Señorita

I always knew I wanted to have a career where I could interact with people of different cultures and backgrounds. I love to travel and explore other people’s way of life, which sparked myinterest in the Spanish language. I came to college declared a Spanish major, and after my second year I decided to pursue an additional communications degree in public relations. Thecombination of these two degrees will hopefully lead me down a career path where I can use my PR skills on an international level. Studying abroad will improve my Spanish skills, and the two classes Iplan on taking will help complete my Spanish degree.

Spanish started as an interest and became a passion when I went on a 10-day living language trip to Costa Rica in high school. I livedwith a host family that didn’t speak any English. Having taken only four formal Spanish classes at the time, it was very challenging at first. However, my Costa Rican family was extremelypatient and helpful in my transition. We took daily excursions with our siblings, and in just 10 days I built confidence in myself, and life-long relationships.

Since the trip I have takenseveral vacations to Mexico and the Caribbean where I was able to interact with locals and act as a translator for my family. I also work part time in a restaurant where I speak Spanish regularlywith my co-workers. Learning Spanish is enabling me to communicate with so many people that I otherwise would not be able to.

While studying abroad in Seville with CIEE I hope to improvemy Spanish language skills and my confidence interacting with native speakers. I am very excited to explore different parts of Spain and Morocco, and take classes in Seville. I hope toultimately become fluent in Spanish after the trip and be a better overall communicator. Learning a language is hard to do unless you emerge yourself in the culture and I can’t wait for the experience!