International College of Seville
www.ics-seville.org
FAQs
Travel-related questions
Is there a limit to the number of suitcases I may bring on the plane?
You may check in two suitcases and board the plane with one carry-on in addition to small hand baggage. Each piece of luggage should weigh no more than 50 pounds. If their weight exceeds this limit the airline may charge you an additional fee of €25 (up to a maximum of 15 pounds). In any case, it is always wise not to bring more than you can carry. Once you reach Seville, closet and drawer space is more limited than what many students are used to in the U.S.
What should I do if I do not arrive on one of the designated group flights?
You should contact our Housing Director, Ms. Gina de los Santos (housing@ics-seville.org) to get your housing assignment prior to arrival. Once in the Seville airport, you will need to get your luggage, go through customs and get a taxi to your home. There is a flat rate of 19.04 euros from the airport to the metropolitan area. Tipping is not necessary.
Are there organized excursions?
Every semester ICS offers students the opportunity to take four distinct trips throughout the region. Three individual daytrips are organized to the cities of Córdoba, Ronda, and Jerez de la Frontera & Valdelagrana beach. One overnight trip is organized to the city of Granada. Trips include transportation on first class buses, guided tours in English of the major monuments, entrance fees and in the case of Granada one night at a centrally-located hostal. An ICS staff member accompanies the group on all of the trips.
Academic questions
How many hours a day will I have class?
This depends on how many credits you are taking. Most semesters students taking a full credit load will be in class four to five hours a day. This will leave you plenty of free time to explore the city!
What will my schedule be?
For now you can check with our website, www.ics-seville.org. Here you will find the schedules of those courses offered at the ICS as well as those at the University of Seville. Once you arrive, all students are scheduled to meet with the Director or Academic Director of the ICS. The appointment will be in the late afternoon of your assigned Orientation day. You will then discuss in full your course selection and schedule.
Housing questions:
What is the difference between living with a Spanish family and living in a residence?
Let us first explain the similarities. In both living arrangements students receive meals, laundry and cleaning. Likewise, the physical structure of where you will be living is similar in both a family and a residence situation. Like their European counterparts, most Spaniards live in apartment buildings. All ICS housing is supervised and all students are expected to comply with the same rules. There is no difference in cost.
The families who work with the ICS can consist of a married couple with children; a single woman (separated, divorced, widowed) with children; or an older couple whose children do or do not live at home. We house only one to two students per family. Residences are apartments run by a woman or a married couple who lives there. The number of students per residence varies between three and five students. Most students who sign up to live in a residence prefer less one-to-one contact with a Spanish family.
Can I pick my roommate or live with a friend?
Yes. All you need to do is inform the ICS Housing Director of your roommate preference. The sooner you contact her, the more options you will have available to you. Students should take note that housing for couples and co-ed housing is limited as is housing that can accomodate groups of friends (4 students or more).
How many meals are included?
All ICS housing includes three meals a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner. Snacks, in between meals, are not included nor are foods outside the typical Spanish diet. Students with food allergies such as gluten or lactose intolerance need to purchase special food items they may need (ex. Soy milk).
How far will I live from the ICS?
ICS families live in different neighborhoods situated throughout the city and the living accomodations of ICS students are similar to those of Spanish students. The ICS collaborates only with those homes that are located within a reasonable radius of the school. Some homes are found in the same small neighborhood of “El Porvenir”. While others are not as close, they are at a walking or short bus ride's distance. Fortunately, for these students, transportation is never a problem. The municipal bus and bycicle service in Seville is reliable and fairly inexpensive. A monthly bus pass costs €28 and bycicle service is €5 weekly. Students who do decide to use bus and bicycle services during the semester should calcuate this expensive into the total of their semester budget.
Financial questions:
How should I bring my money?
We recommend bringing your money in a number of forms. One safe method is in the form of traveller's checks. Likewise, major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere thoughout Spain. Of all credit cards, VISA and American Express card are the most widely recognized. The quickest and easiest way to receive money in Spain from the U.S. is by way of an ATM account. In order to obtain an ATM card for this account which is linked to worldwide networks (Plus, Cirrus, NYSC) the interested student must open an account in the United States prior to travelling to Spain. Most large banks in the U.S. offer ATM cards.
Can I open a bank account in Spain?
Non-Spanish citizens must go through a process which is time-consuming and requires some paper work, but it can be done if you are interested. For most students, however, opening a bank account simply isn't necessary. ATM cards can be used in teller machines throughout the city (and outside of the banks!).
How much spending money will I need?
That depends largely on each student's life style and budget allowance. It depends on how often he or she goes out at night, travels on weekends, shops, eats out, etc. Nevertheless, student responses from past semesters recommend approximately $100-$150 a week.
Communications questions:
Will I have Internet access?
The ICS building is equipped with a wireless (Wi-Fi) connection for those students who decide to bring their laptops. Wi-Fi access is free.
What is the phone situation?
All students enrolled in the ICS Semester-in-Spain program are given cellular phones for personal use during their stay in Seville. These phones are property of the ICS and are given on loan to the students for the duration of the semester. It is the responsibility of each student that his or her phone is in proper working condition and that the phone carries sufficient credit for making a call.
Miscellaneous questions:
Will I be able to use my electrical appliances in Spain?
You must use them with an adaptor (which you can purchase in the U.S or here) or bring appliances with dual voltage. The voltage here is 220 W. The electrical appliances permitted within our housing are hairdryers, curling irons, alarms clocks and radios. Most students find that battery-operated alarm clocks and radios are easier to move about.
What is the food like?
The food in Spain is natural and delicious. While the appearance and presentation are often different from what many students are used to, the prime ingredients are almost always familiar. Take a look at the Spanish Cuisine section of our website.
