This opportunity gave tangibility to my fondest interests. With Professor Perski, I wasn’t only learning about my favorite topics, but I was also immersed in them. Because of this immersion, I am now equipped with skills that allow me to feel comfortable in culturally different settings. For example, how to communicate with more body language or how to respond when someone critiques my work. I’ve learned how to properly respect the spaces I’m in and even fit into them. It developed and advanced my multicultural communication, active listening, and intrapersonal skills. Now, I better know when to speak and when to listen. I understand that cultural differences are not personal or wrong, just, well, different. In general, this experience gave me the skills to better respect, belong, and appreciate spaces that are a change from what I’m used to. I must say, however, these skills were not acquired without any challenges. At first, it was actually quite difficult to try and participate in a classroom where no one knew me and wasn’t communicating with me. The language barrier was a major challenge and I found myself quiet, shy, and timid because of it. I didn’t know how to fit in without having the courage to talk to others. However, time passed, I practiced more, and I kept showing up to class. Eventually, the students became familiar with me and wanted to know more. Ultimately, I learned the importance of being present. Despite the language, I saw the value in showing up, being positive, and wanting to communicate. The students saw this, and all barriers were quickly broken. Writing an essay about this internship opportunity feels quite serendipitous right now, for I received some wonderful news just last night. As I prepare to leave Barcelona, I consider ways I can continue to nurture my deep love for arts and people. After applying for many jobs, I was recently offered a position at a local San Francisco high School, where I will be the Arts Program Coordinator for students who have immigrated to the United States within the past four years. Additionally, I was informed that many of the students only speak Spanish, therefore I am even more grateful for this internship, for it equipped me with Spanish language skills regarding the classroom. I have never felt more prepared and eager to begin this new chapter, thanks to the internship opportunity with Professor Perski. Now I can enter this position with real world experience with multicultural art education, knowledge about classroom dynamics, and an invigorated love for the field. I am forever grateful for this experience at Universitat de Barcelona, for I know it will impact my life forever. Afterall, it has already started to.
As I prepare to leave Barcelona, I have been offered the position of Arts Program Coordinator at a San Francisco high school. The students have all recently immigrated to the US, and most speak only Spanish. Because of my Spanish immersion, I am equipped with the needed skills. I have never felt more prepared and eager to begin this new chapter. I can enter this position with real-world experience in multicultural art education, knowledge about classroom dynamics, and an invigorated love for the field. I am forever grateful for this experience, and I know it will impact my life forever - after all, it already has!