Teaching & Moving Abroad: Why it's a good thing to leave your comfort zone

Hi everyone!

My name is Erin and I was born and raised in the small town of East Hampton, Connecticut. After high school, I spent four amazing years in Bristol, Rhode Island - with the ocean just a five minute walk away from me. There I attended Roger Williams University and received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with minors in Spanish & Management. I eventually hope to work as a billingual guidance counselor or another role in the education system. I graduated about a month ago, and as sad as it was to leave one of my favorite places, Madrid is on the horizon and I could not be more excited for my adventure in Spain!

So why am I teaching abroad? 

If you asked me four years ago what I was doing after college, I can guarantee you my answer would have never been teaching abroad in another country. However, A LOT has changed since then and this opportunity could not be more perfect for who I am today. At college I learned a lot, (obviously that’s what I was there for), but I also learned HOW to learn. And how I learn is by pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and traveling. I learned so much in my Spanish Language classes because I was constantly out of my comfort zone when I was speaking. I also spent one month abroad in Spain and Morocco, and I learned more in that month than I ever have in my entire life. So when I discovered the opportunity to teach abroad with CIEE, it legitimately seemed too good to be true. 

In a matter of months I will be entering the classroom in Madrid while simultaneously being able to immerse myself in a Spanish speaking country - both of these things will push me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. I am so incredibly excited to take you all on my journey through Spain as an English Language & Culture Assistant. Every day I will learn something new, and I hope my stories will allow you to learn a few things too!