EXPLORE Spain & Portugal May 16-28, 2018 Visit Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Costa del Sol, & Lisbon Study the history & culture of Spain & Portugal; earn 1-3 credits Fees* include airfare, lodging, entrance fees, some meals, & transport For more information contact Dr. Fuchs, cfuchs@pittstate.edu *The deadline to enroll is December 15 *Email for the final cost
Pittsburg State University 2018 Study Abroad Program-History and Culture in Spain and Portugal Dr. Craig Fuchs- Group Leader Current as of June 7, 2017 Dates: The actual dates are still subject to change, but currently we are scheduled to depart from KCI anywhere from May 16-17, 2018 and return anywhere from May 27-28, 2018. The final dates would be set no later than January 1, 2018. Explorica Costs: Program Fee-$3659.00 (this includes RT airfare, hotels, ground transportation, 24/7 Tour Director, many entrance fees, breakfast daily, and many dinners). The program fee is reevaluated every month. The cost is locked in once you enroll. Optionals: There are two optionals in the program structure. The first is a side trip to Toledo and the cost is $70. The second is a side trip to Morocco and the cost is $135. You can enroll in these when you first enroll in the tour or you can always enroll in the optionals at a later date once we start the spring class and we are able to talk about these. Be aware that there is a critical mass number for both of these optionals where we have to have a certain number of people sign up to get these prices. If the numbers are low, the price will go up or we may have to cancel the optional(s) if it is not cost effective for those who want to go. Tipping: There is also a tipping policy in place that all participants will be required to adhere to. That amount will be approximately $120 per person and will be collected prior to departure through the Cashier s Office in Horace Mann. Explorica Enrollment Process: Participants can enroll on line at the Explorica website at www.explorica.com/fuchs-3370. When you enroll you will have two choices of payment method. You can enroll in the automatic debit system which will spread your payments out from the time you enroll until before we leave. The Explorica system will give you greater detail on this. You can also call their customer service department at 1-888-310-7121 if you would rather talk to a person to enroll. Payment of Fees: Since we are working through a travel company, participants will simply go to the Explorica online website and register for the trip by opening a personal account under our trip number Fuchs-3370. All payments will go directly through Explorica and participants will be obligated to their payment and refund policy. Participants should read the enrollment information carefully on the Explorica website.
The faculty sponsors and PSU are not held responsible for issues that arise due to a lack of understanding of Explorica travel policies (i.e. cancellation fees, substitution fees, late payment fees). Coursework: All PSU student participants who wish to use stipends, whether Honors College or IPSO, will be required to enroll in, attend, and pass a 2 credit hour course during the spring term, as well as a 1 credit hour course during the actual program for a total of 3 credit hours. Students will have to pay for the 1-credit hour course in the summer term. The topic will be History and Culture and will explore those areas for each country we will visit. The class will be a hybrid structure, with some face to face class meetings, and a good deal of online work through CANVAS. Auditing the 2-hour class will be an option for any non-psu students and students not using any stipends. ALL students will be required to enroll in and pay for the 1-credit hour summer course per university policy. Itinerary: Please see the attached page for a detailed itinerary of the trip. Insurance Coverage: Explorica does provide an insurance plan, however, the PSU Study Abroad office also provides a plan which seems to be a good choice as well. Participants will receive information about the PSU policy from the Study Abroad Office after they submit their on-campus application form to the Study Abroad Coordinator. Guest Participation: It is possible for students to take approved, non-psu student guests along on the trip, as long as this is discussed with the Dr. Fuchs prior to registering. Guests need to understand that they are expected to follow all trip rules and regulations just as if they were a PSU student. They are not required to enroll in the Topics course, however, they are required to sign a Waiver and Release Agreement through the Study Abroad office. In addition, guest participants will need to have proof of insurance with medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. This can be purchased through the Study Abroad office if their personal coverage does not include this. There is a required Adult Supplement for anyone over the age of 23 in the amount of $480.00. This allows the adults to stay in a twin room apart from the student population. If there are multiple adults on the program, they will be paired together in the twin rooming allocation. Passports: All participants will need a valid US Passport for this trip. Please visit http://www.usps.com/passport/ for information. Total Number of Participants: There will be a total of 47 slots open for the program.
Conclusion I realize this information is not all-inclusive, but I do hope it will give you enough information to make an informed decision about your participation on the trip. Certainly more details will be forthcoming as we get into the specifics of the trip outline. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at all. Email-Dr. Craig Fuchs cfuchs@pittstate.edu Phone-620-235-4176
Day 1 Depart KCI for Spain!!! Itinerary for Spain-Portugal May 2018 Day 2 Hola Barcelona Meet your tour director and check into hotel Barcelona city walk Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument Paella dinner Day 3 Barcelona landmarks Barcelona guided sightseeing tour Gaudí s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit Dinner on your own Day 4 Barcelona--Madrid Travel to Madrid via Zaragoza Basilica of the Virgin of Pilar visit Tapas dinner Day 5 Madrid landmarks Madrid guided sightseeing tour Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit Optional Toledo guided excursion $70 Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary s Synagogue Dinner on your own Day 6 Madrid--Seville Travel to Córdoba by AVE train Mezquita guided visit Travel to Seville Day 7 Seville landmarks Seville guided sightseeing tour Giralda Tower, Alcázar visit, Columbus gravesite, Seville Cathedral visit Seville city walk Barrio de Santa Cruz Flamenco evening
Day 8 Seville--Costa del Sol Travel to Costa del Sol via Granada Alhambra guided visit Day 9 Costa del Sol beach time Optional Morocco guided excursion $135 Ferry to Ceuta, panoramic view of Ceuta, Tétouan sightseeing tour, authentic lunch included Day 10 Start extension to Portugal Travel to Lisbon via Italica Italica visit Day 11 Lisbon landmarks Lisbon guided sightseeing tour Castelo de São Jorge visit, Monument to the Discoveries, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos visit, Belém Tower Fado evening Day 12 Fly home