Topic: ANDALUCIA Language and Cultural Assistants 2010-2011 (Read 9383 times)

edina · « **Reply #50 on:** June 20, 2010, 06:30:03 AM »

Hey guys!
Good news! Someone got their letter today!!
She's going to Sevilla and her profex was #1348.

edina · « **Reply #51 on:** June 20, 2010, 06:31:25 AM »

ps: via snail mail

cr.ceballos · « **Reply #52 on:** June 21, 2010, 10:13:12 PM »

Hey all. Just got my letter. I'm going to be in Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz! Anybody know anything of interest about this city or also placed there?

-Chris

paracaidista06 · « **Reply #53 on:** June 21, 2010, 10:27:48 PM »

Just got my letter as well - going to be in a suburb about 10k SE of Sevilla!

andaluciagina · « **Reply #54 on:** June 21, 2010, 11:59:57 PM »

Quote from: cr.ceballos on June 21, 2010, 10:13:12 PM

Hey all. Just got my letter. I'm going to be in Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz! Anybody know anything of interest about this city or also placed there?

-Chris

Hey! I also just got my letter and am in Cadiz, only I'm in Chiclana de la Frontera (don't know what the difference there is...) I don't know much about the city, except that the beaches are supposed to be awesome. Needless to say, I'm pretty excited!!

~Gina

kyky22 · « **Reply #55 on:** June 22, 2010, 01:13:00 AM »

Hey, I just got my letter too. I'm going to be in Aracena (Huelva). It looks like a pretty small pueblo but I'm excited!

ginajcbsn · « **Reply #56 on:** June 22, 2010, 01:14:33 AM »

The earlist consulate appointment I could get was July 22nd in LA. Question for those who got their letters: did it come to your perminent address or temporary/current address? Also, what are the dates that we begin in Andalucia for training? Having the answers to these would be really helpful since I haven't gotten my letter yet and am trying to get some things organized stat! Thanks

gski · « **Reply #57 on:** June 22, 2010, 01:57:03 AM »

Just got our letters today. Malaga!

One of our schools is on Avda. James Bowles, 29014, Malaga, which we can't find on google maps or anything else. The other schools we are able to find without a problem. Weird.

Anyone know what streets are near Avda. James Bowles?

julie · « **Reply #58 on:** June 22, 2010, 07:11:25 AM »

someone else got my letter today in the main(with my name and everything on it) and contacted me on the fb group...

if the letter is right, im at IES Al-Andalus in Arahal, Sevilla.

Carlita32 · « **Reply #59 on:** June 22, 2010, 07:20:33 AM »

I got my placement today in Sevilla! I am very excited. I will be at IES Nestor Almendros, 41940 Tomares Sevilla

dwhiteside · « **Reply #60 on:** June 22, 2010, 09:01:49 AM »

Received my letter today and was placed in Granada. The school is called IES Hurtado de Mendoza. Has anyone else been placed here? I can't figure out exactly where it is on google maps based on the address on my letter and the school's website has a different address. Also, based on the website I found, it looks like the school is a specialized school for hospitality and tourism. Anyone else have a situation like this?

Congrats to all who received their letters y que esteis felices con vuestros colocaciones!

GoGetter25 · « **Reply #61 on:** June 22, 2010, 08:13:08 PM »

Quote from: kyky22 on June 22, 2010, 01:13:00 AM

Hey, I just got my letter too. I'm going to be in Aracena (Huelva). It looks like a pretty small pueblo but I'm excited!

Hey kyky22,
I will be working Alajar, a smaller city near Aracena. I have heard that most people live in Aracena and then get a ride to my town. I think Aracena (population 9,000) seems pretty tiny, especially for being the largest town in the area. I was considering commuting from Sevilla, but I'm curious as to what you plan to do!

ginajcbsn · « **Reply #62 on:** June 23, 2010, 01:32:55 AM »

I've been placed in Malaga!!! I saw a few others had been! Would you care to look me up on FB or give me your info and I'll look you up? I'd love to know someone else in this program there!!

Kamela · « **Reply #63 on:** June 23, 2010, 06:33:38 AM »

I have been placed in Castro del Rio, a pueblo about 40 kilometers from Cordoba city. Does anyone know anything about this town or if it would be realistic to live in Cordoba and commute to Castro del Rio? Any information would be super helpful!

almeria · « **Reply #64 on:** June 24, 2010, 08:14:05 AM »

Hola a todos!
I am new to this site. Still learning how to post. I received my acceptance letter this week, I was assigned to Almeria! Don't know much about the city, if anyone has any information, please share!

Gracias!

almeria · « **Reply #65 on:** June 24, 2010, 08:17:46 AM »

Quote from: dwhiteside on June 22, 2010, 09:01:49 AM

Received my letter today and was placed in Granada. The school is called IES Hurtado de Mendoza. Has anyone else been placed here? I can't figure out exactly where it is on google maps based on the address on my letter and the school's website has a different address. Also, based on the website I found, it looks like the school is a specialized school for hospitality and tourism. Anyone else have a situation like this?

Congrats to all who received their letters y que esteis felices con vuestros colocaciones!

Not sure if this is how you reply...
I love granada! I was placed in Almeria. In a similar school (IES). I would appreciate any informationl.

esimons324 · « **Reply #66 on:** June 24, 2010, 03:38:00 PM »

I will be at CEIP Anibal Gonzalez in Sevilla capital. Last year, I was in Fuengirola, near Malaga. I live in Ohio, and so I have to go to Chicago again to apply for the Visa. I'm wondering if anyone has already applied yet this year?

ginajcbsn · « **Reply #67 on:** June 29, 2010, 01:05:53 AM »

I had a question for those of you who have recieved their letters...it might sound a little stupid BUT on my letter they are requiring me to send back a sheet formally accepting my position. I'm suppose to send this to Seville by July 15th. Should I send the original copy? Or make a photocopy and send them that?

I tried e-mailing them early last week and still haven't hear back so I wanted some input! Thanks a bunch!

dwhiteside · « **Reply #68 on:** June 29, 2010, 01:53:29 AM »

Quote from: ginajcbsn on June 29, 2010, 01:05:53 AM

I had a question for those of you who have recieved their letters...it might sound a little stupid BUT on my letter they are requiring me to send back a sheet formally accepting my position. I'm suppose to send this to Seville by July 15th. Should I send the original copy? Or make a photocopy and send them that?

I tried e-mailing them early last week and still haven't hear back so I wanted some input! Thanks a bunch!

I signed the letter. made a photocopy of it (2 copies to be exact), and sent the original back to them last Friday. I sent it registered mail and, through on-line tracking, learned today that it left New York yesterday morning. I would recommend sending the acceptance letter as soon as possible.

On another note, for those of you that are going through the SF consulate, I had my appointment today and turned in all the paperwork for the visa application. Overall, the process went pretty smoothly. I had to go across the street to make a photocopy of my police report with the apostile on it b/c I had not done that yet, but they accepted everything else (everything I brought with me was based on the checklist from the website). I did bring a copy of a flight from expedia that I could potentially be taking and the lady barely glanced at it and handed it back to me, so I'm not sure how pertinent it is to have an itinerary with you. Although, always better safe than sorry

. If you're going to apply in person, plan on them running about 30 min behind schedule. There were quite a few people applying for visas, as this is also the time for students doing study abroad programs to get their applications in. The lady told me the turn-around would be about 5 weeks.

Feel free to message me or respond to this post if you have any questions about the SF consulate

cmb04012 · « **Reply #69 on:** June 29, 2010, 04:07:14 AM »

Quote from: ginajcbsn on June 29, 2010, 01:05:53 AM

I had a question for those of you who have recieved their letters...it might sound a little stupid BUT on my letter they are requiring me to send back a sheet formally accepting my position. I'm suppose to send this to Seville by July 15th. Should I send the original copy? Or make a photocopy and send them that?

I tried e-mailing them early last week and still haven't hear back so I wanted some input! Thanks a bunch!

I also made a few photocopies of the sheet and sent the original (today). I'm pretty certain you need to send the original AND a copy of your passport. I would send them asap because it will take 7-10 business days going through regular mail. If you send it express you could get it there quicker, but it will cost you around 30 dollars (that's the rate from here on the east coast).

dwhiteside · « **Reply #70 on:** June 29, 2010, 06:57:31 AM »

Quote from: cmb04012 on June 29, 2010, 04:07:14 AM

I also made a few photocopies of the sheet and sent the original (today). I'm pretty certain you need to send the original AND a copy of your passport. I would send them asap because it will take 7-10 business days going through regular mail. If you send it express you could get it there quicker, but it will cost you around 30 dollars (that's the rate from here on the east coast).

You're right...I forgot about the passport. Send that, too. From the west coast it was about $30 to express mail it also. I decided it wasn't worth the price since we have a couple weeks, I just payed a couple extra dollars to have it registered so I could have a tracking number.

ginajcbsn · « **Reply #71 on:** June 30, 2010, 11:03:41 PM »

Here's some information I just recieved from a lady who works at the Sacramento Apostille Office (916-653-3595).

If your FBI clearance comes back with "Robert Santos'" signature you don't have to get it notarized before you send it to Sacramento for the Apostille. If it does NOT have his name/signature then you WILL have to get it notarized before you can send it for the Apostille.

You can mail it in to recieve the Apostille BUT if you go IN PERSON they can do SAME DAY Apostilles. Another bonus is that you can have someone else TAKE your letter to the Sacramento office for you to get it Apostilized! I asked her if we had to give the person a written consent form signed by us authorizing them to get it Apostilized and she said no, but I might do that just in case since my sister lives there and can do this for me.

Also, she said that the LA Apostille Office should be able to Apostilize the Police Clearance but I believe it is walk in only. I tried to call them, but got a busy signal on their number (213-897-3062). If you do decide to go to the LA Office you need to complete these steps:
-Get your clearance notarized if necessary, then go to the place where the Notary took his/her oath and have he/she verified as a notary (small $fee) then you take that information to the LA Office for the Apostille.

Hopes this helps and at least theres one way to avoid a long wait for the Apostille after already waiting the 13 weeks for the FBI Clearance!!

Oh and I also called the FBI (304-625-5590 Press 2 and then 6 for the options) to ask about the FedEx expidite thing and he told me no, but also said that it may not take the full 13 weeks and some were getting back to people a month early. I wouldnt count on this, but just passing along what I was told.

ginajcbsn · « **Reply #72 on:** July 01, 2010, 10:42:43 PM »

Check your emails! Looking like our FBI clearance is being waived and we only need local clearance!! WOO

esperika · « **Reply #73 on:** July 02, 2010, 06:18:23 AM »

Does anyone know what the next steps are going to be after we send in our acceptance letter? Will we receive a confirmation? Will we get information about an orientation? Or should we just show up in our city ready to teach on October 1?

I'm assigned to Cabra, in the Cordoba region. Is anyone nearby?! I can't wait!!!

CMarian · « **Reply #74 on:** July 06, 2010, 07:11:16 PM »

Are there others who have still not recieved their 'offer letter' from their school yet?

I have my consulate meeting this Monday, and am wondering how late I should try to reschedule.

Thanks!

ginajcbsn · « **Reply #75 on:** July 13, 2010, 10:53:10 PM »

Is anyone e-mailing Seville to make sure they recieved the signed acceptance letter? I tracked mine through USPS and wasn't sure if I should also email them just to double check...

dwhiteside · « **Reply #76 on:** July 14, 2010, 08:18:52 PM »

Quote from: ginajcbsn on July 13, 2010, 10:53:10 PM

Is anyone e-mailing Seville to make sure they recieved the signed acceptance letter? I tracked mine through USPS and wasn't sure if I should also email them just to double check...

I've been thinking about doing the same thing. I tracked my letter as well, but the information only went as far to say the letter left the 'international mailing center' in New York. It doesn't say anything about actually making it to Spain. However, I did read somewhere (either on this site or FB) that the region will let people know if they did not receive the acceptance letter. Maybe no news is good news in this situation, although I don't really want to risk it either. If you do e-mail Sevilla and get a response please post.

Gracias

y tapas...mmmmmmmmm

Catou · « **Reply #77 on:** July 19, 2010, 06:21:21 PM »

Anyone knows if there is a thread about VISA/NIE renewal for folks like me who are starting their second year in Andalusia?

Can't seem to find information for returning language assistants...

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Anne Marie · « **Reply #78 on:** July 20, 2010, 04:22:13 PM »

Quote from: dwhiteside on July 14, 2010, 08:18:52 PM

I've been thinking about doing the same thing. I tracked my letter as well, but the information only went as far to say the letter left the 'international mailing center' in New York. It doesn't say anything about actually making it to Spain. However, I did read somewhere (either on this site or FB) that the region will let people know if they did not receive the acceptance letter. Maybe no news is good news in this situation, although I don't really want to risk it either. If you do e-mail Sevilla and get a response please post.

Gracias y tapas...mmmmmmmmm

Hey! I tracked my letter w/ USPS & the same thing happened, so I called the Junto, gave them my name & they let me know they received it.

mhaaga · « **Reply #79 on:** July 21, 2010, 09:33:32 PM »

I was assigned to Andalucia region a month ago and just now found this thread. I will be in a small town outside of Sevilla, Lora del Rio. Is anyone here going to be in that city? Also, does anyone know any information about orientation besides the October 1st date we were sent? Thanks.

rachel_s · « **Reply #80 on:** July 22, 2010, 09:41:19 PM »

Is anyone else going to be in the Jaen region in Andalucia? When I first got the letter, I thought that my school was actually in the town of Jaen (between Cordoba and Granada). But I just recently google-mapped the address for the school and it is about an hour outside of Jaen! On the map, it looks to be basically the middle of nowhere. The closest small towns each have only about 1000-4000 people in them. The town that the school itself is in (Solera) has 338 people!!! I found a website for the school, but it hasn't been updated since 2007. (All of the news on the site is from spring 2007)... I'm very confused and don't know what to do about where to look for places to live or how to get to the school, especially since our orientation isn't until a few days after we start at the schools. I really don't want to have to live in a tiny village...
Has anyone emailed their school? I would assume that this email would need to be in Spanish?

The school is CEIP Antonio Machado. It would be amazing if there was another person from the program there, but I feel that is highly unlikely since it's so small...

mhaaga · « **Reply #81 on:** July 22, 2010, 09:49:39 PM »

I emailed the contact at my school a few weeks ago, but did so in English, and still haven't received a response. I'm guessing you probably want to email the contact in Spanish.

JPH · « **Reply #82 on:** July 27, 2010, 09:07:55 PM »

Hey,

I was an auxiliar last year in Jaen in a tiny town waaaaay further out than Solera (La Puerta de Segura), so I wanted to get in touch and tell you what I know! I just looked at where Solera is on the map and you should just commute to Granada! In a town that small I am sure that there will be teachers commuting from other cities (trust me, there always are), so even if there aren't buses going from Granada to Solera, you might be able to hitch a ride with someone. Looking back, I wish I had commuted, but I lived three hours from a capital city, so it was impossible. Being only one hour from Granada is awesome and if nothing else you can try to live there on the weekend (or you can commute from Ubeda or Jaen). I lived in Baeza on the weekend and rented two rooms, one there and one in my pueblo, which is possible in these areas because rent is only like 100-120 euros per room. Try to get in touch with your school but don't panic and realize that its really easy to work out housing and everything once you get over there. I only worked 12 hours on Tues/Wed/Thurs and then had four day weekends every week, and that was working in two schools! Four day weekends every weekend means lots of time to hang out in Jaen capital or Granada if you can work it out that way.

If you have any questions about small town Jaen or anything, feel free to email me! jhoolko@gmail.com

Good luck with your preparations and be excited! Even though its a small town it will still be awesome.

Jess

rachel_s · « **Reply #83 on:** July 28, 2010, 08:52:49 PM »

Thank you Jess! That really did make me feel a lot better! (I'm sure it was obvious enough, but I was starting to freak out a bit...) I will definitely be emailing you soon.
Thanks so much,
Rachel

JPH · « **Reply #84 on:** August 09, 2010, 09:14:55 AM »

Hi Andalucía people!

I was an auxiliar last year in a pueblito in Jaén province, and I've been answering questions for some people who had them about the area. I know I was freaking out this time last year because I had no idea what I was walking into, so I compiled all the questions I've gotten so far and my answers on the blog I kept while I was abroad. If anyone thinks it would help, here it is! I worked in La Puerta de Segura and lived in Baeza on the weekends:

http://glamorousinretrospect.wordpress.com/

Buena suerte!!!

mhaaga · « **Reply #85 on:** August 10, 2010, 10:52:40 PM »

I've been accepted to the program in Andalucia. I will be working in a small town outside of Sevilla, Lora del Rio. I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about that region? How hard was it to find housing once you got over there? What type of cell phone plan is available or what you recommend on that? What's a good bank to use over there? What type of things should we bring? If there is anywhere you can direct me on these questions I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for the help and I look forward to being over in Spain at the end of September!

ewoebse · « **Reply #86 on:** August 12, 2010, 10:25:31 PM »

Hi everyone,

I'm placed in Torremolinos in the province of Malaga (Andalucia). Is anyone else in that area or has anyone been placed there previously? I've been trying to get in touch with my school to find out about housing but still haven't heard anything back. Help! Thanks!

Erica

ginajcbsn · « **Reply #87 on:** August 13, 2010, 08:31:25 PM »

Quote from: ewoebse on August 12, 2010, 10:25:31 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm placed in Torremolinos in the province of Malaga (Andalucia). Is anyone else in that area or has anyone been placed there previously? I've been trying to get in touch with my school to find out about housing but still haven't heard anything back. Help! Thanks!

Erica

Hey Erica,

I've been placed in Velez-Malaga which is near the coast a bit north of Malaga. (not sure how close it is to Torremolinos), but as far as I know the schools don't really have a say on living. I think its just up to us to find an apartment. I've been looking on some sites and there seems to be quite the selection in Malaga itself (I'm going to live there and commute to Velez-Malaga) but it was recommended to me to not commit to an apartment before actually seeing it. So I'm arriving in Malaga on Sept. 21st and am couchsurfing while I find an apartment. Do you think you're going to live in Torremolinos or Malaga?

Ciao!!

diecinueve · « **Reply #88 on:** August 13, 2010, 09:01:53 PM »

Hey all! Just wanted to throw in there that if anyone is blogging about your time in Andalucia, I'd love to follow along!

I'll be blogging about life in Malaga at my blog Love & Paella at http://writinganewstory.blogspot.com if anyone cares to visit!

kborghi · « **Reply #89 on:** August 16, 2010, 08:27:32 PM »

Hey guys, here's my blog too. I'm just getting started, but this will cover my time in Sevilla centro :

www.lasevillana.wordpress.com

Enjoy

SenoritaSwain · « **Reply #90 on:** August 16, 2010, 08:34:54 PM »

Wow! I am just finding this site. I wish I knew of it before.
I will be in Sevilla teaching at Instituto Isbilya. Is anyone
else placed at this same school?
I am arriving in Sevilla on September 23rd to begin looking
for a place and become familiar with the city. I don't even know
where I will stay until I find a place..I'm thinking Hostel?
Anyone else in the same situation,
Also, I applied for my Visa at the DC office about 3 weeks ago.
About how long will it take for me to receive..

I cannot wait to get this show on the ROAD!
PEACE

lisa_l · « **Reply #91 on:** September 25, 2010, 05:08:15 AM »

Quote from: rachel_s on July 22, 2010, 09:41:19 PM

Is anyone else going to be in the Jaen region in Andalucia? When I first got the letter, I thought that my school was actually in the town of Jaen (between Cordoba and Granada). But I just recently google-mapped the address for the school and it is about an hour outside of Jaen! On the map, it looks to be basically the middle of nowhere. The closest small towns each have only about 1000-4000 people in them. The town that the school itself is in (Solera) has 338 people!!! I found a website for the school, but it hasn't been updated since 2007. (All of the news on the site is from spring 2007)... I'm very confused and don't know what to do about where to look for places to live or how to get to the school, especially since our orientation isn't until a few days after we start at the schools. I really don't want to have to live in a tiny village...
Has anyone emailed their school? I would assume that this email would need to be in Spanish?

The school is CEIP Antonio Machado. It would be amazing if there was another person from the program there, but I feel that is highly unlikely since it's so small...

Hi Rachel! I just got my assignment (I was on the waiting list for a long time!) in Peal de Becerro in Jaen province. It looks to be about 30-45 minutes away from Ubeda; I thought the same thing at first, that it was in the city of Jaen, and that "Peal de Becerro" was the street. I'm thinking of living in Ubeda and commuting, but as several people have suggested I'll wait until I'm there to make a final decision. Since I'm just now applying for my visa, I'll be coming over late, but in the meantime I'm trying to get in touch with other people placed near Baeza/Ubeda. It looks like Solera and Peal de Becerro are on different roads leading out of Ubeda, but if you end up living in Baeza or Ubeda let me know! Anyone else in that area? (And is anyone else just now getting their assignment?)

Author Topic: ANDALUCIA Language and Cultural Assistants 2010-2011 (Read 9383 times)