My name is Mattea Harper, and I am a senior in the Middle Grades Education program with concentrations in Science and Math. I chose the Trujillo, Spain program because there is a focus on immersion learning of both language and culture. Learning Spanish has been touch and go for me, so I believe that being immersed in the language will enable me to learn the language better. Additionally, immersing myself in a different culture and country could help me be a better teacher, enabling me to authentically connect with ESL students.

My two main goals for this study abroad opportunity is to learn functional, conversational Spanish and to develop a firmer understanding of the experience of second-language students. Students knowing that their teacher understands their struggles could allow for a more comfortable learning environment, something that I want to encourage in my future classroom. In my research of Spanish culture, I have found that the culture is quite different from the American culture. People are more laid back and relaxed about time in Spain but less relaxed about their everyday fashion. This will be a big change for me because I usually run around in leggings and t-shirts, but this has made packing much more interesting!

I am looking forward to what my month in Spain will teach me and all the new experiences I will have!