ACO

Thanks!! I suppose I'm probably leaning towards the Fulbright at the moment, although it's going to be so hard to say goodbye to everything I know here! I always thought I was slightly nomadic and more easily attached to places than people, but maybe I just never made as strong connections with people who live so far from where I come from. I'm also a big athlete, and I've been playing on two 3rd division soccer teams (one futsal, one regular) here too, and as silly as it is to want to stay for sports, I'm reluctant to leave those opportunities behind. Thanks for your advice/opinion!! I'll definitely put what I decide on the forum! Aww, I love hearing from other people who lived in Galicia! I'm sure I won't regret Andorra, but I can definitely see being happy staying here, of course (probably MORE easily at the moment, just because it's more concrete to me). I definitely AM excited, and like with you and Russian, I speak more Catalan than Galician. I studied Catalan some in college, which is partly why I applied, and I'd like to live somewhere where it's spoken. Thank you!! Aw, thanks! Wow, it's so strange to hear you say that. As an alternate last year - knowing that feeling - just you saying that makes me almost want to decline, just so it could go to you. Last year I wanted more than anything for someone to decline so I could have it. No matter what I do, definitely remember that NOT getting it last year was the BEST thing that could have happened to me, so I'm sure whatever happens for you will be wonderful, and you should definitely apply again if you don't hear more from them (it worked for me!). Unfortunately, it is just a "wait and see" process. I just didn't hear anything from them after the initial email. I hope someone else declines and you get the news you want! Good luck!

Just found out I was accepted as an ETA in Andorra! I could actually use a bit of advice though. Last year I was an alternate, and I was devastated. I spent this year teaching English in Galicia, Spain, and it has been the best year of my life - so great, that I'm now entirely unsure how to feel, as I renewed for a second year, and have been excitedly picturing continuing my life here next year. I know the Fulbright experience would be unbelievably rewarding, and that I probably love a year in Andorra just as much, but would it be crazy to turn down the Fulbright in order to stay here another year? If I did the Fulbright, I could repeat the program I'm doing now afterwards, but I wouldn't be placed in the same school with all of my fantastic colleagues and friends, and my wonderful students. In many regards, what I'm doing now would be very similar to what I would do in Andorra; I am and would be teaching English in a secondary school in a beautiful, mountainous region with a multilingual population. So, my problem is: I'm afraid of losing out on a great opportunity (or flat-out making a mistake) by not accepting the Fulbright, but it breaks my heart to think of leaving all the friends and contacts I've made here in Galicia. I've also already been accepted to grad school and deferred, so I don't need the Fulbright What should I do? What are the real benefits of the Fulbright? One year ago, I would have been over the moon with this news. Also, for anyone who is feeling sad about being rejected or being an alternate, being an alternate last year was the best thing that could have happened to me, or I would never have come to Galicia, and I wouldn't be faced with this decision. Also, reapplying DOES work! So, if you are upset, take heart. Things always work out well in the end.

I was recommended for an ETA in Andorra! I was recommended and eventually selected as an alternate last year, so perhaps this will be my year

Awww, thank you so much! The support on this forum is fantastic. I would love to know who got did get the 5 spots too - I was starting to convince myself I would get it too, with English and Spanish majors and a linguistics minor, a Spanish honors thesis about Catalan, and a lot of tutoring and coaching experience. Sadly, maybe your reasoning is exactly why I'm so devastated. I'm one of those people who knows that she wants to be in Andorra next year, unequivocally.It's the one country in the world where the random language I spent a year researching is official (not only co-official), and I can imagine myself there more easily than anywhere else next year. There were only 2 honors theses in Spanish at my university this year, and so the whole department basically knows me as the girl who studies Catalan. I applied to a program in Catalunya too though, so I'm working on making my way to somewhere near that area, I suppose! I'm so glad for you though that you have such a great outlook about this all, and you know yourself so well. Best of luck in whatever you do!

Just found out - I'm an alternate to Andorra. I'm pretty devastated, but I'm going to do my best to stay optimistic that a position will open for me! Best of luck to everyone else!

Ditto! I'd be willing (i.e. looooove) to hear how Spain's notifications relate to Andorra's...

"the Fulbright inexplicable non-transparent mystery process" Haha, exactly! Definitely - that age can be a handful. I'm a senior undergraduate, and I haven't had any experience teaching either, but I coach a middle school soccer team of 13 year old girls, so hopefully that might prepare me? It's a scary thought for sure, and I've never dealt with 13-year old boys. And I know what you mean! People are so confused when I say I applied to Andorra! Most people haven't even heard of it, haha. They tend to understand though once I tell them my Spanish thesis is about Catalan. (Although a lot of people haven't heard of Catalan either...) I'll keep my fingers crossed that we both hear back positively, and soon

Hi friend! I'm waiting on Andorra too! I think I remember reading in past forums that Andorra waits for Spain to send out their notifications, so it's killing me thinking that the decisions may have already been made but just not sent out. Bona sort!

Hahaha good one You almost got me. I'm glad there's still some humor on the thread to balance all the anxiety!

Don't worry! I don't think people are over-thinking it though - I think you got tons of people congratulating you, only one (unnecessarily) skeptical person, and now you're just surrounded by people who are anxious to hear back about their own status. That's all!

Oh wow! The first acceptance!! I can't believe it's starting! Congrats T Pain! Yikes though, it could come in a small white envelope too? Now there's going to be even more pressure opening the envelope, haha.

I definitely think the wishes are entirely sincere! I think we wish everyone the best and hope everyone's applications were as strong as they could be because there's nothing at this point that could affect our standings, and if our competition is fierce then our acceptances will be that much more rewarding, and our rejections that much more comforting.

The IIE New York office number is 1-(212)-883-8200. I will say though - I called on Monday and they were really nice and they checked for me. The lady I talked to said she hadn't received my transcripts, but I could call back later in the week again, so I did. The lady I talked to today wasn't very friendly and she said "we don't really do that (check for transcripts)... it's probably just here unopened..." So, I guess it just depends on who you get when you call.

Awesome, thanks! I'll do that. I wanted to do that, but my university sent mine straight away instead of letting me pick it up from the registrar's office. Haha, I trust my university but I wish I could have tracked it myself. It's good to hear they call you too, thanks!

Recommended ETA to Andorra here =) Does anyone know if there's a way to check that my transcripts have been received by the IIE? I sent them but I would hate not to be considered on the off chance they didn't get there! Thanks!