Tahir Junaid

Student Name: Instructor Name: Date: Course Code: Emergency Plan for traveling to Spain Spain is a free border country located in Europe but for Americans citizens it requires a visa to travel. It is basically a tourist destination in the EU Union. Spain has rich history, culture, and heritage. There are many destinations for the tourists in Spain. It also has diverse academic heritage with many ancient universities. Travelling/Studying in Spain is facilitated and promoted at state level. Before departure to Spain as a student or a traveler it is vital to know about the following aspects of the country; •Legal Aspect/Documents Student must be having a valid visa for Spain from the Spanish embassy or consulate in Washington, Boston and New York. You can make few copies of the passport. You must carry other proofs such as personal ID card and driving license. Letter of the acceptance, ticket and insurance are other documents which can make your travel legal. •Knowledge about the Destination One should do some research on current political situation of the destination before traveling. The knowledge about geography, climate and socio-cultural aspects can also be helpful in evaluating the purposeful stay abroad. •Check List -One should check the passport and visa validity before travelling. -Compared ticket rates -Campus policy of the destination about insurance and proof of funding the study -Copies of all the academic and legal documents -Know how about of the destination It is advised that traveler should immediately enroll to Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) upon arrival to receive security messages from the U.S embassy in Spain. It will also help to locate and recover you in the situation of an emergency. There is no doubt that there is no escape from the natural and manmade disasters in any society, so is the case with Spain. As a traveler to Spain one must take it in consideration to learn about how to respond in if facing a hazard of any kind. Every country has its own mechanism to counter the emergency depending on the nature of the hazard. Here are the some key hazards as a traveler one may face in Spain and the strategy to respond; Natural Disasters •Floods Floods are the most common natural disaster especially in the northern and Southern parts of the Spain. Floods do occur mainly because of the Batzen River and the storms in the northern valley. There are many rivers in Spain flowing though the cities and with a history of floods. Even now in southern Spain there is a heavy flood situation has erupted in Cadiz. Southern coastlines of the Spain are having immense rainfall in recent history. It is advised to the students that beware of the weather forecast of the area you are intending to move in. The weather check is extremely important if you are residing in vulnerable areas. In the case of an emergency or in the situation of flood try to use the life saving jackets which will be provided by the Spanish emergency management authorities. There is a Spanish Emergency Military Unit which officially carries out the recovery efforts. If you are observing a flood situation you should contact at Phone:- Cellular:-, immediately. •Forest Fires During the summer, forest fires are inevitable in Spain. They do occur on regular basis due to the temperature and geographical attributes of the Spain. The students are advised to be cautious when travelling to woodland areas in summer. Avoid to lit anything and leaving any trash behind. On legal perspective of Spain, it is a crime to cause a forest fire even if it is unintentional. In the case of emergency situation of forest fire it is advised to call at 112 in Spain, immediately. •Earthquakes Among the natural disasters Spain has also a history of earthquakes like any place in the world; here is the list of major earthquakes occurred in Spain; -Catalonia earthquake (1428) -Lisbon earthquake (1755) -Iberian Peninsula earthquake (2007) -Lorca earthquake (2011) Like all natural catastrophe earthquake is also inevitable. In the situation of an earthquake, it is advised to move less, be low and in open space, and avoid getting shelter in fragile infrastructure. If you see vulnerable people, should immediately call at emergency numbers provided above. Other Hazards •Health It is strongly advised to have a prior checkup (3-5) before boarding to Spain. It will assess your medical condition in respect to whether you need some vaccination or not. Students are usually insured in terms of healthy in Spain. In times of health issues you can visit a public hospital nearby. For any emergency situation students may contact at the 112 and 061, medical emergency numbers. •Safety and Security Travelers should be aware of the social and political situation of the destination. Spain has been under the wave of terrorism since 9/11. Recently a terrorist drove over people in Barcelona’s tourist hub. It is vital to stay alert and aware of the surroundings. The traveler can provide- toll-free number back home in the United States for calling in such situation. Keep yourself safe and apply basics to avoid the hazard. You can call immediately at + - for help. The key is to remain vigilant in terror based situation for personal protection. Spain has also street crime issues especially in the tourist areas. Students should avoid exposing or leaving their belongings like passports, mobile phones cash and luggage unattended. Always trust your instinct and do not let anyone take advantage of your carelessness. You can call in situation of crime observation at 061. •Laws and Socio-Cultural Hazard Like every nation, Spain also has its own set of norms in order to keep the social structure stable. It is difficult for the travelers to integrate or adapt immediately, so it is advised that give yourself a chance and try to learn about the local life style instead of resisting. One should also respect and obey the framework of local law enforcement authorities. Contact Information •Personal contact It is important to carry your Personal Emergency Information Card. It is your first hand contact in case of any emergency. •U.S Embassy in Spain You can contact U.S embassy in Spain in times of emergency. Madrid Telephone (- Email:-Notary Services Email:- Barcelona Telephone: (- Email:-•Local Emergency Numbers 122 061 - •University/College Contact xxxx-xxxx •Home Contact xxxx-xxxxx Conclusion Travelling can bring exposure and learning in one’s life. So it is vital to have travel plan. Spain is a beautiful destination to learn and observe. It has so much to offer for students and tourists around the globe. As part of the plan one should also consider the hazard he might face while travelling and staying abroad. To effectively respond to that hazard there ought to be a plan considering the resources and information available.