ONIF Student Spotlight
In this special spotlight, ONIF highlights three LMU alumnae currently teaching English in Spain through the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program.
NALCAP offers recipients the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language and culture of Spain while sharing the language and culture of the United States with students in Spain, as well as a tremendous opportunity for professional and personal growth.
January 20, 2023
Names:
Ella Bond-Gledhill, she/her/hers
Olivia Le Penske, she/her/hers
Kathleen McGann, she/her/hers
Major:
Ella: History
Olivia: Marketing
Kathleen: Communication studies
Graduation Date: May 2022
What are your current or future career plans?
Ella: Currently teaching English to students K-6 outside of the town of Segovia, north of Madrid
Olivia: My future career plan once this year is over is to move to New York City and hopefully work in the marketing department for a fashion company.
Kathleen: I hope to work in nonprofit management in the future.
What have you enjoyed most about the program?
Ella: Exploring Spain and meeting people along the way, as well as the amazing people I work with and getting to teach such fun and kind kids who help me improve my Spanish every day.
Olivia: Throughout my time so far, I have most enjoyed getting to know the students at my school and watching them grow and become more confident in their English abilities. It has been so nice feeling so needed in this school and I feel like I have so much knowledge to share. Besides work itself, I have loved being in Spain and being able to travel on the weekends. So far, I have visited four different countries and it has broadened my perspective on the world so much.
Kathleen: I most enjoy getting to work with my students. I was placed at an Official Language School, so I work with English learners who range anywhere between the ages of 17 and 75. I find it so inspiring to see people of all ages dedicated to learning a new language. The students are very motivated in their study of English and also eager to teach me about the culture of Spain, which makes my job so much fun.
What has been the most challenging aspect of the program?
Ella: The growing pains that come with moving anywhere new: making new friends, adapting to a new routine, and learning the customs and ways of a new cultural and social scene.
Olivia: I think the most challenging aspect of the program is living far away from family and friends. Another thing that is a bit difficult is just how much alone time you have outside of work. While I was a student at LMU, I was constantly surrounded by friends at all times. Being in this program has forced me to be comfortable being alone and more independent.
Kathleen: The most challenging aspect of the program was adjusting to a totally different culture. Everything from the language, the customs, the weather, and even mealtimes took me time to adjust to. I can say that now I have developed a great appreciation and love for the Spanish culture, and it has become one of the most rewarding aspects of the program.
What advice do you have for future applicants?
Ella: My advice is to enter the program with an open mind and try to have as few expectations as possible. I have found that things are always different from the ideas I create in my head. This has been especially true with moving to a new country. Also, the NALCAP application widely ranges depending on one's placement. For example, I teach little kids 9-2 pm and one of my friends teaches night classes to adults. There will also be times that you might feel lonely, homesick, or frustrated, but know that this is so normal. Starting fresh is no easy task! For me, the risk has been worth the low moments and I am excited to have another 5 months to explore and learn.
Olivia: I advise any future applicants to be very open-minded to the experience and try not to have any expectations going into the application process. My best friend, another LMU alumni, and I applied to the program assuming we would get placed together in the same city. This couldn't be farther from the truth. We both got placed on opposite sides of the country. This program has taught me to go with the flow and be more open-minded. So, I advise anyone interested to go into the application process without assumptions and to be proactive. Apply early because your application number matters. The program has a rolling application, so the sooner you apply the better. I recommend having all of your documents and application material prepared before the application period opens.
Kathleen: My advice is to act early. I would encourage anyone interested in the program to apply as soon as the application opens. Have all of the materials required for the application ready to be submitted beforehand. Applying early does impact your chance of being placed in the regions of your preference! I would also encourage anyone interested in the program to connect with a current NALCAP participant to get a better idea of what being a part of the program is actually like. I know I would be happy to speak with anyone interested in the program!
What would people be surprised to know about you?
Ella: I have no clue what career path I want to pursue and I am trying out different things until I find something I like a lot.
Olivia: I don't think I would be here in Spain right now teaching English if it wasn't for Covid-19. When I was a student at LMU, I was accepted into the Madrid semester-long study abroad program. When the pandemic hit, that unfortunately canceled my plans. I have always dreamed of living abroad and traveling. Teaching English was the perfect opportunity to live abroad for a year and travel while working and gaining such an amazing experience. If I had studied abroad, I don't think I would have looked into this program.
Kathleen: The region of Spain where I live and work, Galicia, is often called the "Ireland of Spain". The culture of the region is closely related to that of the Celtic culture and it is not uncommon to hear the sound of bagpipes as you walk around the city.
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Visit more information about the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program visit: https://www.educacionyfp.gob.es/eeuu/convocatorias-programas/convocatorias-eeuu/nalcap.html or contact ONIF.