UCETAM Language Assistant Program in Madrid: Overview and Application Process

UCETAM (Unión de Cooperativas de Enseñanza de Trabajo Asociado de Madrid) is another Spain teaching program for Americans. According to their website, UCETAM: "...is an independent organization that was created in 1985 and now comprises 104 teaching cooperatives, Labor Societies, Foundations and Associations, which are arranged in a legal manner and joint ventures with Social Economy …

Meddeas Program: Final Stage

On January 19th, I was notified via e-mail that I've made it to the final stage for candidates in the Meddeas program: Dear Laura, My name is Leyre and I am one of Meddeas’ International Relations Advisers. I am writing to inform you that you have made it to the final list of candidates for our 2017/2018 …

Spanish Ministry’s Auxiliares Program: Application & Timeline

The Spanish government's auxiliares program, also known as the North American Language & Culture Assistant (NALCA) program, is arguably the most widely known teaching programs for foreigners in Spain. Accepting over 2,000 assistants each year, NALCA is a popular program for people of any age who may be looking for a "gap year" or a way to simply …

Las Lajas Sanctuary in Ipiales, Colombia

El Santuario Las Lajas (Las Lajas Sanctuary) is a beautiful basilica located in a canyon in Ipiales, Colombia. Built with a gothic style between 1916 and 1949, Las Lajas is a popular tourist destination near the Ecuador border not only for its architecture, but for its religious and cultural significance in the region and its family-friendly walking trails, …

How to cross the Colombia – Ecuador border by foot

Crossing the Colombian - Ecuadorian border is in fact quite easy, but it could require a bit of time and patience. There are a couple ways to cross the border by land, but one of the most popular ways is through the Rumichaca/Tulcan route. Here are the steps you need to take to cross from …

Meddeas Program: The in-person interview

Typically, the second Meddeas interview needs to happen in-person. Meddeas has select locations in Europe and North America for these interviews, and you must pay for transportation to the interview (yep, that means that some people have had to cross regions in Spain or states in the U.S. in order to attend the interview). Luckily, …

Meddeas Program: The Skype interview

After applying to the Meddeas program, you may be contacted for an initial interview. I was contacted just five days after I sent in my application via e-mail about my first interview for the 20th of December. This first interview is held over Skype. I was interviewed by a Spanish guy, but the interview was …

BEDA Program: The Skype interview

Shortly after sending in my BEDA application on November 25th, I was contacted for an interview on December 15th. Compared to the Meddeas interview, the BEDA interview is much more conversational and laid back. Julian, the guy who interviewed me this year and last, made the interview quite relaxed and even humorous. It actually didn’t …

Obtaining a TEFL Certification through International TEFL Academy

International TEFL Academy is an accredited company offering TEFL certifications through classes held both online and in-person in various cities in the U.S. and abroad. If you’re thinking about investing (yes, investing…these courses aren’t cheap!) in a TEFL certificate, ITA has a lot to offer to its students including lifetime job search guidance and support, …