CIEE Latin America Fellow Spotlight: Sarah Cavallaro
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Meet the CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Student Fellows!
Follow along as CIEE sends 100 student leaders on a fully-funded semester abroad through the CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Fellowship. In this series, we spotlight Fellows as they immerse themselves in Latin American culture, grow as leaders, and prepare to make an impact worldwide.
Name: Sarah Cavallaro
School: Central Michigan University
Major: Psychology
LATAM Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Q1: What inspired you to make videos to apply for CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Student Fellowship, and also what does receiving this fellowship mean to you personally?
Applying to CIEE’s Leading Change in Latin America Fellowship was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. I have always loved making videos, even beginning at 6 years old. Growing up I made fully edited videos with music and effects, of everything; my morning routine, dances, and even music videos. Due to the fact I was so young, I only showed them to my parents and friends and never posted them.
I began traveling in college, and absolutely fell in love, yearning for more, but felt scared, due to the price. Seeing this scholarship, I thought there was no way I could ever get something so incredible, but I felt that excitement and urge to create, so I made my video and excitedly submitted it.
I couldn’t even believe it when I got the email saying I was a recipient of this fellowship. I was sitting in my bed at home for the weekend and opened my email and literally couldn’t contain my joy. I called my friend and had her read the message because I couldn’t believe my eyes. I ended up telling my parents the next evening, by screensharing the email, and putting it on the tv, and I will never forget how excited, and proud they were.
Having the chance to receive an education abroad while exploring the creative side of myself and making content I am passionate about, literally couldn’t be more perfect for me. I am genuinely having such a great time making videos, and I feel so inspired every week to share my experiences studying in Latin America! I feel so grateful I was awarded this, as creating content for a purpose that I love, has felt so meaningful.
Watch here: Sarah takes her first tango class in Buenos Aires
Q2: How do you hope your language skills develop/grow while living in Latin America?
I am only a beginner at Spanish and feel so passionate about learning it. I started doing a little Spanish every day from the moment I found out about this semester in Buenos Aires. Then, after my spring semester at my university ended, I took formal Spanish lessons over the summer, and have continued them in Buenos Aires, in addition to adding on the most amazing Spanish class here at CIEE! My Spanish skills have already improved so much since moving to Latin America, and I practice it every single day. I am growing to feel more confident, and I also feel so thankful for the kindest locals here, who are always so patient with me. I feel like I grow within my Spanish every day, and I cannot wait to learn more!
Q3: How do you think learning a new language can change the way you see the world?
Learning a new language has transformed the way I perceive the world. Connection is everything to me, and without the effort of learning a new language, it can be hard to form it. I have unlocked relationships that wouldn’t be possible without learning a new language, and it feels so beautiful to connect with the local community through the Spanish language. It’s so different to my life at home, and this experience has affirmed how much I love learning this language, and how I never want to stop being a Spanish student!
Q4: What does it mean to visit Latin America as a “learner” rather than a visitor?
Living in Latin America as a learner, rather than a visitor, allows me to experience culture through personal perspectives. For me, I feel being a tourist gives me outside perspective to what life looks like, whereas being a learner who is living here, allows me to experience the inside perspective. It is such a privilege to be studying abroad in Buenos Aires, and meeting locals and learning from them, while getting an education from professors who are sharing their experience here, is life changing.
See more: Sarah takes us through a day in her life studying abroad in Argentina
Q5: What excites you the most about studying abroad in Latin America?
So many things excite me about studying in Latin America, from trying new foods, to exploring Buenos Aires, and traveling to other countries, but I have two cherries to top this cake.
The first, is creating community. There is nothing in life I love more than people, and the people in Buenos Aires are so unbelievably kind. It feels like everyone I meet is my friend, and the connections I have made, and interactions with local leave my heart filled to the brim with the best, most wholesome feelings. I constantly find myself smiling, and laughing, and it feels so good to feel taken care of by the people of this city.
The second thing that excites me, is learning Spanish! I only had the opportunity to learn Spanish for a new months before I came here, and now I practice my Spanish every day, and I can already feel my growth. I love this language so much and feel so supported in my learning journey through every single person in my program, all the faculty at CIEE, and the locals who are so gentle and willing to help me learn!
Study Abroad in Latin America
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