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OUT_BOUND
Joined: 21 Feb 2007
Posts: 7
Location: Pasadena, CA.
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 Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject: Any Knowledge of VEN-USA College |
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Hey,
Just want to hear about anything on VEN-USA College and their program(s), such as the locations, good intern placements, the accommodations, etc.. Any information will be helpful before I make a decision on applying.
Thanks in advance |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:29 am Post subject: Re: Any Knowledge of VEN-USA College |
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| OUT_BOUND wrote: |
Hey,
Just want to hear about anything on VEN-USA College and their program(s), such as the locations, good intern placements, the accommodations, etc.. Any information will be helpful before I make a decision on applying.
Thanks in advance |
yes, I know about them. Almost went to Maricaibo (I think that's how you spell it in Jan 2003) Unfortuanelty, there were massive strickes. I had got the visa and flight and cancelled at the last minute. 10 days beforehand.
I didn't go because of the strikes and because they were pulling embassy personnel and missionaries out.
VEN-USA of what I know is perfessional, they get you a visa. You will teach uni kids for 25 (I think) hours a week. You could probably also get the chance to study Spanish. And the pay is decent.
I emailed some of the people who were teaching for them and they all had good things to say about the institute.
For info about locations, etc, email the coordinator, Rosa. I found her to be very helpful.
They have a website.
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~venusa/
But it's still under contruction.
Hope this helps. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Dd you end up applying? |
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suite1718
Joined: 07 Mar 2007
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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Naturegirl:
Where did you get your information on VEN-USA with respect to pay, hours, etc? I am considering Venezuela and this opportunity interests me.
Thanks! |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:42 am Post subject: |
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From their website. I almost went with them in 2003. I dropped out ten days before my flight due to civil unrest. THings are better now though. They get a student visa for you. So all the info I have was from Rosa the coordinator.
The website is under construction. But email Rosa, she's super nice. |
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suite1718
Joined: 07 Mar 2007
Posts: 24
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Yep that's it. Are you going to do it? |
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suite1718
Joined: 07 Mar 2007
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:51 am Post subject: |
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Well, I'm not sure. From what I see there it looks like the only option is to stay in Merida, and to do a faimly live-in setup.
I'm interested in going to Maracaibo and living independently. Your original comments were what caught my attention, but I'm not seeing any options for something like that.
Did Rosa give you information about other options not listed on the website? |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:58 am Post subject: |
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| Like I said it was four years ago. I opted for Merida and think that I was going to live in a dorm, or something similar. Ask if you can live on your own or other teachers. They should be accomodating. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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Hi got this email, so I thought I'd post it here, hope it helps someone.
| Quote: |
I studied there for a semester in 2004 so I thought I'd drop you a note. Basically Venusa is an intercambio that's affiliated with the University of Minnesota. I attended Venusa to gain credit towards my undergrad in Spanish and International Studies in the US. Every semester usually 20 or more students come to Venusa from the US for this purpose. Venusa is extremely accommodating to these students and offers weekly activities to make these students feel at home and encourage interaction with the Venezuelan students. There are various classes offered at Venusa but most are in the category of Spanish Language classes or a variety of Latin American Studies classes (for example I took Latin American Politics, History of Venezuela, Geography of Venezuela, and South American Film Studies).
Since it's a rather small school I knew all the English teachers there as well. From what I understand the pay was not substantial, but the three I knew were able to afford to share a very nice house in downtown Merida (even though they had a host family arranged for them). I also recall that a couple of them were actually retrieved from the Caracas airport by the director of the school (not too shabby considering Caracas is about 12 hours by bus). In 2004 everything was quite affordable in Merida (I understand this may not be the case anymore). I recall having very nice lunches in restaurants for less than 2 dollars, bus rides to basically anywhere in the Western half of the country never cost more than $15 (just to give you an idea). All in all, it was a very comfortable environment and all the faculty and staff at Venusa really went out of their way to make international visitors feel comfortable. Feel free to write with any questions.
Sincerely,
Bryan
[email protected] |
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suite1718
Joined: 07 Mar 2007
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you for the information.  |
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suite1718
Joined: 07 Mar 2007
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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Naturegirl:
I recently contacted Rosa and was a bit disappointed with what she had to say. I had thought that someone mentioned Maracaibo, she said Merida was the only location. That email mentioned pay, renting a place, and I thought I had seen something about working visas.
Here is one answer she had:
What does Ven-USA offer for salary (I see that housing is offered with a family, although I would prefer to purchase my own apartment)? Will I be able to live on my salary?
MOST APPLICANTS/INTERNS ON THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM ARE USING THIS EXPERIENCE TO ENHANCE THEIR RESUMES, GAIN CULTURAL AWARENESS AND EXPERIENCE AND IMPROVE THEIR SPANISH LANGUAGE SKILLS.
MOST APPLICANTS TEACH IN RETURN FOR HOUSING, MEALS AND SPANISH CLASSES.
DUE TO THE DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING A WORK VISA IN VENEZUELA, A STIPEND IS NOT USUALLY OFFERED TO FOREIGNERS . HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN RENTING YOUR OWN APARTMENT (WHICH IS ACTUALLY QUITE DIFFICULT AND COSTLY), I WOULD NEED TO TALK TO YOU PERSONALLY ABOUT THAT FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT. KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU WOULD NOT BE EARNING ENOUGH PAY FOR ANY TYPE OF RENTAL.
I ALWAYS SUGGEST TO APPLICANTS TO START OFF WITH A HOMESTAY FAMILY, THEN ONCE YOU GET TO KNOW THE AREA AND MARKET, THEN GO OFF ON YOUR OWN. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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| suite1718 wrote: |
Naturegirl:
I recently contacted Rosa and was a bit disappointed with what she had to say. I had thought that someone mentioned Maracaibo, she said Merida was the only location. That email mentioned pay, renting a place, and I thought I had seen something about working visas.
Here is one answer she had:
What does Ven-USA offer for salary (I see that housing is offered with a family, although I would prefer to purchase my own apartment)? Will I be able to live on my salary?
MOST APPLICANTS/INTERNS ON THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM ARE USING THIS EXPERIENCE TO ENHANCE THEIR RESUMES, GAIN CULTURAL AWARENESS AND EXPERIENCE AND IMPROVE THEIR SPANISH LANGUAGE SKILLS.
MOST APPLICANTS TEACH IN RETURN FOR HOUSING, MEALS AND SPANISH CLASSES.
DUE TO THE DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING A WORK VISA IN VENEZUELA, A STIPEND IS NOT USUALLY OFFERED TO FOREIGNERS . HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN RENTING YOUR OWN APARTMENT (WHICH IS ACTUALLY QUITE DIFFICULT AND COSTLY), I WOULD NEED TO TALK TO YOU PERSONALLY ABOUT THAT FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT. KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU WOULD NOT BE EARNING ENOUGH PAY FOR ANY TYPE OF RENTAL.
I ALWAYS SUGGEST TO APPLICANTS TO START OFF WITH A HOMESTAY FAMILY, THEN ONCE YOU GET TO KNOW THE AREA AND MARKET, THEN GO OFF ON YOUR OWN. |
I guess things have changed since I applied. Both Merida and Maricaibo were any option at that time and they paid as well. Maybe they've become more popular and people are now willing to work in exchange for Spanish lessons and the homestay.
Thanks for letting us know. |
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nineisone
Joined: 23 Jun 2006
Posts: 187
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| Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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I got the same reply when I was researching South America in the summer of last year. Her e-mail was prompt and friendly but I got the feeling it was more of a volunteer type gig. Merida was the only option offered then. Apparently that city is filled with ESL volunteers who often barter teaching in exchange for spanish classes or room and board.
Maracaibo is an oil city with business interests friendly to North Americans. The heart of the Chavez resistance is located in that state. There should be some good opportunites to teach. Please post if you come across any. |
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