Chill out!

Here is the latest email from the NALCA rep (sent to applicants as a Word document):

from "Education Advisor @ the Spanish Embassy"
to applicants
date May 2, 2007 1:18 PM
subject Preguntas Auxilares Norteamericanos 2007

PLEASE, READ CAREFULLY THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT AND DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

Dear friends:

I would like to clarify a few points regarding the Auxilares de Conversación Norteamericanos en España, 2007-2008 program. We understand that you have many questions but we do not have the possibility of getting back to hundreds of e-mails before May 11th.

1. For those assigned to the Community of Madrid, the Correction message you received is the right one, please disregard the first message received.

2. In our correspondence we might have informed you that you were placed on a "provisional" list. PROVISONAL in this case affects only those applications that are still incomplete (missing recommendation letter, personal statement, photographs, etc), or those that may have problems getting a visa. If you are not contacted regarding this issue that means you are OK. Please, DO NOT ASK FOR CONFIRMATION of the status of your application.

If you have any specific requests such as placement within a desired province in your Autonomous Community, joint placement with a friend or relative, etc, please, indicate this in the "Special Request" box located at the bottom of the acceptance form.

3. This Embassy cannot provide information regarding your final destination within your Autonomous Community. This is decided by the Regional Authorities after they receive the list of confirmed applications. We will send confirmation to the Communities after May 11th (the deadline for you to send us the acceptance form).

4. Once the Regional Education Authorities receive this list, they will send you a letter: YOU WILL NEED THIS LETTER to apply for your Visa. YOU CANNOT START the Visa application process until you receive this letter. REMEMBER YOU CANNOT TRAVEL TO SPAIN WITH THE PROGRAM UNTIL YOU RECEIVE YOUR VISA. If you are planning to travel abroad this summer please note that you have to apply for your visa in your home country (the USA or Canada) and that the visa application process will take four weeks or longer.

5. You will receive detailed instructions as to how to apply for the Visa after the lists are sent to the Regional Authorities.

6. We cannot provide e-mail addresses or telephone number of Auxiliares who are now in Spain. If you need to know about their experience, please read the testimonials on our web-page: http://www.mec.es/sgci/usa/es/programas/auxiliares_us/testimonios.shtml

7. PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR CONFIRMATION ABOUT THE RECEIPT OF YOUR ACCEPTANCE FORM. We will contact you if we do not receive it on time.

If you have concerns about housing and the cost of living in Spain we can only say that so far the former Auxiliares (more than 1000 in the two years of the program) have not encountered problems related to this issue. Most Autonomous Communities and schools offer assistance in helping you find accommodations. You will also have the opportunity to gather with other Auxiliares during the training course offered before you start teaching. PLEASE consult the FAQ section on our web page, under "while in Spain": http://www.mec.es/sgci/usa/en/programs/us_assistants/faq.shtml
Please note that you should set some money aside to cover your living costs for the first month as your first payment will not be disbursed until the end of October (You will be paid on a monthly basis).


We would like to congratulate you and thank you very much again for your application. We will contact you again with further instructions.