Greg de Lima

Gustavo Dudamel - He Knows What's Up

Just take the time to watch these two videos really quick, one is of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and the other of Gustavo Dudamel Conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra.

When you're watching these, I want you to notice the following.

1. Attitude
2. Emotion
3. Effort
4. Knowledge

Ok now that you have watched the videos. I personally think Gustavo Dudamel is a Genius...he know's what's up in the music world. But what I want to do is actually show that what you can learn from Mr. Dudamel is that you can apply his techinques to your specific field; be it marketing, PR, advertising, customer service, CEO, whatever.

Passion

Gustavo Dudamel's passion for his music, his musicians and the arts is impressive. The way he conducts, the way he describes the music to his musicians and his interpretation is always filled with the passion for what he loves doing. Now, if you're not working in a field where you can have a passion for your job...you need a new job where you can have a passion and be able to express it every day in your creativity.

Have a little bit of fun!

Notice every time Dudamel is conducting he's having fun. He's enjoying himself, he doesn't over stress himself, and he doesn't put undue pressure on himself or his musicians. In music when you have a conductor who is having fun, when the music is lively and fun, your interpretation is the same as his. I personally see no reason why a good workspace should be loaded with stress and negativity. Sure deadlines are important and they should be made. However, that is a separate matter. While you're working have fun, how you do it, is up to you.

Know what you're doing

Fair enough, Gustavo Dudamel is practically a Musical Genius. Conductor of the LA Philharmonic, and not even in his 30's Thats impressive. So before you go over doing the passion, and having too much fun at work. Know what you're doing and be sure that you do everything you do to a spectaular level to blow your audience away with your skill and knowledge. Give them something to remember you by.

Study Abroad Needs for Spain

Disclaimer: What follows in this post has been experience for me, it is no reflection of the opinions nor is it a bashing of Appalachian State University or the University of Alicante.

First, I would like to begin by saying that although my home institution (Appalachian State University) has so far done an excellent job as far as my study abroad has been. However, there are many things that they left out when it came to long term study abroad and the needs of the Embassy and Spanish government.

Requirements for Student Visa - Consulate General of Spain, Washington DC

1. Must come in person to solicit the Visa. If under the age of 18 Must have and authorization letter from Parents (Notarized)
2. Schengen Visa Application (PDF)
3. Passport (Original and 1 Copy)  - Should be valid for whole term of stay, with at least one open page for the affixation of the Visa.
4. 1 Recent Passport Size Photo - On white background
5. Acceptance letter (Original & 1 copy) from receiving institution. - This letter should be addressed to the Consulate General, also should include proof of medical insurance in Spain.
6. Method of Sustinence ($$$) - A University declared letter of Financial Aid, Proof of Scholarship, or a notarized letter from the parents guaranteeing proper monetary sustinance.
7. "Express Mail" Envelope - for delivery of Visa once Arrived
8. Payment - Cash or Money order in the amount of $100USD for US Citizens.

              For More than 6 Months the following is needed

1. Police Record- May be obtained at your local PD. (Original & 1 Copy)
2. Statement of Health - (Original & 1 Copy) - On letterhead from your doctor certifying you are in sufficient medical health to travel.

The previous two documents I highly recommend you getting apostilled. This can be done by researching your local Secretary of State.

Secondly

If you are staying in Spain for more than one semester, you will be required to obtain a type of student residency card. The following is what I did for my region, you can easily find how to do this in your region by going to the Ayuntamiento of your local town/city (this can be easily Googled). What you need for your residency are:

1. Epadronamiento - What is done at the ayuntamiento; a sort of proof of address. For this you need: Proof of address, copy of passport, and copy of the Visa.
2. Application for the residency card - I found this through my university's visa help. Your unique university may have this service also, if not check at the Local Police Department of your town/city and they may help you.
3. Finger Prints
4. 15€ Payment

With that, you wil go to the Police Department follow their steps with the Application Form, and deposit the 15€ in the bank account they indicate. This card will arrive after one month.

My university told me none of these things and the research for me was hard to come by without getting it first hand from the Bureaucrats. I hope that what I have told you helps you with the government part.

Studying Abroad 101

Firstly I would like to apologize for not having posted in such a long time. That comes with the fault of trying to find a place to live, and settling bureaucratic stuff with the University here in Alicante, Spain.

Now for the fun stuff, moving here to Alicante has been a great ordeal. My friend told me she had found a flat for us and when I arrived I went to go see it... it was a total dump, disgusting, old, moldy, and I think mouse poop everywhere. The landlady had also overbooked the flat so I had to stay with her for about 4 days. This will make me seem like a horrible person, but I did what I had to. I found a place to live at the Villas Universitarias, right across the street from the University. Trouble came when I had to leave, because how do you stay with your landlady for 4 nights and tell her you're not gonna live in her flat anymore? So conveniently she wasn't home when I had to leave so I just walked out, and told her son I would send them money as soon as I could to compensate for their hospitality and kindness. From what I heard, she was rather pissed off that day...

At this point in time, I have my course registration tomorrow and a meeting with the Business Dept. Adviser to plan out the semester. The have to go get MORE passport size photos for my residency card that prolongs my visa (per se) until June 2010 when I plan to return to the US.

Besides the deal with the landlady things have been great! Please check out the photos of Alicante so far on Facebook.

Also, check back for a post on studying abroad in Spain details, like things to have at the embassy, and how to make sure everything is squared away with your Universities.