americanino has left 3 comments

americanino comments on Avoiding prepagos and meeting only "real" colombianas

COFFEE BEANER Most payments to universities are not made directly at the university. You would go to a specific bank and deposit the money into their account and then you would show the school the receipt. You shouldn't have any problems with the ICFES. I never studied in Colombia and learned basic Spanish from my mother. I scored a 58 which is a good score. At UTP you need a 60 to study medicine. Send me your email info if you have more questions. If you have dual citizenship (US/Colombia) the whole process will be easier.

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americanino comments on Avoiding prepagos and meeting only "real" colombianas

GI BILL Colombia has their version of an SAT; the ICFES. You would need to take this exam and pass it for public univesities. Private universities only require that you take the exam. The exam consists of different subjects like math, chemistry, reading comprehension in Spanish and if you choose a section in English. The whole exam, except for the English portion is in Spanish. So, you need to be able to speak Spanish. If you pass then you need to go through the admittance process to see how much your tuition will be. Each school has to request for approval for each program.I had to guide UTP through the entire process because it was new for them and for me. Please take a look at the VA GI Bill web site (http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm). You may also want to contact the universities in the city in Colombia you want to attend and speak/email their international relations office or their Humanities/Languages department. If you don't speak Spanish you may want to see if they have their own Spanish program geared to non Spanish speakers or if their is a way that the ICFES is not required. The latest news I have is that the VA will not pay for language institutes. The website will give you more information. If you don't speak Spanish your best bet is to contact private universities that have a Spanish major or an English major. speakers. This way you can take the ICFES and your score won't matter. But, if the classes are in Spanish you will have to learn the language if not you won't pass all the other subjects. Private schools are about $1,400-$1,600 per semester, public school are by estrato/utility bills and/or if you graduated from a private high school. S/F
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americanino comments on Avoiding prepagos and meeting only "real" colombianas

GI BILL IN COLOMBIA I am using the Montgomery GI Bill in Pereira Colombia. The VA approves specific programs at a school not the school as a whole. I requested that the Humanities department at the school (Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira) submit for approval of their "Licienciatura en la Ensenanza de la Lengua Inglesa" (B.A. in English Teacher training) to the VA. It was approved and then the school had to submit paper work showing that I was admitted and enrolled. I am receiving the current rate of $1,075 for full time attendance (15 semester hours per semester). I am a retired Marine and worked in Iraq for 34 months as a contractor. Semper Fi!