Get the Tea from a Returnee

This fall the World Languages and Cultures Department hosts a three-part speaker series about three different language learning experiences abroad. 

Get the Tea from a Returnee begins on Wednesday, September 27 with a talk by Katarina Boskovic, a high school senior, and Dr. Michèle Bacholle, a French professor at Eastern, discussing their experience continuing their individualized Spanish language learning at Semilla Spanish School in Guatemala.  Unlike a traditional study abroad experience, Semilla Spanish School is a private, individualized learning experience that pairs online tutoring, with in-person one-on-one lessons, cultural excursions and local homestays on the shores of Lago de Atitlán in central Guatemala. 

On Monday, October 2, Kathryn Kubisek, an undergraduate at Eastern majoring in Spanish, presents a more traditional study abroad experience from the University of Seville in Spain.  Using one of Eastern’s third-party study abroad providers, API, Kathryn stayed with a host family and took 5 classes Spanish language and culture in the Spring of 2023, all of which seamlessly transferred back to Eastern.  The excursions with API, as well as the immersion from her homestay, helped Kathryn improve her confidence in speaking a foreign language outside of the classroom.

The Get the Tea from a Returnee series concludes on Monday, October 16 with a talk by Elisabeth Graves, a graduate student pursuing Master’s in Education.  After completing her Bachelor’s degree in English with a Spanish minor in 2022, Elisabeth looked to continue her Spanish language learning and practice with an international online conversation app.  She connected with a fellow language learner in Peru, and ultimately made a trip to Lima to stay and tour around Peru with their family. 

Get the Tea from a Returnee is a series that highlights the myriad of ways that students can enhance and develop their language skills abroad.  From a high school student and undergraduates to graduate students and professors, from Europe to South America, and from a traditional study abroad semester to a personal connection on an app, language learning abroad is flexible, possible, and beneficial for many different students.  Join us to learn how these students made it happen and what they learned along the way. 

Each of the Get the Tea from a Returnee talks will be held at 7 pm in Webb 213.  The series is open to all students, faculty and community members, especially those interested in pursuing language learning abroad. 

Series Details:

• Wednesday, September 27, 7 pm, Webb 213 - Guatemala
• Monday, October 2, 7 pm, Webb 213 - Spain
• Monday, October 16, 7 pm, Webb 213 - Peru

For more details, email WorldLanguages@easternct.edu.