| Refund Policy |
|
Cancellation prior to 30 days before starting the program entitles you to a 100% refund.
Cancellation 15 - 30 days prior to starting the program entitles you to 50% refund.
Cancellation 0 - 15 days prior to your expected arrival does not entitle you to any refund (0%). Neither do we refund if cancellation occurs once in Spain. |
The refund policy is very clear, and evidently designed to take your money.
Any dissatisfaction with the program will not get your money back. |
| Fees |
| Our fee is just $1820 USD for 3 months, $1620 USD for 2 months. |
Your fee mainly pays for the ability to work in Spain by confirming you are a student/intern. If you are a student you can simply fill out a form from your university to obtain the same verification. More information about this form will be available soon. |
| There is a $250 USD deductible registration fee. |
Pay only your deductible. Never send the full amount before arriving and starting the program. |
| Lodging arranged for $390 USD/month. This is a non-profit service which BEST runs to assist the participants of its programs. |
No additional information available. |
| Personal expenses, telephone and transportation costs are the intern’s responsibility. BEST will provide orientation if requested. |
Expect to pay for everything except tuition to the 2-week Spanish course and your Forocio Membership. |
| As a training program internships are officially unpaid but often provide perks: transport passes, meal tickets, etc. The teaching posts usually carry a small stipend. |
Perks are practically unheard of. Again, expect to pay for all your expenses. |
| Lodging |
| We offer flexible and optional lodging. |
The word "lodging" is very ambiguous. If by "flexible" they mean the apparent facility to be transferred to a more desirable accommodation for whatever reason, then that statement is completely inaccurate. |
| You can sign up for a shared student apartment. These are normally flats with shared bathroom(s), kitchen and a common area with 2 to 4 bedrooms. Cleaning and upkeep are provided by the owner. They are fully equipped and centrally located. A private room costs $390 USD a month and a shared room $710 USD ($355 USD each). |
Cleaning and upkeep service are not always provided. |
| In Madrid and Barcelona you can choose to defray your room and board costs with child care for a Spanish family. In exchange for childcare you will be given free room and board. We are sorry but we have no requests for male au pairs at this time. |
No additional information available. |
| You can elect to arrange your own lodging. |
No additional information available. |
| Highlights |
| Tuition in one of our centrally located, up-market, fully-equipped Spanish language schools for 40 hour language course. |
30-Hour Language Course.
9:30-11, 11:30-1 M-F for two weeks. |
| Intern placement in pre-selected area of interest. |
No additional information available. |
| Screening of all companies. |
No additional information available. |
| Reservation and screening service for inexpensive or free lodging. |
No additional information available. |
| Limited bureaucracy. |
You pay in cash without signing a contract! Whether the method of payment is by money order, bank transfer, or an envelope of currency, it's all the same as cash. |
| Tutor for academic and professional affairs. |
No additional information available. |
| Testing, certificates, materials, texts and limited free Internet access while studying. |
The professors are very knowledgeable and courteous. No tests were given, materials include photocopies of worksheets and a certificate of completion is provided at the end of the course. Internet access is available from 3 older computers. |
| Bilingual dictionary or book on Madrid. |
Value no more than $1.
Not everyone receives their dictionary. |
| Airport pick up. |
Pick up service is very helpful. |
| Full coverage health, accident and travel insurance. |
In Madrid you will be referred to a local clinic and have to use your own insurance. |
| A local phone number, fax and e-mail data will be provided for you to use to make contact with us in case of need. |
No support. (See entry below) |
| 24 hour/7 days a week support while in Spain by Americans who have lived in Spain for over 10 years. |
No 24 Hour Support. You may call at anytime to leave a message, but do not always expect a timely response. |
| Orientation packet: includes tourist and city information, transportation and communications details -- including a map and explanation of the Metro and much more. |
Packet is just a lot of tourist information brochures. A lot to read but can be helpful. |
Membership in an international friendship club -- a Membership Card will be waiting for you in their Madrid offices.
This includes activities program and many free services such as:
1. an interchange data base,
2. monthly newsletter,
3. free walking tours,
4. Also, discounts at weekly interchange discos in a famous Madrid palace, discounts on all excursions, internet café, student travel agency, etc. |
Value of Forocio Membership: ~$20
1. There are many places other than Forocio where you can sign up for an intercambio for free.
2. Most students/interns have never seen the monthly newsletter.
3. Free walking tours can also be found without membership to this club.
4. The Thursday night Palacio entrance pass is useful. |
