I began an
international experience when I was 20, and my family hosted
two high school Spanish students for a summer exchange
program. One of the exchange students was 16, and went to a private
French school - I was amazed that she could speak Spanish, French,
and English fluently! My ignorance was exposed by this exchange
experience. While in college, I decided to take a minor in Spanish.
My teachers told me I would not really learn the language unless
I traveled
abroad; unfortunately, I could not afford it.
 My
aunt, a teacher, told me about her experience teaching
English in Bangkok, Thailand. That prompted me to travel
to Venezuela to teach at the Colégio International de Caracas
for a year and half. I also took a three month tour of
South America and visited both Rio de Janeiro and São
Paulo. When I returned to the United States for my masters,
the American School in Rio offered me a teaching position.
I was torn between finishing my program and teaching in
Rio...at that time, I made the difficult decision of not
going to Rio. Now, I have the chance to return to Brazil
and see what my life would've been like! [To
the left a picture of me with my son Drew.]
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