TEFL Course Week 1: Role of the Teacher

My online TEFL course through International TEFL Academy started this week, and as nerdy as this sounds, I was really excited to start learning! Apart from a weekend training I took back in 2012 from the Minnesota Literacy Council, I've never had much formal training on how to be an effective teacher. The plus side is …

Hiking Laguna Verde / Volcán Azufral

Laguna Verde Volcán Azufral is a breathtaking (quite literally, at times!) hike situated in the southwestern corner of Colombia, near the Ecuadorian border. The hike includes spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, a lookout of the green lagoon (laguna verde) from above, and a chance to walk down to the lagoon and over to the Azufral …

UCETAM Language Assistant Program in Madrid: Overview and Application Process

UCETAM (Unión de Cooperativas de Enseñanza de Trabajo Asociado de Madrid) is another Spain teaching program for Americans. According to their website, UCETAM: "...is an independent organization that was created in 1985 and now comprises 104 teaching cooperatives, Labor Societies, Foundations and Associations, which are arranged in a legal manner and joint ventures with Social Economy …

Meddeas Program: Final Stage

On January 19th, I was notified via e-mail that I've made it to the final stage for candidates in the Meddeas program: Dear Laura, My name is Leyre and I am one of Meddeas’ International Relations Advisers. I am writing to inform you that you have made it to the final list of candidates for our 2017/2018 …

Spanish Ministry’s Auxiliares Program: Application & Timeline

The Spanish government's auxiliares program, also known as the North American Language & Culture Assistant (NALCA) program, is arguably the most widely known teaching programs for foreigners in Spain. Accepting over 2,000 assistants each year, NALCA is a popular program for people of any age who may be looking for a "gap year" or a way to simply …

Las Lajas Sanctuary in Ipiales, Colombia

El Santuario Las Lajas (Las Lajas Sanctuary) is a beautiful basilica located in a canyon in Ipiales, Colombia. Built with a gothic style between 1916 and 1949, Las Lajas is a popular tourist destination near the Ecuador border not only for its architecture, but for its religious and cultural significance in the region and its family-friendly walking trails, …

How to cross the Colombia – Ecuador border by foot

Crossing the Colombian - Ecuadorian border is in fact quite easy, but it could require a bit of time and patience. There are a couple ways to cross the border by land, but one of the most popular ways is through the Rumichaca/Tulcan route. Here are the steps you need to take to cross from …