After spending my fall semester in Madrid, I’d already fallen in love with Spain. Staying in the country for another semester felt like the perfect choice, and I was excited to continue my journey with CEA CAPA in a new Spanish city. However, I knew that this time around, I wanted to do two things differently: make a deeper connection with my host community and improve my Spanish while living in Barcelona. 

Deciding to Volunteer Abroad 

I wasn’t ready to commit to an internship, so volunteering felt like the right fit. When filling out CEA CAPA’s pre-departure modules, I decided to confirm my interest in volunteering abroad. Inspired by my dad, who had spent a year in his twenties teaching English in Taipei, Taiwan, I also decided to take a class that sparked my interest: Teaching English Abroad. I did not have any experience teaching kids, especially in a language that would be unfamiliar to them, and I didn’t know Spanish. However, I was excited to challenge myself and take a risk.  

Teaching English Abroad quickly became my favorite class. It was a small class of only six of us, and we all became friends easily. In class, we’d learn about different language learning techniques and methods of teaching, and each of us was assigned a location in the city to volunteer at based on our schedule and preferences. Some students volunteered at elementary schools, while others worked with adults. Throughout the semester, we would regularly discuss our different volunteer placements in class and how we were applying the methods we would learn in class.  

My Barcelona roommates and I outside our apartment 

Furthermore, I knew that I wanted to develop my Spanish skills, so I decided to enroll in a Spanish class through CEA CAPA. Additionally, I reached out to the CEA CAPA onsite staff and asked if they knew of anyone who would be willing to tutor me a couple of times a week. I was paired with a local Barcelona grad student, and I credit much of my improvement in Spanish to her. We met frequently, and we would work together using some of the same language-learning techniques that I would eventually use with the students I taught. 

Students painting at Collage 

I was also very happy with my decision to take a Spanish class while abroad. Learning Spanish not only helped me with daily life in Spain but also helped me to feel more confident. Through regular classes and meetings with my tutor, I soon felt comfortable ordering at cafes in Spanish and navigating conversations with locals. It felt good to know that I was making an effort to communicate with others in their language, instead of just assuming that they would know mine.  

Cathedral of Barcelona 

Teaching English at Collage 

The school I was assigned to was called Collage English School, an after-school program for kids run by native English speakers. The school focused on integrating language learning into arts, crafts, music, and theater, which was an approach I really appreciated. Each week, I would assist teachers with a small group of students, speaking to them in English and helping them complete activities. Learning a new language is intimidating, and some students are shyer and more hesitant than others. However, the groups were small, and the environment felt very comfortable and engaging. I really enjoyed being able to use the methods that I was learning in class the very next day. 

My friend Ann and I, who I met in Teaching English Abroad class 

When I first began volunteering, the kids would sometimes forget that I didn’t speak Spanish or Catalan and would ask me questions hoping that I would understand. I did my best, but usually when this happened, I felt like I couldn’t help them, and they didn’t yet know the words in English. This language barrier was a challenge to overcome. However, as I spent time in Spain, in Spanish classes, and with my tutor, I began to improve. Soon, I found myself understanding pieces of what the kids would say to each other, and sometimes, I was even able to help them when they asked me a question in Spanish.  

(Catalan is a language spoken in the region of Catalonia, Spain, including Barcelona! Most Barcelona locals consider themselves to be Catalans and speak both Spanish and Catalan fluently.) 

Students crafting at Collage English School 

A Transformative Experience 

Volunteering each week for the four months that I was in Barcelona allowed me to feel a new sense of community and connectedness to my host country, city, and people. I formed bonds with local students, teachers, and parents. I was able to enhance my Spanish and teaching skills. I learned to be patient with myself and others, and I learned how much I love spending time with kids and teaching. I learned more about the culture of Spain and Catalonia, local holidays, and events. Teaching English is a highly transferable skill, and if you love traveling and experiencing new cultures as much as I do, you have likely thought about teaching English abroad. Through this experience, I greatly enhanced my problem-solving, cultural communication, and leadership skills. All of these incredibly valuable lessons would not have been possible had I not volunteered abroad, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is considering doing so.