Job Discussion Forums

DLat · Joined: 01 Mar 2011 Posts: 12

Lots of good information for an American in this thread.

Elameire, would you please share names of other schools you find (like TtMadrid) that offer Spanish language and cultural study, including student VISA assistance.

Thanks!

elameire · Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 9 Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Hey DLat,

It's interesting that you asked. To be honest, the only one that I've been able to find has been TTMadrid.

When I posted a few days back, I was convinced that TTMadrid wouldn't have the market cornered on student visas for non-EUs, but it seems that they do. The visa issuance process is totally byzantine in Spain, and it appears that you really have to jump through a bunch of hoops in order to get the "stamp of approval" from the government to become a "sanctioned" organization. Hence, why so few schools out there offer such a program.

I've been waiting until I had an informational phone call with TTMadrid to post an update, and I just got off the phone with the company's head. Having been in education for a while - and having done a lot of business with education in China - I've become pretty good at spotting a scam. I really couldn't have gotten a more honest and legit vibe than I got from TTMadrid.

I'm sure that the program isn't perfect, and I imagine that some people haven't had A+ experiences with them. Be that as it may, I can't find much negative posted about them. In and of itself, I find this pretty impressive in the Internet age.

So, that's that. I'll keep everyone in the loop about this for updates. Let me know if you have any questions!

-Eddie

DLat · Joined: 01 Mar 2011 Posts: 12

Thank you, Eddie! I'm curious about what you learned about the jobs and one's ability to support oneself for the rest of the year after completing the TEFL course.

Lunkey · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 66 Location: Santiago

some really good information here...

a question I'd have would be: do you need to go through their tefl training program to get job assistance? I've been teaching English in Chile for over 2 years and I've already done a tefl program, so I'd

also, how many hours of study (and work..) are required with the student visa?

thanks for all the info, seems like maybe you've found a golden ticket here!

elameire · Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 9 Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Hey Lunkey,

As far as a golden ticket is concerned, the price of the course makes me feel as though they've found it, not me Smile

It does seem like a really good, legit program though.

I'm guessing that they'd require the TEFL course, since this seems to be the centerpiece of the program. But, I could be wrong. For the work hours, none are required, but the visa does allow you to work (legally) up to 20 hours per week. For study, there's very little; a month of intensive coursework followed by periodic cultural immersion-type classes.

So, the program isn't cheap (or, maybe I'm cheap), but the people seem remarkably professional and forthright. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Lunkey · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 66 Location: Santiago

has anyone looked into the North American Language and Culture Assistant Program?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Lunkey · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 66 Location: Santiago

you make 700 euros a month and I don't think it's very likely that you'll get your housing paid for/have a home stay (unless you're out in the sticks..). but yeah seems like a pretty legit program, only problem would be that there's now way you can live on 700 euros a month... would it be possible to do the program and also work for an institute (either under the table or legally b/c of the visa you get through the program?) or privates?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

[quote="spiral78"]

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I believe that was some years ago, right? May I ask how long you were there?

The point of my questions is that the economies in Europe have changed quite a lot over the past 6/7 years. Your experience living on a small amount of Euros every month may no longer be the best yardstick.

Lunkey · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 66 Location: Santiago

MOD EDIT

AGoodStory · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738

Spiral is making a useful point. Europe has changed enormously over the last decade--socially, politically, economically. While your experience in Europe is not negligible, ng, you must realize that it is out-dated. Rules have changed; laws have changed; currencies have changed; expectations have changed. As I recall, you volunteered for a summer in Scotland while in college, and did a study abroad program in Spain about a decade ago? That sounds like great experience, but it is what it is, and it might not be the best indicator of what living and working in today's Europe is like.

Remember--the current economic reality did not exist a decade ago. For one thing, the euro of 2011 does not buy what the euro of a decade ago bought. Those who actually live and work in a country are in the best position to know about the current challenges of living and working there.

A further point: working in a country is just not the same as doing a study abroad program in college. You've said elsewhere on this forum that you've never worked in Spain. While this certainly this does not disqualify anyone from giving advice on working in Spain, it would be a courtesy to let people know that--then they could more accurately assess and weigh the contradictory information and advice so often found on this forum. Wink

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

No, I'm certainly no god. I'm also quite happy for whomever to post useful information on working in Europe. But it happens all-too-often that strong advice is given based on

1. anecdotal evidence
2. very limited experience
3. outdated experience

I think that we all have the right to chime in on whatever we know from personal experience. However, those of us whose experience in whatever country is outdated usually say that this is the case. For example, I can definitely state that I haven't got any current knowledge about any of the training programmes in Spain, though I have worked in the past with people who were involved. If I want to make a point regarding such programmes, it's only fair that I also add that this is the information I had from four years ago. Things may have changed.

AGS has also pointed out that some of the experience cited here frequently is of very short duration. One, two, or three months somewhere is not really 'living' and/or working in a country, IMO.

As for whether one can live on 700 per month in Spain (or 1,200 in Madrid, or whatever the figure is) - I wouldn't presume to say. I can say that I couldn't live on 700/month, but I would NOT go so far as to say that "YOU definitely can/can't live on 700 per month."