Frequently Asked Questions
Find all the specifics about the exchange.
How can I apply for the exchange?
The first thing you must bear in mind is that the exchange takes place every two years. Besides, you must be a student of Bachillerato the year the exchange is carried out. The selection process begins the academic year before the exchange is held. Then you must offer a spare room to your American counterpart. It is the English Department that is in charge of the organization so you will get all the necessary information through your teacher of English.The academic year before we go to Boston, the English Department publishes the rules to apply for it. They usually establish three criteria to obtain a final list of candidates, the average mark of English, the average mark of the rest of the subjects both of the former year as well as an attitude mark.
How much does it cost?
Participants must cover all the expenses in the exchange. Last editions cost has ranged between 1500€ and 1700€.
What does the price include?
It includes:
- All the transfers BURGOS-MADRID-BURGOS, BOSTON-NY and NY HOTEL- AIRPORT
- Flight tickets Madrid-Boston and New York- Madrid.
- Comprehensive Health, Transport and Cancellention Insurance
- Three nights in a hotel of New York.
- Transport in Boston.
- Tickets for all the cultural visits both in bBoston and NY.
No, you don’t. A Comprehensive Health Insurance is included in the final price.
Is there a trip to New York?
Yes, there is. We spend three nights, four days after more than two weeks in Boston. Consequently, we don’t return to Boston, we fly back to Spain from New York.
Which High School do we do the exchange with?
We have been doing the exchange with Newton North High School in Boston, Massachusetts. You can find more information on its webpage https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/nnhs
When do the Spaniards go?
Next exchange will take place from October 26 to November 16 2019.
When do the Americans come?
We don’t know the exact dates right now but they usually come the first week of February. They usually spend two full weeks in Burgos.
How long does it take?
The first part takes place for three weeks in the US between October and November. We'll be staying in Boston for more than two weeks. After that, we will travel to New York where we will stay for four days. The second part takes place in February when the Americans visit us. They traditionally stay in Burgos for two weeks and the last week they visit Madrid and Barcelona.
What do we do during our stay in Boston?
On weekdays we attend school lessons; we can join some of their lessons, collaborate with the Spanish classes, present our projects or simply catch up with our school work. Besides, we have a complete cultural programme. We will visit the most important landmarks of Boston such as The Freedom Trail, Harvard University, MIT, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science etc. We try to avoid spending two days in a row either at school or in an outing. However, it will all depend on several factors. American families take over the responsibility of the activities at the weekends.
What do the American students do during their stay in Burgos?
As we do in Boston, they come to school with their counterparts. Additionally, they do some outings in Burgos as well as field trips to nearby provinces. Spanish families take over the responsibility of the activities at weekends.
How can I catch up with the schoolwork while I’m in Boston?
It is absolutely necessary for you to talk to your teachers before you go to Boston. Furthermore, you should keep contact with your classmates so that you know well in advance what they are doing in class while you’re in the USA. We recommend you to take photocopies of the units you are going to deal with while you are away. You must take advantage of the little free time you will have in Boston to catch up with your schoolwork.
Do I have to work on a project?
Yes. Students will have to prepare a project in groups related to North-American culture. The coordinators will give you the topics before summer and you will have to email the projects by mid September. Finally, you will have to give an oral presentation about it when you are in Boston.
What’s the necessary documentation?
You need a valid passport as well as a VISA that you must obtain on line on this webpage: esta-usagov.com/
At present it costs 14$ and it’s valid for two years. When filling in the ESTA you will need to write the address of the High School (457 Walnut St, Newton, MA 02460; USA. Phone number: 617-559-6400) until you get the address of your counterpart.
We also need a photocopy of the vaccination card and another one of your passport.
What can I take to the US?
The US have severe restrictive laws to control the goods that are allowed in. Click on the following link to know exactly which items are allowed or forbidden: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all
Is it necessary an adaptor for the European plugs?
Yes. The American pins of the plugs are flat. You can easily buy one at any hardware shop. You can find more information on https://www.enchufesdelmundo.com/estados-unidos-de-america/
How can I contact the coordinators?
Both families and students can contact the English Department any time during school days. In addition, there is an email you can write to [email protected] to voice your opinions. Finally, we hold meetings with the families from time to time to provide information.
What are the cancellation fees?
For flight tickets there is a charge of 250€ if you cancel between 45 and 31 days before the trip and 100% of the price if you cancel between 30 and 0 days before the departure as well as the proportional part of the transfers and the accommodation.
If the tickets are emitted, there is a fee of 60€ when changing the name and surnames of the passenger.
As for the accommodation there is a fee of 100% if we cancel a room between 35 and 64 days before the arrival. Having said that within the comprehensive insurance there is a cancellation one that covers any eventuality.
What’s the weather like both in Boston and in New York?
The weather both in Boston and New York is very similar to Burgos at the time we visit them. In Boston the average temperatures range from 3ºC to 16ºC. From September to November, it is the mildest and less unstable season of the year, at least in the first part. In the second half of October it can start to be a bit cold. Rainfall also occurs in this season. On average there are between 9 to 11 days of rain.
New York could be as cold as Burgos in November. Temperatures range from 5ºC to 12ºC. As for rain, the average days of rain are 10.
How much luggage can we take?
You are allowed to take one piece of checked luggage. The maximum weight of the suitcase is 23 kg. You can also take a piece of hand baggage with these maximum dimensions 56 cm height x 45 cm width x 25 cm depth. For further information, check out the web page of Iberia:
https://www.iberia.com/es/equipajes/
We recommend you to leave room for gifts and souvenirs on your way back to Spain.
How much money do I have to take?
During your stay in Boston you won’t spend much money since all the meals, visits and trips are included in the final price. However, when visiting NY you will have to pay for all the meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) as well as the underground tickets. On average we think you may spend approximately 125$ in meals and 20$ in transport, but as usual it will all depend on how big the meal is. Don’t forget that students usually buy a lot of presents and souvenirs so start saving up.