World Languages Teacher Studies Abroad

The following is a guest post by World Languages teacher April Connell. In the post below, she shares her experiences from her time spent in Spain this summer. This was the fourth time that our school sent Ms. Connell to a Spanish-speaking country allowing her to immerse herself in the language and cultures. In previous years, she has spent time in Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru. This time is invaluable as she returns to our campus and shares her experiences with our students.

Typically, when you hear the expression “study abroad,” your mind tends to conjure an image of a fresh-faced college student embarking on a journey to learn a language or specialize in a particular field, living with a host family, and immersing themselves in a culture entirely different from their own.

Here at Brainerd Baptist School, I refer to this experience as “Professional Development,” and that's precisely how I spent my summer in Bilbao, Spain, albeit without the 'fresh-faced college student' label. Thanks to the numerous opportunities that our administration encourages and provides for our faculty, I had the privilege of enrolling at the Hemingway Institute of Bilbao, situated along the banks of the Nervión River in Northern Spain. I resided with a host family, indulged in local cuisine, and diligently completed my homework every night. Although my primary goal was not to learn Spanish for the first time, I embarked on this journey to reimmerse myself in the language and expand my understanding of this unique corner of the Spanish-speaking world. Interestingly, this particular region, known as Basque Country, boasts some of the deepest cultural and communal roots in all of Spain, with its primary language being Euskera. In fact, Euskera, predating the Romance languages, is widely spoken in the streets and shops and is the exclusive medium of instruction in all of the region's elementary schools. Witnessing a community celebrate its heritage and pass down its traditions to the next generation is a truly beautiful experience.

Integral to this culture are the numerous festivals that honor various Saints, including San Fermín and the Running of the Bulls. While I did not personally witness the "adventurous" individuals running from the angry bulls in the neighboring town of Pamplona, I did observe local groups paying homage to the event by playing music, donning red attire, and dancing in the streets of Bilbao. On another occasion, I crossed the Nervión River aboard a suspended cable car ferry, known as the Vizcaya Bridge, and watched as the entire village dressed in blue and white plaid while singing the songs of their ancestors during the San Cristóbal festival.

While the Iberian ham and tapa-like pintxos were undeniably delicious, and the art and architecture of the Guggenheim Museum were breathtaking, what I cherished most were my teacher and my classes. My fellow classmates hailed from Germany, Switzerland, the USA, Russia, and Morocco. Through them, I gained insights into various cultures and customs from around the world, all while conversing exclusively in Spanish. It was a truly enriching experience.

I eagerly anticipate sharing the teaching ideas and games I learned from my professor, Laurentzi, with my students here at BBS. I can hardly wait to regale them with amusing stories about the foods I sampled and how everything seemingly comes to a halt for the midday siesta. I am deeply humbled and grateful to Brainerd Baptist School for affording me this opportunity to acquire new knowledge, grow as an educator, and return home equipped to impart this wisdom to our students