Halftime Highlights – and happy birthday to my wonderful parents

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When I finally decided I wanted to study abroad, I was in a tight spot financially but because I have only one semester left before I graduate it was imperative that I go this summer. When I went to my parents for advice they never said I couldnโ€™t do it they just told me I was going to have to work for it. And work we did. I pulled extra shifts at work, had fundraisers, and applied for as many scholarships as I could. There were definitely days when I wasnโ€™t sure I could make the cut but my parents urged me on and graciously helped close the gap, and even surpass my goal. Without a doubt I wouldnโ€™t have been able to experience this wonderful country without them and Iโ€™m so lucky to have such awesome people in my life.

Anyway I’m in Jordan for my both my parents birthdays so I compiled a highlights reel of my time in Jordan so far. Iโ€™m sure they’re going to like it and I hope yaโ€™ll do too so here it is!

Martha Ramos

<i>*Texas Scholarship</i> Marhaba! My name is Martha and Iโ€™m a student at the University of Texas at Arlington and Iโ€™m a huge nerd for all things related to language so naturally I chose linguistics as my major and Arabic my minor and upon graduating I will have earned my TESOL certificate that will enable me to teach English abroad (Inshaโ€™allah!). In my senior year of college, I had an abrupt change of plans when my dream job suddenly was no longer a possibility for me for astronomical reasons beyond my control. I had to rethink my career plans but as the old adage goes, when one door closes, another one opens! I delved into my language studies and am now torn between the possibilities of my future! Teaching English in Latin America or the Middle East is most definitely in my future! I hope to spend some time in the Peace Corps after graduating from UTA and later on contribute to the conservation of Endangered Languages while pursuing my graduate degree. This Summer Iโ€™ll be traveling to Jordan in an effort to refine my Arabic and acquire a glimpse into the lives of my future students.While Iโ€™m there I hope to volunteer in an ESL classroom and teach English to local Jordanians. The Scholarship from FEA has made real for me the opportunity that up until recently was just slightly out of reach and I look forward to such an experience.