A Letter to My Younger Self: Teaching Abroad Will Change Your Life

On By McKennaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I originally went to university to be a high school Spanish teacher.

I loved my high school Spanish classes. I loved learning how a different language’s sounds and words could harmonize together. I felt like a different person while speaking Spanish – prettier, cooler, and smarter.

I also longed to travel and live abroad.

During my third year of university, a teacher suggested that maybe I shouldn’t become a teacher after all.

This news was heartbreaking, but looking back with hindsight, I realize that this comment was necessary for me to change my goals and create an incredible life abroad.

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How Shyness Has Made Me a Better Teacher and Teacher Trainer

On By McKennaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Years ago, I wrote a post on how shyness has made me a better traveler.

I wrote about how shyness gave me courage – walking hand in hand with fear – as I showed up in foreign countries, without knowing anyone. Shyness propelled me into diving out of my comfort zone and into the arms of adventure.

Shyness has done the same for me as a teacher.

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I Almost Quit Teaching This Day – Until This Happened

On By McKennaIn Latin America, travel reflections1 Comment

I was ready to walk out of the classroom, throw in the towel, and buy a plane ticket out of Colombia.

Picture this: Villavicencio, Colombia. 85 degrees, 100% humidity, and a classroom with no windows that’s the size of a closet.

While I don’t have photos of said classroom, I do have photos of Villavicencio as a reference.

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6 Years Ago, I Moved to Spain. You Won’t Believe What’s Happened. [Part 9/9 – Year 6 and Onward: There’s No Going Back Now]

On By McKennaIn europe, spain, travel reflectionsLeave a comment

[Click here to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, and Part 8]

On August 16th, I returned to my beloved Spain after two weeks of being in my birth country. As soon as the airport-city shuttle bus spun into motion, I felt like I’d jumped into the arms of a long-lost lover.

I was home.

Continue reading “6 Years Ago, I Moved to Spain. You Won’t Believe What’s Happened. [Part 9/9 – Year 6 and Onward: There’s No Going Back Now]” →

6 Years Ago, I Moved to Spain. You Won’t Believe What’s Happened. [Part 8/9 – Return to Michigan]

On By McKennaIn blog, spain, travel reflectionsLeave a comment

[Click here to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, and Part 7]

A plethora of American accents buzzed through my ears while I was still in the Barcelona airport. I guess that’s what happens when you fly on American Airlines.

I came back to the United States after being awake for nearly 24 hours.

I saw my mom for the first time in two years. I saw my brothers for the first time in five years. I met my nephews for the first time, one of which was my godson. I wondered what they’d thought of me—this aunt they had heard about and seen in photos, who didn’t live in America, was finally in front of them.

Continue reading “6 Years Ago, I Moved to Spain. You Won’t Believe What’s Happened. [Part 8/9 – Return to Michigan]” →