Conventional Mail
Spain has a fairly reliable mail system that you can use to send and receive mail and packages. Letters mailed from Spain to the Unites States and vice versa may take anywhere from 7-14 days to arrive, depending upon the destination. Packages take substantially longer to arrive, and depending on the contents may encounter difficulties clearing customs. Packages sent by boat (the most economical) may take anywhere from 30 days to two months to arrive home. Packages sent by air can take 2-4 weeks to arrive. Please note that it is highly advisable to use a service that provides a tracking number when sending important or expensive items back to the United States, as international mail doesn't always find its way home. Stamps may be purchased at any estanco, or tobacco store, and packing supplies like tape and boxes can be found at department stores like El Corte Ingles, at local stationery stores called papelerias, or sometimes at oficinas de correos (post offices).
Internet and E-mail
Spain is making great strides in terms of internet technology and accessibility, although you will still find that it will not be as fast or as readily available as in the United States. Spanish universities have e-mail access, and you can find a growing number of well-equipped internet cafes with fast connections and reasonable rates in the larger cities. If you have a e-mail account through your home university, check if you'll be able to access it from overseas, or look into setting up an internet-based account such as Yahoo or Hotmail. If you plan to bring a laptop computer with you, there are several new Internet providers in Spain that offer a reasonable tarifa plana (fixed monthly rate).
Computers
If you bring a laptop to Spain, check first that it has an internal voltage converter and plug, and be sure to bring plenty of converter plugs (to plug into wall sockets). Most Spaniards use PCs.
Note: Though technology has made communication between countries much more convenient, it is absolutely imperative that you spend most of your time communicating with Spanish people in Spanish if you wish to improve your language skills and experience true cultural integration. Learning a language takes a lot of personal motivation, and it will be up to you to get the most out of your time abroad.
Telephone
Telephone rates are much higher in Spain than in the USA, although a recent increase in competition in the telecommunications industry is making keeping in touch with home more affordable. If you plan on calling the United States during your stay in Spain, there are a several options available to you:
1.You can make local and international calls from cabinas (public phone booths) or calling locutorios on the street. The easiest way to do this is to use an international calling card, which can be purchased at estancos (tobacco stores) and kiokos de prensa (newspaper stands). Some provide better rates than others, so ask for rates when you purchase the card.
2.Many students choose to buy a movil (cell phone) once in Spain to receive calls from home and to keep in touch with local friends while in Europe. Moviles are sold everywhere . Prices usually range between 60 - 150 euros for a phone. Phones are available with contracts or with pre-paid and "rechargable" cards. For students, the pre-paid plans work best. Moviles work great for making local calls, but are very expensive to use for international calls.
3.You can rent a Spanish cellular phone with a local Spanish number and local Spanish rates before you leave the U.S. or once you are here. You will normally be charged a small non-refundable one-time processing fee.