October 2012 - Jacob Carringer

Inquisitive and upbeat, Jacob is an exceptional Spanish student who brings a welcome mix of focused attention and hearty laughs to the classroom. With a writer’s eye for language, his analytical observations and pertinent questions enrich the educational experience for all, while his thoughtful compositions reflect the effort he puts into studying Spanish. Jacob’s amiable nature and positive attitude have led him to form strong bonds with his fellow classmates; eager to use their Spanish skills and deepen their cultural understanding, he and three of his Tierra classmates are heading to Tepotzlán México this month for an intensive week of Spanish studies and cultural immersion. We at Tierra wish them all a ¡Buen Viaje!

Name: Jacob Carringer
Occupation: Technical Writer
Time Studying at Tierra: One year

1) Why are you studying Spanish?

"Partly to brush off the cobwebs and build upon the Spanish that I had previously learned in high school; partly because I would like to gain the skills necessary to work with Spanish speakers or write for Spanish readers in the future. I believe that having a command of the Spanish language will open doors of opportunity across a wide range of fields because there are so many Spanish-speaking individuals out there, and being able to communicate with them is a valuable skill to have."

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

"Definitely the small class size. You really get the opportunity to know everyone in your class, and it is a lot of fun to study Spanish amongst a small group of friends. I would have to say that the atmosphere of the class in combination with the high quality of the instruction has always created a learning environment that has exceeded my expectations."

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

"So far, mostly in my travels. I visited Costa Rica about nine months ago, and my ability to communicate with the people there was entirely based on what I had learned up to that point in class. We hadn't really studied different verb tenses yet, so I was somewhat limited conversationally. However, our class has learned so much more since then, and we've had a lot of practice with navigating between the various tenses, so I'm excited to put my new skills to the test on an upcoming trip to Mexico!"

Congratulations Jacob!!