By Señora Robin Begley, Upper School Spanish Teacher
For the third year in a row, Sra. Begley’s Spanish 450 students recently experienced an unforgettable day at Saint Louis University (SLU). This unique opportunity allowed them to immerse themselves in advanced-level Spanish coursework, explore the campus, and connect with SLU faculty and students. The visit was a celebration of their hard work and a testament to how far these young learners have come in their Spanish journey.
The day began with engaging conversations with SLU faculty members. Students met Dr. André Zampaulo, Chair of the Department of Modern Languages, and Dr. Ana Montero, Spanish Undergraduate Program Coordinator. Both professors shared valuable insights into the academic and professional opportunities that studying Spanish can provide. Adding a relatable perspective were SLU students Hayden Turley and Monique Valdepeñas, who spoke about their experiences as double majors. Their reflections on integrating Spanish into broader academic and career goals inspired our students to think creatively about their own futures.
The campus tour, conducted in Spanish, offered a fresh perspective on SLU’s facilities, history, and architecture. As students explored iconic spaces such as the library and church, they envisioned themselves as part of the university’s vibrant community. For many, the tour was an eye-opening experience, offering new insights into the campus’s unique character.
One of the most impactful parts of the day was attending a culture class with SLU students. This provided an authentic opportunity for our group to apply their Spanish skills in a real-world academic setting. Reflecting on this experience, Avery Henriksen ’26 shared, «Mi favorita parte del día fue cuando fui a la clase con los estudiantes de SLU en la clase de cultura. Me gusta crear una conexión con los estudiantes y ver mi futuro de español cuando vaya a la universidad.”* Audrey Marino ’26 also reflected on this, adding, «Creo que sí seguiré estudiando español en la universidad. Ahora tengo un poco más de confianza hablando español con otras personas, especialmente cuando fui a clase con otros estudiantes.»*
Culinary and cultural exploration added yet another layer of richness to the day. A meal at Salsa Rosada gave students a chance to savor diverse cuisines while engaging in the cherished Spanish-speaking cultural practice of the sobremesa—lingering at the table after a meal to talk and share. These moments of cultural connection, paired with delicious food, brought joy and a deeper appreciation for the culture our students are studying.
For Gabriel Weaver ’26, when asked about his reflection on the day, he offered, «Mi experiencia fue fantástica, me gustan las clases, los maestros y especialmente la comida. El tour alrededor del campus fue bueno también.»*
The visit left a strong impression on the students. Ian Zar ’26 remarked, «Sí, recomendaría que repitiera la experiencia. No cambiaría nada, pero un poco de información sobre las clases que tomamos estaría bueno.»* His words echoed a sentiment shared by many: the day was both educational and inspiring, providing a glimpse of the possibilities ahead.
Joining us as a second chaperone was Doña Ines Shultz, our Middle School Accelerated Spanish Teacher. Having taught many of these students earlier in their academic careers, Señora Shultz shared her reflections on their impressive progress in a thoughtful email:
«Buenos días, Deseo aprovechar esta oportunidad para agradecer a la Sra. Begley el haberme permitido disfrutar de esa visita tan linda a SLU con uds. Jóvenes queridos, estoy impresionada con el nivel del español que tienen. Pues hablan muy bien, comprenden muy bien o tratan de hacerlo y lo logran y pueden comunicarse. Me siento tan feliz por ustedes y el increíble trabajo que Sra. Begley hace con uds. Mucha suerte queridos jóvenes en todo.
Cuídense,
Doña Ines / Señora Shultz»
In English:
«Good morning,
I want to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Begley for allowing me to enjoy such a lovely visit to SLU with you all. I am impressed with the level of Spanish you have. You speak very well, understand very well, and make an effort of doing so, and are able to communicate. I feel so happy for you all and the incredible work Mrs. Begley does with you. Best of luck, dear young people, in everything. Take care,
Doña Inez / Señora Schultz.»
This visit to SLU was more than just a day on campus; it was a transformative experience. The students’ reflections and Señora Shultz’s observations underscored the incredible progress they have made and the bright futures they have ahead.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the staff and faculty at SLU who made this experience so impactful, and congratulations to our Spanish 450 students for their continued growth and success!
*Translations:
- Avery Henriksen: «My favorite part of the day was when I went to class with the SLU students in culture class. I like to create a connection with students and see my Spanish future when I go to university.»
- Audrey Marino: «I think I will continue studying Spanish at university. Now I have a little more confidence speaking Spanish with other people, especially when I went to class with other students.»
- Gabriel Weaver: «My experience was fantastic, I like the classes, the teachers and especially the food. The tour around the campus was good too.»
- Ian Zar: «Yes, I would recommend that you repeat the experience. I wouldn’t change anything, but a little information about the classes we took would be nice.»