*Let me give the disclaimer that the information I am writing about does not mean I am moving back to the states next summer. I'm just exploring my options*
Work and school are in full swing, yet I have somehow found a way to make myself work even harder. I'm currently in the process of shopping for grad schools. Well, let me rephrase. I've already narrowed down my list of grad schools, now comes the fun part of filling out applications, writing essays, etc. Oh, and not to mention studying for the GRE.
All of this came about very sudden. Part of it is that I'm worried about not having a job next year. This week it's been in the news that over 3,000 teachers in Madrid alone are unemployed (and receiving benefits - this is why it was newsworthy.) I'm a little nervous that the Ministry of Education won't give my school permission to "hire" me next year. I mean, why would they let an American take a job away from a Spaniard? Anyways, I need to have a contingency plan. Well, it started out as a contingency plan....
This past week, I've been seriously considering graduate programs. I've been looking at jobs online, such as working for the UN or the Department of State and most of the require a master's degree in political science, international relations, etc. A lot of them also require a second foreign language, which I'm not worried about. So, here we are.
I've narrowed my list down to American, Georgetown, GWU, UK, and UL. The first three are my top choices - they're in the top ten programs in the country, plus their location in DC is an obvious plus. The downside is the cost. They're all private universities, with tuition out of this world. Speaking of which, today I was talking to a co-worker and he told me he paid 5,000 euros for his master's program. I would kill for that. When I told him how much I pay per semester, he couldn't believe it. I'd seriously consider studying in Spain if tuition is that much cheaper. This is where UK and UL come into play because of their in-state tuition. Although I'd only be able to major in Public Policy or Public Administration, the financial picture is a key part. Plus, my political science professor told me that either one of the degrees would be completely fine for the type of work I'm thinking about going into. However, I've also realized that it is urgent that I start learning French. As in last month.
Needless to say, I'm going to be working on all of this, on top of my regular homework and lesson planning. I'm also taking the GRE on December 27th. Just in time to send in the scores by the January 15th deadline. I'm already stressed out thinking about this. And then I freak out when I remember that it's almost October!
Last week I said I needed to pray about everything and this week has been amazing for me. Before I left Louisville, I stopped by Border's and picked up a devotion book by Sarah Young, that also happened to be 40% off. Before I came back here, I vowed to do a better job of daily devotion and prayer. It has payed off already. It blows my mind how right on these devotions are. Every day when I think about a problem or stress about something, the devotion is right there to calm me down. God is speaking to me directly through these devotions. It gives me goosebumps when I think about it, because I know that he knows what my thoughts are each day. Had it just happened one day, I would have said that it was a coincidence. But four days in a row? Impossible! Monday's devotion told me my mind is in the midst of a power/control struggle which is absolutely true. Tuesday's directed me to see things from God's perspective and to not be upset if something doesn't go my way. (I took this as confirmation that if I don't get to stay here next year, everything will be okay.) Wednesday instructed me to not rush the process, but instead give everything to God and wait. And yesterday's devotion jumped out at me because the first line said Trust Me and refuse to worry. I've been blown away!
So at this point, that's what I'm doing. Sitting and waiting. And praying. A LOT I hope you will pray for me as well!
Work and school are in full swing, yet I have somehow found a way to make myself work even harder. I'm currently in the process of shopping for grad schools. Well, let me rephrase. I've already narrowed down my list of grad schools, now comes the fun part of filling out applications, writing essays, etc. Oh, and not to mention studying for the GRE.
All of this came about very sudden. Part of it is that I'm worried about not having a job next year. This week it's been in the news that over 3,000 teachers in Madrid alone are unemployed (and receiving benefits - this is why it was newsworthy.) I'm a little nervous that the Ministry of Education won't give my school permission to "hire" me next year. I mean, why would they let an American take a job away from a Spaniard? Anyways, I need to have a contingency plan. Well, it started out as a contingency plan....
This past week, I've been seriously considering graduate programs. I've been looking at jobs online, such as working for the UN or the Department of State and most of the require a master's degree in political science, international relations, etc. A lot of them also require a second foreign language, which I'm not worried about. So, here we are.
I've narrowed my list down to American, Georgetown, GWU, UK, and UL. The first three are my top choices - they're in the top ten programs in the country, plus their location in DC is an obvious plus. The downside is the cost. They're all private universities, with tuition out of this world. Speaking of which, today I was talking to a co-worker and he told me he paid 5,000 euros for his master's program. I would kill for that. When I told him how much I pay per semester, he couldn't believe it. I'd seriously consider studying in Spain if tuition is that much cheaper. This is where UK and UL come into play because of their in-state tuition. Although I'd only be able to major in Public Policy or Public Administration, the financial picture is a key part. Plus, my political science professor told me that either one of the degrees would be completely fine for the type of work I'm thinking about going into. However, I've also realized that it is urgent that I start learning French. As in last month.
Needless to say, I'm going to be working on all of this, on top of my regular homework and lesson planning. I'm also taking the GRE on December 27th. Just in time to send in the scores by the January 15th deadline. I'm already stressed out thinking about this. And then I freak out when I remember that it's almost October!
Last week I said I needed to pray about everything and this week has been amazing for me. Before I left Louisville, I stopped by Border's and picked up a devotion book by Sarah Young, that also happened to be 40% off. Before I came back here, I vowed to do a better job of daily devotion and prayer. It has payed off already. It blows my mind how right on these devotions are. Every day when I think about a problem or stress about something, the devotion is right there to calm me down. God is speaking to me directly through these devotions. It gives me goosebumps when I think about it, because I know that he knows what my thoughts are each day. Had it just happened one day, I would have said that it was a coincidence. But four days in a row? Impossible! Monday's devotion told me my mind is in the midst of a power/control struggle which is absolutely true. Tuesday's directed me to see things from God's perspective and to not be upset if something doesn't go my way. (I took this as confirmation that if I don't get to stay here next year, everything will be okay.) Wednesday instructed me to not rush the process, but instead give everything to God and wait. And yesterday's devotion jumped out at me because the first line said Trust Me and refuse to worry. I've been blown away!
So at this point, that's what I'm doing. Sitting and waiting. And praying. A LOT I hope you will pray for me as well!
