Hispanoamerican/Spanish doctoral programs in linguistics?

[mylime]

I'm currently applying to graduate programs in linguistics, focusing mostly on indigenous language preservation and/or sociolinguistics (especially gender and language). I'm also a Spanish major and spent last semester in Spain. I wouldn't describe myself as fluent, but I'm definitely proficient (albeit constantly nervous when chatting with a native speaker). While I'm not necessarily focused on Spanish linguistics, I'm very interested in the idea of getting my degree in a Spanish-speaking country--I don't really have a preference as to where, but I've been toying with programs in Barcelona, Madrid, Chile, and Peru. What are your thoughts on this? I can understand just about anyone speaking in a professorial register, but I'm sure I don't write as well as a fluent speaker of Spanish. I guess my ideal program would offer some core classes in English that I could take until my Spanish improved satisfactorily (in my estimation, it'll take about another immersive year). Thanks!

[fuzzylogician]

European PhD programs usually require that you have an MA. They are research heavy and have a very light (if any) course load. The main issue would be to find an advisor who you could work with. Ideally you'd still want to publish in English and not Spanish, because the academic research community generally communicates in English (though this may be different for X-studies research written in language X, I suppose, but I don't know how this applies to Spanish linguistics). I can sort of see the appeal of studying language X in a country where it's spoken, but there is really no guarantee that the best researchers of that language aren't in the US or some other (unrelated) country. I would suggest that you search by advisor and not simply by country, and that you take into account the very different natures of European vs. American programs.

[CLA]

The kids are grown, the dog passed away and the plants, well they'll have to survive the drought . . . now its time for me ! I'm 52 years old (married/bilingual in Spanish) and became interested in Bilingual Speech and Communicative Disorders, especially for the elderly and would like to eventually work in the hispanic community of San Diego. I obtained a BS in Math (3.0), worked on Wall Street as a Research Sell-Side Analyst (12 years), raised two boys (volunteered extensively at their schools). I was able to take a a few psychology courses at UCI and did well considering I was out of the routine of studying for 30 years (A- average). My main question, after reading the various posts, is there a chance for a "second career" in SLP at my age ?? Time is against all of us, but in my case, that's an understatement. Thoughts on what to avoid/best programs in SD-area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[fuzzylogician]

I think you'd get more/better replies if you posted this in a more appropriate forum instead of here. This forum is frequented by international students and those who wish to become international students. They will not be able to answer very specific questions about SLP in the San Diego area. Try the Life Sciences forum, maybe, where it seems that other SLP students are posting.

The kids are grown, the dog passed away and the plants, well they'll have to survive the drought . . . now its time for me ! I'm 52 years old (married/bilingual in Spanish) and became interested in Bilingual Speech and Communicative Disorders, especially for the elderly and would like to eventually work in the hispanic community of San Diego. I obtained a BS in Math (3.0), worked on Wall Street as a Research Sell-Side Analyst (12 years), raised two boys (volunteered extensively at their schools). I was able to take a a few psychology courses at UCI and did well considering I was out of the routine of studying for 30 years (A- average). My main question, after reading the various posts, is there a chance for a "second career" in SLP at my age ?? Time is against all of us, but in my case, that's an understatement. Thoughts on what to avoid/best programs in SD-area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!