Part 7: Campus and

Culture

Part 7: Discover the World

In this lesson,

you will learn about:

• Basic information about

France, Italy and Spain

• Safety information

• SJU facilities in all 3 cities

• Local transportation

• Language & Culture

Bienvenue à Paris!

France: Some Basic Info

• Capital: Paris

• Government Type: Republic

• President: François Hollande

• Prime Minister: Manuel Valls

• Major Political Parties: Parti Socialiste (PS) and Union pour un

mouvement populaire (UMP)

• Population: 66M (20st largest in the world).

• Most populous cities: Paris (12.16 million), Marseille-Aix-en-Provence

(3.17 million), Lyon (2.18 million)

• Area: 551,500 km² (slightly smaller than Texas)

• Climate: generally cool winters and mild summers

• Time difference to the east coast: 6 hours

• Major religions: Catholicism (83-88%), Islam (8-10%), unaffiliated (4%),

Protestant (2%), Judaism (1%)

Safety Abroad: Paris

• Some emergency phone

numbers:

– Medical (SAMU): 15

– Police: 17

– Fire / Accident: 18

– General Emergency: 112

Living Abroad: France - Classrooms and Housing

• Campus Facility: St. John’s University Paris Campus! (la Maison Mère)

• Location: Central, on the Left Bank in the 6th arrondissement (in the middle of the Saint Germain and Montparnasse neighborhoods), across the street from the Vaneau metro stop and the Bon Marché department store.

• Room Description: Students are housed in cozy double rooms with bunk beds; each room has its own air conditioner and sink.

• Bathrooms: Single-sex shared bathrooms are available on each floor.

• Common Space: The campus has a TV lounge and a large dining hall on the first floor.

Living Abroad: France - Classrooms and Housing

• Computers/Internet: There is a small

computer lab as well as wireless internet

access throughout the building. In-room

wired connections are also available.

• Laundry: Token-operated machines are

available on campus. Expect to pay €5-6

per load.

• Linens: Bed linens, a blanket, and one

towel are provided; students are

responsible for cleaning and maintaining

these during their stay.

• Meals: Breakfast and dinner are taken on

campus, in our dining hall Monday –

Thursday. You will also received a “pre-

charged” meal card for the local cafeteria

where other Paris University students eat.

• Classrooms: Located within the campus

building.

Living Abroad: Local Transportation

• Métro / Bus – possible to buy single ride tickets or books of tickets.

Important Note: The Paris métro does NOT run all night!

• Vélib - Bike share program

• Taxi - Important Note: You can almost never hail a taxi as you can in

New York. Taxis can either be found at designated hubs or can be

arranged over the phone or online

• Walking – the BEST way to discover Paris!

Language Briefing

Knowing the basics of the local language is crucial for getting around,

meeting new people and making a great first impression. Practice the

words and phrases below to get a head start:

• Salut (sah-loo) – Hello

• Bonjour (bone-zhoor) – Good Morning

• Bon soir (bon-swar) – Good Evening

• Au revoir (oh ruh-vwar) – Goodbye

• S’il vous plait (seel voo play) – Please

• Merci (mare-see) – Thank you

• De rien (duh ree-ehn) – You’re welcome

A few notes on culture…

In case we haven’t stressed it enough, you’ll be dealing with a LOT of cultural

differences. We’ve also tried to stress that differences don’t have to be a bad thing –

in fact, they should be the reason you’re going abroad! It helps to prepare yourself,

though, so we’ve pulled together a few basic notes on French culture:

1. Dress to Impress: One sure fire way to be labeled as a tourist is to dress in

sweatpants and flip flops. It’s OK to be comfortable on campus but Parisians are known

for their style and you’ll elicit some stares if you decide to go to the store in your

pajamas.

2. Tipping: You should tip a taxi driver (about 10%), but don’t feel like you have to leave a

tip at a restaurant.

3. Be Polite: Although we’ve all heard the stereotype that the French are rude, just be

polite and you should have no problems. Don’t forget to say “S’il vous plait” (please)

and “Merci” (thank you)!

4. Ask for your bill: French waiters let you eat your meal at your own pace and will only

bring the check if you ask for it.

Culture, cont’d.

5. Sundays: Many shops and grocery stores in Paris close early on Sundays

or don’t open at all.

6. Cheese: There are more than 400 cheese varieties in France and it’s

usually eaten as its own course. Don’t be afraid to try something a little

stinky. And don’t worry, the Paris campus has a cheese only refrigerator!

7. Shopping: Generally, sales attendants will leave you alone so that you can

shop in peace. However, if you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask.

8. Smoking: In recent years, France has made dramatic changes to smoking

laws and smoking bans are in effect in most public places. However, don’t

be surprised to find the outdoor portion of a restaurant completely full and no

customers inside. Smoking is allowed at outdoor eateries and many have

heat lamps and awnings so that they can be used year round.

Benvenuti a Roma!

Italy: Some Basic Facts

• Capital: Rome

• Government Type: Republic

• President: Giorgio Napolitano

• Prime Minister: Matteo Renzi

• Major Political Parties: Popolo della Libertà, Partito Democratico, Lega

Nord, Italia dei Valori, and Unione dei Democratici Cristiani e di Centro

• Population: 61.5M (23rd largest in the world)

• Most populous cities: Rome (4.32 million), Milan (2.96 million), Naples

(3.12 million)

• Area: 301,340 km² (slightly bigger than Arizona)

• Climate: Alpine in the north, hot and dry in the south

• Time difference to the east coast: 6 hours

• Major religions: Catholicism (90%),

5% Protestantism, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Baha’i, Buddhist

and others

Safety Abroad: Rome

• Some emergency phone

numbers:

– Police: 112

– Fire Brigade: 115

– Ambulance: 118

– General Emergency: 112

Living Abroad: Italy - Classrooms and Housing

• Campus Facility: St. John’s University Rome Campus

• Location: Central, about one block from the Lepanto metro stop and many major bus

lines. In the beautiful Prati district, a 15 minute walk from the Vatican, with easy access to

the historical center. Restaurants, shopping, cinemas and gyms are plentiful.

• Room Description: Students are housed in double and triple rooms, each with its own

air conditioning and heating unit. Some rooms utilize bunk beds.

• Bathrooms: Single-sex shared bathrooms are available on each floor.

• Common Space: Each floor has a lounge space with a refrigerator and microwave; in

addition, the campus has a large student lounge and a library.

Living Abroad: Italy - Classrooms and Housing

• Computers/Internet: There is a computer lab as well as wireless internet access

throughout the building.

• Laundry: Coin-operated machines are available on campus. Expect to pay €4-6 per load.

• Linens: Bed linens, a blanket, and one towel are provided; students are responsible for

cleaning and maintaining these during their stay.

• Meals: SJU provides 15 meal vouchers each week valued at € 3 each. These can be used

to eat at many area restaurants or at supermarkets. There is also a kitchen available for

student use as long as the kitchen rules are followed.

• Classrooms: Located within the campus building.

Living Abroad: Local Transportation: Rome

• Metropolitana (metro), bus. Important Note: Hours may vary but the metro

and buses do NOT run all night, but rather may stop as early as 11:30 pm.

• Taxi

• Mobilità – Rome Bike Sharing

• Walking – The best way to explore the city!

Language Briefing

Knowing the basics of the local language is crucial for getting around,

meeting new people and making a great first impression. Practice the

words and phrases below to get a head start:

• Ciao (chow) – Hello/Goodbye informal

• Buon giorno (bwohn djohr-noh) – Good Morning

• Buona sera (bwoh-na se-ra) – Good Evening

• Arrivederci (arr-ee-ve-der-chi) – Goodbye formal

• Per favore (pear fa-vo-reh) – Please

• Grazie (grats-yeh) – Thank you

• Prego (preh-goh) – You’re welcome

A few notes on culture

In case we haven’t stressed it enough, you’ll be dealing with a LOT of

cultural differences. We’ve also tried to stress that differences don’t have

to be a bad thing – in fact, they should be the reason you’re going abroad!

It helps to prepare yourself, though, so we’ve pulled together a few basic

notes on Italian culture:

1. Calcio – Forget about the Giants and Jets, the sport that the rest of the

world calls football (and Italians call calcio) is a way of life in Italy. Pick

a team to support and you’ll instantly gain about a million new friends.

2. La Bella Figura – Don’t leave the house unless you’re dressed to go

out (that means no sweatpants), don’t eat or drink while walking down

the street, and always dress for the season. They aren’t rules per se,

just standard expectations for every native Italian.

3. Sundays – Most Italian cities will pretty much shut down on Sundays

as people gather together at home for rest, relaxation and big family

dinners.

Culture, Cont’d.

4. Coffee – This is a big one, and there are rules: feel free to drink it

standing up at the bar, but never take it to go. Cappuccinos and lattes

are usually reserved for the morning hours, while in the afternoon it’s

standard to go with a simple caffé (what we call espresso) or macchiato

(“stained” caffé, with a drop of cream).

5. Time – Italians have an easy going culture, and that extends to their

interpretation of time. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be punctual

(especially when it comes to your classes!), but don’t be surprised if

things occasionally happen a few minutes later than planned.

Bienvenidos a Sevilla!

Spain: Some Basic Facts

• Capital: Madrid

• Government Type: Parliamentary Monarchy

• Prime Minister: Mariano Rajoy

• Head of State: King Felipe VI

• Major Political Parties: Partido Socialista Obrero Español, El Partido

Popular

• Population: 47.4M (30th largest in the world)

• Most populous cities: Madrid (6.48 million), Barcelona (5.37 million),

Valencia (1.70 million)

• Area: 505,370 km² (a little more than twice the size of Oregon)

• Climate: temperate; hot summers, cold and cloudy winters

• Time difference to the east coast: 6 hours

• Major religions: Catholicism (71%), other (2%)

non-believer (17%), atheist (8%)

Safety Abroad: Sevilla

• Some emergency phone

numbers:

– Ambulance: 061

– Fire: 080

– Local Police: 092

– Police Department for

Foreigners: 954.24.95.96

– General Emergency: 112

Living Abroad: Spain - Classrooms and Housing

• Residence Facility: The Inturjoven Residence, a University of Sevilla-affiliated

dormitory, located in the Reina Mercedes quarter, a 15 minute walk away from

Plaza de España. The residence is shared by local Spanish, other international

students and tourists.

• Room Description: Students are housed in double or triple rooms, each with an

air-conditioning unit.

• Bathrooms: Private, full bathrooms are located within each dorm room.

• Amenities: The Inturjoven Residence has a large dining hall, 24-hour reception,

and weekly room cleaning.

Living Abroad: Spain - Classrooms and Housing

• Computers/Internet: Students have access to a small computer lab inside the residence; student rooms have wireless internet connections. Expect the internet to be slower than in New York.

• Laundry: Coin-operated laundry for student use as well as the option of using local laundromats.

• Linens: Bed linens, a blanket, and one towel are provided; the residence provides a free cleaning service for some of these items (details available on-site).

• Meals: Breakfast and Dinner are served in the residence dinning hall Monday – Thursday, plus an additional breakfast on Friday. Students also receive 8 meal vouchers worth 2.50 Euros each to use at local restaurants, supermarkets, etc. as in Italy.

• Classrooms: Located within the residence or on the Reina Mercedes campus of the University of Sevilla, about a 10 minute walk from the residence.

Living Abroad: Local Transportation: Sevilla

• Bus – Individual or books of tickets can be bought, as well as 1-day, 3-

day, and monthly passes

• Sevici – Bike Share Program

• Taxi

• Walking – The very best way to see the city!

Language Briefing

Knowing the basics of the local language is crucial for getting around,

meeting new people and making a great first impression. Practice the

words and phrases below to get a head start:

• Hola (oh-la) – Hello

• Buenos días (bwenos dee-ahs) – Good Morning

• Buenas noches (bwenas no-chess) – Good Evening/ Good Night

• Adíos (ah-dee-ohs) – Goodbye

• Por favor (pour fa-vore) – Please

• Gracias (gra-thee-ahs) – Thank you

• De nada (day na-da) – You’re welcome

A few notes on culture…

In case we haven’t stressed it enough, you’ll be dealing with a LOT of cultural

differences. We’ve also tried to stress that differences don’t have to be a bad

thing – in fact, they should be the reason you’re going abroad! It helps to

prepare yourself, though, so we’ve pulled together a few basic notes on Spanish

culture:

1. Dinner – Forget about eating dinner in Spain before 9pm. If you go out to

eat, most restaurants won’t really get hopping until at least 10pm.

2. Flamenco – Flamenco is not just a dance, but an art form that includes

guitar, singing, dancing and “palmas” (handclaps). There are lots of places to

see flamenco in Seville but make sure you know what will be performed.

3. Bullfighting – Although a touchy subject here in the United States,

bullfighting still goes on in Spain and in fact, Seville is said to be where

modern bullfighting originated.

Culture, Cont’d.

4. Siesta – Most businesses and schools close for a few hours during the

afternoon to go home and spend some time resting, eating, and

socializing with family before returning to work or school.

5. Tapas – Tapas are a way of eating food, not a type of food. Anything

can be tapas. Paella, cous cous, shrimps, even hamburgers. A tapa is

a small dish, usually taken with a drink (sometimes it comes free,

sometimes you pay for it).

6. Fútbol – Much like in Italy, soccer is like a religion in Spain. The

season runs from mid September to mid May and each Saturday and

Sunday sees over 100 professional games taking place across the

country.

Further Research

We could go on forever telling you about the language & culture

of these places, but the best way to prepare is to do some

research on your own and focus on the things that interest you.

Here are some resources to get you started:

• The Student Guide – made for SJU students by SJU

students, it has tons of info on each of our locations.

• LonelyPlanet.com – a website devoted to travel, with

general info on all of our locations and many more

• Wikipedia – for all its faults, Wikipedia can be great for

getting quick facts on things like geography, politics, people and

climate.