Spain: And so it begins!

Updates:

Hola chicos y chicas! Life is good! I’ve been in Spain now for 6 days. Settling into the apartment quite nicely and getting to know my new town.

 Well actually it’s not a town, it’s a village. I live about an hour away from Toledo and about 2 hours from Madrid. So far so good but let me recap from the beginning…

Orientation:

The 2 day orientation happened on Monday and Tuesday of this week and it was held in Madrid at the main program office. Or one of their offices, I wasn’t really sure. It was a bit strange that they combined the orientation for those that are returning teachers to Madrid with all the newbies teaching outside Madrid, like me.

Both days all the presentations were in Spanish and understood 25% of everything. The first day we spent the entire time filling out paper work for our NIE cards, the Comillas university course, and Social Security.

Apparently this is the first year that auxiliaries will have to pay social security and taxes. I would assume it is going to be the same for the auxiliaries doing the Ministry program but I have no idea.

I honestly couldn’t even tell you if I signed away my first born child because there was just so much paperwork and they quickly shuffled us through it all. Yup my spanish is very rusty. But I suppose living in this very small village will help refresh my memory.

We finished early the first day of orientation, mind you there was no real explanation of what will happen next with all that paper work we had to fill out. But one of the main sentiments I gathered was that the teachers placed in Madrid are getting a lot more help versus those placed outside. For example we must set up our own bank accounts whereas the BEDA program will set it up for the Madrid teachers. Or at least that’s what I gathered. But we do have the option to use any bank we like verus LA CAIXA which they specifically use.

The second day of orientation was spent listening to a 2 hour and 30 minute talk from the general director about the program. No break…until the end…REALLY?!! LOL…it was entirely in spanish  and very information (with my 25%) but really…2 hours and 30minutes?! Not necessary. Why? Because everything he spoke about was also given to us via handouts and a pamphlet.

*sigh*

After this LECTURE, we had a break and then were split into groups. Those of us working outside Madrid, went to a presentation regarding the University of Cambridge online course we must take this year. The Madrid teachers had a spanish language placement test and then received information about the Comillas course they have to take.

The online course is very similar to taking a TESOL or TEFL course. We will also have an exam at the culmination in April. If we pass we get a certificate!

Day 2 also finished early. There was no coming together as a group and reviewing all that paperwork from the day before or even answering general questions. The orientation was just over. Ummm OK.

If I were to compare this orientation to the week long orientation in Korea…Korea would take the win! It was just more information and they also included some cultural activities and time to get to know the teachers who were working close to your area.

Anyway after the orientation I headed to el Cortes Ingles to find some oatmeal, aloe vera juice and just to wonder around. The bus station Mendez Alvaro, was right next door, so I headed home once I was done.

Since I’ve been in my little village my coordinator has been so helpful. I’ve even eaten lunch with him and his sister the first 2 days. Since I have no phone, he let me use his cell from I arrived on Saturday to Tuesday. Once I get my NIE then I can purchase a sim card and get internet. RIght now I rely on using the schools computer.

Everything is good thus far and the teachers are so friendly. There isn’t much to do here except going on long walks and playing around in the grocery store ha ha. But I will be saving money! Unless I spend it all on food 🙁

OMG! This morning on my walk to the school at 9am I looked to my right and this older man was peeing in the middle of the park in broad daylight. He looked at me and then looked away as if it was OK. Then continued on his walk! NASTY! Broad day light! Is this a cultural thing? Old men can just take a piss anywhere they please, in front of everyone? …Ummmm OK.

This post is extremely long. Kudos to those that made is to the end!

Until next time 🙂