Embedded Files
DO NOT MAKE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL PLANS the 100 days before study abroad. DO NOT plan independent travel before arrival. CLM trips are mandatory
In any language-immersion program, the goal is just that: immersion. We encourage students to limit travel outside of Spain. There is so much to see in Spain! If you get the 'travel bug', we encourage you to explore different regions of Spain before venturing further afield. !Ojo! We highly discourage booking personal travel before you arrive in Spain. During orientation, you'll find out about trips and excursions offered through your program, some of which are mandatory. Wait until you are on the ground and have your schedule before booking personal travel.
Booking your travel
Booking your travel
Once you get the "green light" from your study advisor (look at for an email), you will need to book your travel to Spain. You will pay for your own plane, train, taxi, etc with your own money. You are free to travel from any airport you like with any airline you choose. Remember, you will recieve a travel credit on your study abroad tuition bill. This is a tuition discount in the amount of an average flight from Boston to Madrid, and train from Madrid to Granada. The credit is NOT a reimbursement. The credit is not a check. The credit is not cash that we will give you to book your own flight. You will book your own travel with your own funds.
Fall students: We recommend flying to Madrid, Barajas airport and taking a connecting flight to Santander. When you arrive in Spain, you will first go through passport control. This is when you will need to show your visa. Have all your visa documentation handy in case they ask to see it.
We recommend flying to Madrid, Barajas airport and taking a connecting flight or the Renfe train to Granada. When you arrive in Spain, you will first go through passport control. This is when you will need to show your visa. Have all your visa documentation handy in case they ask to see it.
Independent Travel
Independent Travel
The whole purpose of immersive study abroad is to get to know a new culture on a deeper level than you might if you were simply visiting a new city or country. This entails staying put! We strongly encourage you to spend most of your weekends exploring Granada and its surroundings. If you must travel further afield, start with other destinations within Spain. Jet-setting around Europe can be tempting, but we strongly urge you to stay focused on your immersive experience rather than being a tourist in other countries.
That being said...
You are free to travel independently in Europe at your own risk. It is your responsibility to comply with any COVID restrictions or regulations during your travel. If you travel outside your host city at any time, you are REQUIRED to open the ISOS app on your phone and click the "Check-In" button. You must also abide by whatever travel restrictions are given to you by Holy Cross and/or by your host institution. Failure to do so may involve immediate dismissal from the program with no refunds, in which case you may not remain in residence at your host institution and are responsible for making, and paying for, your flight back to the United States. There are no second chances. Take this warning seriously.
Packing
Packing
The climate in Granada is the typical hot/dry climate of southern Spain. When you arrive, you'll experience highs in the 90s, but temperatures will drop throughout the semester, with minimum temperatures dipping below freezing by the time December roles around.
TIPS: Do not forget to bring warm clothes. It will be warm most of the time, but you don't want to regret not bringing sufficient winter clothes! If you don't feel like traveling too "loaded" you can always take advantage of how cheap and varied the clothes are in Granada (Zara, H&M, etc). It is a good idea to pack layers.
Make sure to bring your Laptop and any Medications you may need. Beyond that, you can find just about anything you need in town!
Be advised that carry-on sizes in Europe are not the same as they are in the US. Your carry-on will be useless for subsequent travel if you do not get a carry-on that fits European planes. For inter-european travel, we always recommend a backpack! Note that if you cannot carry your own bags, you will not be able to get to your destination.
Don’t forget adapters for electrical outlets– “Type C” Adapters for Spain are available on Amazon and at stores like Walmart. If you do forget adaptors- choose your own adventure! You can find them in town- try the Corte Inglés or a local Ferretería!
Travel Day
Travel Day
On the day of your flight, make sure you have the following in your carry-on* bag:
Passport
Your passport needs to be valid at least 6 moths after your planned return from Spain
Holy Cross Affadavit Letter
This is a document provided by the office of study abroad that states you are a student in good standing at the College of the Holy Cross, and are on an official Holy Cross program! You might need to show this to the immigration officer once you are in Dublin.
All documentation you produced for your visa.
By the time you finish applying for your Spanish student visa, you will have amassed quite a bit of "paperwork". Bring copies of EVERYTHING with you to Spain. The office of study abroad can scan your file to you so you can print everything altogether.
*Note that Carry-on sizes in Europe are not the same as they are in the US. Your carry-on will be useless for subsequent travel if you do not get a carry-on that fits European planes. For inter-european travel I always recommend a backpack!
Sim Cards & Phone Plans
Sim Cards & Phone Plans
You are required to have a cell phone with the app Whatsapp (wifi/data texting) in Spain. Whatsapp is an international texting app. Our office will use this to stay in touch with you. You are required to have this app downloaded BEFORE YOU LEAVE. Once in Spain, you can get a new SIM card to call/text/use data locally. Your host family can help you navigate this! Orange and Vodafone are two popular local networks. Another option, which can be more expensive, is to work with your American carrier to pay for an international plan for the duration of your stay in Spain. No matter what your plan is, you need to make sure your American phone is unlocked before you leave.
Required Apps
Required Apps
Whatsapp is a free international texting & calling app that our office will use this to stay in touch with you. Whatsapp operates on wifi, so you can start using Whatsapp the moment you land in Spain, even if you don't have an international cell phone plan just yet- all you need is wifi, which you can connect to at the airport!
ISOS
You are required to download the International SOS Insurance App. Once you land in Spain, you most open that app and press the "Check-In" Button. You should also press the "Check-In" Button any time you are traveling outside of Granada.
Page updated
Report abuse