HOLA de nuevo!

sorry I haven't responded yet but I was in Mexico de vacaciones! anyway, to answer some questions about the grad school thing: (Kelly and Expressdance) I am at Penn State University. the financial aid is great, I get tuition covered and I have a stipend for teaching. I didn't have to loan out any money at all. The deal will be similar in spain, but instead I'll be teaching English. They have exchanges with both Valladolid and Salamanca, although there are only 2 spots each year for each program. Since it is an exchange, I have the same setup though, tuition covered and a stipend (although it's not as much as when I'm teaching at PSU).

I also know that Bowling Green of Ohio has a master's program in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid). I studied there last year (my senior year) through Council and met about 10 of the Bowling Green students. Alcalá is a great city, and it was a great program. Bowling Green's program is similar to the PSU deal, they give you a stipend for being a TA although I'm not sure if they cover tuition. I don't know of many programs that do the whole master's in Spain, normally it's just a year or a semester. Since the Master's degree is a fairly new concept in Spain, I don't think there are a whole lot of programs that you could directly enroll into. I know that Salamanca has one for ESL and there are some that have to do with business, but I can't remember at which universities at the moment. I have to say though, check out the big US schools, they have the most money and are most in need for TAs so they will shell it out. I was suprised at just what a great package I got. The qualifications were pretty tough, as far as GPA and whatnot, but if you're determined you'll be fine.

thanks everybody for the job search suggestions. I'm going to start looking ASAP when I get there! I need an enchufe!

chao for now!

When you say the qualifications are tough, exactly how tough are we talking? In terms of average GRE, and gpa scores, whats this looking like? I'm just trying to get an idea of what kinds of programs I should apply to. I'm actually getting ready to take the GRE in about a week and a half. This is making me very nervous!

Hey Lismari,

I did the Penn State exchange program for grad students 2 years ago except I went to Salamanca. I'm sure you'll love it--I mean, what's not to love about getting a free year in Spain! Hopefully PSU is a little more organized now because when I did the exchange no one in the Spanish dept. seemed to be able to give me any information on it. I really thought that I would get to Salamanca and the people there would ask me who the heck I was and why was I there! Luckily everything worked out and I absolutely loved it there. I'm actually heading back to Spain in 2 weeks to try to live and work there because after being back here for a year at the University of Florida and starting my Ph.D. I decided that I absolutely can not live here anymore. I'm getting really nervous because I have no idea if I'll be able to find a job or what is going to happen, but I'm going to at least give it a try. Have fun in Valladolid and just be prepared for a totally different teaching experience at a Spanish university than you had at Penn State.

Megan

Megan,

I feel you on the not wanting to live in the US anymore. I am in the same boat. I am shooting for January. My job has gotten on my last nerve and I want to be in a place where I can speak Spanish all of the time. Can't do that in Richmond, VA.

I am patient and know that my dream will come true one day.

We always hold our
Wounds in the dark of night
Ain't no morning gonna come
'Til the time is right
Can't get the better days
Unless you make it
Through the night

Better Days
Dianne Reeves

Shawn

Noticed a couple of you mention PSU. Though I didn't go (my mom did) and I was raised a Nitteny Lions fan. Roar lions roar.

P.S. Sorry for the off-topic post

Do any of you know of a Master's program offered through any US schools (not teaching) that can be completed, start to finish in Spain?

Such programs as art photography etc. that give the option of studying these things abroad instead of at home?

HOLITAS!

SuperGuiri- I LOVE YOUR NICK. that's really cute! that's so cool that you went to PSU. And yes, I had kind of a tough time getting info from anyone about the exchange b/c the staff has changed so much. But actually I am having much better luck than those who are going to salamanca. (maybe I am just more pushy???) I'm sure we know a lot of the same people from PSU, do you still keep in touch with anybody? that's great that you're going back to spain, maybe we'll run into each other!

Ok, as far as the qualifications, I guess I didn't specify very well. I don't exactly remember all of them, although there is a graduate handbook online at the department website: http://sip.la.psu.edu/. all the info is there! I enjoy PSU, it's a great program. I'm especially pumped about the opportunity to study and teach in Spain. I'm leaving 3 weeks from today! yippee!

As far as any other Master's programs that are start to finish in Spain, I think the only one I've heard of is Middlebury. I'm sure there are others out there!

take care everyone!

NYU IN MADRID . . .

Besides Middlebury, there is the NYU program in Madrid. Here is the URL:

http://www.nyu.edu/fas/dept/spanish/nyuinmadrid/index.html

This has all of the information that you need about the program. I hope this helps.

Shawn