Hi Everyone!
We are now officially just over a month into the TAB program. The time has gone by so quickly. As the weeks go by, I’m enjoying my time at the school more and more. I’ve built connections and friendships with all the students, and I find myself looking forward to Mondays after not seeing them for a few days. I’ve also developed a great relationship with my partner teacher, who has already shared so many valuable tips and tricks that I can apply in my future classroom. Although the school is bilingual, with students dividing their time evenly between English and Spanish, some of the newer students have lower English proficiency. I’ve had the privilege of working one-on-one with them, helping to improve their reading and writing skills in English. Coming from a science background, I’ve found this to be a new and interesting challenge—perhaps something I’d consider pursuing in the future.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be in Spain, a country full of beautiful cities that are easily accessible by high-speed train. Last weekend, my best friend from Calgary came to visit, and we took the train from Madrid to Barcelona. While both cities have their charm, Barcelona has a unique history and beauty, especially in Gaudí’s architecture, that sets it apart from Madrid. We spent the weekend exploring iconic sites like the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, and of course, we made time to visit the famous Barceloneta Beach. Barcelona has left a special mark on me, and I hope to return one day to explore even more. What’s great about Spain isn’t just the abundance of beautiful cities, but also how close it is to other European destinations by plane. I was actually born in Serbia and usually visit my family during the summer. This weekend, I had the chance to fly to Serbia and spend a few days with them. It’s so interesting to experience Serbia, and Europe in general, during the fall and compare it to autumn back home. They are undeniably different.
We have about three weeks left on this trip, and I’m already feeling sad that it will be over before I know it. I’m hoping to make the most of my remaining time here and can’t wait to update you all on what that looks like. Talk to you soon!
Natalija
PS. Unfortunately, I am still unable to post any photos 🙁