Shaylee from America. I have noticed a lot of improvements within myself, both personally and professionally. I had prior experience, however I did not have much with older students. I feel much more comfortable and confident now

Shaylee

American

Manlleu

I have primarily been involved with students from 2nd – 6th grade (ages 7 -12), although I do also sometimes read to the younger students. I do a lot of small groups, usually 2-4 students at a time and plan either a quick game or speaking activity. I move around the school going to a different class each hour. I also have a few breaks in my schedule, which is nice if you want to grab a coffee or walk down by the nearby river. The students are so fun! I love when they get excited to see me either in the school hallways or out in the town. Do be prepared that you will see a large variety and level of English skills, even within the same class students may be at varying levels in their English skills. You may need to accommodate an activity based on skill level and needs.

I feel very welcome with my host family. We typically have dinner together every night and lunch on the weekends. Sometimes we will play a game or do an activity in the evening. They have been so helpful in adjusting to life in Catalunya, from navigating the public transportation to recommendations of things to do and places to visit.

While I have loved the experience and I knew going into the program that the language barrier would be difficult, it was more difficult than I first anticipated. Especially when you first arrive, it can feel a little isolating not being able to understand or communicate much. I would recommend trying to learn a little bit of Catalan or at least key phrases before you arrive – I also noticed that other volunteer speakers who had a better level of Spanish had an easier time with communicating. Brush up on what you can but also know that everyone is very kind and helpful and it is possible to communicate with hand gestures and short phrases.

I have noticed a lot of improvements within myself, both personally and professionally. I had prior experience working with younger students, however I did not have much experience with older students and when I first arrived I found I was nervous and unsure about the best approach when being with older students. I feel much more comfortable and confident now. I also feel more confident in my personal life when navigating unknown situations and circumstances, the program forces you out of your comfort zone in the best of ways.

I would definitely recommend getting a train pass, if possible, I have been able to visit so many amazing areas just utilizing the train. Manlleu is very charming and quaint, I love to hang out in the square or go to the river on my breaks. There is also a library near the square. If you are interested in visiting bigger cities, shopping, museums, etc. Vic is only a short 12 min train ride away.

Try to make connections or friends with other teachers, always say hello in the hallways or break room. Ask if you need help with something. If you can, try to find someone that wants to teach you a little bit of Catalan, it will go a long way in making you feel included in conversations and different situations. Talk to your tutor or other teachers about if there are specific skills or topics that they would like you to focus on in class.

Ask questions and go over expectations with the family when you first arrive. I put this off at first and found it was more difficult to navigate after some time had passed. Have a translator app handy but also be aware that it may not always be 100% accurate. Hand gestures and pictures are also very helpful when communicating.

I loved celebrating Carnaval, both with the school and with my host family over the weekend. The week leading up to Carnaval was very fun with dress up days and fun activities. I loved being a part of the school parade and dancing through the town. I went to Platja d’aro with my host family over the weekend to celebrate Carnaval. We stayed in a hotel and watched the big parade. I also loved exploring the coast and beaches in the area, I would highly recommend! I also visited Montserrat with another Volunteer Speaker and it was an incredible experience! If you have the opportunity to visit Montserrat, absolutely take it. We went by train and it was a long journey but well worth it!

Yes, I would absolutely recommend it. Know that there will be some difficult moments as you learn to navigate a new country, language, and expectations but it will be so worth it. I have learned so much and the time passes much quicker than you would expect.