, hop to it! If you don’t you’ll be sitting on the plane regretting all of things you didn’t get a chance to do because then you’ll realize (of course when it’s too late) that you missed out on doing something great!!

Mingle with the locals:

These locals… are something else. I guarantee the majority of the time you will dislike them. MUCHO! They seem rude, pushy, and they stare but if you actually talk with them, they might just shock you. Anytime you get a chance to go out with a local gang, do it! They will show you all the hot spots such as, tapas/bars, clubs, great stores, and great personal stories as well as the history of Spain. I am still shocked at how much they know about their country. Some of us Americans can’t even name the capitals of half of the States!

Nap when possible:

I’ve never been a big napper but the first week I was Homer Simpson. I felt like I couldn’t do anything! I slept for hours during siesta and the sad part about my experience was that I never fully adjusted to the time difference! Granted, I went to bed between 1-2a EVERY night and after the first week, hardly ever took a nap. Please take advantage of this anti-American specialty.

Research excursion options:

Do your research before you choose an excursion! Regardless of what people tell you to do or what your friends tell you is best. Please look for yourself and do what you think will be the most fun for you. My mom bought me a guide book which I brought with me to the excursions. On the bus ride to our destination, I would read more about what was in store. After we received the handouts of what we will be doing, I figured out where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do and wrote it all down. As a bonus I also listed some interesting facts about certain landmarks as well.

Venture OUTSIDE the Michigan group:

This is by far one of the best pieces of advice I can give. Sadly, I did so too late. There are some really cool, interesting, and more importantly, welcoming people out there who would love to get to know you! Learning about another person’s culture is one of the richest experiences one can have so please, please take advantage and get to know other people outside the program.

DON’T:

Pack a lot:

I don’t really even know what to say about this one. It is pretty self-explanatory but definitely the Rule of Thumb. Again, I learned the hard way. And if you have to travel by yourself and you have three pieces of luggage, you might want to rethink your travel plans. Take little and bring back more! You will be more than happy you did this. Plus, you won’t have to worry about spending money to send “extra” things home, like clothes for example. Trust me, it is a hassleeee!!!

Go out every night – spend time with your host family:

They will really appreciate you for it. Obviously everyone likes their alone time but if you put in an extra effort to get to know them, they will do the same. They will also be willing to really try and accommodate your needs. They usually do this anyway (mine does!) but it’s just basically just being a polite guest in someone’s home for over a month!

Turn down invitations:

Go out when possible! If someone invites you for tapas, join them! A movie in Spanish, go and decipher it together! It is just such an experience to get a chance to try new things with people who wish to experience the culture as much as you want to. Obviously, not every night but take advantage of this great opportunity!

Count down the days:

The days here go by fast enough! I understand people get homesick (I have as well) but enjoy yourself as much as possible. You’ll be surprised how fast the time goes.

Be afraid to ask for help:

I hear a lot of students are afraid to do this and I don’t understand why. I’ve been lost a few times and each time I feel horribly lost, I simply ask a local. And just an fyi, they are more than happy to help! It makes them feel needed and in charge. J Who doesn’t like that?

Feel self-conscious when the locals stare:

Here in Spain staring is normal and a common practice, so don’t take offense or feel too uneasy or threatened when someone stares at you for over 10 second. Clearly this breaks the “American Rule” where staring is considered rude, awkward, and 10 seconds is way too long! It is an uncomfortable feeling. Some grow accustom to it, others don’t. Just don’t feel like something is wrong with you. They just know that you are not from around here.

Put yourself last:

Okay, okay. I understand shopping for loved ones is a must and commonly in America is a common practice to show others that you are thinking of them and care enough to spend extra cash on them (not to mention Euros!). But don’t be afraid to pick up something for yourself that you like during a souvenir shopping spree. Family, close friends, etc. are all very important and if that love for them is truly shared, they will understand if they receive a gift from you after you have helped yourself as well.

Wait/depend on others. If you want to do something, DO IT!!

This is a golden rule here so if you want to do something that your friends might not want to do, do it anyway! They always say don’t spend your life waiting so why waste a trip?

LIVE in Spain...Don't just be here.

Salamanca is a college study abroad student's dream come true: there are countless opportunities in this city to become friends with the local bar owner, chat with the ticket vendors that eagerly meander through the crowds of people in the Plaza Mayor at night, and immerse oneself in all aspects of the Spanish language. However, as enjoyable as this study abroad experience is, there are certain risks that we all take as foreigners learning the customs of a new country and the habits of its people. Let me begin with a video example of something we are all especially vulnerable to in public places:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9toPUlUoqzw

As you can clearly tell from this video, the Plaza Mayor can be a thieves’ paradise: there are countless numbers of tourists carrying several items on them at one time. It is extremely easy to forget one of your belongings on a bench, or a chair, or a table at which you were sitting, and even if you move away from your valuables for a few seconds, you may be surprised to find it missing the moment you return. One excellent piece of advice that Andy, our class B professor, gave us was that the afternoons (2:00pm – 6:00pm) may seem like the safest times on the streets because everyone is either inside their homes or working, but in reality, it is one of the most dangerous periods of time to wander the streets, simply because it is that much more tempting to put down your guard.

One common trend with the host mothers, or señoras, here in Salamanca is that they all lead very clean, disciplined lives. I would not normally consider myself a messy person, but I do tend to slack off sometimes when it comes to folding worn clothes and hanging them back up in the closet. During the first week, I would leave my socks sprawled across my bed and my jeans hanging from the nearest chair onto which I could fling them, and had a little taste of a tapa I like to call…karma. Milagros, my host mom, scolded me for three days and kept giving my room dirty looks every time she passed by it, claiming I was living like a “Gitano.” So, my advice to you would be to force yourself to fold your clothes and hang them up, and put your dirty socks and t-shirts in your laundry bag, no matter how late you come back from a night out and no matter how tempted you are to throw yourself on your bed and succumb to a deep sleep. If you don’t, you will be faced with an embarrassing lecture over the dinner table, this humiliation enhanced if you have housemates sitting with you listening to your chastisement.

Regarding the restaurants’ bathrooms here in Spain, the master rule is, if you use it you must pay. This does not mean that you must directly pay the restaurant owner to use his or her restroom; it simply means that if you have an uncontrollable urge to go, and you end up running in to the closest café or bar you can find, it is essentially an unspoken rule of etiquette that you should purchase something from the menu. I usually buy a Coca-Cola (I love drinking coke straight out of the glass bottles) or a small portion of food (a “pincho”). If you fail to purchase an item off of the menu, you will receive several uncomfortable glares from the workers, and you may even be called back in and awkwardly asked if you would like something. Another unspoken rule of restaurants is that you should never sit in one of their seats without ordering something. Again, if you use it, you must pay: sitting in one of their seats is considered a service here, and failing to compromise a restaurant’s service is also a very rude action.

BATHROOM ACCESS TO CLIENTS ONLY!

Also on the topic of restaurants, if you see a group of people already sitting at a table with a few empty seats, please do not sit in those seats...they may be saving them for other friends, and in Spain, once people have claimed a table, that table is theirs. There are probably many more seats available in the vicinity:

THAT IS THEIR TABLE

On the topic of spending money, during the month of July, the major stores in Salamanca have "rebajas" or sales. For the first week, prices are reduced slightly, but as the weeks pass, these rebajas become ever more tempting as prices are cut even lower (think Walmart rollbacks multiplied over and over). DON'T, if you are able to, buy anything in June; wait until the last couple of weeks in July to go crazy and buy twice the amount of clothes, jewels, and souvenirs with the same amount of money you would have spent a month prior. Even the Corte Inglés, a superstore which usually sells everything at twice the price but at a much higher quality than its competitors, has rebajas during July, and is an excellent place to shop for that posh European polo you've eyed all month.

Regarding the nightlife here in Salamanca, I personally would NOT recommend going to the Irish Rover. My friend Maurice went to the Irish Rover on July 4^th, and he lost the keys to his apartment during a dance competition there. I saw a girl get pushed by an intoxicated guy jumping off from the stage, her arms bloodied and bruised. I seem to get a headache every time I enter the club. So far, it has seemed as if the malignant aura surrounding the Irish Rover has swamped us all. It is also very difficult to dance in this club: the main floor is basically a narrow aisle filled with foreign study abroad students, and the DJ has absolutely no sense of timing when phasing songs in and out from one another. My recommendation would be to hit up Cum Laude, a great club with comfortable seating arrangements and quick service; Atahualpa, perfect for Thursday and Friday nights; and Gatsby (I’m actually biased towards this last place as I made friends with Frank, the ticket vendor to this club, in the Plaza Mayor one night). Nonetheless, you will have much more fun in these clubs than you will in Irish Rover…trust me.

¡QUÉ HORROR!

DO NOT just stay in Salamanca every weekend… TRAVEL as much as possible! In the words of Milagros, and of Coldplay, “¡Viva la vida!” Since you are in Spain, one of the most beautiful and historic nations in the world, take advantage of the paid excursions and indulge in as many trips as you like! Yes, Salamanca is a fantastic city and there is much to see, but six weeks in Spain without taking a trip to another region might be the worst choice one could possibly make while studying abroad here. Studying abroad does not just mean attending classes and receiving an A on every exam: it means putting yourself out there…see, do, travel! My favorite trip of all was the Andalucía excursion: I have always been fascinated by the strong influence that the Arab world has had on southern Spain, and the tours we took in Andalucía helped me quench this thirst for knowledge. We toured the historic Alhambra, had the chance to see Christopher Columbus’ tomb (I cannot wait to see the look on my history-buff-of-a-sister’s face once I tell her this), and the tombs of the kings and queens that dominated Spain’s history. I had always detested history class during high school, but seeing these powerful figures and buildings with my own eyes was such an awakening experience for me. If you spend all your time in a cyber-café chatting with your friends on FaceBook or Skype, you will be missing the precious opportunities you will have to see and do the things that will make this experience most memorable!

So to sum it all up, I would like to end with my favorite quote of all time: “Everyone dies, but not everyone lives.” LIVE in Spain, don’t just be here.

Dear Future Students,

You will love Salamanca. But, I can help you love it more:

Most importantly, do not take this trip for granted. Many will never have the opportunity to see Spain or any of Europe. There will be inconveniences while you are in Spain, but always remember to be thankful for being here and cherish all your experiences-the good and the bad.

Take advantage of the free opportunities in Salamanca! Jazz in the street, museums are free on certain days, theatre shows... There is a free newspaper called Gratis which is at the library and stands on Calle Toro and inside it outlines all the free expositions for the week.

Bring Kleenex - most public bathrooms will not have toilet paper.

The street signs are on the sides of buildings. If you are lost, ask someone where the Plaza is because everyone knows where that is and then you can reorient yourself.

Spain is HOT. You will get sweaty but can only shower once a day, so do not worry about doing your hair and looking your best. Your friends won't care.

Men can be creepy. Be smart and be aware, but don't let this stop you from going out. Walk with someone and watch your wallet and you will be fine.

Do not be stressed if you do not understand everything your senora says at first. I still don't understand everything. They will be patient with you. Talk as much Spanish as you can and you will improve! You can only learn so much from a classroom in the US about speaking the language. The real improvement comes from practicing with the native speakers, making mistakes, and learning from them. My senora and her grandson have taught me more than any class I've taken:

Get into the habit of doing things every day - exercising or going to a park to read or to a cafe. You will get bored if you stay at home all the time.

Explore! There are paddleboats and row boats on the river which are cheap to rent. There is a market on Sundays. and there are so many museums in Salamanca - from art to the history of automotion, there is something for everyone.

You will walk a lot so make sure you bring good shoes and band-aids in case you get blisters.

Travel - Europe has a great transportation system so utilize it for cheap flights, train tickets, and bus rides!

If you eat a big breakfast, you will not be full from eating at home, but you can always get a snack from the grocery store between classes.

Students from all over the world come to the University of Salamanca to study, so you have the opportunity to talk to people with many different perspectives on global issues. There is never an end to how much you can learn from other people here, so do not limit yourself to Americans.

The Plaza Mayor is simply stunning. Do not take it for granted.

Your professors are there to help. They know of great places for tapas and many other questions you may have, but do not forget to explore on your own.

Do not be frightened by "The Clapper".

And if you have any other questions, feel free to E-mail me :)

My Recommendations!

Hey!

So I am here to share with you some of my experiences traveling around Spain. I first just want to mention that if you have the opportunity to travel while you are in Spain you should. You will need to buy a plane ticket that will probably cost a decent chunk of change…so you are already in Europe. If you can travel DO IT! Before, after, during the program. Don’t let traveling get in the way of the reason you came to Salamanca, for class…

Don't travel by yourself. Travel with a friend, make a new friend that’s in the program and travel with them. If you can hit a few other countries while you are in Europe you should! My advice would be this: Travel to other countries before/after the Salamanca program, and travel to other sites/cities in Spain only after or during the program. The reason I recommend traveling around Spain after the program is because you will learn so much about Spain during your time in class, and in Spain in general. Talk to your host family, your professors (both your U of M ones and your cursos ones), they have a ton of information and generally know what they are talking about. Ask them where you should go, they will be able to help you out. They know what cities are close, what to do in that city, how to get there, and how to plan for it. If they don’t….they will know someone who can help you!

Me and my travel buddy in San Sebastian! Its awesome there!

So…Hit France, Germany, Italy, everything you want to see in Europe before your program and do all the Spanish cities during or after. I traveled to a few major Spanish cities (Barcelona, San Sebastian, and Madrid) before the program. I had a blast! It was definitely worth it to travel around while you can, while you are already in Europe! Think about it the next time you want to come back to Europe you will have to pay for another flight, why not just go when you are already here! It’s worth the planning.

I traveled before the program and that is why I want to recommend that if you can, you should travel to the Spanish sites/cities after. Other obligations prevented me from this but you will learn a ton while in Spain. You may learn what to do in each major city, where to go, what to eat, what the main dish of Madrid is, where to find the best food, when the Prado is free, what places are free for students with their student ID’s and a wealth of information that will aid you on your travels. Along with this I would advise getting an "horario" sheet from the tourism office. This will most likely be a plain sheet of white paper with black ink. Nothing fancy, thats the point, they don't want to tell you when the museums and cool sites are open for free. Just ask for one! Very helpful.

You may also be able to participate in an excursion to the very place you would have went before the program! These excursions are a great way to see various cities and they are included in your program fee so I would plan around those too! They are very economical but may seem slightly rushed. Everything in the excursion is included though, so with the tour of the city you will have already paid for the entrance fee into the main sites of the city.

Well that’s my take on traveling just be smart, plan wisely, and make the most of your trip to not only Salamanca, but also Europe. Think about it this way…When is the next time you will be back to Europe in a more or less worry free state? Do what you can now! Live in the present, travel, and enjoy every aspect you can. Soak it all. I was in Spain for two months…and I feel like I just blinked and it was over.

You are in Spain so do Spanish things! Don’t get sucked into hanging out with people that Speak English. This may be a little hard because well you are in a summer program and all the Spanish students are no longer in school and are on vacation.

Get into a routine but don’t be rigid about it! Make your routine flexible. Routines are good because it will help you adjust to the lifestyle but make sure you have periods where you can just go with the flow. Maybe you will go to the same coffee shop every morning for your coffee. This is a good way to get to know the workers and practice your Spanish. Here’s the twist, get something different every time you go… you are getting a different taste of Spain each day while still being in a routine. Like I said … be flexible! Don’t follow the group but be open to the group’s ideas. Mainly have fun!

Be patient. You are in a different country with different norms and a different way of life. Respect and embrace that, after all that is part of the reason you are in Spain, the culture.

Don't stay inside. Be open. Open to new ideas, new friendships, new customs, and new food! This is one of the best things you can do. Try new things. Be open. Go out and do! Don't stay inside, there is a whole city to explore! Don’t be a different person, know who you are but push your limits, try new things, expand your taste buds, and enjoy Spain in every aspect.

Studying abroad brings with it many things and in my opinion all of those things culminate into one thing; growth…which is always easier when you are open to new things!

Don't spend all your money once you get here! The good thing about being here in July is there are rebajas! All the clothing stores have sales all through July. If you can resist you should wait till the last week of July because they just keep cutting their prices and giving out more discounts as July goes on. Basically each week the rebajas get better. One word of caution though, they do this because they try to sell all of the stuff in their store so that one thing you really want may be gone if you wait till the last week.

Experience the culture through food. Tapas. Just do it. You may like a certain dish, dessert, or tapa, but try as many as you can! Then go back for your favorites!

Spend time at home. You don’t want to miss out on the chance to practice your Spanish with people that can help you. Talk to your host family, get to know them, ask them questions. A lot of them don’t speak English so it’s the perfect opportunity to practice Spanish, a great setting too. They know you are here to learn Spanish, so chat with them! They know the city too so inquire about the best place to get ice cream or what to do during free time.

Have a day where you don’t have anything planned and just explore the city!

Take pictures. Write everything down; where you go, what you do, who you were with, what you ate, what you drank…you will always have that photo of you and your friends in front of the big moments and tourists sites in Salamanca, but will you remember the little things? You should! The little things add up.

A few other quick tips:
• Don’t go to a café/bar that has wifi and expect to use it for free…you need to buy something.
• Don’t go into a restaurant and expect to use the bathrooms for free…you need to buy something.
• When you go to a restaurant/bar/café, water is not free, it is usually bottled and sometimes costs more than coffee, wine, or beer…if you want to ask for tap water its agua del grifo and they will only give it to you if you they want to…
• Don’t use “me gustaría” when you are ordering something at a restaurant, just say “dame”or “ponme”
• Limit the time you spend on the internet…you’re in Spain go have fun...

There is just so much to say! I enjoy talking about Spain and my experiences in the country. I am open to talking about it if you have any questions. If you are reading this blog then you must be interested! If you have any questions or just want to talk about how Spain was, what to do, etc, feel free to email me at mauhogan@umich.edu.

- Maurice