Moving Out Mania

It's official-- I am moving to Spain in one week and there's no turning back now! (Well, technically, if you asked my parents I'm sure they'd strongly remind me that I could always move back in with them! Ha ha ;) wink, wink... Sorry, I love you Mom and Dad, but Spain is still definitely calling my name!) Seriously though, just look at that picture!! Even though it is a beautiful pile of packing perfection (if I do say so myself-- he he) I'm serious when I say that there's no way anyone is going to get me to touch that for a very long time! I'm sure all of the thoughtful, loving family members and friends who helped that day would agree because NO ONE believed that we could get all of that stuff into that 10x10x10 ft storage locker. Thankfully, we did it!! :) And I seriously can't thank everyone who helped enough! You are awesome!

By the way, I must add that this huge pile of stuff is not just mine. It is also my boyfriend Brendan's. He is moving to Spain, too! (I know-- what a guy ♥) :)

Brendan got a grant (job) from the Ministry of Education of Spain to be a North American Language and Culture Assistant (A.K.A. an assistant in English classrooms in Spain) during the 2009-10 school year. Click here if you are insterested in finding out more about this grant. He will be teaching in a high school in a small city called Palencia, about a 2 hour train ride north of the city I will be living in. But I'm not complaining, especially when I consider the alternate choice of a plane ride over the Atlantic Ocean-- I feel so lucky! We are both so excited for the adventures that will be coming our way throughout this year! :) Hmmm... now what to pack in my suitcase...?

About Cori's Blog "Experiencias en Salamanca"

Just a little over a year ago, I learned the exciting news that I had been selected as the Ambassadorial Scholar for Rotary District 7120 for the 2009-2010 academic year. For those of you who are not familiar with the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, the following is a little bit of information I got right from the official Rotary International website, www.rotary.org:

The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarship is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.


In my case, my host city and country is Salamanca, Spain and I am going to be a graduate student at la Universidad de Salamanca. At the university I will be studying in the Masters program called "Enseñanza de español como lengua extranjera" or Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language.

Since graduating from Nazareth College in May of 2008, I have completed my first year of professional life as a middle school Spanish teacher at the Greece Central School District and I have started my Masters Degree in Bilingual Education at SUNY Brockport. Although I know that pursuing this scholarship does mean putting all of this on hold, I am confident that my experiences throughout this next year will be well worth it in the end. I am so excited to see what Salamanca has in store for me, and also, to be able to share my experiences with all of you here-- Enjoy! :)