At your on-site orientation on May 12th, we will give you lots of tips on safety and what to do in an emergency. If you are arriving ahead of the group it is important that you take your safety seriously. The biggest problem for tourists in Barcelona is pickpocketing. Be very careful with your things, especially when travelling to and from the airport, in the metro, in train stations and in nightclubs. Once you have arrived at your hotel, lock things like your passport and cash in the safe and only walk around the city with enough cash to get by for each day and a form of ID like your drivers license. If you are robbed, you will need to go to the police station to fill out a police report. The station located below Plaça Catalunya (downstairs between the two fountains) can help you out in English. If you have a medical emergency,you can go to any hospital or doctor, and your hotel should have some recommendations. We recommend Clinica Sagrada Familia (C/ Torras I Pujalt, 1. +34 628 604 412 ) as they have 24h translators and take CISI insurance, which many students travel with. You can get there by public transport, but it is easier to take a taxi. (be aware that program insurance only works from the 12th May to the 31st May)

Important phone numbers:

• Emergencies in Spain (like 911): 112

• 24 hour pharmacies: (+34) 934 810 060

• Taxis: (+34) 933 033 033

• US Consulate: (+34) 93 280 22 27

Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23

Once the program begins on May 12th, your CISabroad onsite program coordinator will be with your group for the duration of your program abroad. Should you need any assistance, please let your CISabroad onsite staff know. This includes emergency situations, and non-emergency situations.

The 24/7 CISabroad Emergency Phone is  +34 675 23 56 56. If for some reason your CISabroad onsite staff member is unavailable in the event of an emergency (this would be odd, but anything is possible) please call this number. Please introduce yourself by stating your name, the program on which you are traveling and the country in which you are traveling.  If your call is not answered during the first attempt, please phone again. This number is staffed by a member of the CISabroad customized faculty-led team (we do not outsource these calls) and depending on the time of day or night a second attempt may be necessary. You also have the option to leave a message and your call will be returned promptly.

In the event of an emergency, your CISabroad staff member will step-in with your program group leaders. Nevertheless, you should still know how to proceed in the event of an emergency while you are in Spain. Much of this information will be covered in your onsite orientation.

The 911 equivalent in Spain is: 112

What happens when you call 112?

When you call 112, one of the most important pieces of information needed is your location or the location of the incident. In some cases, the Emergency Service may know your location but don’t presume this is the case. It is quite possible that the incident is different to the callers location and so due care needs to be taken by the Emergency Service.

Depending on which emergency service you request, some of the typical questions that are asked are as follows:

• The exact address of the incident or emergency and/or any noticeable landmarks nearby
• Directions to the scene of the emergency
• The telephone number you are calling from
• Details on the incident itself, the number of persons involved, the description of any visible injuries and knowledge of any pre-existing medical conditions

It is important to wait for the call-takers instructions, try and stay calm and don’t hang up until they tell you to.

The U.S. Embassy in Spain

The United States Embassy in Spain is located in Madrid at Calle de Serrano, 75, 28006 Madrid. Their phone number is+34 915 87 22 00. You can access the embassy’s website here.

The United States Government recommends all U.S. citizens to sign up for their free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to automatically receive the latest travel updates and information by electronic mail.