If you are thinking of coming to Spain, Id suggest you take at least one Spanish course before hand, just so you can defend yourself in any circumstance. You don't want to show up to another country without knowing any of the language, some basic spanish skills would be very helpful for you, specially if you are coming on an internship. I would recommend any Spanish online courses, or sign up for a course in your college. Find out what facilities there are in your destination - for example in Alicante there is a Escuela Oficial de Idiomas where they teach Spanish or any other language that you wish to learn.
Also, spanish people appreciate when you make the intent to speak, so dont feel embarrassed of your accent, adapt to the culture and get yourself involved! thats the great part! The more you practise your spanish, the better you will get at it! Remember its a process of learning.
However, as for needing spanish at work, this is a yes, just so there arent any misunderstandings. Communicating is key when your at work, sometimes you may not understand certain things or your colleague wont understand you. Its obvious that it is not expected of you to dominate the language like a native speaker, but as long as you can explain your self pretty well, than you are set and ready to go.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
How to find a job in Spain
In order for you to find a job in Spain, you must have your CV in hand ready to go. You want to start off by sending your CV to companies in Spain, inform yourself, do a bit of researching, look at company directories. Along with networking is another great way of finding a job in Spain, it can open a lot of gates for you. However, if your university has any agreements with international companies that's another route you can take and much easier.
You got to have patience and the willingness to take the time to find your workplacement. If you put some effort into it you should be well on your way to getting a job. Do not stop sending CVs, send to as many companies as possible and if they have accepted you somewhere, don´t stop sending CVs, cause you never know what can go wrong. Always keep in mind that, you are 100 percent sure that you will be working there, than you can stop sending cvs. Keeping yourself informed and updated is one of the major things you have to keep in mind. Making phone calls, showing companies you are interested and you are making that effort to get the job makes them think you are responsible and optimistic about the job.
Finding a job is a bit challenging, it takes a bit of time, as long as you follow the criteria Ive mentioned above, i am sure you will find one in the matter of time.
You got to have patience and the willingness to take the time to find your workplacement. If you put some effort into it you should be well on your way to getting a job. Do not stop sending CVs, send to as many companies as possible and if they have accepted you somewhere, don´t stop sending CVs, cause you never know what can go wrong. Always keep in mind that, you are 100 percent sure that you will be working there, than you can stop sending cvs. Keeping yourself informed and updated is one of the major things you have to keep in mind. Making phone calls, showing companies you are interested and you are making that effort to get the job makes them think you are responsible and optimistic about the job.
Finding a job is a bit challenging, it takes a bit of time, as long as you follow the criteria Ive mentioned above, i am sure you will find one in the matter of time.
Cost of living in Spain
Spain could get expensive depending on how you locate yourself.It is not cheap, that is for sure, and you must have a base of money in your bank account to survive. Everything is a subjective and up to the consumer. Theres a saying in Spain ¨ Is the one who possess more, but the one who needs less¨.
Expenses in food will be around 100€ monthly, not taking into consideration special meals that can rise up this amount. Also for transportation you will be looking at buying the bus pass, it is called Bono Bus, its a card you buy and you refill it each month, it will give you 30 trips, good thing about the Bono Bus is that it charges you for your first trip and within an hour you are free of charge, once the hour is up you will have to pay again.
Finding a place to rent: You can find a place to rent with really good deals, it really all depends on you, prices can range from 150-400 euros a month, this would include a washing machine, a bed and so on. Below i have provided a link for you: http://alicante.campusanuncios.com/piso-1020058269X-habitaciones-libres-Alicante.html
This is a Student residence where you can meet lots of new people, specially if your a student like me.
Moving on, Spains night life is really variable in terms of money. In Madrid, Barcelona or important cities, the parties are more expensive than in other spanish cities it also depends on how you party, where you go. For instance, Ibiza is one of the most expensive Spanish cities for partying, and is very famous for it indeed,
but if you want a normal and amusement night, the cost could be around 20 to 30 euros per night. Once your night is over and you need a ride home, buses are available, you can also take a taxi, but it could get a bit more expensive.
There is some basic information for your cost of living, hope it helps.
Expenses in food will be around 100€ monthly, not taking into consideration special meals that can rise up this amount. Also for transportation you will be looking at buying the bus pass, it is called Bono Bus, its a card you buy and you refill it each month, it will give you 30 trips, good thing about the Bono Bus is that it charges you for your first trip and within an hour you are free of charge, once the hour is up you will have to pay again.
Finding a place to rent: You can find a place to rent with really good deals, it really all depends on you, prices can range from 150-400 euros a month, this would include a washing machine, a bed and so on. Below i have provided a link for you: http://alicante.campusanuncios.com/piso-1020058269X-habitaciones-libres-Alicante.html
This is a Student residence where you can meet lots of new people, specially if your a student like me.
Moving on, Spains night life is really variable in terms of money. In Madrid, Barcelona or important cities, the parties are more expensive than in other spanish cities it also depends on how you party, where you go. For instance, Ibiza is one of the most expensive Spanish cities for partying, and is very famous for it indeed,
but if you want a normal and amusement night, the cost could be around 20 to 30 euros per night. Once your night is over and you need a ride home, buses are available, you can also take a taxi, but it could get a bit more expensive.
There is some basic information for your cost of living, hope it helps.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Reasons for choosing Spain to do a work placement
Spain is a beautiful country filled with many things to discover. Picking Spain as a work placement is marvelous, its culture is a European culture based on a variety of influences, also being part of the Mediterranean Atlantic ocean gives its food a great taste. Spain is located in Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay. The official language is Spanish, also called Castillian, and is the first language of most of their population. One of Spain's most famous Architecture is The Burgos Cathedral which is located in Barcelona.
Also, Spains spectacle of bullfighting has existed in one form another since ancient days, bullfights were very popular in rome, but it was in the iberian peninsula that these contest were fully developed. Today the bullfight is much the same as it has been since about 1726, when Francisco Romero of Ronda, Spain, introduced the estoque (the sword) and the muleta (the small, more easily wielded worsted cape used in the last part of the fight).
Chirnguitoos, something you must do on a nice summer day. What they are is small bars and food stands that appear along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts during the hot summer months. Its a great idea to go out with friends for a drink or two and have some snacks.
Overall, spain has so much to discover, youd be amazed, history wise just makes everything in spain a bueaty. Remember its not only about your work placement but also leanring the culture and what it has to offer. So come to Spain if your interested, dont hesitate, you wont regret it.
Also, Spains spectacle of bullfighting has existed in one form another since ancient days, bullfights were very popular in rome, but it was in the iberian peninsula that these contest were fully developed. Today the bullfight is much the same as it has been since about 1726, when Francisco Romero of Ronda, Spain, introduced the estoque (the sword) and the muleta (the small, more easily wielded worsted cape used in the last part of the fight).
Chirnguitoos, something you must do on a nice summer day. What they are is small bars and food stands that appear along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts during the hot summer months. Its a great idea to go out with friends for a drink or two and have some snacks.
Overall, spain has so much to discover, youd be amazed, history wise just makes everything in spain a bueaty. Remember its not only about your work placement but also leanring the culture and what it has to offer. So come to Spain if your interested, dont hesitate, you wont regret it.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Writing a CV for your internship
A CV is a marketing tool. With your CV you will be able to promote yourself. The CV is like a brochure that will list the benefits of a particular service. The service being your time and skill!
Every application requires a proper CV. Even if you are applying for an internship. In Europe each country has its own style towards creating a CV. Make sure you are aware of what is expected by each country, follow a simple guideline showing you how a standard CV would look like. In this case you would be looking at Spain.
To Start off a CV keep in mind that an employer will want to be able to grasp the most important parts of your CV, just glance right through it. You have to make sure you put key information that will catch you employers eyes. An employer needs facts about your skills, experience, qualifications and some personal insight. If they like what they see then they will require contact information to get in touch with you.
Contact details are very important, CVs are usually filed in place for a long period of time so all contact details you give have to remain accurate in the long term. Be sure to include a day time number where you can be reached at easily without any complications. Include your mobile number if you have one, also an email address would be great because you will have it for life.
Introduction:
write a brief powerful introduction last thing after you have written everything else. sum up your key qualities and aims. There is no need for this section unless it is self-evident.
Previous Employment should be written in a reverse chronolgical order, including starting and leaving dates for each position. Include concise details of what the job entitled, your responsibilities and what you achieved in the role. Also if there are any gaps be sure to explain why so, you can say, at college, carrying out charity fund raising work etc.
Qualifications can be listed as classes that you took back in high school such as, english and mathematics, also degree qualifications, grades are not necessary. List only the academic centres where a qualification was earned in reverse chronological order with dates.
Hobbies and interests gives a bit of an insight of your personality. Do not list all of your interest and hobbies, keep this section brief, you dont want to give your employer an impression of you rather be doing your hobbies, or travelling around the world than doing the job you are being considered for.
Last but not least, For references it is considered that you just simply write, References available upon request.
Every application requires a proper CV. Even if you are applying for an internship. In Europe each country has its own style towards creating a CV. Make sure you are aware of what is expected by each country, follow a simple guideline showing you how a standard CV would look like. In this case you would be looking at Spain.
To Start off a CV keep in mind that an employer will want to be able to grasp the most important parts of your CV, just glance right through it. You have to make sure you put key information that will catch you employers eyes. An employer needs facts about your skills, experience, qualifications and some personal insight. If they like what they see then they will require contact information to get in touch with you.
Contact details are very important, CVs are usually filed in place for a long period of time so all contact details you give have to remain accurate in the long term. Be sure to include a day time number where you can be reached at easily without any complications. Include your mobile number if you have one, also an email address would be great because you will have it for life.
Introduction:
write a brief powerful introduction last thing after you have written everything else. sum up your key qualities and aims. There is no need for this section unless it is self-evident.
Previous Employment should be written in a reverse chronolgical order, including starting and leaving dates for each position. Include concise details of what the job entitled, your responsibilities and what you achieved in the role. Also if there are any gaps be sure to explain why so, you can say, at college, carrying out charity fund raising work etc.
Qualifications can be listed as classes that you took back in high school such as, english and mathematics, also degree qualifications, grades are not necessary. List only the academic centres where a qualification was earned in reverse chronological order with dates.
Hobbies and interests gives a bit of an insight of your personality. Do not list all of your interest and hobbies, keep this section brief, you dont want to give your employer an impression of you rather be doing your hobbies, or travelling around the world than doing the job you are being considered for.
Last but not least, For references it is considered that you just simply write, References available upon request.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Internship in Spain
Hi my name is Josh Espinosa, I am a Business student in Canada that currently is doing my co-op (prácticas) at Ityis Siglo XXI, a company in Spain that delivers Internet content and social networks. The company owns Spain's third largest (according to Nielsen) website, Euroresidentes, aswell as the Spanish-speaking world's largest specialised social network, Mis Recetas, and several other specialised sites and networks, including a site for high school students, Estudiantes.
My tasks here will be involved with translating some of the Euroresidentes Business and finance section from Spanish to English. I will also be doing some basic accounts management and some administrative tasks.
If you are suggesting on coming to Spain for an internship, Id say your on the right track! So far I am having a great time and I am enjoying my experience here with my fellow Spanish friends. Spain has a lot to offer, specially if you are looking to improve your Spanish speaking skills. Each day my Spanish skills improve at work as i apply them to my working environment. You will gain an unforgettable experience, as for me, to this date it has been great! I encourage anyone that is interested, you don't want to miss out on opportunities like these.
My tasks here will be involved with translating some of the Euroresidentes Business and finance section from Spanish to English. I will also be doing some basic accounts management and some administrative tasks.
If you are suggesting on coming to Spain for an internship, Id say your on the right track! So far I am having a great time and I am enjoying my experience here with my fellow Spanish friends. Spain has a lot to offer, specially if you are looking to improve your Spanish speaking skills. Each day my Spanish skills improve at work as i apply them to my working environment. You will gain an unforgettable experience, as for me, to this date it has been great! I encourage anyone that is interested, you don't want to miss out on opportunities like these.
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