Four years ago today, I set out on a journey that would forever change my life. First, let me take a step back and give some background information about myself. I graduated from Masspequa High School back in 2007. In 10th grade I had a Spanish teacher that I still regard as my favorite teacher of all time. As a senior he brought me and several other students on a week long trip to Costa Rica. That trip changed my life, ultimately making me realize I wanted to be a Spanish teacher. Fast forward a few years and I was doing a semester abroad in Leon, Spain. I lived with a family and was able to enhance my skills in Spanish. After that 6 month experience, I fell in love with Spain. Unfortunately I had to come home after my Sophmore year and continue my journey to becoming a Spanish teacher. I then went on to graduate from Molloy College with a degree in Spanish Education in 2011. Soon after graduating college, I decided that I did not want to immediately go into teaching here in the United States. I applied for jobs in Spain and was accepted. On September 14th, 2011, I left to start my adventure in Burgos, Spain. For the next two years I lived and worked in Spain and made some great friends. I worked in a school called I.E.S. Comuneros de Castilla, there I had the opportunity to teach 7-12 grade students the English language, as well as culture from the United States. Throughout those two years, I gained some very important relationships in my life, that still hold up today. During those two years I celebrated all Spanish cultures, I learned the Spanish language, I ate common Spanish dishes, I listened to Spanish music, most importantly, I became Spanish. I had a lot of guidance from my co teachers who welcomed me with open arms, as well as the group of 15 native born Spanish guys that I consider to be some of my best friends. I love every aspect about Spain and the people who were so supportive with me. As I look back upon those memories that I was able to experience, I often get a sense of emptiness. The honest truth of it all is that I am a true New Yorker. New York has been and will always be my home. I was lucky to be able and get out and see new places and get to experience things that some people might only dream about. Even knowing that, I also consider Spain my home. I spent a lot of time in that place, and I was able to meet some really great people. I was able to enhance my Spanish skills. I got experience teaching in a school with a totally different education system. I was lucky.
You may be wondering why or how I could be home sick, when I currently am living in the place that I have always called home, but maybe you could understand knowing all the facts about, in my opinion one of the greatest places on this earth, Spain.
Vocabulary:
Journey-
a traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time; trip
Regard- t
o have or show respect or concern for
Ultimately-
last; furthest or farthest; ending a process or series
Fast Forward-
To speed up the progression of (a sequence of events)
Enhance-
to raise to a higher degree; intensify; magnif
Graduating-
to pass by degrees; change gradually
Adventure-
an exciting or very unusual experience
Opportunity-
a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success
Throughout-
in or to every part of; everywhere in
Aspect-
part; feature; phase
Guidance-
the act or function of guiding; leadership; direction
Sense of-
any special capacity for perception, estimation, appreciation, etc
Emptiness-
containing nothing; having none of the usual or appropriate contents
Home Sick-
sad or depressed from a longing for home or family while away from them for a long time.
Across
6. -to raise to a higher degree; intensify; magnify
8. -part; feature; phase
9. Sick - sad or depressed from a longing for home or family while away from them for a long time.
10. -an exciting or very unusual experience
12. the act or function of guiding; leadership; direction
13. -to pass by degrees; change gradually
Down
1. -a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success
2. -last; furthest or farthest; ending a process or series
3. -a traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time; trip
4. -in or to every part of; everywhere in
5. -any special capacity for perception, estimation, appreciation, etc
6. containing nothing; having none of the usual or appropriate contents
7. -to have or show respect or concern for
11. Forward To speed up the progression of (a sequence of events)
