Goodbye is the Hardest

Well today is the day.  In just a few hours I'll be on my one-way flight to Madrid and beginning my year abroad.  (AHH THE NERVES!!)  I'm down to last minute errands and double checking my bags and packing lists to make sure I have everything I need, or at least what I can remember...

I honestly don't even know what to write now with so much on mind...did I remember to pack everything?  Do I have all my paperwork?  What if something goes wrong?  What if my luggage gets lost?  And most importantly how do I say goodbye to everyone I know and love here?

Unlike many people doing this teaching program who know it's only for a couple years at the most before they return to the USA, I don't have that security.  I on the other hand, am going over to Madrid knowing that if things work out for my boyfriend and I there, I may not be returning home to Rhode Island.  While this could only be a 'see you later,' it very well could be a 'good-bye.'  And that my friends, is hard for me to process.


I'm a sentimental person, I get very attached to people, places, and things.  I can't help being emotional!  But being so attached definitely makes it much harder for me to make this move, even knowing so many wonderful people abroad in Spain who are waiting for me.

This past week I didn't work but instead took the opportunity to spend what little time I had left with all the people I love.  And it's been really hard saying my last goodbyes to not only the people, but the places I have to come to love here.

I don't know I'll survive without Legolas...

Instead of trying to process all of these emotions right now, I'm trying to think of all the things I've enjoyed doing this summer that remind me of why I love where I'm from so much.  So here's a reflection back on all the great memories I had saying good-bye this summer:

Fourth of July

Aging...I mean my birthday...

Seeing one of my favorite bands live!

Traditional RI food <3

Visiting Boston with my aunt and cousin

Seeing one of my oldest friends

Saying goodbye to my childhood

Learning about where my grandmother grew up

And spending time with my friends

So thank you to all of my friends and family for all of your support and love, you've made it very difficult to say good-bye.  I wish anyone else in the same situation the best of luck on your journeys and on your own good-byes, may you have just as amazing people making good-byes difficult for you!

Visa in Progress, Flight Purchased, and the Waiting Continues...

So this past Tuesday I had my visa appointment at the Spanish Consulate in Boston at 11:15 am.  My advice to all you visa seekers, DO YOUR RESEARCH!!  Trust me, you will save yourself time and stress upon your appointment.

I need this...

For those also going through Boston here's how my appointment went down:

I live in RI so I took the train up from Wickford Junction.  It's $22 round-trip and parking is free for the rest of the year (Winning!).  Because the 9:10 am train would have gotten me to Boston just around 11 am we took the 7:42 train to get to the city and have enough time to walk to Consulate.

We arrived at South Station around 9:40 and it's about a 20 minute walk going directly to the Consulate.  The Consulate is at 31 St. James Ave., and it looks like just a regular office building if you didn't know any better.  We actually walked right past it at first and had to ask to find it!  Once you enter, you go up to the counter and check in with your ID.  The Consulate is up on the 9th floor, to the right.  Even though it was only 10:30 I went in anyway because: I was already there it, it was so hot and humid outside, and I was too anxious to wait any longer.

To get here!

When you go in it's a tiny room and you stand in the line at the left-most window for visas.  I waited for about 15/20 minutes in line because all the people in front of me were unprepared in some way.  When it was finally my turn they took my documents asking if I had copies of everything (which I did, two copies of everything actually) and the woman told me to use the orientation date as when the program starts.  Because I had all of my documents and copies this only took about 5 minutes and they asked me to sit until someone was ready to review the documents with me.

This was where I had to wait the longest because they had to review the documents of everyone in front of me, and like I said before they were all missing something.  I waited for around 45 minutes because the people called up in front of me didn't have everything they needed or didn't know the fact that the visa costs MONEY!?  So I waited while everyone in front of me had to fill out new forms, make new copies, and run to get money orders (GUYS YOU CAN ONLY PAY BY MONEY ORDER!! There were five people in front of me, one had a money order...).  

The Consulate is right near the Beautiful Public Gardens

Once my name was called they gave me back my originals saying I would need them in Spain for the TIE, my visa would be good from Sept. 1, I had to apply for my NIE within 30 days of being in Spain, and to email them back August 2nd to see if it was ready to pick-up.  


And that was it.  I waited about a hour and fifteen minutes, but if everyone had been prepared it would have gone much quicker.  So please go to the consulate page and make sure you have everything (seriously one guy applying to study abroad didn't even bring anything to pay for the visa, he didn't know it cost anything).  It was so frustrating waiting so long, but the workers at the Consulate were very friendly and understanding.

If you are about to have your appointment at Boston, make sure you have:

At least this visa gave me a reason
to go to Boston!

• 2 National Visa forms (at least one needs to be double-sided)
• 1 Supplement Visa Form
• Passport and other form of ID (Driver's License)
• Copy of photo page of passport and ID
• 2 color photos passport sized, white background (they attach it for you)
• Carta de Nombramiento in color and with the digital signature
• Money Order payable to "Consulate of Spain" for $160
• Background check, original and translated with the Apostille of the Hague (I had an Apostille for the original and translated, but I don't know if the translated copy needs it though)
• Medical Certificate (does NOT need to be translated or have the Apostille)
• If you're doing the Ministry program tell them!  They tried to sort through my papers quicker because of it.

Have AT LEAST one copy of everything! They take the copy and give you the original back. Coming from someone who had to wait extra because others were unprepared, make sure you have everything.  Overall it went smoothly, just double check and make copies of everything.  If you have any more questions about the visa process through Boston feel free to leave comments, I'm more than happy to answer anything to save you the time and anxiety at your appointment!  You can even read through my previous post on: Applying for a Spanish Student Visa through Boston for more advice.

Now the Exciting Part!

With the visa debacle finally out of the way I officially bought my one-way ticket to Madrid yesterday!  It's a direct flight arriving early September in Madrid.  That way I have a few days before the weekend to find an apartment and then I plan on visiting all my friends and boyfriend's family in Santander, before having to be back for orientations starting September 19th.  

Only 61 more days! source

I went through Student Universe (it was the cheapest flight I saw) and did get flight insurance because even though they said my visa would start September 1st, I'm way too anxious of a peron to pay that much money without knowing for sure.  I do plan on checking a second bag on my flight since I think $51 (if you add the extra bag online prior) is much cheaper than what it would be to ship my stuff for the entire year.

Perpetual Waiting...

Even with my flight purchased and my visa seemingly approved (so far so good) I have to wait a few more weeks until I have my visa in hand.  Once I go back for my visa sometime in early August, it's off to Spain and more waiting as I'll have to figure out the NIE/TIE process in Madrid.  And so the waiting continues, but at least with a little more certainty now!  And to keep my eye on the prize while jumping through all these hoops I just keeping looking at pictures of Madrid.  So. Close.

61 days until I'm reunited with these beautiful people!

[Update (8/9): The visa waiting is over!  Finally picked up my visa, now just waiting for my flight in three weeks!  Read more about it in my new post: The Art of Packing Lightly.]

Have any of you gone through the student visa process and have some advice for other new timers?  Have you had to go through the NIE/TIE process in Madrid?

Applying for a Spanish Student Visa through Boston

Skyline of Madrid

Now that I've been accepted into the Auxiliares de Conversación program and have received my school placement, I can begin working on applying for my student visa.  The most confusing part of the process for me thus far.

Need that visa to get here!  source

As part of this program we are technically working on a postgraduate grant and as such are considered students, therefore we apply for the student visa.  Our visa will be good for 90 days from its start date and once in Spain we apply for our NIE/TIE to get our residence.  To start the visa process you must first determine which Consulate you will be applying to.  The Spanish Consulate whose jurisdiction I'm under is in Boston.  If you claim residency in the states of: Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine then you also will be applying to the Consulate in Boston.

To apply for the visa you must go to the Consulate in person and then pick it up in person; I have heard that someone else can pick it up for you but they need a notarized letter giving your permission (not 100% sure because I plan on just going myself both times).  The point being, Boston does not mail you your visa nor allow you to mail it.

Palacio de Cristal in Madrid

Once you know which Consulate you must apply to then you will have to look at their requirements.  While some of the general information may be similar, many of the Consulates have different requirements for the background check and medical certificate.  The website for the Boston Consulate lists the requirements you will need for a long-stay student visa (make sure to look at the correct one, the student visa is the last visa type listed).  The requirements for applying for the student visa at this Consulate are:

• 2 National Visa Application forms (printed double sided) and 1 Supplement Application form, both filled out and signed.
• 2 color photos with a white background (passport sized)
• Passport that is valid throughout your stay in Spain and has at least one blank page to affix the visa;  this will be left at the Consulate while they process your visa.  Also provide either of the following: US driver's license, US State ID Card, Voter's Registration Card, or valid Student ID.
• For non-US citizens only: Alien Registration Card or US Visa with I-20/IAP-66 (except B1-B2), must be valid for minimum of three months past visa expiration date.
• Color original of your "Carta de Nombramiento" stating your school placement, monthly stipend, work start and end dates, as well as insurance information.  This is very important!
• Non-refundable money order of $160 made out to the "Consulate of Spain."
• Certificate of Absence of Police Records-In Boston you are able to either get a State Background Check of the FBI Background Check, but local ones will not be accepted.  It must be no older than three months from the time of your visa appointment, must have the original and translated into Spanish, and must bear the Apostille of the Hague.  You also must get a background check from any country you've lived in for more than six months over the past five years.
• Medical Certificate-This certificate must be signed by a M.D. or D.O. in a letter-head paper in the following format: “This medical certificate attests that Mr./ Mrs. ……………………… does not suffer from any illness that would pose a threat to public health according to the International Health Regulations of 2005.”  It also must not be no older than three months, but it does not need to be translated or bear the Apostille (one of my friends just had her appointment and confirmed this).

Making Your Visa Appointment:

To make your appointment with Boston you can do it over the phone or online (online you must make an account first).   If it is possible, you should let the Consulate know when you are making your appointment that you will be "one of the Auxiliares de conversación norteamericanos del Ministerio de Educación in the Comunidad Autónoma de (insert your comunidad) starting this coming September/October 2013."  A lot of openings may not appear yet for making the appointment for your student visa, but don't fear.  Keep checking back and more will open up for later in the summer.  I haven't made mine yet because I have to wait until July when I'm out of work.

MAKE AND BRING MULTIPLE COPIES OF EVERYTHING!!

I have heard from others who have gone through the process that you can get turned away if you do not have the appropriate copies.  I'm making two copies of everything to be sure.  If your documents are accepted they will keep the copy and give you back the original.  You must apply for your visa no less than three weeks before your departure date because it takes around a month to process a student visa.

[Update (6/18): Made my visa appointment today for Tuesday, July 2nd at 11:15 am.  I'm making a day out of it and spending the day up there with my family.]

source

The Background Check:

I chose to get a state background check instead of a FBI one and it was incredibly easy in RI.  

1. I went to the office of the RI Attorney General and asked for two background checks, one in English and one in Spanish.
2. Told them it was for use overseas and would need the signature of the Attorney General (very important, you need to this to get the Apostille!)
3. Wrote a check payable to the BCI for $10 ($5 for each bgc).  In total waited maybe ten minutes.
4. Took my Spanish and English background checks to the Office of the Secretary of the State to get them Apostilled.
5. Told them I needed the documents for Spain and then wrote a check payable to the R.I. Secretary of State for $10 (also $5 each).  The Apostille took less than five minutes to get done.
6. Check with your state for the requirement you would need, and also if they can also give you a translation of your background check.

The Medical Certificate:

I have a doctor's appointment Thursday morning to talk with my doctor, but the secretary at the office said that it would be no problem and to just print out what the letter needs to say and they will type it up for me.  I'll update you all once I have the appointment done.

[Update (6/13): Got my Medical Certificate today.  Wasn't charged anything by my doctor and they were really nice about it, all I had to do was bring in the requirements and they re-typed it for me exactly as the Consulate website stated.]

The Supplement Application Form:

As far as I know Boston is the only Consulate to require this form.  The first time I looked it over I was a little confused because I couldn't find any information on how to correctly fill it out.  Luckily, my internet sleuthing found some helpful links for past study abroad programs to fill out the information.  I found a link through Syracuse University for students who are studying abroad.  It tells you how exactly to fill out our National Visa form and has a filled in example of the Supplement Form.  Our answers are a little bit different, but not by much.

For example, I'm not a student so I put my actual job for "Profession."  We want multiple entrances, and put our dates as when I plan on arriving to when our school ends.  For example, I put September first until June 30th because I'll be in Madrid.  Our "port of entry" is Madrid or whatever city you're entering Europe via before going to your actual "Main Destination."  Our "Purpose of Travel" is to study and our "Contact Information/Reference Address" is for the school we will be teaching in.

source

Pictures/ID

My biggest problem is actually turning out to be the ID because my driver's license expires on my birthday in July so I had to renew it first.  I went Saturday and they said I should have it within a month, so worst case scenario I'll have to use another form of ID applying for the visa. I also got my passport sized photos done then at AAA too.  I did get extra photos because you will need three to get your NIE/TIE processed once in Spain in the Fall, but I wouldn't get them there because I'm pretty sure our photos are a different size.  So I potentially wasted $8 on the extra sets, but not too bad I suppose.  I can save them for the future.

My Costs for the Visa Process:

Background Checks=$10
Apostille of the Hague=$10
Passport Pictures=$16 (1st set=$8 and each additional=$4)
Money Order=$160
Train to Boston=$52 ($22 round-trip and $4 all day parking, for both trips)
Renewed License=$33
Total=$281

[Update (7/2): Had my visa appointment and my visa is set to start September 1st.  I can email back in a month to see if my visa is ready to be picked up.  Read more about my experience in my new post: Visa in Progress, Flights Purchased, and the Waiting Continues
Update (8/9): Picked up my visa from Boston, while I waited the full month my visa took only about 2.5 months.  You can read a little more about it in my post about the art of packing lightly.]

Here are some helpful links I have found for the Spanish visa process in Boston:

Expatriate Cafe-Boston Consulate Visas

Auxiliares de Conversación 2013-2014 Visa Instruction Manual

Have you ever gone through the Boston Consulate to get a Spanish Student Visa?  Do you have any more questions or advice about the process?

My Favorite Places in the USA...So Far

Now that I have officially been placed in Madrid with the Auxiliares program for this coming fall (yayy) I thought I would take a break from Spain posts and appreciate what I have right under my nose, my home country.   I love Spain, but I also love the United States too.  The United States is a great country, and from coast to coast shows the diverse range of cultures, heritages, and beliefs of its citizens.  The United States is the fourth largest country in the world, yet I feel it is often unexplored by many who call it home.  As a child I was lucky enough that my parents would travel around the states frequently (I've been to over half) but still hope to visit the others sometime in my life.  To show my appreciation of my home coming here are some of my favorite places I've visited in the United States so far:

Maine

I say Maine because I just cannot limit this beautiful state to once city or region.  Maine has been a part of my life since I was born, in fact even before my parents were born!  My grandparents met at Colby College in Waterville and fell in love with the surrounding area, eventually building a summer cabin in South China.  I was lucky enough that up until my Junior year of college I was able to call beautiful South China my home for the summer.  This little village right off of China Lake, lies between the capital of Augusta and Waterville and still remains one of my favorite places to visit.


Maine is such a versatile state that there's something to do for everyone, every season.  Fall is when everyone treks up north to see the beautiful autumn foliage change colors; being from New England myself I find it particularly beautiful in Maine.  During the winter months Maine is the place to be for snow sports with its 18+ ski areas and resorts.   Spring and particularly summer for me are my favorite times to be in Maine (I am not a cold-weather person).  Bicycling, fishing, hiking, white water rafting, beaches, camping, and blueberry picking; the options are endless in the warm months of Maine.  Not to mention enjoying Maine's famous seafood!

What's not to love about this?

Boston

Public Gardens

Old State House

Living in New England puts Boston practically in my backyard.  Of all of the cities I've visited, it is probably the one I have frequented (and love) the most.  It is a city known for its history, academics, and innovation.  Since I have never lived in Boston I only know it on the level as a visitor, but with that being said there is more than enough to do and see on a visit to this beautiful city.

Harpoon Brewery

If history is your 'thing' you're in luck.  As one of the oldest cities in the United States, historical sites are plentiful throughout the Boston area.  If you want to hit the most important of these take the freedom trail, marked by a red line or bricks on the ground, to sites like: the Paul Revere House, Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Old North Church, Boston Common and more.  For museum-lovers some of the most famous Boston museums are: the Boston Children's Museum, the Boston Museum of Fine Art, The Boston Science Museum, the New England Aquarium.  Not to mention the various breweries in the area that are open to tours and tastings like Sam Adams and Harpoon (yum).  So give Boston a try if you have yet to visit, it's definitely a city with a lot to offer.

Fenway Park, home to my beloved Red Sox

New Orleans

French Quarter

I was lucky enough to visit New Orleans a few years ago as an alumni on a trip with my old high school chorus.  After Hurricane Katrina my high school chorus had built a relationship with a New Orleans elementary school by holding multiple benefit concerts to raise money to support repairs and their music department.  They invited us down to visit and participate in a benefit concert on behalf of another local school in need.  When my old choral teacher reached out to me to participate as an alumni I jumped at the chance to meet some of the kids I had helped raise money for over the years.  Everyone we met there was so friendly and passionate about their city, it was truly a great experience and while we didn't get a chance to tour much of New Orleans, I loved what I saw and would love to return again in the future.

While there, the main things we saw/did were: tour the French Quarter (even had a 'ghost tour'), took a steamboat ride aboard the Natchez, and enjoy the delicious cajun cuisine.   And with my love of food I definitely appreciateed the great cajun food.  When we visited the school they served us a typical lunch with crawfish and sausage.  I'm not usually a fan of any kind of seafood, but it was delicious.  The cajun cooking was superb everywhere we went!  Sadly I did not get to try beignets :( but had my fair share of delectable pralines during our stay.

Florida

Clearwater Beach

While Florida may be most well-known for its many theme parks, there is much more to this gorgeous state than just Disney World (though the princess in me does love some Disney).  One of my favorite places in Florida is around the Tampa Bay area, like Clearwater--one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever been to!  My family has friends living in the Bay area so we visited quite frequently growing up.  For the beach lover, and the biker (motorcycles, like my dad), it's a great community to visit.  Not to mention that Florida has gorgeous weather late-fall to early-spring while the northern half of the U.S. are absolutely freezing their buns off!

For the amusement park fiend Florida is heaven.  In Tampa there is Busch Gardens, it was my dad's personal favorite because there used to be a free beer tasting/tour (unfortunately that closed a few years ago, :( sadness).  There many more parks throughout Florida but the largest are in Orlando area: Disney World, Universal Studies, and Sea World.  While they may be overly expensive, I think that they're worth visiting at least once; you're never too old for fairy tales and roller coasters!

New York City

Oh New York City. I have a love/hate relationship with this city. Mainly because I hate the Yankees (Mets fans, you're ok) and love the city.  I can't help I'm just a Boston girl at heart.  But despite it's unfortunate sports team, the Big Apple is still a pretty amazing city to visit. New York has a long, rich history and subsequently has tons of fascinating museums to visit. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum, Ellis Island, and American Museum of Natural History are a few of my favorites, but the list of all the museums in NYC is far too extensive to list.

For those who have not visited NYC before you may want to go up the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Tower, and the Statue of Liberty. It's something you should see and do once, but if your experience is like mine (three hour wait for Empire State Building) then you may not want to visit again. 

 While visiting NYC other places I enjoy visiting are Times Square and Central Park.  The Brooklyn Bridge is also a typical place to visit and it gives you a nice walk.  My absolute favorite thing to do in NYC though is to go to a Broadway Show, I'm a huge theatre fan (particularly of musicals)!  Some of my favorite shows I've seen on Broadway have been: Spamalot, Hairspray, and Young Frankenstein.  Either way, if you visit NYC you won't be bored.

Puerto Rico

Gate to the City

Beautiful Puerto Rico may be an unincorporated U.S. territory and not a state, but that does not diminishes my love for this beautiful island!  I got to visit Puerto Rico on a Spanish trip my senior year of high school.  As a group we visited both San Juan and Ponce and while I adored Old San Juan, I did prefer Ponce.

Garden in Casa Blanca

While in San Juan we walked through the old part of the city, saw the gate to the city, the fort Castillo de San Cristóbal with its infamous sentry box known for its many rumors of disappearances, Casa Blanca that was once home to the Ponce family, the San Juan Cathedral that houses the remains of the explorer Ponce de Leon and Saint Pius, as well as some gorgeous beaches.  We also took a few day trips, mainly to El Yunque National Forest, the only rain forest in the U.S. national forest system, and Arecibo Observatory to see the radio telescope and museum.

After our visit to San Juan we traveled south to the city of Ponce, the second largest city on the island after San Juan's metropolitan area.  We were only in Ponce for around a day and a half, but it was such a beautiful city that I fell in love with instantly!  Easily the most recognizable site in this city is the famous Parque de Bombas, or fire station, know for its black and red stripes.  Parque de Bombas is located right in the central Plaza las Delicias just as the  Ponce City Hall and Ponce Cathedral both are.  It was a wonderful trip, even if I left with the horrible souvenir of sun poisoning. Ouch.

"La Garita del Diablo"

Honorable Mentions

(Or places I loved and you should visit but I visited too long ago, or too infrequently, to make an educated selection)
*Washington DC
*Tennessee
*Seattle
*California
*Virginia Beach

What's your favorite travel destination in the United States?