After graduating college with a BSE in English, I wanted to challenge myself outside of mastery of my native language. I had taken Spanish classes as part of my degree program, and in my last semester realized my desire to learn that language in its entirety as my new personal, and later professional, goal. 

Since my scholarships ran out after year four, I would have to go on to achieve this goal through a variety of other educational opportunities. First, I began online, using one-on-one Spanish platforms such as italki and Preply, while I worked as a cashier to save up funds for a trip to Mexico.

In fall of 2020, I took that trip, by way of a foreign language immersion and homestay program at Instituto Jovel, in the beautiful city of San Cristóbal de Las Casas. The rigorous hours spent in class there, as well as the constant communicative contact I had with the natives, gave me a fuller understanding of Latin American culture and a much deeper Spanish comprehension.

My acquired language still wasn’t perfect, though. Unfortunately, I had spent all my cashier money on that adventure abroad, and, truthfully, now feared having to enter once again into a long period of half-learning, half-working in order to complete my studies and become a professional. So instead I threw myself into the US Army in order to train to become a linguist. That plan didn’t work out either for medical reasons, but I did earn more time in a foreign language learning environment, as well as more savings.

And so, as soon as I got out with those savings, I utilized the time it afforded me, polished off my Spanish, and took the SIELE exam, scoring a 240 out of 250 in reading comprehension. Now certified in my language that I put so much time, money, and effort into learning, I am looking to gain experience translating for clients on sites such as ProZ. 

I am eager to serve and ready to work for you.