Send me to Spain to teach English!

Laurel Pelren Start Date: Sep 1, 2024 - End Date: Dec 31, 2024
  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • San Sebastián, Spain
  • Sevilla, Spain
  • Madrid, Spain
  • Rome, Italy

My Travel Story

by: Laurel Pelren Start Date: Sep 1, 2024 - End Date: Dec 31, 2024
Send me to Spain! 
I am traveling to Spain this fall to teach English, learn Spanish, and experience a once-in-a-lifetime cultural exchange! I have traveled to the Galician region of Spain before, and I have been determined to return ever since!

I am very passionate about this project as it has been a dream of mine to live and teach abroad for the past several years. It is also a goal of mine to eventually learn Spanish.  Not only would learning to speak a second language be rewarding in itself, but due to its increasing prevalence in the United States, it would be useful for communicating with those in our country who only speak Spanish.  The program I am a part of is through the Spanish government.  I am particularly excited about this program because I not only get to teach grammar and pronunciation, but I also get to teach about culture of the United States such as holidays, food, and traditions.  

During my sophomore year of high school, my Spanish teacher ended up becoming one of my favorites.  In addition to the basic grammar rules we were learning, I became particularly intrigued by the colorful rich customs we were learning about in other countries!  I remember being taught how to salsa and merengue in class, and celebrating Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)!  After learning that my teacher lived in El Salvador for many years as a member of the Peace Corps, she became even that much more inspiring to me.  She was my first memorable introduction to the doors that can opened from learning another language.  I would love to be as an influential teacher to students as my high school teacher was to me.

This year, I have been placed in Andalucia, the southernmost autonomous region of Spain.  I have never been to this region before, but I have been told it contains some of the most beautiful, historic cities of the country.  I hope to be able to travel to see as many of them as I can!  I would also love to be able to travel to a few neighboring countries such as Italy or Paris or even visit a college roommate who now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland!  I would love to attend a concert and learn flamenco!  Most of all, I would love to love exploring, working, and celebrating the opportunity of living in a new country for a school year!

Thanks so much for helping contribute to my fund!
  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • San Sebastián, Spain
  • Sevilla, Spain
  • Madrid, Spain
  • Rome, Italy