Loading...

Useful information for Exchange students in San Sebastian

 

  • Local time: Europa Central (GMT+1)

 

  • Area: 60,89 km2

 

  • Population: 186,095 inhabitants

 

  • Languages:

There are two official languages in Basque Country: Euskera and Spanish. Euskera is one of the oldest languages in the world, being the unique preindoeuropean language in Western Europe. Euskera is spoken by more than 1 million people, known as euskaldunes. Due to the existence of the two languages, both are used by public administrations. Apart from that, the public radios and TV channels offer contents in Euskrera and in Spanish. You need to know that some of the Basques don’t feel Spanish, so you need to be careful with their basque feeling.  
 

Emergency Numbers:

- General Emergency (Police, Firefighters and Ambulance): 112
- National Police: 091
- Local Police: 092
-  Bilbao Firefighters: 080
- Maritime Rescue: 900 202202 
 

  • Gastronomy in Biscay:

The good eating for which San Sebastian is so well-known, is internationally recognized thanks to the prestigious chefs. Basque cuisine is wide-ranging and various: it is based on seafood sourced from the Cantabrian sea as well as on ingredients from the local gardens (vegetables, cereals, meat). What is typical for the Guipuzkoa gastronomy is the use of seasonal and top quality products.

 

  • Communication: Spanish phone prefix: +34

 

  • Currency: The official currency in Spain is Euro

 

  • Currency exchange:

 

 

 

  • Bank account:

Opening a new bank account in Spain can result a bit difficult when you are a foregn student. Some of the Banks require a NIE (A number of identification for foreigners.) Besides this, in the majority of the universities there are bank offices where they can help you to solve your doubts regarding the process of opening a Spanish Bank Account.

 

  • Tips:

In San Sebastian and in Spain in general, it is not very typical to give tips at any local. You are not obliged to give a tip, but in case of giving, it is not usually superior to the 10% of the total bill.

 

  • Pharmacies:

PLAZA GIPUZKOA

        (opened 24 hours, all days of the week)

        Address: Idiakez Kalea, 4, 20004 Donostia, Gipuzkoa

        Telephone: 943 42 70 50

 

  • Alcohol and tobacco:

In Spain a high percentage of people smoke. However, during the last year, the number of smoking inhabitants has decreased for different reasons. On the one hand, the economicaal and financial crisis has provoked that a high number of citizens couldn’t afford paying almost 5euros for a pack of cigarettes. On the other hand, during the last years, the Government has developed new laws in order to prohibit smoking in public locals.

If you smoke, you need to know that you are allowed to smoke in the street and at home. However, it is forbidden to smoke in pubs, bars, discos, restaurants and universities. In some discos you can find special areas for smokers.

Regarding the alcohol, the average consumption in Spain is higher than the European average. Spanish people are very tolerant with the alcohol consumption. It is not rare at all to drink a glass of wine during lunch or to drink some beers after work. Drinking alcohol in the street is forbidden by the law. However, young people are used to drink alcohol in the street before going to party (the so-called Botellon). If you want to do it, you need to choose a hidden place. If you don’t make too much noise and don’t disturb the neighbours, police doesn’t usually penalize you.

    The legal age to drink and buy alcohol and cigarettes in Spain is 18 years.