Holly Martin

Program: Teach Immersion Chile

Last Seen in America: embracing the awkward space between college graduation and full-time career

Where in Chile?: ?

Bio: Just months before graduating, surrounded by peers with conflicting emotions about graduating and entering into “the real world,” I had an epiphany. Life is short. I am young. Now is the time to do what I love.

With nothing holding me back, I decided to pursue my dream of teaching English in South America. And thus began my relentless pursuit. I moved back home to northern Illinois, and balanced three jobs, saving money to fund my adventures. I believe that where there’s a will, there’s a way. I strive to make the most of every situation. And I hold desperately to the hope that I have as much to offer this world as it has for me. Show full bio.

Merideth Bush

Program: Teach in Chile Professional

Last Seen in America: Studying Spanish and Mandarin and sipping jasmine tea

Where in Chile?: Santiago

Bio: If I could name one, consistent passion and hobby I've had throughout my life, I would say foreign languages.

Spanish in particular is near and dear to me, as my mother (a nurse and former medical missionary in Guatemala) has spoken the language to me my entire life. As a Spanish tutor in college I realized how much I enjoyed opening my students' eyes to see the world through the lens of another language and culture, and I am now thrilled to have the opportunity to do the same with students of my own language in Santiago, Chile! In the future I look forward to continuing to travel, teaching and learning as I go, and I hope to someday use my language skills as an interpreter either for the U.N. or for organizations combating human trafficking throughout the world. Show full bio.

Carolyn Highland

Program: Teach Immersion Chile

Last Seen in America: Cross-country skiing in the mountains of Maine

Where in Chile?: Copiapó, in the Atacama region

Bio: 23-year-old writer with a love for traveling with a large backpack, reading books in one sitting, languages, running in all kinds of weather, laughing children, and the beautiful, sprawling outdoors.

Ciara McCormack

Program: Teach Immersion Chile

Last Seen in America: Wandering the rainy streets of Seattle and looking forward to similar weather on the other side of the planet.

Where in Chile?: Region de Los Ríos

Bio: Ciara is a born “gypsy” who spent her formative years stretched across the United States. She graduated from Stephens College in 2011 with a BFA in dance and minor in creative writing and has since been applying those passions to a variety of professions, from waitress to poet to teacher.

Garrett Croft & Ellen Jeffus

Program: Teach in Chile Professional

Where in Chile?: Santiago, Chile

Garrett – Last Seen in America: Soaking up the wonders of post-grad life from The University of Georgia

Garrett – Bio: You know that old metaphor that compares living your life to being able to drive across the country in a car at night as long as you keep your headlights on?

As long as you’re able to see the next 200 feet ahead, you’ll be able to navigate the entire duration as it unfolds without needing to know what lies beyond that point. The next 200 feet of my drive will be spent in Santiago, Chile teaching private English classes for a British company called The Language Co. After graduating from The University of Georgia with a degree in Business Marketing and a minor in Spanish, I am looking forward to experiencing life below the equator and all that this culture has to offer. Though my Spanish speaking abilities are borderline embarrassing, I am hoping to become somewhat fluent along the way. A girl can dream, can’t she? Show full bio.

Ellen – Last Seen in America: Little Rock, Arkansas, on some nature trail or another, lapping up the green scenery.

Ellen – Bio: I’m an Arkansan native, born and raised just outside of Little Rock.

In times of nervous anticipation I remember the Mark Twain quote once sent to me by a dear friend, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did… Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Life is one big, crazy opportunity after another, waiting to be grasped and made the most of. I largely live by this quote and the thought that we’re only young once, that opportunities are there for the taking, and that they don’t just come along for no reason – your experiences and how you handle them make you into who you are. I couldn’t be more excited to be living my dream, teaching abroad, and taking life as it comes. YOLO!! Show full bio.

Katie Fobben & Emily Ergas

Program: Teach in Chile

Last Seen in America: Lugging all our baggage through the Dallas airport together probably causing passersby to laugh.

Where in Chile?: Santiago

Katie – Bio: I am a Jersey native, and graduated from Elon University in North Carolina with a degree in International Studies, Spanish and Business. After my year teaching abroad, I hope to work in International Development research and consulting.

I am happiest when starting a new book or finishing a long run. Flight delays don’t bother me at all because I love being in airports so much. I’m fascinated when walking around older cities and feeling history around me. The motto of Sevilla, Spain is “No me ha dejado” or It will not leave me. This motto is the best explanation for why I have dreamed of moving abroad again. There is something about being amongst different people in a foreign city that can never truly leave you. Show full bio.

Emily – Bio: California born, but raised in Dallas, Texas (I do say Howdy and Ya’ll but I don’t have an accent).

I graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, with a degree in International Studies, Spanish and Communications. I would love to do public relations for an international non-­‐profit after my teaching year abroad. I love to read and burn through books like they’re air when I can. I also love to dance. I have a few years in ballet, ten years in Irish Step Dancing and a few months of flamenco. I have an insatiable sweet tooth and am an avid soccer watcher and sometimes player. I’d blame my love of travel on my mother who took my family on vacations every year. I could also be part gypsy… But that’s unconfirmed. Show full bio.