A good question to ask yourself before writing anything for public consumption is, "Who cares?" In this case, I couldn't find what I was looking for, so I began writing what I couldn't find, using what we learned - often the hard way - along the way. I've assumed that others in the same situation might care. This blog is for potential exchange students and their families.
Exchange Students & Expatriates
Spain and Pamplona
Rotary and RYE
Books
Marie Louis Graff: Culture Shock Spain (Culture Shock)
Gets bad reviews. Won't know until I get there, but there seem to be too many generalizatons based on her personal opinions. (**)Marian Meaney: Culture Smart Spain: A Quick Guide to Customs & Etiquette (Culture Smart)
Concise and covers a broad range of topics. BUT: the Amazon information on this book is wrong--it's for another book. (****)Chris Stewart: Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia
By a British guy who bought a run-down farm in Spain. Amusing and interesting, with a good introduction to regular people and their customs. (****)Nancy King: Host Family Survival Kit : A Guide for American Host Families
Good for parents and outbound students, too, even if you're not going to be a host family. Lots of information on what to expect, with emphasis on anticipating and understanding cultural differences. Includes a suggested reading list, too. (****)Bill Bryson: Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe
Bill Bryson--that's all you need to know. Not exactly Spain, but Europe is close enough. I'd stand in line to buy a phone book if it was written by Bill Bryson. (*****)
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Monday, July 10, 2006
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