|
As a participant in the Learning Abroad Center's International Program in Toledo, Spain, you can choose to live either in San Juan de la Penitencia Residence or with a Spanish host family. Each housing option has its own benefits—your choice will depend on your personal preferences and priorities. Your housing decision should be made when you submit the program deposit. Housing requests are honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Academic Year students may choose different housing options for each semester and will have the opportunity to change Spring Semester housing plans during Fall Semester in Toledo.
Once in Toledo, you will attend an information session with on-site staff where you will learn resources you can rely on for your specific housing choice. Staff members have years of experience coordinating homestays and will be your most valuable resource for questions or problems regarding host families or the Residence. If you have a problem, contact your housing coordinator immediately! The more proactive you are and the sooner you discuss an issue with on-site staff, the easier it will be to resolve any issues.
San Juan de la Penitencia Residence
Included in the cost of your program fee is housing at the San Juan
de la Penitencia. In addition to your room, this building contains
the dining room, classrooms, and library. Residence occupants are
almost entirely program participants. This is a very convenient
living arrangement. You only need to walk downstairs to the dining
room for your meals. A maid service cleans your room and bathroom
every day, and there are laundry facilities in the basement.
At the Residence you will be within walking distance from virtually everything Toledo has to offer. This makes it easy to get out into the community and meet Toledanos. The Residence is only closed from 6:30–8:00 am, allowing you to enjoy the ample nightlife in Toledo and come and go as you please.
Under no circumstances will you be allowed to invite non-Residence guests up to your room. Guests may come into the lounge downstairs and meet you in the cafeteria outside of meal hours.
Spanish Host Family
For many people, living with a family is their best experience while
in Spain. Many students make life-long ties to their families and,
through them, can meet other Spaniards.
If you choose a homestay, you will have a first-hand look at Spanish culture and society and will be immersed in the Spanish language. Remember that families in Spain can be as diverse as families in the US. Typically, you and your family will live in an apartment, as single family houses are not as common in Europe as in the US. You will have your own room and private study space.
Homestay students should be flexible. In most cases, homestays are located outside of old Toledo, approximately seven kilometers from the program facilities. Toledo has a good bus system and homestays students will be provided with a bus pass. At night you may have to take a taxi to get home. Although this may be more expensive, fellow students often live close enough to share taxis.
Homestay students can also enjoy authentic Spanish meals. Be honest about your likes and dislikes, but be prepared to adjust to the diet of your family. You will be provided with three meals a day with your family. If you are unable to go home for lunch, you can sign up to eat with the other participants at the Residence.
Families are screened very carefully. Upon arrival students will stay in the Residence for approximately one week. During that time students will have the opportunity to meet with the housing placement coordinator to discuss the placement process and to meet the family. If frustrations or concerns arise, the homestay coordinator is there to help you and can even arrange a new family if necessary.
| Homestay | Residence | |
| English vs. Spanish |
Immerse yourself in a Spanish-speaking environment where you will be forced to speak with native speakers. | There will be many temptations to speak English instead of Spanish. Few native Spanish speakers in the Residence makes it somewhat harder to meet Spaniards and speak Spanish |
| How do I meet Spaniards? |
Experience the daily life of Spaniards from a first-hand perspective, with the chance to learn more about culture and society. Develop life-long ties to your family. | Live and eat with many Americans. You must get out into the city and meet people to integrate into Spanish life. |
| How much does it cost? | Pay an additional fee (unless your home institution absorbs this cost). The homestay fee is non-refundable. | Complete cost is included in your program fee. |
| Where will I live? |
Most host families live outside old Toledo, approximately seven kilometers from the program facilities. | Live in the same building as the dining hall and classrooms in the center of old Toledo. |
| What's my commute like? |
Get some exercise! The commute can be long, sometimes 30 minutes or more one way. After dark you can catch a taxi. All homestay students also receive bus passes. | No commute to class! Walk down the hall to the dining room and classrooms. |
| Do I have my own room? |
Enjoy a single room and private workspace away from the noise
of dorm life. |
You might have roommates who are not native Spanish speakers.
You may not get your first choice in room type. Dorms can be
noisy. |
| Can I use the phone? |
No phone calls are allowed without express permission from
your family. |
A public pay phone in the residence is available for all participants. |
| What will I eat? |
Home-cooked food! If it is inconvenient to return home for
lunch, you can request a to-go lunch or eat at the Residence. |
The cafeteria offers a salad bar, main entree, dessert, and
beverage. |
| What if I don't like the food? |
You will need to adjust to the diet and meal schedule of your
family. |
A different meal is prepared each day, with a salad bar as
an alternate option. |
| I want to be independent. |
You come and go as you please but should inform the family
of your schedule. |
You come and go and you please but can only eat meals at designated
times. |
| I want to go out at night. |
Enjoy the nightlife! Walk or take a taxi with other home students
who live in your neighborhood. |
Enjoy the nightlife! The Residence closes at 6:30 am, so you
will not need to inform someone about a late night. |
| Where can I hang out during the day? |
Study, relax, or socialize in the Residence lounge and cafeteria. |
Study, relax, or socialize in the Residence lounge and cafeteria. |
| Overnight guests |
You are not allowed to stay overnight at the Residence, and
overnight guests are discouraged at the homestay. Talk to your
family about specific rules. |
No overnight non-Residence guests are permitted in your room.
Visiting guests may pay to stay overnight in the Residence with
advance arrangements. |
| What if I don't like my housing option? |
If conflicts arise, you can switch to another family, but
not to the Residence. |
If you want to switch to a homestay, talk to the housing coordinator
and pay them directly. |
| On-site support |
The housing coordinator will help you and can even arrange
a new family if necessary. |
The housing coordinator will help you and can resolve any
issue you might have. |
Last modified on November 21, 2008 |