CHRISTMAS ALL AROUND THE GLOBE

Family reunions next to the tree, celebration, recipes and especially many lights, every corner of the world is taken every year with the arrival of Christmas, a time where in addition to having a full belly and a happy heart, We can share and remember those moments we live during the year. One of the most popular holidays is coming and who doesn't love christmas? It is very interesting how every country celebrates it in their unique way even if it is such an international holiday. Every country has different traditions all based in the same holiday. In this blog post we are going to explain some traditions around the world.


Cataluña

Cataluña has a very pecualiar way of spending the Christmas Season. We are going to list a few of these.

1. Caga Tío

It is a magical trunk that a few days before Christmas Eve, knocks on our door asking for shelter. You have to cover it with a blanket so that it does not go cold and feed it until the 24th, at which time it is your turn to defecate sweets and gifts, as shown thank you.

2. Caganer

Essential in all Catalan cribs. Even those who do not believe prepare it to include it. It is a symbol of good luck, because their feces fertilize the earth and therefore, the coming year.

3. Firas de Nadal

In Barcelona, ​​the most traditional are those of Santa Llùcia, which they install in the Sagrada Familia and that of Reis.

4. San Esteban

December 26 is a holiday in Catalonia for a simple reason to rest from the feasts! It is typical to get some good cannelloni made with leftovers from the previous days.







Mexico

As in most countries, December is an ideal season for Mexicans to share with family and reunite with friends or family. Although in Mexico the majority of celebrations are of a religious nature due to the influence of the Catholic religion, in several places in the Aztec country they adapt to the traditions of Mexican culture, giving it that typical personality of the country. Some traditions will be listed below.


1. Processions and celebrations in community


The processions are a very important tradition of Mexican culture. These celebrations begin 9 days before Christmas, about mid-December. In them a representation is made of the route that Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary made to Bethlehem looking for a place to stay before the birth of the Child Jesus. During the procession, participants light candles and sing Christmas carols, and end the tour in the house of one of the participants, which has been chosen in advance (each night is a different house).




2. The Piñatas

Piñatas are one of the most representative symbols of Mexico, and at Christmas they can never be missing. It is said that the traditional piñata was introduced by the Spanish friars during their evangelization efforts, in which the piñata with a 7-pointed star shape represents the 7 capital sins. In this way, by breaking it, sin is overcome and the sweets show the reward for the will, virtue and faith.








3. The births: Representations of the nativity scene of Bethlehem

In Mexican culture, in addition to the popular Christmas tree and decorations with garlands, births are essential. These are representations of the scene in the manger, which are set from December 16 and are stored on February 2 when the Christmas season ends. The figure of the Child Jesus is only put on December 24 at night, which represents the day of birth.








Perú



Peru is one of those countries that thanks to its incomparable diversity, retains a rich tradition in its regions. There are shared particular ways to celebrate Christmas that pass from generation to generation and that last today.

1. Niño Manuelito 

The word Santurantikuy means sale of saints, so the main figure is the Niño Manuelito. El Niño Manuelito or Emmanuel is the religious figure that the Spaniards sought to insert in the colonial period of our country. This fair takes up this cultural and historical heritage, the Manuelitos Children being the most found object.








2.  Fiesta Negra

One of the main customs in Ica is the live birth or Christmas Black. This takes place on these dates every year in the district of El Carmen. This representation of the birth of Jesus is organized by the Afro-Peruvian population, so the majority of actors participating in this event are Afro-Peruvians. The rest of the participants wear masks to perform at the Christmas event.




3. Pastoreadas navideñas en Ucayali

Since the 19th century in Ucayali Christmas Pastoreadas have been carried out, an event that has become an important tourist attraction in this department. Thus, it attracts many tourists from the nearest and far places of Ucayali.


The event focuses on the journey that many children and young people dressed as biblical characters throughout the cities in search of births. This tour is done by emulating the tracking of the star of Bethlehem.











It is the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas traditions all over the world. For a few weeks the world is impregnated with the magic of Christmas, people are happier and the rigors of winter seem to affect us less. It doesn't matter if you celebrate the holidays for religious reasons, such as Hannukah or Christmas, or for other reasons. These were just a few examples around the globe and there are a million more. Have a very nice Christmas season with friends and family. 

Happy Holidays!

PROCEDURES ON ARRIVING TO BARCELONA

BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL


There are many steps to follow before arriving to Barcelona. Here we are going to explain to you what you have to make sure you do before arriving.

1. Visa

The application for the student visa must be submitted in person at the Spanish Consulate. If the person is a minor, he or she must be accompanied by parents or guardian.

At the time of your appointment you must submit the following documents:

1.  Two National Visa Application forms, completed and signed.
2. Two recent passport photos white background attached to each visa application. 
3. Valid passport at least for the requested stay that is requested. Original and Copy
4.  If the applicant is under age and not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, it will be necessary to present: authorization from both parents giving permission for moving to Spain.  Attach birth certificate and copies of the identity cards of the parents. 
5.   Certificate of admission issued in Spain by any authorized university or school (The certificate must detail: Name of the program, duration (start and end dates), address, phone number, name of the person in charge of the program)
6. Proof of economic means to cover all expenses while applicant is in Spain and expenses to return to the home country.
7. Consular fee. 
8. Proof of a public or private health insurance made with an insurer company authorized to operate in Spain.  
9. When the length of stay exceeds six months, also require a and b: 

• a) Medical certificate 
• b) Certificate of criminal record stating that the applicant has no criminal record

    10. Proof of accommodation or a rental contract of minimum 6 months.

2. Health Insurance

It’s very important for international students to have an international health insurance covering basic services, hospitalization and repatriation in Spain. If you were not able to complete this in your country, you can do it in Spain.

Check with your health insurance provider and ask for a list of hospital or clinics before arriving.

For more information click here.



AFTER YOUR ARRIVAL

1. Registration at city hall (Empadronamiento)

Registration at the City Hall is necessary for anyone living in Barcelona. Empadronamiento is the municipal census registry and it is necessary to access public services such as health or education. It is also required to complete other procedures related to the Immigration law (NIE/TIE).

If you are not an EU citizen you need a rental contract of minimum 6 months. The empadronamiento process must be done in the city hall of residency

Click here for a list of city hall offices in Barcelona.


2. Residency in Spain

If you are citizen of one of the European Union countries (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania and Sweden) or United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Island, Norway and Switzerland, you have the right of free movement and residence in Spain (always when the stay is less than 3 months).

The personal number will be the foreigner identification number.


3. Inscription in the Central Foreigners Register (NIE) 

People who belong to the EU must apply to the Foreign Identification Number (NIE). The registration must be submitted in person at the immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) in the province where the student resides or where he /she wishes to establish his /her residence


4. TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) Foreigners’ Identity card for No-EU citizens

All foreigners who have been awarded a visa or permit for staying in Spain for a period of more than six months must obtain the residence card for foreigners. All these students must apply for the Spanish resident permit (TIE) within the first 30 days upon the arrival in Europe.

The TIE will be valid for 12 months and every year it must be renewed 60 days before the expiration day. The immigration law gives the opportunity to renew the permit during a period of 90 days after the due date.


For more information click here to access the manual for international students of La Salle University.

CAVAS FREIXENET

Last Saturday we went to Cavas Freixenet where we discovered the art of cava production. It was an amazing excursion and a different way of spending the weekend. Many of the international students that attended this event had never tasted cava before so they were amazed by the drink.


First, we met all the __ students in Sants Stations. We parted to Sant Sadurní d'Anoia where the Cavas Freixenet are locate. Approximately it is 45 minutes from Barcelona by train. Many of the international students had already known each other before from the Welcome Tapas but the ones that did not know each other they absolutely made new friends in the train. To pass the time we played games in the train. It was a fun and quick trip to the cavas.





When we arrived we entered the cavas and the tour started. A guide was assigned to us and he explained everything in the process of cava production quite good. It was such an interesting tour, the history and the details that must be achieved for the cava to be perfect. When we finished with the history and process, we took a small train around the cavas and arrived to the cava tasting. 

We tried two cavas from different type of procedure and they were very good. The guide explained us the difference and even had a cava with us. Then we all sat and talked about each other nationalities and similarities between each other. When the cava tasting was over, some even ordered more glasses and even bottles to drink since they were so good. When it was time for us to leave some did not wanted to so they stayed in the town to discover more about this amazing place. 








It was a great experience to do with such an international and fun group. 

  

WELCOME TAPAS

In the first few weeks of the beginning of the course, the students are taken to a dinner. This is the perfect opportunity to meet other students from all around the globe. In September we took the international and exchange students and in October we took the master international students. They were taken to an all-you-can-eat buffet of national Spanish food. They were able to try every traditional plate from the country they now live in. There was something for everybody because it had so much variety everyone could enjoy their dinner.

               

                    International & Exchange Students

Master Students

In the Welcome Tapas for the degree students we were almost 30 people at the restaurant, people from North of Europe, West of Europe, Asia, Latin America, United States, all from different countries but with the same interest, to get new friends from all around the world. We ate and had lots of fun meeting new people. We stayed until midnight, tasting typical tapas, drinking beer and wine. After we were done with the dinner, we went to Espit Chupitos. This bar is known for the quantity of unique and different shots they offer. We tried a bunch of shots from shots on fire to shots with candy inside. The night was still young so we decided to go dancing after those delicious and powerful shots. We arrived at Otto Zutz and entered for free with drinks included. It was the perfect evening for the new arrivals to meet Barcelona. We danced all the night and had a lot of fun with the new friends made. 



For the master students, we were 35 people in total in the restaurant. Mostly from all the countries of Latin America and Europe. The environment of the restaurant was very nice and exciting. Everyone was meeting new students from different parts of the world and from different masters studies. After having and trying all the tapas and drinking wine and beer, we decided to go to Espit Chupitos. This place was so much fun since the students decided to take some tables and ask for 1L drinks to share with a few more students. In addition to the huge drinks, they order shots from every type of alcohol or flavor. We were very awake now and we could not say bye to the night. We went dancing to Twenty, which is a night club close to the shots bar. The night continued until late and we had so much fun. 

GIMCANA 2019

For many years, the international students of La Salle have had the opportunity to know Barcelona in a different and unique way. This year we had a record of 47 students who participated in this fun activity called La Gimcana.

We started in Plaza Catalunya where we gave the teams a map of Barcelona and the questionnaire of Spanish and Catalan Culture. They were given many questions and challenges to achieve in 3 hours around the city. They were teams of 4 - 5 people from different countries. In addition, this played as an opportunity for them to meet more people.

The winner would be the team that proved they achieved the most challenges and answered correctly to the questionnaire in the quicker way. Everything was valid for the teams to travel the city, they could use taxi, bus or any type of transportation and also any type of source to fill the questionnaire. The teams were given challenges, for example, "Take a picture with the oldest side of La Sagrada Familia" and also have a challenge in the other side of the city like "Take a picture with your hands up in front of La Catedral de Barcelona".

Even though one may think that with all the help they where given with their phones or with maps for them to win the Gimcana was easy, actually it is very difficult since they are in a competition with many other groups. Organization and teamwork is the what leads them to success. The prize of the winner team was 100euros in Amazon voucher.

Around 7pm, after running around the city, the first team to arrive was the Team composed by Andres, Gilbert, Ricardo and Gabriel. After their arrival, all the other teams began to arrive hoping for them to be able to win yet the winner was the first team to arrive with the most amount of points. The students enjoyed this activity a lot since they learned a lot about Barcelona and also that they were able to meet new people. 

Winning team.