Flintridge Prep Alum Recounts Teaching Abroad

Dresses flowing, fingers snapping Flamenco dancing. Hands poised, legs steely strong against a bull. These are a few things that Kirstie Jeffries, a alum, has seen while teaching English in Spain.

Jeffries graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) last June with a degree in Communications. She left for Spain a few months later for the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program and hasn’t turned back since. From Monday to Friday, Jeffries takes a bus from Seville to Villarrasa, a province of Huelva, where she teaches English to a rambunctious group of elementary students. She works alongside a Spanish teacher to go over English activities.

This isn’t the first time that Jeffries has ventured to Spain. She first visited the country as a senior at Flintridge Prep. She attended a summer study abroad program in the city of Granada with a few students from the school, and was immediately hooked. She knew she wanted to return to the country and continue honing her Spanish skills.

“My love for Spanish and Spain definitely started at Flintridge Prep because I had amazing teachers. They were such good teachers; they made the classes so interesting,” commented Jeffries. “It was hard to not love Spanish. I just really wanted to continue using Spanish somehow because I loved the classes.”

Even though she had worked as a tutor in the U.S., Jeffries admits that teaching a classroom full of Spanish students was difficult at first; however, she soon adjusted to the teaching schedule.

“At first it was sort of nerve-wracking because it was all new. But I got into it, and now I’m pretty comfortable and I’m pretty good with it. I know what I’m doing especially, when working with the students,” said Jeffries.

Jeffries believes that teaching abroad has taught her many new lessons.

“I guess I’ve learned a lot about thinking on my feet, it’s a skill you can use always, figuring out things on the move, making decisions, learning not to be overwhelmed when things get stressful or crazy,” remarked Jeffries. “It can be challenging, but in a fun and nice way.”

As well, Jeffries has been able to become fully immersed in the Spanish culture, celebrating holidays like Feria de Abril this past weekend. She admits that the favorite part of her experience has been teaching the students about American traditions. A few of the lessons she’s given include presentation on festivities like Christmas, , and St. Patrick’s Day.

“It’s really fun, they’re excited about it,” said Kirstie Jeffries. “There are things you take for granted and then you see your students who are like, ‘Wow!’”

Based on her own experience, Jeffries recommends other students consider teaching or working abroad.

“I think that everyone after they graduate should do something like this. When you’re in college, you get to study abroad but this is something different. Especially with this economy, I think it’s the best thing. I’m learning a lot. I can’t imagine doing anything better right now.”