Greg de Lima

Disclaimer: What follows in this post has been experience for me, it is no reflection of the opinions nor is it a bashing of Appalachian State University or the University of Alicante.

First, I would like to begin by saying that although my home institution (Appalachian State University) has so far done an excellent job as far as my study abroad has been. However, there are many things that they left out when it came to long term study abroad and the needs of the Embassy and Spanish government.

Requirements for Student Visa – Consulate General of Spain, Washington DC

1. Must come in person to solicit the Visa. If under the age of 18 Must have and authorization letter from Parents (Notarized)
2. Schengen Visa Application (PDF)
3. Passport (Original and 1 Copy)  – Should be valid for whole term of stay, with at least one open page for the affixation of the Visa.
4. 1 Recent Passport Size Photo – On white background
5. Acceptance letter (Original & 1 copy) from receiving institution. – This letter should be addressed to the Consulate General, also should include proof of medical insurance in Spain.
6. Method of Sustinence ($$$) – A University declared letter of Financial Aid, Proof of Scholarship, or a notarized letter from the parents guaranteeing proper monetary sustinance.
7. “Express Mail” Envelope – for delivery of Visa once Arrived
8. Payment – Cash or Money order in the amount of $100USD for US Citizens.

For More than 6 Months the following is needed

1. Police Record- May be obtained at your local PD. (Original & 1 Copy)
2. Statement of Health – (Original & 1 Copy) – On letterhead from your doctor certifying you are in sufficient medical health to travel.

The previous two documents I highly recommend you getting apostilled. This can be done by researching your local Secretary of State.

Secondly

If you are staying in Spain for more than one semester, you will be required to obtain a type of student residency card. The following is what I did for my region, you can easily find how to do this in your region by going to the Ayuntamiento of your local town/city (this can be easily Googled). What you need for your residency are:

1. Epadronamiento – What is done at the ayuntamiento; a sort of proof of address. For this you need: Proof of address, copy of passport, and copy of the Visa.
2. Application for the residency card – I found this through my university’s visa help. Your unique university may have this service also, if not check at the Local Police Department of your town/city and they may help you.
3. Finger Prints
4. 15€ Payment

With that, you wil go to the Police Department follow their steps with the Application Form, and deposit the 15€ in the bank account they indicate. This card will arrive after one month.

My university told me none of these things and the research for me was hard to come by without getting it first hand from the Bureaucrats. I hope that what I have told you helps you with the government part.

Posted via web from Greg’s posterous

Firstly I would like to apologize for not having posted in such a long time. That comes with the fault of trying to find a place to live, and settling bureaucratic stuff with the University here in Alicante, Spain.

Now for the fun stuff, moving here to Alicante has been a great ordeal. My friend told me she had found a flat for us and when I arrived I went to go see it… it was a total dump, disgusting, old, moldy, and I think mouse poop everywhere. The landlady had also overbooked the flat so I had to stay with her for about 4 days. This will make me seem like a horrible person, but I did what I had to. I found a place to live at the Villas Universitarias, right across the street from the University. Trouble came when I had to leave, because how do you stay with your landlady for 4 nights and tell her you’re not gonna live in her flat anymore? So conveniently she wasn’t home when I had to leave so I just walked out, and told her son I would send them money as soon as I could to compensate for their hospitality and kindness. From what I heard, she was rather pissed off that day…

At this point in time, I have my course registration tomorrow and a meeting with the Business Dept. Adviser to plan out the semester. The have to go get MORE passport size photos for my residency card that prolongs my visa (per se) until June 2010 when I plan to return to the US.

Besides the deal with the landlady things have been great! Please check out the photos of Alicante so far on Facebook.

Also, check back for a post on studying abroad in Spain details, like things to have at the embassy, and how to make sure everything is squared away with your Universities.

Posted via web from Greg’s posterous