Almost two years ago, I applied to be an Auxiliar de Conversacion (aka Aux, Auxiliar, or Language and Culture assistant) in Madrid, Spain through the CIEE Teach Abroad program. This unique opportunity entails dedicating 16 hours each week to supporting Spanish educators in English-language instruction. With the allure of three-day weekends and a generous €1,000 stipend per month, being an Auxiliar presents an unparalleled chance to fully immerse oneself in the richness of a Spanish-speaking country. For those seeking alternatives, the Spanish Ministry of Education offers another avenue to become an Aux, namely through the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP). Today, our discussion will center on unraveling the advantages and drawbacks of these two programs, ultimately aiding you in making a more informed and confident decision.
CIEE
Third-party teach abroad program that collaborates with the Spanish government to offer guaranteed placement as a Language and Culture Assistant in the Community of Madrid. Includes exclusive benefits such as private health insurance, an immersive in-person orientation, and support throughout the entire adventure.
Fees
- $2,350 (2024-2025)
Inclusions
- Guaranteed placement in region of Madrid
- Support before you depart, including visa guidance and online preparation course
- Support after you arrive from CIEE staff in Madrid
- Airport pickup and transportation to your orientation hotel on arrival day
- Four days of orientation (topics include housing, banking, residency, health & safety)
- Four nights of hotel accommodation during orientation
- Cultural activities during orientation
- Private Spanish health insurance with no deductibles or copayments
- 24/7 emergency assistance
Detailed Breakdown
Location:
CIEE ensures that your school will be situated in the Community of Madrid. This may entail placement outside the bustling city center, with possibilities such as Mostoles, Alcalá de Henares, or Cercedilla, each requiring a commute of 1-3 hours via train, metro, and/or bus from the city center. Given these distances, individuals with more remote school placements often opt to live nearby their educational institutions, reserving the weekends for exploring the heart of Madrid. Several of my friends chose this route and found it enhanced their overall experience, despite the greater distance from friends in the central parts of Madrid and the additional time spent commuting.
I opted against that particular option. Despite my school being situated in Alcorcon (a Madrid suburb), I decided to live in Retiro. My daily commute took approximately 45 minutes to an hour, involving three different metro lines. Surprisingly, I found the journey quite enjoyable, as it provided me with an opportunity to complete lesson plans and read. Living in the city center was also important to me because I wanted to explore the city after work and join specific volunteer organizations. Ultimately, the decision boils down to personal preference.
Support:
I selected CIEE primarily for the robust support they offered. The guidance on visa applications stood out as particularly invaluable, given the varying application processes across different states and the lack of detailed instructions on embassy pages. However, the online preparation course fell short of expectations, offering common sense information about Spanish life, key cultural differences, and basic school etiquette.
The housing information provided during the orientation also lacked depth, offering mere links to several real estate websites like Idealista and generic descriptions of different neighborhoods. Unfortunately, individual support for the housing search was non-existent, leaving participants navigating from one Airbnb to another for periods ranging from one to six weeks. Similarly, the banking information presented was relatively limited. CIEE had partnered with Sabadell bank, encouraging participants to open an account with them at orientation. However, I would advise against committing to Sabadell until researching alternative banking options and identifying the one that aligns best with your needs.
CIEE did deliver comprehensive residency information, providing daily phone and email support to address any challenges that surfaced. Their resources included detailed manuals guiding the application process for the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (residency card) and the Tarjeta de Transporte Público (public transportation pass). Additionally, they offered thorough insights into various SIM card options. The health and safety information shared was informative, covering essential details about the private health and travel insurance (exact coverage and relevant phone numbers) and a fundamental overview of safety risks.
Additional resources included curated lists of volunteer organizations and language exchange programs to popular gym facilities, organized sports teams, and inclusive associations catering to the LGBTQ+ and Black communities.
Relationships:
CIEE stands out as the best option to effortlessly connect with fellow Auxes. Upon arrival and possibly even during your layover in the United States, you’ll encounter members from your orientation group, forming instant connections which often evolve into lasting friendships. Additionally, CIEE facilitates the process by establishing a dedicated Facebook page for participants to proactively seek out potential roommates. While many choose to take advantage of this option, some, like myself, opt to wait until orientation, preferring the chance to meet potential roommates in person before finalizing arrangements.
NALCAP
The flagship initiative overseen by the Spanish Ministry of Education that offers thousands of native English speakers to become Language and Culture Assistants across diverse regions in Spain. Diverging from CIEE, NALCAP offers minimal assistance and guidance throughout the participants’ journey.
Fees
- $0
Inclusions
- FAQ Manual
- Visa Instructional Manual
- Language Assistant Guide
- Pre-Departure Webinar (topics include housing, banking, residency, & health)
- Half-Day Orientation Course
- Medical insurance from the Ministry or the regional governments of Spain
Detailed Breakdown
Location:
Unlike CIEE, NALCAP does not guarantee placement in the Community of Madrid. NALCAP diversifies its placements by assigning Language and Culture assistants to regions across the nation. Approximately 25% of applicants find placements in the Community of Madrid, another 25% in Andalucía, another 25% in the Community of Valencia, and the remaining 25% are distributed among 16 different regions, including the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands. For those aspiring to be placed in Madrid, it is still possible with NALCAP. Make sure to complete your Profex profile before applications open to apply early and receive higher priority.
For individuals still deliberating between Madrid and other regions, please note that every Spanish region has its own unique and beautiful attractions. Personally, I found Andalucía and the Community of Valencia to be particularly memorable, offering a more laid-back atmosphere while still retaining a lively, youthful energy. Looking back, I can also envision enjoying life in smaller communities like the natural paradise of Asturias and the charming university town of Murcia. These regions not only boast distinctive natural and historical sites but also provide a more immersive experience. The only drawback is that international travel may be more challenging and costly when placed outside Madrid.
Support:
NALCAP offers valuable resources to facilitate your pre-departure preparations and make the initial months smoother. For United States citizens, the Spanish Ministry of Education provides a detailed visa manual guide. However, I recommend reaching out to your local embassy for the latest information on evolving requirements, as application processes can vary—some embassies have changed to accept mailed documents, while others still mandate in-person appointments for application submission.
Additionally, the Ministry conducts a pre-departure webinar and provides a language assistant guide and a FAQ manual covering essential topics such as housing, banking, residency, and health. Feedback from those who have undergone NALCAP suggests that this information closely aligns with resources offered by CIEE. Most placements also organize half-day orientations, delving into specifics such as obtaining your healthcare card and scheduling an appointment for the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). The format (online or in-person) and language (Spanish or English) of these orientations vary based on the region.
Relationships:
While CIEE offers a structured opportunity to meet other participants, NALCAP equally provides avenues to build relationships with like-minded individuals. As most Auxes find themselves in the same boat — applying to the program without knowing anyone — numerous possibilities await to make new friends. Beyond encountering fellow Auxes at work, where you’ll likely be joined by 1-3 other Language-Culture Assistants at school, there are several other opportunities to build relationships.
Some use the main Facebook group to secure roommates in advance, facilitating the establishment of friendships from day one. Others use the main Facebook page to create WhatsApp and region-specific groups to coordinate local meetups. Additionally, the MeetUp app has numerous opportunities to meet others through hiking clubs, book clubs, language exchanges, etc. Further avenues for broadening your social circle abroad include joining community volunteer organizations, participating in fitness classes at the local gym, and exploring friendship opportunities on platforms like Bumble BFF.
Conclusion
CIEE stands out as an attractive option for individuals seeking guaranteed placement within the Community of Madrid. Particularly noteworthy is its inclusion of private health insurance, known for its superior coverage compared to the ministry-provided alternative. For those hoping to gain teaching experience before departure, CIEE also presents an opportunity with its optional TEFL certification course, available for an additional fee of $1000. Beyond these advantages, CIEE provides an exceptional environment to effortlessly forge friendships.
NALCAP presents an excellent choice for individuals without a strong preference toward Madrid. It caters to those seeking deeper cultural immersion and is especially appealing to those looking to avoid substantial fees. Fostering connections abroad through this avenue is akin to relocating across the country where initial connections require effort. Unlike the structured ease provided by CIEE, NALCAP demands more proactive engagement to build a solid social network. While the Spanish Ministry of Education provides comparable resources and guidance to CIEE, opting for NALCAP entails more groundwork during the first month, as there won’t be a person to contact for questions that arise.
Recognizing that both options come with their unique set of challenges is essential. The prospect of relocating to another country inevitably poses difficulties, irrespective of the level of support available. Embracing the discomfort of stepping outside your comfort zone is the pivotal factor in creating a truly unforgettable experience. Whether you choose CIEE or NALCAP, both programs offer a singular opportunity to teach English, improve your Spanish, explore Europe, and forge lasting friendships. Use this page for any of your teach abroad questions We are dedicated to ensuring your adventure is nothing short of extraordinary.
