As an undergraduate student at Eastern Illinois University, I studied Spanish in the form of grammar, conversation, films and literature in order to improve my proficiency in the language and obtain my Spanish minor. I was able to use my Spanish in a real life setting and experience a fascinating new culture. I have taught Spanish with Futura Language Professionals and volunteered in Dane County, providing childcare for Hispanic children while their parents took English courses. I have worked as a Lead teacher in a Spanish Immersion Academy and worked in a bilingual immigration office, where I translated, interpreted, and discussed cases with native Spanish-speaking clients. Last summer, I took a trip to Peru, where I volunteered at a local orphanage for five weeks. By combining travel, studies, and work experience, I have been able to reach a proficiency in Spanish that allows me to communicate with others and accomplish things that I otherwise would not be able to with English alone. It is my desire to use these skills that I have acquired in a helpful way and to spread the joy of understanding and speaking such a beautiful language.

Cooking, Reading, Traveling