Meet Jade: A Linguist, Teacher, and Traveler at Heart

Hi, I’m Jade, a CIEE Teach in Spain participant, and I’m excited to share a new chapter of my life on this blog as I begin my journey as a language assistant in Spain for the 2025-2026 school year. Here are some questions that I've answered that will give a little insight into who I am:

Where are you from?

I'm originally from NYC, where I was born and raised, but Boston is currently my home base. Growing up in NYC exposed me to Spanish at a very young age, and Boston has only deepened my connection to other foreign languages like Italian and German. Both cities though have shaped who I am today. NYC gave me an energetic and resilient spirit, while Boston gave me the space to grow as a student and an educator. Together, these multicultural environments laid the foundation for my passion for languages and prepared me for life abroad.

What’s your academic and/or professional background?

I have a degree in Linguistics and Psychology which pairs perfectly with my love for languages and cultural exchange. Professionally, my journey has been rooted in education and service, from working as an Au Pair in Germany to mentoring Spanish-speaking students as an AmeriCorps member in Avon, Colorado. I'm also the creator of Travel and Blossom, a blog where I share my travel experiences and tips on how to solo travel with confidence.

Why did you decide to teach abroad or get TEFL certified?

Honestly? I’ve always wanted to live in Europe long-term. After my au pair experience and my study abroad in Rome, I realized that I've always felt more alive when I was immersed in a new culture.

Teaching abroad in Spain as a language assistant therefore felt like the next step since I'm in the process of completing a service year through AmeriCorps as a Student Success Coach for Spanish-speaking elementary school students. This opportunity will give me the chance to do what I love, which is working with kids, while also laying the groundwork for a more permanent life abroad.

My desire to become a better teacher for my Spanish-speaking students in Spain influenced me to get TEFL certified.

What are your goals?

My immediate goal is to thrive in Madrid, both inside and outside of the classroom. Long term, I hope to continue teaching Infantil as a language assistant at the same school for another year. I also would like to reach an intermediate level of Spanish through this experience.

What are you most excited or nervous about?

I’d say I’m most nervous about finding housing in Madrid. This will be my first time getting an apartment/room in Europe on my own, and I want the process to go smoothly. This is also a top priority for me because finding safe and affordable housing can definitely impact your experience abroad.

Overall, thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about me! I hope that you will follow along as I continue to share more about my experience teaching abroad in Spain soon.

Sincerely,

Jade <3