Samantha Witham is an American student who has chosen UIC Barcelona to study the Postgraduate Degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. She was born in Lakeland, a city close to Orlando, and studied Religion and Public Administration with the idea of working in an NGO, but she now feels that education is her vocation, although she is not closing any doors for the future. This book-lover, who enjoys running, travelling and spending time with friends, tells us about her experience at UIC Barcelona and how her postgraduate studies will help open new doors for her.

How have you adapted to life in Barcelona?
I have adapted very well thanks to eve-ryone who welcomed me. I am very grateful to my school community and to my host families. Moving away from your country of origin is a challenge. I cannot imagine attempting it without the incredible support system I have had here!

What did you most like about the course?
Its flexibility and applicability. I am cur-rently working at a school, and when I plan classes with other teachers or in the class-room, I use the strategies and methods I learned. It is truly gratifying to see how my own learning and studies work and benefit the students!

Would you recommend it?
Definitely, I would recommend it to teachers who wish to learn more about innovative student-focused strategies for teaching English.

Which aptitudes do you think a person needs to become a good teacher?
I think that the fact that the teacher wants to go to school every day, and really wants to be there to support the students. This is a really important factor we sometimes take for granted.

Do you have anyone you look up to in the education field?
I am lucky to have many great examples in the school where I work, the Llissach School in Santpedor, my super-visor who is the head of the Department of English, the other teachers of the language, the principal and many other teachers. They are all examples of true educators.