So today was my last day at the American School Foundation at Guadalajara. It has been a great experience down here in Mexico, and I can already see all of the ways that it will affect my classroom, my Spanish, as well as myself as a person. I believe that this six weeks has been the perfect amount of time for me to reflect on my decisions that I have made in the last four years about what I would like to do with my life.
Through working at ASFG, I have been able to discover that I am not completely incapable of working with young children. I have found out over the past six weeks that although I prefer to work with older children that I am capable of working with and enjoying teaching younger students. This is a very important addition to my confidence as an education professional.
I also hope to in the future work with the English as a Second Language program. I have come to this realization because I have truly enjoyed watching my students learn English and to work side by side with them through Spanish and English. It is a struggle that I personally know, learning a second language, and it is something that I can truly relate to after being in a completely immersed second language classroom.
My understanding of the Spanish language and Mexican culture has been broadened by leaps and bounds here in Mexico. From my previous study abroad experience in Spain, I believed that I knew what I was in for. But it has been a completely different experience being down here and being in charge of my own cultural learning and understanding rather than relying on professors and guides to help me explore. By living with a family and working directly with students here in Mexico I have been able to grasp the culture and language in a way that one never would be able to do with traveling as a tourist. It is an indescribable gem that I have discovered and will carry into my classroom.