When I started my internship and studies at the Lutheran College Washington Semester in Washington, D.C., I thought that I had made the wrong decision. As a psychology major and Spanish minor, I am one of the only non-political science or communications majors in the program. However, after adapting to the DC lifestyle, I found many ways to utilize my Spanish skills.

In addition to simply hearing the Spanish language virtually everywhere I travel around the city, I am volunteering every weekend at the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Santa María, Washington's Spanish-language Lutheran congregation. Pastor Leonel Cruz has given me the opportunity to start teaching an English as a Second Language (ESL) course for Latino adults on Sunday mornings. Although the class has been extremely challenging, I find that my Spanish skills have helped me to communicate with the students. My Spanish knowledge is especially helpful when they are confused about the new English material. Often, if I introduce a new vocabulary word or phrase to the class, I use the Spanish equivalent if they are having trouble understanding the new concept.

Lastly, during my commute from Arlington, Virginia to DC, I have purchased Spanish Cosmopolitan magazines at local vendors, given directions to lost Spanish tourists, and had conversations with my classmate who is a Mexican native, living in California. I consistently strive to enhance my Spanish language skills; this is not a difficult task in Washington, D.C.

--Gretchen Herbert, '04

Gretchen will be continuing her Spanish-speaking adventures as travels to Spain this summer with the LVAIC program in Seville.