Health and Safety

As Brown University is the administering institution for CASA Granada, all students studying abroad on the CASA Granada program are enrolled in an accident and sickness plan through Sanitas during their program dates. Students should use this plan for coverage while in Spain. There are many hospitals and medical centers throughout the country that can be used by Sanitas customers. Upon arrival, participating students will be provided with a Sanitas card as well as instructions on how to set up appointments and information regarding the participating centers in Granada and the rest of Spain.

In addition, participating students are also covered through Brown’s International SOS in a study abroad/travel abroad accident and sickness insurance policy (Starr Insurance) at no additional cost. This policy covers travel, medical, emotional support, and security advice and services. You should use this coverage when traveling outside of Spain during your program dates.

The Sanitas and International SOS plans are not designed to replace your regular health insurance. Prior to their departure for Granada, all students are required to demonstrate to their home university that they have obtained an individual comprehensive health plan that will provide coverage for accidents and illness, including emergency evacuation and repatriation, for their entire period abroad of the program. If you are currently covered by a plan through your home university, you may be provided with the option to continue this coverage while abroad. If not, you will need to present evidence of coverage to your home institution before you travel abroad.

Preparation before Departure

After Arrival in Granada

Safety

Spain is generally as safe as the U.S., and in some cases safer. As is true of any city, however, there are problems with petty thievery in Granada. Students can avoid many problems by being cautious and remembering the important points listed below about staying safe. While crime, most certainly violent crime, is less prevalent in Granada than in similar-sized cities in the U.S., foreigners are always a favorite target of criminals, so please be mindful of surroundings and belongings at all times.

If an emergency situation related to a student's health or safety occurs during the program, it is important to contact one of the CASA Directors immediately. This includes the unlikely event of a natural disaster (earthquake) or large-scale emergency (terrorist attack, large building fire) in Granada, elsewhere in Spain, or in an area where a student is traveling during the program. If a student can imagine people may be worried about them, they probably are.

Soon after students arrive, their program will give them instructions for how to contact program staff in case of an emergency. CASA Granada staff are on-call 24 hours/day for health and safety emergencies during the program. Since students will be on their own if they travel before or after the official program dates, they should make plans and discuss emergency procedures with their family for use at these times.

Safety Tips

• Travelers using public transportation should be alert to the potential for pick-pockets. Students should be aware if they are jostled, or if there is a sudden commotion, as incidents can be staged to distract people while their possessions are stolen.
• Pick-pockets are often well-dressed, discrete and are experts at what they do. They often attempt to distract their victims by feigning a fall, asking for directions on the street, or otherwise diverting attention.
• Thefts in airports have become very common. Do not lose sight of belongings at any time.
• Do not carry large amounts of money or important documents. If a student needs to carry a lot of money, they should divide it into smaller sums that they can carry in various places.
• Do not openly count or show money. When waiting to pay for something, keep money out of sight.
• Students should be extremely cautious using ATMs and not allow themselves to be distracted.
• Do not put a wallet in the back pocket - one's front pocket is safer.
• Students should leave their passport in a safe place at their residence unless they need it to cash travelers’ checks or for travel. Carry a photocopy for other identification purposes.
• Students should carry backpacks in front rather than on their backs in crowded buses, markets, etc; and always keep a firm grip on one's purse or bag. Do not leave a backpack or pocketbook hanging over the back of a chair or on the next chair in a café. Have the strap wrapped around one's chair leg or otherwise secured.
• Be careful with laptops, iPods, cell phones, cameras, etc. Though one may see others using laptops in parks or plazas (where there may be wifi), it is not necessarily wise to do so.
• Students should keep a record of all credit card information and travelers’ checks numbers in their room. Make note of which checks have been cashed as they are used.
• Be careful with expensive jewelry - if wearing it, conceal it when traveling.
• If students chooses to drink alcohol, they should drink in moderation and keep their wits about them. Never accept a ride (nor to be accompanied) home with a stranger met at a bar.
• It is not safe to walk alone at night, and this is true especially after leaving a club or bar. Always take a taxi right to the door.
• If a student is sexually active, they should use good judgment, take care of themselves and practice safe sex. Obviously, sexual relationships entail the risk of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS.
• Students should not use any illegal drugs while in Spain. Marijuana, hashish, heroin and cocaine are illegal. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in Spain are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.
• If students finds themselves in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation, they should head to a populated public place and ask for the assistance of a police officer. Avoid being alone at night in unfamiliar territory – in the streets, a park, or on a train. If a student ends up alone on a train car, move to another one where other people are sitting.

What to Avoid

The only area of real concern is far up in the northwestern extreme of the city, a neighborhood called “el Polígono de Almanjáyar.” There is no reason for students to go there.

It is not wise to walk alone in any city late at night, and this holds true for Granada. Be particularly cautious around the c/ Elvira area of bars and clubs. Students should always walk in small groups (or take a bus or taxi) and exercise caution at night. Always take a taxi if it is very late, and students should be sure they can explain to the taxi driver where they are going (use big avenues and landmarks to guide the driver).

The rest of Granada is generally safe, and students can walk most places even well into the evening. The general rule is that it is safer when and where there are people around. Students should remember that they are foreign, which makes them more of a target. Unfortunately, many tourists are robbed in the Albaicín neighborhood, even in broad daylight, so it is better not to have anything of value when going there.

Emergency Protocol

A CASA Granada staff member is on-call for emergencies 24 hours/day throughout each semester. Every student will receive an emergency contact card during orientation with the important contact phone numbers both on-site and at their home institutions. In the event of a personal health or safety emergency, a student should call an ambulance first at 112 (when necessary) and then call the on-call director/staff.

In the event of a large-scale emergency (earth quake, terrorist attack, etc.), students should leave all lines of communication open in order to receive instructions from the program directors (and follow them carefully). It is mandatory that each student have a functioning cell phone while in Granada and that the number is registered with the CASA staff. Students must update their contact phone numbers in the event of a lost or stolen phone.

Students must inform CASA staff of their travel plans every time they leave Granada (even for a day) so that adequate measures can be taken in the event of an emergency at that site/destination. Travel dates, destinations, transportation modes, accommodation details and contact numbers must be logged for each trip.

Students should also register with the US Embassy in Madrid via the Smart Traveler Program.

Emergency Contacts

Local U.S. Consulate

CASA-Granada's nearest U.S. Consulate Agency is located in Málaga, approximately two hours away by bus.

U.S. Consular Offices are open Monday through Friday, except on American and Spanish Holidays. The Consular Agency works by appointments only. Whenever possible, schedule an appointment by phone before appearing.

Avenida Juan Gómez “Juanito”, 8
Edificio Lucía 1º-C
29640 Fuengirola (Málaga), Spain
malagacons@state.gov

Consular Section Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 10:00-14:00
Tel: 952 47-4891
Fax: 952 46-5189