Introducción (Introduction)

During this summer, I will be studying abroad in Spain. I have chosen to write a blog so that my family back in the States can know what is going on. I'm also going to include how I got ready for my trip to Spain and what I researched before going for anyone who is interested or visiting Spain in the future.

I am studying in Segovia, Spain this summer with the KIIS program. This program
is an organization in Kentucky that has many different trips around the world. I chose to go on the KIIS Experience Spain II summer program, which requires students to have at least 18 hours of Spanish before going. (I have intermediate speaking and comprehending skills, having taken classes throughout high school and one year of college.) They offer four classes and students can take either one or two classes. I chose to take only one class on the Language and Culture of Spain so that I will have a little more time to explore.

This program is a home stay and so each student will be assigned a home with one to two other students. Each of the homes is somewhat close to the Plaza Mayor de Segovia (number 10 on the map), which is where the KIIS classes will be held.

There are about 4 or 5 different day excursions with the group to different locations near Segovia, including Salamanca, Madrid, Avila, and Toledo. We also have a four day weekend in the middle of the trip, during which we can travel wherever we want.

I hope this blog is helpful and interesting and I will continue posting other information I find about Segovia and Spain.

Los Teléfonos (telephones)

If you are planing on going abroad, make sure to check with your phone company to see what they offer when it comes to international service. Sometimes international texting, data, and calls are include in the plan while sometimes they aren't. When it comes to my plan, I had no international service provided and so I ended up purchasing a $30 plane from AT&T, which gives me unlimited texts abroad. My roommate's plan, however, included texting and data abroad so she didn't need to worry about that. 

Should you want to make calls to your family, you can use wifi using apps like Skype and FaceTime to communicate with family back home (which is what I am planning on doing). You can also get apps like Magicjack and WhatsApp, which can make calls through the Internet. (Be aware that MagicJack costs depending on where you are calling to and from). 

If you don't like either of these options, you also can purchase a SIM card from a local provider in Spain. Telefonica and Orange both sell them in their stores and you can get data, calls, and texts depending on what plan you purchase. You have to have them activated by a store attendant but you get everything you probably have with your plan back home. I believe these cost around $30 as well but I am not sure. To do this method, however, you must have an unlocked phone, with which you can change out the SIM cards.

Experience:

With the AT&T plan, I have been able to text my family back home with no problems. I can't send pictures or set up group messages unless I have wifi but I'm not upset about that at all. I'll actually be using WhatsApp to connect with a few of my friends here.

Update:

Having only texts works fine but sometimes I won't receive messages from those I am talking with until I get internet. They send through iMessage and since I can't get data here, it is a little frustrating.

Productos Electrónicos (Electronics)

One important thing to know if you travel to Spain is that the electrical outlet has a different shape and a different wattage. The prongs are rounded and the wattage used is higher than in the United States. Because of this, you will need an adapter and/or a converter to make sure you can plug your electrical products into these outlets.

 

iPad and iPhone chargers along with many computer and electroninic chargers are made to adapter the voltage of outlets around the world. If you chargers says that it works with 110-240V then you should be fine in Spain.

Hairdryers/Curling Irons are the things you have to worry about. If you don't have a good converter,  you could end up damaging your device or even setting something on fire. These devices use less voltage than those in Spain and when the higher voltage goes in them, some type of explosion is possible.

(I find it funny that Denamrks's outlet is so happy. They are supposed to be the happiest country in the world and even their outlets show it.)

Experience: 

My host mom had a multiple outlet plug. I had a simple adapter that fits fine in the outlet but my converter does not fit at all (thankfully I don't need it).

(Adapter is underneath the iPhone plug. My roommate has the larger one, which also can work in the UK and USA)

More Information: Electrical Plug/Outlet and Voltage Information for Spain (Reino de España)
Travel Power Adapters: How to Choose
Using Electronics in Europe: The Backpacker’s Guide to Travel Gadgets

La Ropa (Clothing)

Research:

People in Europe, including those in Spain, tend to have a higher standard of dress than people in the United States. Women going to the supermarket dress up and wear heels, looking like they are going to a fancy party rather than shopping for food. Because of this, sweatpants are not worn outside the house and gym shorts are only seen on those who are doing something sports related. Shorts in general are not as common. Most people will wear a dress or capris rather than shorts. Wearing shorts will oftentimes identify you as a tourists. (Note: If you try to visit a church in shorts, oftentimes they will turn you away.)

The types of shoes they wear are also different. Flip-flops are not worn and tennis shoes or sneakers are not common although some say that converse are the only acceptable type.  Most women will wear heels or nicer shoes so make sure that you have a nice pair of sandals or dressier shoes instead of sneakers.

For this trip, I have purchased a lot of dresses. I bought around 7 dresses with me. I also brought nicer pants that I could role up so that they could work as capris. I brought some nicer shirts to go with these pants. 

Experience:

 We walked around and I have seen people in shorts but a majority of women are wearing dresses. Many of the host moms that picked us up wore comfortable dresses and nicer shoes. My host mom wore a comfortable, informal dress and I felt like I fit in with my capris and shirt (although in the afternoon, this was hot and so I will probably not be wearing those unless it is cooler out). Although I have seen some jean shorts, I haven't seen any long jeans yet.

People hear primarily wear sandals. My Señora wore them to pick us up. I have also seen quite a few pairs of heels.