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Monetary
Guidelines
MEALS:
HOME STAY: Your plan pays for 3 meals a day.
TRIPS:
Personal
side trips that you organize with your friends can be fairly inexpensive.
However, the further away you go, the more you will spend. It is best
to arrange for lodging through a travel agent
TAKING YOUR MONEY:
How
should you take money? It is preferable to use an ATM card. ATM cards
are easy to use. Keep all your receipts, though, in case there is a
confusion at your bank when you get back. It is better to use ATM machines
found inside business establishments, rather than the glass cages found
next to sidewalks. This way, you are less vulnerable to thieves. There
is an ATM machine inside the Universidad Iberoamericana: plan on using
it the day after we arrive.
Travelers' checks can be a hassle because only banks
will cash them, and banks usually ask to see your passport, not a picture
i.d. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted at most major businesses
and hotels in Spain. (American Express is not always accepted; Discover
is not usually accepted.) You may acquire extra money through Western
Union, but it is time-consuming and requires a passport. If you have
an ATM card, your parents can easily deposit extra money in your account
if you have an emergency.
U.S. dollars are easily changed at any Casa de Cambio.
There is one within walking distance of the hotel in Puebla, as well
as in the Spain City airport and the Puebla bus station. If you bring
cash, we recommend that you exchange money a little at a time, and request
small bills from the teller.
You will need money for taxi and bus fares, gifts,
souvenirs, personal items, and laundry service. Based on a poll of students
who participated other years, we recommend bringing $500 dollars
spending money.
PAY YOUR OWN WAY:
Don't expect your buddies to pay for you when you
all go out. Stay within your own budget. Don't ask your buddies for
loans. Don't yield to the temptation to spend more than you can afford.
TELEPHONE CALLS:
To
call long distance, it is best if you purchase a calling card or cell phone after
you arrive in Spain, Calls from hotels are very expensive; so save yourself a surprise,
by avoiding such calls altogether.
Also, do not put yourself in the embarrassing situation of having
the family charge you for a long distance call. Use your card at public phones.
If you take your cell phone, please use proper etiquette when using it.
For more information, contact
Dr. Enrique Mallen
SHSU Study Abroad in Spain
Dept. of Foreign Languages
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Tx 77341-2147
Office: Evans 309
tel (936) 294-1433
e-mail: mallen@shsu.edu
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