March 2017 - Robert Dismukes

With a stellar attitude and warm smile, Robert’s great enthusiasm for learning Spanish is contagious. An exceptionally committed student since Winter 2015, he rarely misses a class and puts in significant time working on his skills at home. He is a gracious and kind classmate, helping to create a welcoming, amiable environment. Eager to immerse himself in Spanish, Robert has enjoyed time studying in Mexico and takes every chance he can to practice his language skills and befriend native speakers. His willingness to take on challenges and make mistakes illustrates his humility and patience - qualities that are a great boon in the quest to learn a foreign language. We are grateful for Robert’s contributions to our community at Tierra and proud to witness his impressive progress.

Name:  Robert Dismukes
Occupation:  Retired economist
Time Studying at Tierra:   Two years

1) Why are you studying Spanish?

"I like to feel connected and understand people and cultures in the world around me.  What better way is there to do this than to learn Spanish, the language of many neighbors here in the United States and elsewhere in the Americas?"

2) What is your favorite part about your experience here at Tierra?

"The small sizes of classes, the camaraderie of the students and the enthusiasm and skillfulness of the teachers combine to make learning at Tierra fun but challenging."

3) Can you tell us of a time you have been able to use what you have learned studying here?

"I have been able to make friends with Spanish speaking people in Portland and have been able to build on what I have learned at Tierra to study Spanish more intensively in Mexico."

¡Felicidades Robert!