ElyseTerrill
November 9th, 2013
Spanish Testimonial
I always knew that as a Spanish major at JBU I would study abroad in Seville, Spain for a semester. However, I had no idea that this experience would transform my life and be the perfect preparation for my life after college.
I chose to come to JBU because of their Spanish program and international student population. I knew that exposure is the only way to truly learn a language. I was able to learn Spanish through my classes and then practice the language everyday outside of class with my amazing friends from Latin America.My friends refined my Spanish and taught me how to see life from different perspectives. These friendships were an essential part to my preparation to live abroad in Seville, Spain for 9 months.
The classes I took at JBU also prepared me extremely well for my time abroad. My literature and grammar classes helped me improve in all four areas of language learning including speaking, listening, reading and writing. I was able to apply my knowledge of phonetics and other characteristics of language that I learned in my linguistics class with Professor Roby to my CELTA course for my certification of English language teaching to adults. Finally, the most effective course I took at JBU was Professional Spanish taught by professor Iglesias. It was in this class that I learned how to write a resume and cover letter in Spanish and think seriously about my career. If it weren’t for this course, I would not have had the confidence I did to take the risk and stay in Seville on my own to look for a job as an English teacher.
The most valuable part of my experience in Spain was learning to be independent. With the amazing support I had from the community of teachers, faculty and host families with SIS and the preparation I received from JBU, I felt confident that I could live in Seville for my last semester of senior year. I experienced so much during the second half of my stay. First, I lived in an apartment in the center of town with a German friend and 3 other Spanish roommates I had met during my first semester.Then, I found an academy to get my teaching certificate from. After graduating from the program I began teaching private English lessons to the kids of families I had connected with during my first semester and finally got a job as an English teacher in a private academy.
My time abroad would not have been the same had it not been for the amazing preparation I received through JBU.
I graduated from JBU this May with a degree in Spanish and Intercultural Studies, a CELTA certificate, fluency in Spanish and a year of international experience. My experience in Seville helped me to adapt to life after college. After graduation I moved out of my parent’s house and into a Mexican community in the city of Chicago. I use my Spanish everyday as a bilingual teacher’s assistant in a public middle school. I help Spanish speaking students transition into an English system by interpreting teacher instruction, translating homework and providing the necessary tools for them to develop their English language skills.
I am so thankful to all my professors, friends and family for the opportunities I had as a Spanish and Intercultural Studies major at JBU. The International friends I made, classes I took and experiences I had abroad prepared me for my first job and gave me the confidence to take on the challenges of life after college.
I would recommend the Spanish major to any student who loves learning about language and culture. This major provides the skills necessary to improve language abilities, practice your language daily with international students, travel abroad to get an immersion experience and expand your worldview. This major also helps prepare students for life after college through the confidence they will gain after spending a semester abroad.