Name of Volunteer Speaker
Kaetlyn |
Nationality
American |
Name of town/city where school is located.
Sant Sadurni |
Experience in school including tasks, classes, relationship with students/teachers.
My experience with this school has been like no other. I have grown relationships with not only the students but the staff as well. I look at every individual here as if there are my family. My tasks in the school, I feel personally have been unique. I not only pull students out one by one or in a small group to practice English, but I have also taken wanted to push myself and volunteer to teach my own lessons to a whole class. |
Experience living with your Host Family. Have they made you feel welcome, relationship, activities, etc…
I believe that I was granted the best host family. We are close in many ways, like it is a home away from home. Every weekend we do some kind of activity together whether it is going shopping, dinner, to see a new town, or even an amusement park. We also go to many roller hockey matches and scream with the fans. |
Your general experience whilst on the program from prior expectations to your current experience
My expectations for this program have been beyond met. This town, the school, and the people have made this place a home for me. Coming here I expected to make a difference to some students, but I never expected this town, school, and these people to change my life in a way that they have. |
Changes/Improvements in both personal and professional development
I have grown in my career in many ways such as, my self-teaching methods. I am already a qualified teacher back in America and have taught in the Public School District of my home town, and I have always taught English, but this program has taught me new ways to branch out, to help students better understand and actually be able to take away from the curriculum. I have also grown to be more independent and have mastered more time management skills. |
Advice for the any new/future Voluntary Speakers placed in your town/city (best places to visit, things to do, activities with host family, favorite restaurant, bar, etc.…)
My advice for anyone who comes to this town is, do not be afraid to branch out. Make friends with people your age, go out, organize a staff dinner, and make yourself a home away from home. |
Advice for new/future Voluntary Speakers placed in your school?
The kids will look up to you as if you´re their big sister or big brother, look at them the same way because the relationships you have with these students and the way they see you really impacts your time here. |
Advice for new/future Voluntary Speakers in relation to living with your host family or Spanish families in general.
Be yourself, and don’t be nervous. Learn about their culture and their ways of living but also teach them yours along the way. |
Share some of the best moments in your school, host family and in general whilst participating on the program.
Some of the best moments I have had is with the group of friends I have made, and I don’t mean just people my age but the staff in the school. We go to dinners, me and my friends have been to Barcelona many times, and me and my family have even had our own American BBQ and invited a bunch of friends. |
Any regrets joining? Would you recommend the program to others? and what would you say to someone thinking about teaching English abroad for the first time and thinking about joining this program?
I have absolutely no regrets in joining this program and I truly wish everyone could have the same experience that I have had. Take the risk and say yes to everything. |