August 2010 - Deborah Sposito

Name: Deborah Sposito
Occupation: Waiter
Time Studying at Tierra: 3 1/2 months

1) Why are you studying Spanish?
"I really want to live in a Spanish speaking country for a couple of years. The experience of being a foreigner is a valuable one. I'm interested in writing, poetry and literature and would like to be able to read and write in Spanish. Being able to read a book or a poem in the language it was written in is just something else entirely. Since most of the people of the Americas speak Spanish it just seems silly not to. This is a country full of immigrants. Everyone has a different language and culture that they come from and this fascinates me. How can you not be curious about movement and the reasons for migration?"

2) What is your favorite part about your experience here at Tierra?
"I love the teachers and staff! And getting to meet other people who are interested in living and traveling outside of the United States. We have a lot of fun, which is key to learning. The stories and details of life in Mexico or Uruguay inspire me to keep working towards fluency. The day I bought my first ever English to Spanish dictionary was simply awesome. I feel pretty fortunate to have found the school."

3) Can you tell us of a time you have been able to use what you have
learned studying here?
"Listening to music, talking with co-workers about more complex issues than comida (like my co-worker's sick daughter, a trip to the beach, farming and a bad breakup). Little things like clarifying everyday phrases that I've heard a million times in Mexico but didn't understand completely; for example, one friend in Mexico taught me a word that was derogatory but didn't explain it to me like that. When my teacher Nina clarified the true meaning, it was an interesting insight into social divisions that exist in Mexico. I have learned more about NAFTA in Spanish and understand much more about the economic impact and reality of that treaty. All of that with grammar too makes for a very layered approach to language study. "

Congratulations Deborah!!