PART 3: Health, Safety & Adjustment
BEFORE YOU COME
Make sure you complete the Medical Self Assessment in your participant portal and be honest about sharing any existing medical or mental health issues you may be concerned about.
MENTAL HEALTH
Experiencing another culture is an exhilarating but often stressful experience. If you have any history of mental health concerns, please keep in mind that going abroad can sometimes cause symptoms or conditions to worsen, even if temporarily. Some tips:
Make use of the resources available to you in the U.S. before you leave! For example, speak with a counselor or your university's student affairs office for resources.
Get enough medication to last your stay before you depart. See "Medicine & Vaccinations" below.
Read our section of onsite resources. You may want to go ahead and book an appointment with our onsite therapist or a Skype meeting with your therapist at home to help get you through the transition period of your first few weeks.
Most psychiatric medications have strong alcohol interaction warnings. Do not mix medications with alcohol.
MEDICINE & VACCINATIONS
No specific vaccinations are required for general travel to Spain. It is recommended that you make sure your standard vaccinations (including tetanus) are up to date before you travel.
Medication FAQs:
If you use any type of prescription medication, bring enough to last your entire trip, as well as an additional supply in case some are lost or your trip is unexpectedly delayed.
It is illegal to mail medication of any kind. If you run out of medication in Spain it will have to be prescribed by a local physician and filled here.
Carry your medication in your hand luggage or carry- on luggage (airline regulations permitting – check these prior to travel), and always in its original containers.
For some medications, you may need to carry a letter from your physician stating why you need the prescription medication. Bring along copies of your medical prescriptions as well, including the name of the active ingredient(s).
Some medications may not be available in Spain, so be sure to ask your physician for the generic name of your medication and an alternative in case you are unable to locate yours abroad.
Remember to always carry necessary medicines and medical equipment (needles, syringes, etc.) each in their original, correctly labeled packages.
Local pharmacies will provide all standard medications (ibuprofen, cold medicine, over the counter allergy medications, etc.), so you can get those things in Spain. More info on Pharmacies here.
The following are “International guidelines for travellers under treatment of controlled drugs” that may contain helpful information or this article from NYT about travelling with medication.
ALLERGIES
If you have an allergy, please be sure to disclose it on your medical evaluation in the student portal.
Based on different levels of Spanish proficiency, we advise that you make allergy translation cards for your stay here in Spain when you are on your own.
See here for an example: Custom Allergy Translation Card
While abroad, be vigilant about reminding waiters, staff, and host families about your allergy. You can't be too cautious!
STAYING SAFE WHILE STUDYING IN SPAIN
Read through our tips for staying safe while abroad.
You should also be aware of the resources available to you. Keep in mind that we offer:
Pickpocketing
While generally not violent, pick-pocketing is unfortunately a problem in Barcelona. During the Welcome Orientation you will be given tips on how to avoid this happening to you. In the meantime, you may want to purchase a pickpocket-proof backpack or bag for your trip.
What parents need to know: There is a fine balance between wanting your child to have the amazing experiences offered by study abroad, while not losing sleep at night. Finding the balance of ways to stay in touch without overwhelming your student is difficult. The best way to be sure your son or daughter is safe abroad is to review their health and safety plan, set up Skype or WhatsApp, and try to establish a routine for how and when to be in touch.
Adjustment
Living in Barcelona will definitely be different from what you're used to. You will be challenged in your day to day life and asked to leave your comfort zone. This process, which is natural when you go abroad, can be difficult. Adjusting to a new culture is not always easy, but it absolutely helps to know what to expect so that you can be prepared on how to react.
See below for some questions you should ask yourself before you go. One of our main goals is that you get to truly experience and immerse yourself in the culture and city of Barcelona while respecting the local customs and way of life.
Look at the questions below and answer them before you go abroad:
What expectations and pre-conceived notions do you have of Barcelona or Spanish culture?
How do you see yourself interacting with the culture in Barcelona in light of these expectations and pre-conceived notions?
What are some of your personal qualities or values that you hope might change as a result of this experience?
What do you hope to learn, and how do you envision the instructors and learning environments?
How do you feel about leaving home and campus?
What are you glad to be leaving behind?
What do you think you'll miss?
Imagine yourself after you return. What experiences will you want to share with your peers, your family, or a professor?
Here is a list of pages within our Barcelona Student Guide that we recommend you to read:
We also want to talk about some of the less obvious cultural and social differences you should prepare for. You all know by now that you will be experiencing a new culture, which means new norms and expectations. Here are 2 examples:
Everyday Attire:
In the U.S. it is somewhat acceptable to show up to class with sweat pants. However, in Barcelona, you hardly ever see Spanish people in yoga pants, sweatshirts, athleisure, etc. So, if your plan is to look like a local, you’ll need to get dressed in the morning. ;) One of our past participants said, "As Americans often run errands post-gym, I made this grandiose mistake after taking my 1st yoga class (in Spanish!) on a Saturday. In my yoga pants, bright pink shirt, bright green sneakers, and headband, I ventured through Plaza Catalunya and down Las Ramblas to La Boqueria for some fresh vegetables. I have never felt so out of place. Everyone else was in fashionable outfits, cute boots, fitted jackets, hair and makeup did. And then me, so typical American. I should have been cast out of the city like a Real Madrid fan."
See more about what locals wear in our packing section!
The Value of Time:
In Barcelona, the lifestyle is likely more relaxed than what you're used to, and spending time here will help you to learn the art of patience. Going to dinner with friends is never a quick meal; it usually lasts around 3-4 hours, starting at 10 and often going late into the night. Customer service is not considered to be as important, as wait staff in Spain don't work for tips like they do in the U.S., so you could be waiting for a bill or other assistance for longer than you're used to. Locals place lots of value on spending time with loved ones, which is why stores may close early during the week or remain closed on Sundays. This is something to not only get used to, but to embrace and apply to your own life in the U.S.
Other examples than can cause Culture Shock are: