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Travel Requirements
Travel Requirements
What do I need to enter Spain?
Passport & Visa:
For U.S. citizens: A visa is not required for entry into Spain. However, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of entry.
For non-U.S. citizens: You will need to apply for a visa.
Proof of Admission:
Bring your admission or acceptance letter for the study trip program as part of your travel documents.
Travel Permission Declaration Form for Traveling Minors:
Anyone under the age of 18 traveling without their parents or legal guardian must present an international travel permission declaration form. This form must be signed by a parent, notorized and submitted at check-in.
The form can be obtained at police stations, Civil Guard stations, courts, public notary offices, and city councils. It is recommended that the form be notarized.
For Chicago-based students, notary assistance is available through our designated professional. You can also use the form below for this purpose.
Safety
Safety
How will safety be maintained during this trip?
The organizer will conduct a roll call each morning, upon boarding and disembarking from vehicles, and every evening before retiring for the night.
Students are expected to stay with their group during tours and walks.
Each student will be assigned a chaperone to whom they will report, and this adult will be dedicated to overseeing their well-being throughout the trip.
For security, passports will be kept with the adults for the duration of our stay. Leave a copy of your passport (picture page) with your parents/guardians in the U.S.
Do we have an emergency protocol in place?
We will detail safety, health and emergency protocols during our Parent Orientation. A hardcopy will be made available to you.
Gender Interaction
Gender Interaction
Will students be housed in a shared space? Housing will be gender-segregated, with adult chaperones positioned near both groups to ensure safety and supervision. Detailed information regarding housing arrangements will be provided prior to the trip. Rooms will be assigned based on availability we will take great care to maintain adherence to our values to ensure safety and comfort.
How will students utilize transportation? We will primarily travel by bus, with adult chaperones ensuring gender segregation is maintained during transit.
What type of interaction will students learn?
Our aim is to instill in both young men and women the principles of adab in their interactions, encouraging respectful communication while upholding boundaries and maintaining haya' (modesty).
Boys and girls will not be permitted to explore monuments, shopping areas, or dining spaces together unsupervised.
Lectures will be conducted in shared spaces, with seating arrangements divided by gender.
Dining arrangements will also be segregated by gender to ensure comfort and adherence to our values.
All social activities will also be separated by gender.
Technology
Technology
Will students need a mobile phone?
We encourage students to travel with a mobile phone for effective and seamless communication with parents who are not attending. However, we recommend bringing a separate device, such as a camera, for taking pictures to minimize distractions.
How will technology be regulated?
We expect students to practice mindfulness throughout this experience. Since mobile phones can disrupt the suhba and the group’s overall focus, their use will be limited.
Mobile phones usage will not be allowed during classes, site visits and group discussion sessions.
We will cover these guidelines in detail during the Orientation session.
Laptops are not permitted.
High School Credit
High School Credit
Can we receive credit for this class?
ILLINOIS STUDENTS:
In Illinois high schools, one unit of credit is generally equivalent to a year-long course, or 120 hours of classroom instruction. A half unit of credit, or 60 hours of classroom instruction, is the amount of credit a student can earn for completing one semester of a course. This trip is approximately 192 hours of study in and outside of the classroom. A student can earn 1.5 credits from this trip.
CALIFORNIA STUDENTS:
Inquire with your school administration to determine if this trip can be considered for academic credit. The trip will include approximately 192 hours of study, encompassing both in-class preparation and on-site learning experiences. A student needs 75 hours of study to be considered as one semester. Trip dates fall within the academic year, allowing for potential credit consideration.
Parent Communication
Parent Communication
How often will our child check in with us?
We will encourage students to call parents at breakfast and evenings at the hotel. Please keep in mind Spain is 7 hours ahead of Chicago time.
We encourage participants to share their location with parents at all times, you may also use an air tag to track your child.
What if we need to reach our child urgently?
Parents are welcome to text or call adult participants for urgent calls. Phone numbers will be provided.
Can we create a family WhatsApp group for updates? A parent WhatsApp group will be created to post periodic updates on the group's whereabouts and fun happenings, inshallah.
At the end of each day, we will send a recap to keep you updated. You can expect to receive these updates by mid to late afternoon US time, InshaAllah.
Can I invite
other friends?
Can I invite
other friends?
This trip has been carefully designed to provide a unique experience and achieve specific objectives. As all participants have been personally invited to apply, we kindly ask that you keep this invitation private and refrain from sharing it with others.
How to Pack
How to Pack
How do we pack?
We encourage students to pack light and smart. Bring only what you need, while leaving some room for souvenirs. As our daily schedule will be full, please note that we won’t have access to laundromats during the trip.
To ensure easy transport throughout the trip, please bring a backpack and a carry-on suitcase with a maximum size specified by the airlines. A 4-wheeled carry on will be most convenient for navigating airports and city streets.
For efficiency, pack in an organized way so you can easily find your belongings when needed.
What to Bring:
As this is a study trip, please make sure to bring the following:
Your enthusiasm and gratitude (shukr)
A notebook for taking notes
Two pencils, one pen, and a clipboard (notes must be taken by hand)
Comfortable walking shoes, please do not bring open-toed sandals. You may bring closed-toed sandals fit for walking.
A light jacket in case of chilly evenings
Extra underwear
Toiletries - pack liquid items in a quart size Ziploc bags to prevent leaks, bring your own shampoo, liquid soap, scrubber, deodorant, etc in case what is provided does not agree with you.
Portable istinja/lota bottle for use in public restrooms.
A travel prayer rug
A sun hat for protection and sunblock
Healthy, wholesome snacks
Vitamins to help boost immunity
A refillable water bottle
A handbag or backpack that is pickpocket-safe
Extra money for shopping or purchasing additional food (we recommend bringing $200-$300 for exchange). If permitted by your parents, you may bring a credit card; however, organizers are not responsible for any loss of cards or money. The local currency is the Euro (EUR).
A universal travel plug adapter
Mobile phone charger
NO laptops
Light clothing so as not to overheat
If you take medication, make sure to carry all medication in its original packaging. You may also want to pack a copy of your prescription or a note explaining the purpose of the medication.
Booking Your Flight
Booking Your Flight
To simplify travel, we encourage California travelers to fly into and out of Chicago with the main group. We're working on securing group flight rates.
This program runs from August 29th (9:30 AM) to September 6th. We plan to arrive in Malaga on August 28th by mid-afternoon and depart on the 7th of September.
All flights should arrive/depart from Malaga Airport (AGP).
Housing is provided from August 28th to September 7th morning. No need to book your own accommodation.
Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers
Are airport transfer costs included?
Airport transfers will be arranged for the group. If your flight doesn't align with the scheduled transfer times, you'll need to arrange and pay for your own transportation.* We can help you find safe options.
*Students will not be permitted to travel independently during the trip, as we prioritize their safety and well-being. If a parent requests their child to return home, we will make the necessary arrangements to ensure their safe transportation. However, such requests must be communicated in advance to ensure the group’s plans and itinerary remain unaffected and the experience remains beneficial for all participants.
On Female Travel
On Female Travel
Regarding our young women traveling without a mahram. Although there are varied fatawa regarding this issue, we lean towards this fatwa which helps clarify the matter:
Can a Woman Travel Alone for More Than 48 Miles If There Is a Benefit?
Disclaimer
While we strive to ensure a smooth and enriching experience for all participants, certain situations that are beyond the scope of our control as organizers may arise. These may include, but are not limited to:
Unexpected delays or disruptions due to weather, transportation, or other logistical challenges.
Changes to the itinerary result from unforeseen circumstances, such as local regulations, site closures, or safety concerns.
Individual participant health issues, personal emergencies, or other matters unrelated to the group’s planned activities.
Variances in individual experiences or expectations of accommodations, meals, or services provided by third-party vendors.
We are committed to addressing issues within our capacity to the best of our ability and will communicate any necessary changes or updates promptly. However, participants are encouraged to approach the journey with flexibility and understanding, as some elements of travel involve inherent unpredictability.
By participating in this program, you acknowledge and accept these potential limitations. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns prior to your trip.
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