Archive by Author

url

Hasta Luego: “Until Next Time”

Warning: this post’s gonna be a sentimental one. As I approach my last 7 days in Spain, I have so many different, conflicting emotions swirling around inside of me. Up until about a week ago, I had no interest in leaving. If it would have been up to me, my family and friends and softball […]

A bilingual man speaking Spanish and English

English Conversation Class

This semester I’ve had the opportunity to teach an English Conversation Class at the Autonomous University of Madrid with my friend Alex Brodeur! The class is essentially a recitation, meaning it’s a relaxed, informal class setting where the students of a particular language meet with a TA or someone similar to just chat and get […]

Captura de pantalla 2017-11-22 a las 12.02.57

A Relaxing Weekend Abroad

Hello, hello sweet friends and family! I hope this post finds you happy and well. This weekend was the first in 7 weekends that I’ve spent in Madrid….It turns out that’s exactly what I needed. It was so good to come home to my bed each night in a city in which I feel at […]

Captura de pantalla 2017-11-21 a las 12.05.44

Fluency: a Superpower

When I think about the relationships I’ve created and the experiences I’ve had, I realize how vastly different my life would be without the role of the Spanish language and Mexican culture. If you know me well, you’ve heard me talk about Cory, a Mexican woman who helped take care of me as I grew […]

Play de la Concha. The most beautiful sight I’ve ever laid eyes on

¿Quieres más pan?

My host grandmother Eva’s favorite phrase to ask me is “¿quieres más pan?” (do you want more bread)? I’ve learned that it’s not an option to consume less than 2 slices of bread. Honestly though, I’m okay with it. As I’ve mentioned before, Eva is from San Sebastián, a city in the Basque Country of […]

Sketchbook

Stay in School, Kids

The first day I had my Spanish Grammar class at the Tufts-Skidmore Spain program center, I noticed this weird thing happening: I was having so much fun, IN CLASS. I consciously remember noting, “wow, I don’t wish I was somewhere else right now.” Is that what being a model student feels like? 😉 This isn’t […]

you-are-now-leaving-the-comfort-zone1

Becoming Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Stretch your limits. Push yourself. Find new horizons. We’re all familiar with these overused, cheesy sayings. We roll our eyes at that person we follow on Instagram that never fails to update the world on his fitness progress: “I didn’t get this way on accident. I got here because I PUSHED myself everyday #NoPainNoGain.” Though […]