Author Topic: How can I find work in/around BCN? (Read 4396 times)

ceallaigh · « **on:** June 19, 2002, 10:02:00 PM »

I studied in Barcelona four years ago and fell in love with the city and Catalonia. Right now I\\\'m a graduate student in Hispanic Literature and have been teaching intro Spanish courses a the university.

I\\\'ve been using this site to help me plan for next summer after I receive my M.A. I am concerned about how I can find a job and then get a visa- do I have to go to Spain and come back, then return again to go the legal route? I understand the process is by no means easy, but I would like to avoid paying for international flights twice. What is the best route to take? I would appreciate any guidance or shared stories. Muchas gracias.

Tracy · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2002, 01:25:00 PM »

I should write this answer down once and for all and post it somewhere on my front page. The trouble is, it tends to vary from person to person.

For Americans, teaching English in SPain is more of a dive-into-the-unknown type of adventure than a stable, easily determined career move.

You very well might have to travel back and forth a few times from SPain to the US. Then again, you could try and have a family member back home file your paperwork for you while you remain in Spain. You\\\'ll have to research this further through the[!-- BBCode u2 Start --][A HREF=\"http://www.spainconsul-ny.org/\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]SPANISH CONSULATE[/A][!-- BBCode u2 End --]

I generally tell people to go there with a ton of saved money (to support yourself for several months), set or even temporary accommodations and copies of your resume. Once there, start knocking on doors, answering ads, placing ads etc.

It\\\'s almost IMPOSSIBLE to find work before you go, and the reason is that it\\\'s the small academies that tend to hire native American speakers under-the-table. They don\\\'t normally have access to the web or foreign advertising.

At any rate, you\\\'ll need to read the [!-- BBCode u2 Start --][A HREF=\"http://www.expatriatecafe.com/teach_english.php\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]TEACH ENGLISH[/A][!-- BBCode u2 End --] section of this website for more explanatory details. And you might benefit greatly by joining our [!-- BBCode u2 Start --][A HREF=\"http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spain-english/\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]SPAIN-ENGLISH[/A][!-- BBCode u2 End --] mail group.

I hope this helps!

Tracy

[font size=-1][ Edited by Tracy On Date 21/06/2002 ][/font]

Tracy · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2002, 01:39:00 PM »

And one more thing...the best way to prepare yourself is to know, ahead of time, where to find the resources you\\\'ll need to find work. Check our links, and especially the English language publications in Spain (www.Barcelona-Metropolitan.com) will be your local English language paper!

Tracy

bluebwoy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2002, 06:36:00 PM »

Í´ve just arrived in In barcelona in the kind of just off the boat manner. I´m looking for work here right now and have had mild success. I have an interview for a job teaching oral (i.e. spoken english) 3 times a moth for 3-4 hrs per class. WoooHoo. WHile this seems a little light in terms of work load I´m hoping its not typical. We´ll see. I haven´t had a chance to put my C.V. out there very much because I spent all my time looking for apartments (and thats a whole other story) I also don´t have any tefl certification (or a visa). I´m guessing schools hire some people under the table though as I´ve read on this site (which rocks, by the way). Anyway Í´ll try to keep you posted if your still reading this forum. This site has helped me so i might as well help a little if I can.

bueno que tengas suerte

bluebwoy out.. [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_sleepy.gif\"] [addsig]

Tracy · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2002, 12:23:00 PM »

Thanks so much for the compliments Joshua...and let me just say, YOU rock. Without cool people like you who help out other members, this site would be nada.

Good Luck in your travels! [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_nod.gif\"] [addsig]

queenofrubbish · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2002, 02:10:00 AM »

Hey Joshua - my new mentor! I am planning on embarking upon (pretty much) the same adventure that you are now in the midst of! Congrats on already finding some work (better than nothing, right?). Are you from the US? Not that it matters, but I am debating the whole "should I take the legal route" to being in Spain or just work under-the-table?!?!...and it would be nice to hear someone else\'s thoughts on the matter...who\'s actually over there.

My other very pressing question to you is: what the apartment situation in Barcelona? Are you finding it difficult (which I gather from your earlier message) to find a place? I have heard that landlords are really reluctant to rent to us foreigners...especially without a "legitimate" job. Give me the low down if you can cuz I am thinking that the easiest thing might be to just enroll at a language school and deal with housing through them...to avoid further difficulties in signing a lease, etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated - it\'s like GOLD! [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif\"]

Thanks, Courtney[addsig]

bluebwoy · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2002, 12:45:00 PM »

To awnser your question qweenie, Yeah I am from the U.S. I wish you luck in coming to barcelona. Its really just such a cool place. I negated to mention in my previous e mail that i moved here with my sister and a good friend and my sister lived in bcn for almost a year doing an exchange. As a result her contacts here have been really helpful to say the least. If you´re coming alone i wouldn´t worry about finding a place through a language school unless you want to have it taken care of for you. Personally i prefer the adventure of trying to find a place of my own. As well you might find a place with a couple of spanish speakers and and even a couple of swedes or danes. There are plenty of ads for single rooms in apartment shares, try calle ferran 32. (right off the ramblas.

As for taking the legal route, its really up to you... I´m here now, no visa, hope they don´t kick me out. Seems like they won´t though, they didn´t even stamp my passport coming into europe so my travel visa should start whenever I get stamped. And even after that I still think you could stay if you wanted too. Anyway I´ll post some more info later i´ve got to go on a tour of the cava (champaigne in spain) vinyards in cordoniu with saome new friends.

If you come soon let me know and we can go have a cold one with my pals.

hasta luego [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif\"]

bluebwoy[addsig]

dkmarsh · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2002, 06:35:00 PM »

Bluebwoy,

It\'s a relief to read about someone else\'s account of making the move to Barcelona. Hopefully, I will be able to move over there within the next couple of months as well. If everything works out well, I plan on living in Barcelona for at least one year. I already have a friend living over there who has offered me a place to stay temporarily, as well as help in finding work. Right now, however, I feel stuck in the planning process. I am beginning to realize that there is a lot to consider before moving, such as insurance and contingency funds (savings). How are you dealing with health insurance? Also, how much is enough for savings? Is it possible to open a banking account abroad? I look forward to hearing from you. [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif\"] [addsig]

Carlo · « **Reply #8 on:** September 26, 2002, 12:59:00 PM »

Bluebwoy,

I agree with dkmarsh, good to hear of a Norteamericano doing ok in BCN. I\'ll be heading there around the 15th of Oct. A couple of questions, yeah? Is it easy to get a room in a flat in the middle of the month? Also, outside of English teaching, are there Americans in the art scene there (music and all of that, I compose post-bop piano and some jazz guitar) and how well are they recieved in BCN? And last, even for under-the-table work, is a celta certificate worth it? I taught while in University in Asia, have lots of degrees and experience, but no Enlish lang. certificate. Planning on staying for a couple of years, but have to make a living too [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif\"]. Thanks.

-Carlo [addsig]

bluebwoy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 26, 2002, 04:41:00 PM »

hi all,

The tour at the codorniu vinyards was great. They make some great cava. ANyway,said i´d say some more about being here and I will. Truth is if your coming here to live have some money saved (or rich parents who will bail you out) I came with a little over twothousand and wish i had saved a little more. Oh well. The good news is I got a job yesterday bringing my grand total #of jobs up to 2. Hopefully i can find one more for during the daytime when i won´t be teaching.

As for language certs... I don´t have one, if you want one get one, I to I or a schoo, the fact is they only increase the number of jobs you can get. I´m sure some places wouldn´t hire me becuse l dont have a cert... luckily i found places that would.

Bank accounts can be found here ain barcelona and if you send me 1000 dollars I´d be happy to set one up for you (hahahaha) No prblem really just go in with your passport and money and voilé bank account.

As for health insurance, find out if your provider covers you in other counries, otherwise......

Hey carlo I wish I could tell you more about the local music scene, but i´ve been so busy trying to get my life here figured out that i haven´t had the time to check it all out yet. But if its any interest to you, busking on the ramblas may be an option..

anyway i´ve got to go once again...

i´ll check you later [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_xmasrudolph.gif\"] [addsig]

Sibsie · « **Reply #10 on:** September 27, 2002, 02:20:00 AM »

Hi all. I\'m a Brit ex pat so it\'s a lot easier for me. I do know the authorites are really clamping down on illegal immgrants now. They\'re concentrating on the Algeriians etc., so I don\'t think Americans have a major problem with that.

For Health Insurance, you either have to pay Spanish National Insurance or take out private cover. Sanitas works out cheapest, most foreign companies will only cover you for a short period abroad. If you don\'t have cover and the US doesn\'t have a reciprocal agreement with Spain then you\'ll have a hefty bill should you ever get sick.[addsig]

Baudrillard · « **Reply #11 on:** October 09, 2002, 12:12:00 AM »

Damn, its nice to see a network of people who have either already jumped out of their prior lives or are in the planning process. I will arrive in BCN towards the end of November to take a TEFL course with Via Lingua. If anyone has any insight on this course please tell me. After that I am on my own. How long will it take to find jobs if I really apply myself? Also, I only took french while in school, if I really work at the Spanish will acclimation to it take longer than say, 2 or 3 months? [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif\"] [addsig]

bluebwoy · « **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2002, 01:28:00 PM »

i recommend studying as much spanish as you can before coming here. It will help you get around and work out the little details and such. As for taking a tefl course, why not? It a great idea. You can find work all over the world with one. Currently I don´t have one and I was able to get a job working about 7.5 hours a week. Really if you are not a fluent speaker of spanish i would recommend getting the certification.

I got lucky with my job search though, I have met a few americans who have had limited success finding work teaching. I think if yoiur motivated to live and work here you can make it work. It just takes a little patience and some savings, don´t forget to have at least 2500 dollars in savings before you come. Without it times may get tough.

anyway good luck [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif\"] [addsig]

Triston · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2002, 05:23:00 PM »

To answer your music questions, I would post an announcement in the Ramblas on Carrer de Tallers. There are tons of music stores on this street and you will surely get some responses. I have been living in Barcelona since April and all the groups I met were from signs I had posted all over. There is an appreciation for jazz, but it is under-represented in the City, as is rhythm and blues. The language barrier makes collaborating a bit harder but music brings everyone together (yay music!). To pay the bills, I would hit up all the bars and try to get a gig bartending. That\'s what I did. [addsig]

ephoni · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2002, 01:36:00 AM »

hey y\'all,

I\'m leaving for Barcelona in two months and i\'m really excited [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif\"] My sister is doing an exchange a the university of BCN and she asked me to come and stay with her. unfortunately her tuition doesn\'t cover sisters, so i guess i\'ll need to find a job. I take it from reading all your messages that it wont be easy [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_worry.gif\"] i\'ve heard that getting official working papers takes alot longer than two months, so what kind of under-the-table jobs are out there? (teaching english might be cool, but i doubt they\'d let an 18 year old bartend.) and how long am i allowed to stay in the country as a visitor [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif\"] My sister is planning on staying for 5 months, which would be nice. I only have $1500 saved for myself... oh well, wish me luck

[IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_xmasrudolph.gif\"] -ephoni

ps. does anyone have info on cheap cheap flights to barcelona?[addsig]

mlwalton · « **Reply #15 on:** October 24, 2002, 03:10:00 PM »

Hi Ephoni,

Here are some links for cheap travel as a youth (under 26) or a student (you may need to get an ISIC card but you can get this easily from the travel sites themselves)

[!-- BBCode Start --][A HREF=\"http://www.aesu.com\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]AESU Travel[/A][!-- BBCode End --]

[!-- BBCode Start --][A HREF=\"http://www.discount-airfare.com\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]Discount Airfare.com[/A][!-- BBCode End --]

[!-- BBCode Start --][A HREF=\"http://www.statravel.com\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]STA Travel[/A][!-- BBCode End --]

[!-- BBCode Start --][A HREF=\"http://www.counciltravel.com\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]Council Travel[/A][!-- BBCode End --]

You should also check with the consulate general of Spain, to see if they require a return trip ticket vs. one-way...France requires that you have some sort of transport ticket (train or plane) in your possession (they want to know that you are not trying to stay beyond the 90day tourist visa) they won\'t let you in unless you purchase a return flight right there on the spot (very costly). And come to think of it, I had two friends who went to Seville and this happened to them and it was VERY expensive [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif\"] . Other than that you should be ok. Hope this helps.

Adios,

Michelle [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif\"] [addsig]

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Author Topic: How can I find work in/around BCN? (Read 4396 times)