FAQs of the past 24hrs

First off, let me say to everyone who has listened even once to my overall unpredictable flow of emotions about my future over the past 7 1/2 months: Thank you. Your support and confidence in me have carried me through this waiting game up until this point and I am extremely grateful for each and every one of you. I know I owe all of you very much, so I thought I'd start by answering some of your pending questions as best as I am able to at this point.

The facts:

#1: What is this program/What will you be doing there?

      It is called the North American Language and Culture Assistanship Program in Spain. In Spanish it is called Auxiliares de conversación. The program is funded by the Ministry of Education in Spain. As far as I know I will be receiving a stipend every month to work 12-16 hours a week in a Spanish classroom, presenting topics in English, practicing conversations with students, helping with lesson activities planned by the teacher etc.    

#2: Where will you be staying in Spain?

      Andalucía, Spain. That's a region, not a city or even really a province (see map). But it is smaller than the entire country. And I AM going. So it may not be much of a lead, but it is a step in the right direction ;)

#3: When will you be leaving?

       ASAP. But not before the end of September as that is not feasibly possible. Before booking my flight I have to get a number of things in order. For example, first I have to receive my letter of acceptance from the school with which I'll be working which could take who knows how long (It's Spain. I spent over half a year waiting for my acceptance. I think we all see how this works.)

#4: What do you do once you get the letter from your school?

      Step 1: Make an appointment at the earliest date with the Spanish consulate in Chicago. 

      Step 2: Get to Chicago. 

      Step 3: Drop off paperwork. 

      Step 4: Repeat steps 1-3, this time picking up visa (optimistically assuming my application is approved). 

      Step 5: Celebrate.

#5: Are you excited?

      See previous post :)

#6: Will we ever hear from you again?

      Of course! Today's technology is amazing in that I can stay in touch with all of you on Facebook, email, skype and even send relatively cheap (or free!) calls and texts to your phones. And trust me, I will be dying to hear from you every single homesick moment I'm gone. So please, send me a text/call/facebook message now so I can give any contact info you don't already have (see Contact Me tab above first). And of course, I won't be gone forever. I won't be booking a flight home just yet but I really do love Columbus and I will definitely be back before long (long being a relative term, especially if you are my parents. Love you, Mom and Dad :)

If you have any other questions please comment on this post or let me know however you can. 

After all, I do owe you ;)