Hometown: Tunkhannock, PAMajor: Spanish EducationYear: SeniorOn Campus Organization: Phi Iota Chi
Her Campus: What made you want to choose Spanish as your major?Gabby Jenkins: I’ve always loved languages and I’ve always wanted to be fluent in more than one. In high school my Spanish teacher was one of the greatest teachers I’ve ever had, so I think she influenced my decision a lot.
HC: Do you find Spanish to be challenging on a college level?GJ: Yes it is definitely challenging, but studying abroad in Spain and being totally immersed in the language definitely made me feel more confident with my communication skills.
HC: What has been your favorite class so far?GJ: Any of the conversation classes. I definitely prefer them to the literature or composition courses. Also, any class with Professor Dórame-Holoviak; she is a really great teacher and I always learn a lot in her classes.
HC: What would be your ideal job in the future?GJ: My ideal job would be to have my own high school Spanish classroom, while teaching ELLs (English Language Learners) as well. Hopefully this is possible since I will be certified in both…. spending my summer months off on the beaches of Spain teaching English would be really ideal, too.
HC: Are you excited to student teach in the fall?GJ: Yes I am so excited! But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.
HC: Have you studied abroad?GJ: Yes I studied in Sevilla, Spain.
HC: I’m sure it’s hard to think of only one moment you loved most, but what was your most memorable moment from studying abroad?GJ: I loved the college program I was a part of there, CEA, because it was so personal and the professors were so friendly; it was almost more of a friendship than a teacher/student relationship. I also enjoyed the time I spent teaching Spaniards English weekly, one of my class assignments. Most of all I loved the crazy adventures I had with my friends (BU students) Jen, Michelle, and Kayeleigh. Whether we were going to class, touring cathedrals, going to the beach, missing trains, or drinking tinto veranos, these girls made my trip!
HC: Was it hard to live with a Spanish family you didn’t know?GJ: Not at all. The family I stayed with made Jen, Kayeleigh and I feel so comfortable and at home. It was really great because we were always practicing Spanish in our day-to-day conversations every time we talked with our host family. It was also nice because each meal we ate was an authentic Spanish meal, so we got to try a lot of new things.
HC: What was your favorite location during your travels?GJ: This is a difficult question….but either Sevilla, Granada, or Barcelona….mostly Sevilla though because it became my home.
HC: Would you suggest future Spanish majors to study abroad?GJ: 100% yes! It is the experience of a lifetime and it will really help you feel more confident in all aspects of Spanish.