October 2014 - Tanya Luken

With a joyful attitude and buckets full of motivation, Tanya has taken on learning Spanish like there’s no tomorrow. Committed to joining a program in the Peace Corps in which she will train people in a Spanish-speaking country to become business owners, Tanya’s passion for service and empowerment  inspires her dedication to learning the language. Having started out in Beginner 1 this past spring, she has breezed through our entire Beginner series by taking the intensive, twice weekly classes and is graduating to “intermediate” material this fall. Eager to practice in any way she can, she’s been speaking in Spanish with her friends and family (even the ones who don’t speak Spanish!) and taking every opportunity to use her newly acquired skills. It’s clear that with such drive, Tanya will reach great heights and we wish her the best of luck in her continued studies and future volunteer work.

Name: Tanya Luken
Occupation: Certified Public Accountant
Time Studying at Tierra: 6 months

1) Why are you studying Spanish?  

"I have applied to join the Peace Corps and teach people how to become business owners, and the program requires Spanish."

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

"The teachers and other students.  Cecy and Heather are great instructors!  Plus I have two new friends, Brandy and Emily, that I met on the first night of Beginner 1 and we've continued through the classes together."

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

"I use it all the time!  My sister studied Spanish through school, so I text her in Spanish and make her help me with my homework.  I write letters to my Grandma in Spanish (and another in English).  I call my Ma on the way to class each Wednesday and she lets me talk at her in Spanish (then I tell her in English).  I practice at some of my favorite Mexican restaurants.  I borrow children's books in Spanish from the library, too."

¡Felicidades Tanya!