Apply and be accepted to Student Teach in Spain... CHECK!
You know that little list you have going in the back of your mind? Some people may even have their list physically written out but, mine is in the back of my mind. The list where you hear of something someone has done or you have witnessed something spectacular and you tell yourself you're going to do "that" before you die? I have a list... and I am proud to say I have been marking things off... this trip to complete my student teaching in Spain is one of the things on that list! I think if I tell you a little about my list it will help you to know me better.
Some of the list...
I have to admit, my list didn't really get going along good until I got married... right out of high school. I met this really cute basketball player in my U.S. History class, my junior year in high school. - WARNING: this is a story I could go on and on about because, I love replaying "Our Story" over and over and over again... but, for the sake of this being a blog about a traveling abroad experience I'll spare those sweet, sappy details for another day ;) Anyways, me and that cutie started dating January of 2008, got engaged after our high school graduation - July of 2008, and officially tied the knot in March of 2009. Our society today requires me to answer the next obvious question... no, I did not get pregnant. I was shocked by how many people were blown away that Mike and I got married because we were best friends and loved each other. We wanted to complete our "growing up" together... that's really it. My friends would talk to me like I had to make a decision between getting married or going to college... so this started the list...
1.) Marry Mike and go to college... not just any college... a university.
2.) Live in our own place right off campus.
3.) Get my degree in something that I know I'll love to do... not letting possible income be a factor
4.) Join a sorority!
5.) Student Teach Abroad
6.) Graduate from college
... and do all of this while staying happily married to my husband.
I have successfully done 1 through 4! Mike and I started at Western Kentucky University in the spring of 2010, we have lived in 2 different rental houses and finally settled in a tiny one bedroom apartment that we love, and I am now a proud alum of the greatest organization I have ever known - Omega Phi Alpha. After dabbling in Advertising and Marketing my freshman year, I couldn't ignore my one true calling any longer. I have known I wanted to teach elementary school since I graduated high school! Here I am... I have completed 3 1/2 years of school and am on my way to completing number 4!
#4 Student teach abroad...
I heard about this program at WKU my sophomore year, right after I switched my major to elementary education. I'm not going to lie... being married for 5 years now and being extremely close to my family has made me very nervous about going away for three weeks and not mention getting the money together was a bit frightening. After being turned down for an essay scholarship that I put a lot of time and effort into I felt completely defeated. I thought that there was no way that I would be able to come up with the money to go. I don't let too many things stand in my way of accomplishing things I am driven to do, but this felt like a brick wall. I ended up using an online fundraiser and simply posted it on my Facebook. Through family and friends, I raised a little over $1200! I was blown away by the love and support.
Next Steps...
-Shop for things I need to take: converter, clothes, school supplies, and gifts to name a few!
-Pack Smart: like nobody's business!
-GET ON THAT PLANE
It took A LOT of hard work, planning, and dedication to not letting this once in a lifetime opportunity get away from me. I have contacted my family in Barcelona, my teacher at the school where I'll be working, arranged weekend travel plans, and can NOT wait until I am boarding the plane! Although I know I'll get more nervous the closer the day comes, as for now I am so anxious to go and am counting down the days!
