Now the Spain travel scholarship would make my dream of fully immersing myself in Spanish culture come true. I choose the study abroad program because I believe that knowing Spanish will allow me to become a better person, a better global citizen, and a better teacher. In the past, I have had the privilege of working, in my community, with ESL students whose families were unfamiliar with the American school system, and recently with the daughter of one of my Mexican friends. My friend, even after 20 years in the United States, barely speaks English and for this reason can only work as a housekeeper. Your daughter is fifteen, never finished middle school in Mexico and doesn't speak English. Her mother decided to hire her as a maid and not send her to school here in the United States. Without access to a solid education, they will struggle to emerge from poverty and lead a productive and fulfilling life. Since I am an ESL student myself, I feel like I can identify with my friend and her daughter who must speak an unfamiliar language fluently to function in school and in the world at large. The study abroad program would give me the opportunity, by learning my friend's language, to better understand my student and her cultural and linguistic background. By gaining more knowledge of her background I can develop culturally sensitive strategies to engage her more effectively