I decided to study Spanish when I was still in France. I was in a Spanish class but I couldn’t understand a single word but it just sounded like such a wonderful language; animated, energetic and passionate. 3 years later I began majoring in Spanish and enjoying every minute of it. And since last year, I've been in Xela! I really appreciate this immersion experience at Guate Spanish that puts emphasis on speaking Spanish since my university in France there is not much focus on oral work, which makes it really hard to put what you have learned into practice. Learning about Guatemalan culture more in depth has only encouraged my desire to travel around and see these fascinating places. It’s one thing to know a language but it’s much more interesting and inspiring to know about the cultures that have developed around it. I guess that is the reason I began taking a class in k'iche' also. Apart from greatly enriching my academic life, the year as a whole lead me down a path of great personal growth. I spent the first half of the year studying Spanish, volunteering and experiencing the thrills of Guatemalan life. I lived near the central park of the city with my host family. I met some inspiring people and through their influence felt the strong connection between myself and the world in which I live which continues to grow alongside my enthusiasm for life. When the time came to go back to France I found myself with enough material to write a PhD and the experience of converting the experience gained from my time in Guatemala into a thesis became a challenging but extremely satisfying task. Above all, the year has focused and centred what interests me in the world. It has given me the stimulation I needed for a greater life journey, a journey which I will continue in the future. The possibilities and opportunities of life are like an ever-expanding and thriving tree. In many ways the time in Xela is what planted the seed for me.

Clara O. France

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