With enthusiasm, I write to apply for the Spain 2017 Conexiones program. I am particularly interested Conexiones because it offers the unique opportunity to explore new cultures, develop my Spanish-speaking abilities, and appreciate the commonalities between Extremadura and the Americas. I am eager to immerse myself in the historic culture and experience the beautifully preserved historical settlements. Living and learning in an environment that fosters personal and intellectual growth will be an experience of a lifetime.
Raised in the small town of El Rancho, New Mexico, I have developed a deep appreciation for culturally diverse environments. My upbringing has inspired me to pursue a career that aims to support culturally diverse populations. I have decided to major in Speech and Hearing Sciences with the intention of becoming a speech-language pathologist. I hope to serve the unique needs of New Mexican children by focusing on multicultural issues in language service delivery. I have had the pleasure …show more content…
Though I grew up in a Spanish-speaking family, I never became proficient in the language. Immersion will support an accelerated and thorough language learning experience- an opportunity unlike any other in the United States. Those who have participated in Conexiones have described how their Spanish skills improved exponentially during the trip. Learning a new language leads to numerous possibilities that would not otherwise been available. Bilingual abilities will not only prepare me for success in my future career, it will allow me to communicate with people I care about. I want to have the option to communicate with future clients without needing a translator. I also desire to communicate with my grandparents in their native language. Language is an integral component of my culture and I want to take advantage of developing and maintaining