Hey! ¡Hola de nuevo! My name is Harrison. I'm from Tarpon Springs, Florida, a small town known for its large Greek community. I'm not Greek myself, but I remember taking trips to the Sponge Docks when family came to visit. We'd eat flaming, fried, gooey-delicious cheese; meander through fragrant soap factories; and gawk at humongous barrels full of dried sponges that practically melted in your hand as soon as you got them wet. Although you can never really know where your passions come from, looking back, it seems to me that exposure to a different culture while I was young has led me to become the curious person I am today.
Curiously enough, I'll be setting off soon to live in rural Spain, where I'll serve as an auxiliar de conversación (conversation assistant). That's a fancy way of saying that I'll be helping out in English language classrooms. Some days, I might lead small-group discussions or work one-on-one with learners. Other times, I could be expected to give a presentation on U.S. culture. Hopefully, as you follow my journey, you'll get the chance to see what school is like in other parts of the world. How different can it be?
You should probably know that this isn't the first time I've been to Spain. While I was a student at Florida State University, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Valencia, the third-largest city in the country. A year later, I went back to work at that same study center! There's a special place in my heart for that city; it's where I came into my confidence as a Spanish speaker and young adult.
Now, I'm headed to the opposite end of the Iberian Peninsula, to a region called Galicia. Through the Fulbright program, I've been assigned to a school just outside the village of Lousame (low-saw-may), population: approximately 200. Talk about a world of difference! I'm really looking forward to the chance to see a new side of Spain and, more importantly, to meet the people who live there. I also can't wait to report back some of the cool stuff I find, and you'll have to let me know if there's anything you’re interested in.
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
