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Work-Study Program
Work-Study Program - Spain
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Many young women who are passionate about
Spanish culture and would jump at the chance to study in Spain are
held back by living costs which conservatively, are estimated at 10,000
U.S. dollars per year. This program responds to this problem. |
Requirements
There are no language or academic requirements for this program, just a
sincere interest in learning and a love for children. Our requirements:
1. Female between 18 and 26 years
of age
2. Native speaker of English
3. Experience with children
4. Interest in Spanish language and culture.
(Basic Spanish is helpful but not compulsory.)
5. Able to commit yourself for at least 3
months (1 or 2 in the summer) with the possibility of renewal if desired. |
How it works:
In exchange for childcare in English, au pairs are
treated as family members while they take advantage of cultural and educational
opportunities.
One of our participating Spanish families invites you as an au pair to assist
with childcare duties speaking in English for two to five hours a
day, five days a week. Room and board are automatically
included. When you have accumulated 25 hours, you will recieve a 50 €
stipend, approximately 40 USD.
We hope that for you the exposure to a dynamic country like Spain, enjoyed
from the security of a stable family environment, will insure lasting relationships
and enduring memories for years to come.
The Language Classes
To help you adapt better this program provides language support by combining
studying in an established Spanish academy in Madrid while you are living
with a Spanish family. The academic services include grammar, vocabulary
and conversation classes (depending on your level). The language classes are an integral part of the program because they provide cultural activities and they give you contacts with peers in Madrid.
Fun and Cultural Activities
You will also have included a membership in a popular activities club with
the opportunity to make many friends, including Spaniards.
Highlights
• 40 hours of tuition in one of our centrally located, fully-equipped Spanish language schools for an intensive Spanish course from Monday to Friday for 2 weeks. Class hours are 45 minutes from 9:30 to 1 pm (or similar) and there is a half hour break after every 90 minutes of class.
• The class size is between 6 and 10 students. This means that there are plenty of opportunities to participate in class conversations and to get to know your classmates.
• Absolute beginners can only start on the first and third Monday of each month. Students with previous knowledge can start any Monday. Legal holidays cannot be made up.
• Testing, certificates, letter of matriculation, materials,
texts (when applicable) and limited free Internet access while studying.
• Screening of all host families, including personal interviews
and a visit to the quarters that the au pair will be occupying. This
means that we go personally to see the home environment and make personal
contact with the families.
• Private room and full board.
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• Freedom to select the family of your choice. We never impose
a family on you.
• Matching of au pair's preferences with family applications.
(number of children, ages, diet, etc.)
• Orientation for finding other part time work if desired.
• BEST will periodically contact and follow up on its au pairs.
• Contacts with past and current participants.
• Airport pick up and return by the host family.
• A local phone number, fax and email will be provided in case
of need.
• 24 hour/7 days a week support while in Spain by Americans.
• Orientation packet: includes tourist info, practical tips,
city information, transportation and communication details including
a map and explanation of the Metro in Madrid and much more.
• Membership in an International Friendship club -- a Membership
Card will be waiting for you in their Madrid offices. This includes
many free services such as an interchange data base, monthly newsletter,
free walking tours as well as discounts at weekly interchange discos
in a famous Madrid palace, discount study excursions,
Internet café, student travel agency, cell phone service, etc.
• Full coverage health, accident and medical insurance policy
for up to 3 months. |
Fees
• Our fee is just $1050 U.S. dollars for 3 months,
$990 USD for 2 months or $800 USD for one month. The 2 and 1 month options
are only open to summer applicants.
• Renovation and extensions over 3 months are free (not including classes or insurance).
• There is a $300 USD deductible registration fee. For more information
about fees and payment please see Agreements,
Terms and Fees.
• Personal items, communication and transportation costs are the
au pair's responsibility.
Application Steps
• Applications are accepted all year round.
• A typical application will take around two months to process.
To apply:
1. fill in the application
form online or in printed
version.
2. collect the necessary documentation:
- A passport size photo (smiling!)
- 2 Color photos of you with your family.
- 2 Color photos of you with children.
- A letter to the host family in English and Spanish (if
possible) saying why you want to go to Spain, your interests and
hobbies, experience with children and any special habits you might
have (i.e. diet).
- 2 reference letters (preferably one from a child care referee).
- Medical Report (from your family doctor on his/her letterhead).
- Police Report (a document of good conduct saying you have
no criminal record for travel purposes).
- Photocopy of passport.
- Photocopy of any degrees, certificates, diplomas or other
qualifications you might have.
- Signed Agreement of Terms and Conditions.
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3. send the documents scanned by jpg file to our email address (best@bestprograms.org) with the registration fee of $300. (see Agreements, Terms and Fees)
4. Set up a time for an telephone
interview. (optional)
5. You will begin to receive phone calls, or emails
from host families.
6. When you have been invited by a family and
accepted, buy your round-trip airline ticket.
7. Payment of BEST fee. (see Agreements,
Terms and Fees)
8. When you arrive in Spain you will be picked
up by your host family and contacted by someone from the staff at BEST.
Contact and further information: best@bestprograms.org
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