If you’re applying to BEDA and wondering what the timeline actually looks like in real life, here’s my honest breakdown month by month. Because one thing about these programs? Half the stress comes from not knowing whether silence is normal or if your application has somehow vanished into the Spanish void forever. Spoiler alert: “No news is good news” became my personality trait for several months.
January: The Application Process
The BEDA application window for the 2026–2027 school year ran from January 12, 2026, to March 13, 2026. I personally applied on January 14th, heard back for an interview invitation on January 22nd, and had my interview on January 27th.
And honestly? The application itself was incredibly easy. I completed the application in under five minutes. It honestly felt efficient and respectful of your time, which already gave me a positive impression of the program overall.
Originally, my interview was scheduled for January 26th, but I needed to reschedule. The interviewer was incredibly accommodating and allowed me to move it to the 27th without any issue. Read this blog if you want to learn more about the interview experience and process -> BEDA Madrid: The Application Process + Interview
February: “No News Is Good News”
This month was mostly quiet. And if you’re applying to BEDA, let me save you from refreshing your email every six minutes as I did: silence is extremely normal. There were no updates.
March: Still… “No News Is Good News”
More waiting. At this point, I had to remind myself constantly that these programs move slowly and that not hearing anything does not automatically mean rejection. I think this is the part of the process nobody prepares you for mentally. The application itself is easy, but the waiting period requires actual emotional endurance.
April: The Waiting Continues
Again, no major updates this month either, which honestly feels very on brand for Spain. Things tend to happen when they happen. This was the stage where I just focused on living my life, working, enjoying Spain, and trying not to spiral.
May: Acceptance & School Placement
Finally, on May 14th, I received my school placement and official acceptance into the program. This email included:
- Information about my school
- The age group I’d be working with
- My weekly hours
- Instructions for pre-enrollment at Comillas
- Information regarding the nonrefundable program fee
One important thing to know is that you don’t receive your official carta immediately. Everything has to be confirmed and paid for first. (I was given 4 days to pay the nonrefundable program fee.) Also, keep in mind that renewals within the program are usually handled first. This means that returning auxiliares often receive their school placements before first-year applicants do, since the program already has to organize renewals and confirm available spots.
Typically, first-year acceptances begin going out around mid-May, but it’s completely normal for the process to continue into early or even mid-June. So if you haven’t heard back right away, try not to panic. A lot of this process comes down to school availability, placement logistics, and waiting for renewals to be finalized first.
Depending on availability and how many placements open up, BEDA can sometimes reopen applications again in June as well. So even if you missed the initial application window or are still waiting, there’s always a chance more spots could become available later on.
This month was also when I started handling visa-related logistics. Even though I’m currently in Spain, I decided to go ahead and get my fingerprints taken here for my FBI background check to help speed up the visa process later. If you plan on doing this from Spain, here’s something important to know:
- It’s best to send your fingerprints to a U.S. address
- Have a trusted friend or family member receive them
- They can then print and mail your FBI background check documents from the U.S.
You’ll receive the background check digitally as well, but having someone stateside helping with paperwork honestly makes things much easier. Tiny life hack from someone currently living the international paperwork Olympics.
June: Planning, Packing & Logistics
June felt like a weird mix of “summer vacation” and “adult administrative chaos.” My flight left from Madrid on June 30th, so this month became all about planning logistics:
- How I’m getting to Madrid
- Whether I’m moving my belongings from Alicante to Madrid beforehand
- What I’m packing
- What I’m storing
- What I’m emotionally avoiding thinking about until the last minute
I also tried to genuinely enjoy my downtime because once the visa process, flights, housing, and school prep start happening all at once, things can get overwhelming fast.
July & August: The In-Between Months
These months are currently still unfolding for me, but realistically, they’ll probably involve:
- Finalizing visa logistics
- Preparing documents
- Packing
- Spending time with family and friends
- Mentally preparing for another school year abroad
- Pretending I’m organized while absolutely not being organized
So far, that seems to be the recurring theme of adulthood.
September: Arrival & Orientation
Originally, my flight was scheduled to arrive on September 1st, but Delta changed it to September 2nd because, apparently, airlines love character development. My first official school day will be September 16th. Before that, BEDA will hold a virtual orientation, which helps prepare everyone before starting at their schools, and honestly, I’m excited. Nervous, yes, but mostly excited.
Applying to programs abroad always feels overwhelming while you’re in the middle of it, especially because everyone’s timeline looks slightly different online. Hopefully, this breakdown helps make the process feel a little more realistic and a little less mysterious.
Still have questions? Read this blog to find more commonly asked questions -> Future & Current BEDA Auxiliares: Frequently Asked Questions + What to Expect.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
