Lynsey Esser, CIMC student assistant since January 2006, will take a break from her CIMC duties this summer to bask in another culture-- in Oaxaca, Mexico.

"I'll be staying with a host family while I go to school in Oaxaca," Lynsey says, "and that's also a big part of the program, the Mexican culture and Spanish language immersion, which I'm really excited about.

"This is a study abroad program through UW-Madison, so I'll be taking Spanish classes while I'm in Oaxaca. I'll also be volunteering in the area, and hopefully it will be in a school, since I am an Elementary Education major."

She'll live and study in Oaxaca for 2 months, then in Cuernavaca for another 3 weeks. She'll continue her Spanish studies at the university there.

How do you cover the expenses of extended study abroad? Lynsey got a scholarship from the UW-Alumni Association that will cover a small part of her costs, "but," she says, "otherwise I plan on using my savings and taking out a loan if necessary."

And why this particular study abroad program? "I am completing a Spanish minor along with my Elementary Education major, so I won't be certified to teach Spanish in school, but my goal is to be bilingual. Hopefully this experience in Mexico will help me reach my goal!"

A great goal it is, too. We wish Lynsey safe travels and a wonderful summer in Mexico!