ONIF Student Spotlight
In this spotlight, ONIF highlights two 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.
February 16, 2024
Names:
Jules Abella, she/her/hers
Madeline Michel, she/her/hers
Major:
Jules: Health and Human Sciences
Madeline: History
Graduation Date: May 2023
What are your current or future career plans?
Jules: After my time in Madrid I plan to return to the United States and apply to medical school.
Madeline: In June when my time in NALCAP is up, I would like to return to the U.S. and start my career as an elementary school teacher.
What have you enjoyed most about the program?
Jules: In the classroom I have enjoyed building relationships with my students and seeing their confidence grow as the year progresses. I have also enjoyed the work-life balance and the slower pace of life in comparison to the US.
Madeline: My favorite part about NALCAP is the wide age range of the students I get to work with. Since I have a placement in both an elementary school as well as a high school, every week I get to work with kids from ages 5 to 15. Working with so many ages has helped me figure out that I like working with young children best, although I can't say that I don't enjoy getting to know all of my older students and seeing their fun personalities come out in class.
What has been the most challenging aspect of the program?
Jules: The most challenging part of this program was the process of obtaining my visa, finding housing, and navigating the Spanish bureaucracy. NALCAP offers very few resources to help with these complicated processes, and my first week in Madrid was very stressful.
Madeline: The most challenging aspect of this program has been finding where I fit in in the classroom, especially in classes where the students have a very low level of English or are not confident enough to practice with a native speaker. Over time though, as the students have gotten to know me better and as the teachers and I have worked together to make lesson plans, I have found my role and have gotten a better sense of my importance in the classroom.
What advice do you have for future applicants?
Jules: I would advise future applicants to apply early and start the visa process as soon as possible once you receive your placement. I would also recommend having a few thousand dollars in savings for emergencies, travel, etc. Lastly, just enjoy it!
Madeline: My advice for future applicants is to 1. reach out to past NALCAP applicants because there are lots of stressful moments with the Visa process as well as some strong emotions that might come out once you arrive in Spain and 2. do research on the region of Spain you'll be living in and the town your placement is in once you get it. I was lucky to be placed in the south of Spain where there's great weather and nice beaches and my schools are close enough to the city to live in. I do know some people in my region, though, who are placed in extremely small towns and feel a bit isolated, so I would caution applicants who are only willing to live in Madrid or another large city to really think about whether they are willing to live a more rural Spanish life. (which definitely has its benefits, as there's so much language and cultural immersion in these towns!)
What would people be surprised to know about you?
Jules: I have never worked with children before doing this program.
Madeline: During my time at LMU as a history major, people would always ask me what I wanted to do with my degree and my answer was always "I don't know, but I definitely don't want to be a history teacher." Although I love history and it is still true that I don't want to be a history teacher, my time with NALCAP as well as experiences I had volunteering at an elementary school while I was at LMU have made me realize that I do want to be a teacher, just in an elementary school!
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Learn more about the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program or contact ONIF.