this board has been so helpful, :l: I've mostly been searching topics, but the idea of getting a master's degree as a way to be able to stay longer in spain is slowly dawning on me....
so my questions are: if I decide to do this and find a program I'm interested in, is it possible to get a student visa while I'm in Spain? I'm arriving mid-may to do the TEFL, which will hopefully allow me to stay to work and improve my spanish speaking/understanding.
are universities generally less expensive than in the states?
last, my undergrad is in music, so I'd probably want to continue in that field, does anyone have suggestions of good music programs?
I suppose I'm approaching this idea backwards, so I gratefully thank you for any comments, suggestions, etc....
ciao! erica
Posts: 12 | Location: St. Louis, MO, USA | Registered: 21 March 2003
I can't help you with programs, but you have to return to the US for the visa. Besides having to get all the documents together, you'll have to physically give them your passport to get a seal on it. I believe student visas must be obtained no more than 90 days before departure and no later than 30 days. You can either mail the passport or go directly to the consulate.
Melinda
Posts: 292 | Location: Miami | Registered: 26 January 2003
It takes a lot of research... Are you in college right now? If so, see if there's a Spanish teacher from Spain who can help you out. I majoe in Spanish and one of my professors said he would help me through the process if I'd like.
Also, I noticed you're from St. Louis. When I started researching programs before I decided to apply directly to a university, I saw that the University of St. Louis has a masters program in Madrid. I don't know anyone who's done it, but the website made it look very interesting - and only 1/3 of the students were American, which is a definite bonus. But too many of the courses were in English - I want to do all my degree work in Spanish. I'm looking at la universidad de Cantabria right now for a degree in either translation or teaching foreign language.
Melinda
Posts: 292 | Location: Miami | Registered: 26 January 2003
I'm not in college right now, (finally - it took me years to finish my undergrad!)
thanks for the headsup about St. Louis Univ. and the suggestion to contact a spanish teacher for help...I'll look into it.
It sounds like you're doing an interesting program and have been very focused on your direction. Like your desire to take all your classes in spanish, I would prefer that though my spanish is very elemental - it was my first major many years ago. But I'll check out the universities and programs and figure out if I'll be able to return to study. (Or if I'm able to stay and ....)
thanks and good luck!! maybe our paths will cross in Spain... erica
Posts: 12 | Location: St. Louis, MO, USA | Registered: 21 March 2003
St Louis Univ only has a masters in English and Spanish. Try Comutense or Autonomia. I know Computense has a lot of masters programs. And yes, school is Spain is A LOT cheaper than the US. Well, maybe not St. Louis Univ, since it is private.
Posts: 331 | Location: San Diego | Registered: 14 December 2002
unfortunately, because it's a private school, SLU is quite expensive, so it's good to hear that schools are less expensive in Spain. I did a search on Universities in Madrid and got a little carried away - but found the two you mentioned. In music they both seemed to just have music education degrees, I would prefer a MA in music. But I'll keep searching....or if you hear/know or have a suggestion??
thanks Shawn for the links to compare the NYU, SLU and Middlebery, that was very helpful! since I merely want to be able to stay longer by havng a student visa - I think I should stick to a field I know more of, namely music. And since cost is a definite factor, it feels like I'll be paying off the student loans I just accrued just in time to be retirement age (just kidding) -
so this raises another question: if one is accepted in a Spanish University, can you get a student visa there - rather than needing to return to the states to apply in person?
ciao! erica
Posts: 12 | Location: St. Louis, MO, USA | Registered: 21 March 2003
actually, I think I found something along the lines I would be interested in http://www.real-conserv-madrid.es/real-conserv-madrid/ I did a search for music conservatories, rather than music programs in universities!! now to figure out how to audition etc...
thankyou incredibly for the encouragement to dream, to research, to realize that so many things are possible ciao! erica
Posts: 12 | Location: St. Louis, MO, USA | Registered: 21 March 2003
so I gratefully thank you for any comments, suggestions, etc....
(just kidding) -
