During her time as a Fulbright Scholar, Claire Weil spent a year living in a small town on the northwestern coast of Spain. She taught English in the local preschool, primary and secondary school. Claire said she got to teach every grade level in a wide array of subjects, such as drama, music, and chemistry.
“I really loved my time there, especially getting to know the town I lived in and learning some Galego, the language my students spoke,” Claire said. “I got to explore a lot of the region of Galicia and some of the rest of Spain and learned a lot about the culture and myself. And my favorite part of the year was getting to know and connect with my students, in class, in the town, and playing at recess.”
Claire's time in Spain was a growing experience and she learned about herself from living on her own in a foreign country. On the professional side, she learned how to be a teacher, and realized that learning styles vary in different places.
“I feel a lot more confident with myself and my abilities as I navigate grad school back in the states,” Claire said. “And in general I have a greater worldview. I got to live and really experience a different culture which changed my perspective on my own culture and ways of doing things."
Through the Fulbright program, Claire not only connected with people in her community, but also with other Fulbrights in her region. She said these two different communities were what contributed to her having such a wonderful experience.
“I loved the value Fulbright placed on the reciprocality of our experience: that we were there as exchange partners to teach about our language and culture and to learn about and experience their culture and ways of life,” Claire said.
If Claire could talk to her younger self, she would tell herself to be open and flexible. Never knowing how the future will work out, she thinks it’s best to be open to more than just one path or perspective.
“I’d also say to approach new things, people, and perspectives with curiosity instead of judgment,” Claire said. “And enjoy your time in the moment!”
During her time as a Fulbright Scholar, Claire Weil spent a year living in a small town on the northwestern coast of Spain. She taught English in the local preschool, primary and secondary school. Claire said she got to teach every grade level in a wide array of subjects, such as drama, music, and chemistry.
“I really loved my time there, especially getting to know the town I lived in and learning some Galego, the language my students spoke,” Claire said. “I got to explore a lot of the region of Galicia and some of the rest of Spain and learned a lot about the culture and myself. And my favorite part of the year was getting to know and connect with my students, in class, in the town, and playing at recess.”
Claire's time in Spain was a growing experience and she learned about herself from living on her own in a foreign country. On the professional side, she learned how to be a teacher, and realized that learning styles vary in different places.
“I feel a lot more confident with myself and my abilities as I navigate grad school back in the states,” Claire said. “And in general I have a greater worldview. I got to live and really experience a different culture which changed my perspective on my own culture and ways of doing things."
Through the Fulbright program, Claire not only connected with people in her community, but also with other Fulbrights in her region. She said these two different communities were what contributed to her having such a wonderful experience.
“I loved the value Fulbright placed on the reciprocality of our experience: that we were there as exchange partners to teach about our language and culture and to learn about and experience their culture and ways of life,” Claire said.
If Claire could talk to her younger self, she would tell herself to be open and flexible. Never knowing how the future will work out, she thinks it’s best to be open to more than just one path or perspective.
“I’d also say to approach new things, people, and perspectives with curiosity instead of judgment,” Claire said. “And enjoy your time in the moment!”
