Any tips for study abroad students?

I am going to Spain tomorrow to live with a host family for five weeks and study Spanish and history in a university. I've never really stayed at a stranger's house for that long- should I get a gift for them?? a thank-you card? do I have to eat meals, observe their religious rituals, etc? I am pretty clueless about what to expect so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Any tips for study abroad students?
It is customary for visitors in Europe to bring a small gift. I have found that 100% real maple syrup is good because it is uncommon in Europe and they like it a LOT more than any other American food product. Other than that, something particular to your region, city, or college might be good. Something that identifies it as being particular to you is great. Don't go too overboard though.





A thank you card would be a nice additional touch.





You don't HAVE to eat meals or attend religious rituals or whatnot, but you ARE there to learn about the culture (I hope!), so it makes sense to experience some of these things. You might be surprised to learn that some of these "mundane" things grant greater insight into your studies or they might just be interesting experiences. Still, I'm not saying you need to convert or anything. Just learn about the people you are living with. It's polite and educational. If, on the other hand, you want to offend your hosts, demand that they change to your ways and belittle their own.





Dealing with culture shock: Set reasonable goals for yourself. Don't try too hard or set unobtainable standards. In fact, set low expectations for yourself at first - easily obtainable goals that will allow you to have some early successes. For example: instead of expecting instant language mastery, set a goal of learning a set number of new words each day. KEEP A JOURNAL! This is great because it allows you to record your progress and look back and recognize your accomplishments.





Stay in touch with people back home. For example, I realized too late that if I wanted to be an RA the next year I would have had to know when the application process was happening (January!) and arrange a telephone interview. I learned this in March... Yech!





A sure sign of culture shock is forming a cultural clique where you just hang out with people from your own country. One step down is just hanging out with expatriots - other foreigners. I'm not saying beat off all potential fellow citizens or fellow foreign students, but it is important to work on making friends from the country that you are visiting.





Make sure you pay attention in any cultural briefings or locale briefings. They provide important information like where not to be wandering out alone at night or whether it's safe to drink the water. I had some friends learn some of these things the hard way.
Reply:I would most definately get the family a thank you gift. If you haven't, learn about the culture of the city you're staying in. I would make it a point to eat meals with them, talk with them and get to know the family. I however, would not strictly observe their religious rituals. I'd observe and try them, to learn more about them. Definately bring a power converter!!
Reply:Yes take a gift. It is a bit late to start looking but take something from your country. Afterwards you should send a thank you card. You will be expected to eat with them. Try everything but if you really don't like it then they will understand. I don't think there will be many religious rituals you will need to take part in. Just be ready to give things a go. Be quick to say sorry and ready to laugh.
Reply:Best advice from me to u is to bring all ur communication machines such , note book , mobile and others..(don't forget your Walkman and family pictures too).. for the family , try to buy some thing from your home town that Spanish people really like but doesn't exist in Spain (not sooo expensive , u r a student ;-)). Try to discover about the family and know their customs . if u kind of people who have problems with food , then , bring a big food package of what u really like (like i do). about the clothes bring all u really like . i guess u can speak Spanish but in case bring some dictionary if u need it . About religion , it's really back to u (no comment). The most important tip is "DON'T BE LAZY" .





All the best for ur studying ...