Hello all,

I am an American citizen and I have been living in Barcelona for almost a year now.  I came here on a 3 month tourist visa and have created a wonderful life for myself.  I plan on visiting home this summer and I am also planning on applying for a student visa when I get there, so that hopefully I can return to Spain with no problems.  I have several questions about this: 1. Has anyone else obtained a student visa?  If so, do you have any advice for me on the process?  2. Has anyone claimed their passport stolen, while in Spain, and applied for a new one through the American Embassy?  My thinking is that if I apply for a new passport it won’t have a stamp in it, which would make it a little easier to travel home and apply for my visa.  I could always get a new passport when I get to the states, but I can’t decide if it makes more sense to get it while I’m here…

I would really appreciate hearing people’s advice and stories on this matter.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Un beso,
Alex