MADRID Language and Cultural Assistants 2010-2011

[serendipity]

Here is a place to network/discuss/plan for those of us headed to comunidad de MADRID!

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[BrandinhoGaucho]

Acceptance is in order, but still no school. I hope I don't slip through the cracks...

By the way, is anybody else planning balance studies with the program this year?

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[caraluna]

Just got my placement today, and I couldn't be happier. MADRID! =)

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[Something Clever]

I was placed today, and I am beyond excited! I lived in Madrid during my last year of college, and I have wanted to go back ever since. I can't believe that it might actually happen this fall.

BrandinhoGaucho, I take it you are going to be attending graduate school in Madrid while you work as a Language Assistant? I have considered doing something like this in the future (either juggling both or studying for a master's degree full-time), and I would love to hear about your plans.

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[serendipity]

Hello future Madrilenos and Madrilenas!

I decided to ahead and make a Facebook Group for the auxiliares en la comunidad de Madrid, I encourage everybody to join it

it's called: Auxiliares de conversacion en MADRID 2010-2011

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[tfreeman]

Just wanted to say congrats to everyone on their placement. I look forward to bouncing ideas back and forth and gaining some knowledge from everyone before making the leap across the pond.

I have never been to Europe before, so my first time in Spain will be when I go this fall. Definitely excited.

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[serendipity]

so... regarding when we get our letters, a girl posted this on the Madrid facebook group [Auxiliares de conversacion en MADRID 2010-2011]:

they said the papers should be sent out by the last week of June

I emailed the people in the Madrid section of the packet. There were three contacts. Here is what she said:



The Ministry of Education is about to send the lists of new candidates to the different Comunidades Autónomas. Once we, the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid, receive the list, we prepare the official documents and send them to the candidates.
This will probably happen by the end of june.

and then I received another email:

Your letter of appointment should be arriving in June.Don´t worry.
As for the visa,you must apply from the US. As far as we know you cannot apply for it from Europe. We do ask you to be here as from mid September .There are training sessions during the last two weeks .The exact dates will be put on our web page http://www.educa.madrid.org/portal/web/auxiliares 

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[ilivefaster]

Hi guys and girls!

My name's Mike and I couldn't be more thrilled about being placed in Madrid.

Has anyone in this thread been through the program before? Also, this is my first time in Spain, and I'm equal parts nervous and excited... and of course, have tons of questions! Haha I'm sure I'm not alone with that though, right?

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[Daniele]

FYI guys, I received an email this morning stating that we would receive our city placements via EMAIL.

I emailed the contact in the program manual to see if we could get an estimate as to when we would receive notification, and I received this response:

"Hola Tayhlor:
 
Los documentos los recibirás por correo electrónico antes de fin de junio.
Un saludo,
Magdalena Custodio Espinar"

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[hurrikaane]

And then we must wait for the paper copy to arrive for our visa appointments.

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[madridsally]

And then we must wait for the paper copy to arrive for our visa appointments.

It sounds like the letter will come by e-mail only. I see why you'd need a snail mail copy for the visa appointment.

My boyfriend is the one who will be an auxilary in Madrid.  I'm doing a masters degree program in Spain and I received my acceptance letter by e-mail. That is the document I'm planning to use for my visa.  So it seems like an e-mail is good enough.

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[serendipity]

i will be a first-time auxiliar somewhere in madrid.
important question for those of who you are currently/have already been an auxiliar:
how strict are the regions, specifically madrid, in regards to requesting to leave earlier for christmas vacation?

my dilemma is that i have a cousin getting married in the philippines on december 18, thus i would have to fly out of spain by december 17 at the latest. however, i think the official start of the christmas/winter break is not until december 23.... do you think it would be difficult for me to leave earlier for christmas vacation?

i know someone said before that of course treat this as a job, and be professional, make sure your school likes you, and then offer to work more hours ahead of time to make up for taking "time off", which i am definitely more than willing to do.

i know i am a first-timer, and i don't want to appear lazy or unprofessional. would it be acceptable to e-mail my school ahead of time and tell them in advance about the wedding? or should i just wait until i'm there, and just ask my school after they see my performance as a responsible auxiliar.... the thing is... i'm just concerned that the longer i wait, the more expensive the plane ticket is getting.......

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[SRedw]

i will be a first-time auxiliar somewhere in madrid.
important question for those of who you are currently/have already been an auxiliar:
how strict are the regions, specifically madrid, in regards to requesting to leave earlier for christmas vacation?

my dilemma is that i have a cousin getting married in the philippines on december 18, thus i would have to fly out of spain by december 17 at the latest. however, i think the official start of the christmas/winter break is not until december 23.... do you think it would be difficult for me to leave earlier for christmas vacation?

i know someone said before that of course treat this as a job, and be professional, make sure your school likes you, and then offer to work more hours ahead of time to make up for taking "time off", which i am definitely more than willing to do.

i know i am a first-timer, and i don't want to appear lazy or unprofessional. would it be acceptable to e-mail my school ahead of time and tell them in advance about the wedding? or should i just wait until i'm there, and just ask my school after they see my performance as a responsible auxiliar.... the thing is... i'm just concerned that the longer i wait, the more expensive the plane ticket is getting.......

This depends on the school where you are placed.  You are asked not to get a return ticket before the last day of school and a few things can happen:

1. You have to work extra hours to make up the time you are missing

2. They will dock your pay and you won't get your full month's salary

3. Nothing will be said at all

Those are the three things that can happen.

Suerte,

Shawn

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[k-a-t]

I just got pulled off the waiting list, #2294 for Madrid!
I have a dilemma - I actually can't believe this is happening...
I JUST got to Madrid on Monday with a working holiday visa - the Youth Mobility Program between Canada and Spain
And last night (aka day 2 in Madrid) I got an email offering a placement in Madrid
I emailed Pablo, didn't hear back from him so I went ahead and accepted
Now I don't know if I can change from a working visa to a students visa and do the program... it's a guaranteed job and I would love to do it....
I need to get in touch with someone who knows. I'm assuming the answer is no, that I'm stuck with this working visa, but I want to know for sure, and soon so that if I can't it will free up my spot for someone else.
I hope everyone is super excited, Madrid is amazing! Especially right now with the World Cup!

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[SRedw]

I just got pulled off the waiting list, #2294 for Madrid!
I have a dilemma - I actually can't believe this is happening...
I JUST got to Madrid on Monday with a working holiday visa - the Youth Mobility Program between Canada and Spain
And last night (aka day 2 in Madrid) I got an email offering a placement in Madrid
I emailed Pablo, didn't hear back from him so I went ahead and accepted
Now I don't know if I can change from a working visa to a students visa and do the program... it's a guaranteed job and I would love to do it....
I need to get in touch with someone who knows. I'm assuming the answer is no, that I'm stuck with this working visa, but I want to know for sure, and soon so that if I can't it will free up my spot for someone else.
I hope everyone is super excited, Madrid is amazing! Especially right now with the World Cup!

Here's a question, do you have to go to an office and complete the visa to have it extended?  If the answer is NO, you don't have a work visa for Spain.  When companies talk about a work holiday visa. it is nothing but a tourist visa and these companies pay you under the table and no taxes are reported to the Spanish government.

You were smart to take the offer, but now you have to do some research and see if you are working in Spain legally and paying taxes to Hacienda.

Shawn

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[k-a-t]

Here's a question, do you have to go to an office and complete the visa to have it extended?  If the answer is NO, you don't have a work visa for Spain.  When companies talk about a work holiday visa. it is nothing but a tourist visa and these companies pay you under the table and no taxes are reported to the Spanish government.

You were smart to take the offer, but now you have to do some research and see if you are working in Spain legally and paying taxes to Hacienda.

Shawn

It's definitely legal because I got the visa from my consulate in Toronto.  It's to work in Spain on a casual basis, and I didn't need a job offer to get it.  Basically, I don't have a job right now but when I get one I will be working here legally.  I also have to go apply for an NIE card to prove that I'm a resident, & according to the consulate I have 180 days to do so, although I'm going to do it within 30 just to be sure.

I'm going to send an email to norteamericanos@educacion.es and see what they tell me... it's a weird situation to be in.

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[SRedw]

It's definitely legal because I got the visa from my consulate in Toronto.  It's to work in Spain on a casual basis, and I didn't need a job offer to get it.  Basically, I don't have a job right now but when I get one I will be working here legally.  I also have to go apply for an NIE card to prove that I'm a resident, & according to the consulate I have 180 days to do so, although I'm going to do it within 30 just to be sure.

I'm going to send an email to norteamericanos@educacion.es and see what they tell me... it's a weird situation to be in.

Kat,

Your situation sounds very fishy to me because in order to complete the process for the NIE, you ned a contract in hand or something showing that you are here as a student.     You have a student visa, trust me on this one, because I had the same in 2007 and it can't be renewed.  I had to go through hell and high water to get it renewed for the English Language Assistant program.  You cannot work in Spain on a casual basis.  Either you have a full-time contract, a part-time contract or you work and get paid under the bale.

If I were you,  I would investigate this more, and in my opinion, it doesn't make a difference at all who gave you the visa, if it doesn't meet certain criteria here in Spain, it won't fly and you will be here in a very precaious situation.  I have spoken to many lawyers here in Spain and have done a lot of research and stay on top of these things.

Suerte,

Shawn

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[LisaMarie]

Hey everyone!

Has anybody received their school placement yet? I was under the impression that we'd get them by the end of june.

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[Something Clever]

I've been waiting for someone else to post about this!

Yes, the junta did tell us to expect placements by the end of June. This morning the Google spreadsheet showed that one auxiliar had officially been placed, which made me hope that the junta was planning to send out all notifications today. I haven't seen any other activity, though.

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[ire]

Hi All!!

I got the email of the school placement today.  The city is Fuenlabrada, Madrid at an elementary school Did anyone else get this city?

check your emails since I think all placements are coming soon if they haven't already arrived!

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[LisaMarie]

I still haven't received anything. I've been obsessively checking my email for the past few days! Hopefully we'll all get our placements soon.

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[serendipity]

Shawn,

For Kat's case, it seems that Canada has a special agreement with Spain to allow youth (18-35) to obtain temporary work permits for only one year: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?m=/index&nid=436669

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[SRedw]

Thanks Serendipity,

Based on what k-a-t said, it sounded fishy, but thanks for the link for more clarity.  So, at the end of the day, I hope that her situation works out so that she can do the program.

Have a great day,

Shawn

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[tfreeman]

Got my placement today...

Colegio Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
C/Santa Genoveva

Its an elementary school on the east side of the city.

Good luck to everyone else...post your placements on here!

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[serendipity]

COLEGIO SEVERO OCHOA
Dirección del centro: C/ Londres, 7
Torrejón de Ardoz - 28850 - Madrid
http://www.educa.madrid.org/web/cp.severoochoa.torrejondeardoz/

whoo hoo, so happy to finally get my placement! My town Torrejón de Ardoz is only a 20 minute bus ride from Madrid!

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[unohooim7]

Finally!

COLEGIO ESCUELAS BOSQUE
Dirección del centro: Avda. Santo Angel de la Guarda, nº 4
Madrid - 28039

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[saram]

To Shawn and anyone with knowledge about Madrid and surrounding burbs:
  Any info you can tell me about Mostoles?  Since it's a 26 min commute on RENFE to Atocha, I believe living in the city center is not too much of a stretch.  But other than distance, I'm not getting too much salient info from Google.

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[don trav tenorio]

Sí señor...we'll be eating tapas, drinking cava, and dancing flamenco in no time!

INSTITUTO CLARA CAMPOAMOR/CARPE DIEM
Dirección del centro: C/ Senda de Mafalda, 2/4
Getafe – 28905

I guess Getafe is a little south of the centre. Let me know if you get placed there.

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[SRedw]

To Shawn and anyone with knowledge about Madrid and surrounding burbs:
  Any info you can tell me about Mostoles?  Since it's a 26 min commute on RENFE to Atocha, I believe living in the city center is not too much of a stretch.  But other than distance, I'm not getting too much salient info from Google.

If you live close to Atocha, it's no problem getting to Móstoles, but you also have to figure out how far your school is from the train station.  It could be very near, but you have to factor that in as well.

I guess Getafe is a little south of the centre. Let me know if you get placed there.

It is South from the center and you can take Cercanías Renfe from Sol to get to Getafe.  Once again, you also have to figure out how far your school is from the train station.  It could be very near, but you have to factor that in as well.

Suerte,

Shawn

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[philistien]

Have any other Madrid people still not heard? I was wondering if they were notifying in alphabetical order (my last name starts with an S).

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[LisaMarie]

Have any other Madrid people still not heard? I was wondering if they were notifying in alphabetical order (my last name starts with an S).

I still have not heard. My last name starts with a P. I wonder if they are indeed going in alphabetical order.

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[philistien]

In case anyone else is as stressed as me (I have my appointment with the consulate on Thursday), I just got an email from one of the nice Madrid ladies and she said all of the documents are ready and just need to be officially signed. She said she would get me mine by tomorrow. Good luck everyone else!

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[tfreeman]

In case anyone else is as stressed as me (I have my appointment with the consulate on Thursday), I just got an email from one of the nice Madrid ladies and she said all of the documents are ready and just need to be officially signed. She said she would get me mine by tomorrow. Good luck everyone else!

I am not sure I follow you here. To what documents are you referring? And who are these "nice Madrid ladies"? Perhaps I am making myself sound like a naive fool, but I have no idea what you are talking about.

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[jamie.chica]

I am not sure I follow you here. To what documents are you referring? And who are these "nice Madrid ladies"? Perhaps I am making myself sound like a naive fool, but I have no idea what you are talking about.

The "documents" is the carta de nombramiento, which is probably the last document you need to apply for your visa (it details your health insurance and verifies that you already have a position lined up in Spain, etc.)  I received mine in PDF form by e-mail--it should be electronically signed to verify its authenticity--so keep an eye out for that!

I'm assuming that the "nice ladies" are the three names listed in Annex 1 of the Program Manual.  They are the regional coordinators for Madrid and are really great about answering e-mails.  I have bothered them several times.   

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[ire]

COLEGIO POETISA CELIA VIÑAS
Dirección del centro: C/ Mónaco, nº 3
Fuenlabrada - 28943 - Madrid

Anyone know if Fuenlabrada is fairly central or has a good transportation system ?

Another question I won't be able to mail in all my stuff for the visa until the end of august since I have a trip planned during august and will need my canadian passport...I know it says it can take up  to 45 days but will it probably be ready in early to middle september ? Who should I contact in case I cant make it to the first day of training? I am thinking if some ppl do not get pulled from the waitlist until august-september there should be no problems

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[philistien]

Sorry if I was unclear. By the "nice Madrid ladies" I did mean the three women listed in the manual who have indeed been very good about responding to emails and dealing with my stressed-out-edness. And by the documents I mean the official carta de nombramiento. I think the Madrid lady who responded me may have specifically pulled my documents and sent them to me sooner to make sure I had them for my appointment, so if any of you haven't received them yet and need them soon, I would encourage emailing them. Magdalena Custodio Espinar was especially responsive and nice to me.

Can't wait to meet you all in Madrid in September!

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[serendipity]

Here are the Madrid Orientation Dates: http://www.educa.madrid.org/cms_tools/files/ccb73f4f-9570-4452-9950-88877d77b45a/tabla_convocatoria_10_11.pdf

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[lahabibi]

I guess I should have found this forum before posting on the general one!  Glad to know I'm not the only one who hasn't received my school placement yet.  In any case, hope to get it soon!

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[ilivefaster]

Totally forgot to post on here when I got placed... oops! 

COLEGIO JUAN PÉREZ VILLAAMIL
Dirección del centro: C/ Veracruz, nº 34
Móstoles - 28936 - Madrid

SO excited. Anyone else in Móstoles?! (Also, anyone who's been, should I be looking to live in Móstoles or just outside it? Any opinions?)

Time to get that visa filed!

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[ire]

Mostoles on a map looks close to where I got placed in Fuenlabrada.  From a friend of a friends that lives in the very north of Madrid area (2hrs from Fuenlabrada) told me to not live there...the neighborhood is not very nice and recommended to live in the Arguelles area.  I have not looked much into that yet (where to live and how to find a place) but  I should soon.  Don't know how the Mostoles area is though.

Good luck!!

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[lahabibi]

I'll be in Aranjuez!  Ok so I'll probably live in Madrid and commute from there but anyone else nearby?  It's a fairly large town.

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[SRedw]

I'll be in Aranjuez!  Ok so I'll probably live in Madrid and commute from there but anyone else nearby?  It's a fairly large town.

There is a train that leaves from Nuevos Ministerios and Atocha that heads to Aranjuez.  Now you have to figure out how far your school is from the train station.

Cheers,

Shawn

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[ire]

In your letter...did you get a section that says to contact these people to help find accommodation and anything you might need and then it gives the names and email address (for me it was 2 ladies).  I emailed them on july 20th (in spanish) and I have still not heard.  Has anyone emailed those people and received a response?

For my visa I need to have proof of accommodation or a letter of invitation if I will be living with someone.  How are some of you doing this if your planning to find accommodation once your there?

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[SRedw]

In your letter...did you get a section that says to contact these people to help find accommodation and anything you might need and then it gives the names and email address (for me it was 2 ladies).  I emailed them on july 20th (in spanish) and I have still not heard.  Has anyone emailed those people and received a response?

For my visa I need to have proof of accommodation or a letter of invitation if I will be living with someone.  How are some of you doing this if your planning to find accommodation once your there?

For my visa application, I put the name and address of the school where I was going to be working.  It was accepted at the Spanish Embassy in DC.

Shawn

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[Anacreon]

I'm way out in Collado Villalba . . . But it's only about a 45 minute train ride into Madrid centro. Anyone else near there? I'm trying to decide if I want to commute to work or commute to fun.

Oh yeah, I don't know about you guys but is the Madrid stipend 1000 Euros as opposed to 700? Or is that just before tax or something? Mine said 1000 and I was excited because that would be a lot more reasonable but I didn't want to get my hopes up. Anyone else?

Dan

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[SRedw]

I'm way out in Collado Villalba . . . But it's only about a 45 minute train ride into Madrid centro. Anyone else near there? I'm trying to decide if I want to commute to work or commute to fun.

Oh yeah, I don't know about you guys but is the Madrid stipend 1000 Euros as opposed to 700? Or is that just before tax or something? Mine said 1000 and I was excited because that would be a lot more reasonable but I didn't want to get my hopes up. Anyone else?

Dan

Dan,

Yes, Madrid's stipend in 1000€ (tax free) and they don't really make it known because then too many people would be applying to Madrid.  You can live decently on 1000€ a month, along with some private or academy classes in the afternoons.  There are many opportunities to earn extra cash here in Madrid.

Shawn

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[almostbelle]

My husband and I both got Galicia,but my husband will be getting an MA in Madrid. Does any couple or just one person want to switch? If my husband wasn't going to school we would go here over Madrid. It looks so cool, coastal and by Portugal. Thanks,
Rachel
Almostbelle@gmail.com

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[don trav tenorio]

Yo Shawn or anyone with this knowledge, got a good recommendation for a bank? i'm not giving myself much time before classes get started. i arrive in madrid the night of the sept 28, have the teacher orientation/training the next morning, and want to get an apartment room rental for october and onward. any ideas? do u need a spanish bank account before a rental owner/agency will rent to you? im at a high school in getafe, nice area? cheaper housing maybe?

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[SRedw]

Yo Shawn or anyone with this knowledge, got a good recommendation for a bank? i'm not giving myself much time before classes get started. i arrive in madrid the night of the sept 28, have the teacher orientation/training the next morning, and want to get an apartment room rental for october and onward. any ideas? do u need a spanish bank account before a rental owner/agency will rent to you? im at a high school in getafe, nice area? cheaper housing maybe?

This is a very subjective question. Everyone has their preference. One of the biggest is Caja Madrid or BBVA. Another one is LaCaixa. Choose whichever bank you want. You do not need a bank account to have someone rent to you, but hang on to that letter you get from the Comunidad because you will need that to open a bank account and to show landlords that you have an income while you are here in Spain.

Getafe is far away from the city center and you may not want to live close to where you work. My new school is in Embajadores, but I live in Quevedo and it's easy to get to work everyday.

Shawn

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[ire]

For the training days before we start at the school is accommodation provided?  What is a near by hostel people are planning to stay at? I was not able to find hostels in the area

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[SRedw]

For the training days before we start at the school is accommodation provided?  What is a near by hostel people are planning to stay at? I was not able to find hostels in the area

No accommodation is provided at all. There are plenty of hostels in Madrid. You just have to find them.

Suerte,

Shawn

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[tfreeman]

Question about living...

Is it detrimental to live with other English speakers? I have said all along that I want to live with locals (for the cultural and language help), but I have run across a place that is completely furnished, well located, and a solid price for its location. The issue is that it is being rented to all auxiliares, so we would all speak English. The biggest upside is that taking this place would keep me from having to waste money in a hostel and it would save me the trouble of having to look for a place. (not the I would rent it now, but I have contacted the person early enough that I am one of the top on the list, if I want the place when I get there).

So, my question is, is it worth it to save myself the trouble and if I like what I see when I get there just sign and take it? OR, is it better to live with locals? Will it hurt me to only live with English speakers? Is it hard to negotiate rent agreements and such?

Thanks.

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[SRedw]

Question about living...

Is it detrimental to live with other English speakers? I have said all along that I want to live with locals (for the cultural and language help), but I have run across a place that is completely furnished, well located, and a solid price for its location. The issue is that it is being rented to all auxiliares, so we would all speak English. The biggest upside is that taking this place would keep me from having to waste money in a hostel and it would save me the trouble of having to look for a place. (not the I would rent it now, but I have contacted the person early enough that I am one of the top on the list, if I want the place when I get there).

So, my question is, is it worth it to save myself the trouble and if I like what I see when I get there just sign and take it? OR, is it better to live with locals? Will it hurt me to only live with English speakers? Is it hard to negotiate rent agreements and such?

Thanks.

If you like it, take it. It's as simple as that. You can always speak Spanish outside of the house.

Suerte,

Shawn

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[madridsally]

Question about living...

Is it detrimental to live with other English speakers? I have said all along that I want to live with locals (for the cultural and language help), but I have run across a place that is completely furnished, well located, and a solid price for its location. The issue is that it is being rented to all auxiliares, so we would all speak English. The biggest upside is that taking this place would keep me from having to waste money in a hostel and it would save me the trouble of having to look for a place. (not the I would rent it now, but I have contacted the person early enough that I am one of the top on the list, if I want the place when I get there).

So, my question is, is it worth it to save myself the trouble and if I like what I see when I get there just sign and take it? OR, is it better to live with locals? Will it hurt me to only live with English speakers? Is it hard to negotiate rent agreements and such?

Thanks.

I think you could find Spanish roommates just as easily. Try Loquo or EasyPiso. The only thing is you'll need to post and respond to ads in Spanish in order to find Spanish-only speaking roommates.

madrid.loquo.com/en_us  -- this is like craigslist
http://www.easypiso.com/ --- this is a roommate finder site, which is good except for one drawback. you can only read messages people send you for the first two days that you're a  member. After that you have to upgrade to "premium" membership to read e-mails. so, write down any contact info that people send  you during the first two days after you join.

Also good..

http://www.dflathousing.com

They charge a 175 euro finders fee, but they often have special discounts on that... they do all the work finding you a room with roommates and they will deal with you in English.  I'm guesing most of their customers are non-Spaniards though. That's why I think luquo or easypiso is probably your best bet for spanish roommates.

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[abialva03]

Hello my friends!

I already have my placement and all...all I'm waiting for is my visa so that I can purchase my ticket! I'm kind of nervous that I will get it late...is anybody having the same problem?

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[serendipity]

Hello my friends!

I already have my placement and all...all I'm waiting for is my visa so that I can purchase my ticket! I'm kind of nervous that I will get it late...is anybody having the same problem?

if you are at the los angeles consulate by any chance...don't worry. they have a quick turnaround, only 1-2 weeks! i applied at the end of july and i got mine in a week

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[abialva03]

I turned in my visa the Houston Consulate...does anybody know how long it will take to get my visa?

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[BenATX]

I turned in my visa the Houston Consulate...does anybody know how long it will take to get my visa?

My wife and I applied to Houston July 2nd and received them July 30th.  However, when we applied they quoted us a 4-5 week turnaround and now they are saying 7-8 weeks. 

Best of luck!

Ben

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[Daniele]

I turned in my visa the Houston Consulate...does anybody know how long it will take to get my visa?

I applied a week and a half ago on the 12th and they called me on Friday and said I could come pick it up. I will probably go in tomorrow and get it.

Houston has a pretty quick turn around.

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[LisaMarie]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone recommend a company that does certified translations within a week or two? My doctor's note is in Spanish but my police clearance is not. I paid for an online professional translation of my police clearance; however I only received a Microsoft Word document. The person at the LA consulate told me that I need to have a certified translation done by a certified translator to get my NIE in Madrid. I've done many google searches but haven't found anything. Please help!

Lisa

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[abialva03]

DOes anybody know how w get to cash our checks? do we need to get an account?

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[serendipity]

abilalva03: if you are talking about the auxiliar paychecks, most schools will pay by direct deposit, and you'll need to have a spanish bank account. or if they pay be checks, you'll have to manually deposit them into a spanish bank account.

once you get your NIE, you will be able to open a bank account. although some banks may let you open one with just your passport.

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[Rmarie]

if you get a check you don't need an account.... usually your school will have a deal with whatever bank that makes the checks so you can just cash it there for free.  I know it was a 1.80 (euro) fee to cash a caja madrid check at a different caja madrid than the one who made out my check.  Not a bad deal if you ask me!

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[abialva03]

Thank you for the information! I have another question...what if I want to have another account for me? I want to open an account here in Houston so that I can use it in Spain. Is there a bank that is international and that doesn't charge fees? I want to be able to have an account so that I can use meanwhile I wait for my paycheck. Any suggestions?

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[Rmarie]

sorry I'm not sure about that! 
I just used cash here for a long time.... but I also didn't have to stay in a hostal or room with people I didn't know.  I know you can pull out money with your debit card here.  I had Chase bank and they charged me 3% of the total amout I was taking out plus the exchange rate.  Maybe you could put one of your parents on your account there, that way if something goes wrong they can help out.  Sorry for not being very helpful with this one!

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[Y Tu Que?]

Thank you for the information! I have another question...what if I want to have another account for me? I want to open an account here in Houston so that I can use it in Spain. Is there a bank that is international and that doesn't charge fees? I want to be able to have an account so that I can use meanwhile I wait for my paycheck. Any suggestions?

Charles Schwab. They don't charge you any fees when withdrawing money overseas. Technically they simply refund all ATM fees - whether in the US, or abroad, since they don't have their own ATM machines. I got an account with them before I did auxiliares last time and it turned out to be a wonderful decision.

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[kate bell]

Hi

Are you enjoying your post.  I am from the UK and just been offered a position....bit unsure would really appreciate some advice on how you're finding it?

Thanks Kate

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[ilovebakchoy]

Hi Everyone,

Seasons Greetings!

I am currently a second-year assistant in a school near the center of Madrid.  I have a sudden crisis at home that I need to attend to when I go back for winter break.  I will not be coming back.  I am devastated that I have to abandon the post because it is unfair to the kids, especially the 4th graders whom I am responsible for this year.  But there is no other way.  Can someone enlighten me with the steps that I have to take with the Consejería and my school?

Kindest Regards

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