Fearless Friday No. 1 – Hildy

Meet Hildy – Expat in Peru

My name is Hildy Joseph and I grew up in a suburb of Boston. As a kid, I was always fascinated with Spanish and the idea of being able to communicate with a greater variety of people by using multiple languages. Though I was enrolled in Spanish, I was never really able to communicate in my second language until my first trip abroad.

My best friend from high school took a gap year to au pair in Europe and I visited her during my freshman year at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. When we went to Madrid, Spain, I was amazed that I actually could communicate using words outside of my native language, but also quickly realized the vastness of mastering an entirely new language. For every word that I was able to say or understand, there seemed to be hundreds that I did not know. 

Spending time living abroad was always a goal of mine, and it was finally realized after I got my Master’s degree in secondary science education from UW-Madison

Teaching internationally has granted me amazing opportunities to travel and have a range of experiences while also living in a comfortable and supportive expat environment. 

On Education

Did you attend college? If so, where, and how did you choose that school/those schools?

I went to Kenyon College for my undergraduate degree. I majored in biology with a minor in chemistry and a concentration in environmental studies. A broad liberal arts education was critical for my development, as I was able to really explore my different passions and interests. After a few years of working, I realized that my skills and interests are best suited to education and received my Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UW-Madison.

Did you participate in study abroad while at school? For how long, and with what program? 

As a high school senior, I had a large binder with meticulously collected materials from each of my prospective college options, including details on each school’s study abroad options (we all have a bit of Amy Santiago in us, right?).

However, by the time my junior year approached, I began to sense that study abroad was not exactly the right fit

The experience I had in my mind was one of independence, autonomy, and having a life abroad, something I did not feel like totally aligned within the structured confines of a college program. Study abroad is a wonderful and enriching experience, but also not the only way for an American to experience life abroad.

Professional Background

Is it necessary to have a master’s degree in your field? PhD?

Strictly speaking, having a master’s degree is not completely necessary in international education. However, many international schools do require a person to hold a teaching certification in their home country. Additionally, having a master’s degree both makes me a stronger teacher and opens doors to more job opportunities.

What routes are available to you professionally longer-term (say, within the next five to ten years)?

I intend to stay at my current position for at least several years. International schools often hire teachers on an initial two-year contract upon which contracts can be renewed annually, and so it generally is a longer term commitment.

On Lifestyle

Why do you enjoy traveling?

I enjoy traveling to see new things, meet new people, have adventures in a new place, and most importantly, to continue sharpening my second language skills. However, I also live abroad in part so that I do not need to travel to get those sorts of experiences. Traveling is interesting and enriching, but can also be completely draining. By living abroad I am constantly immersed in a new culture right at my doorstep without being constantly on the move or dealing with traveling stress and logistics.

Do you think young people in your home country would benefit from traveling more? Living abroad more? Why?

Absolutely! People gain a lot of empathy, compassion, and a deep understanding of the world by living in a new place and interacting with new people.

When I was growing up, I did not know anyone who had lived overseas. It is a lot more accessible than people think if you do your research and find the right situation.

One last question

What advice would you give to someone who knows they want to travel, but isn’t sure where that fits in with the rest of their lives?

There are lots of ways to travel on any sort of timeline and budget. I would recommend doing extensive research on the location and the volunteer or job opportunity you are seeking. It may be there you can find a short term position, such as being a camp counselor. Or if you are looking for a longer term position, several countries like Spain and Chile have programs through which you can teach English. (Editor’s note: articles with details on these locations are forthcoming.) It may also work for you to go abroad and work remotely at a job in the US. 

A word of caution: do not assume that because you speak English you will necessarily be a great fit for any job overseas

I have met various people who came to Latin America to teach English, but without a functional knowledge of Spanish or a specific opportunity in mind. While some countries have strong English language learning programs, many do not and the market is oversaturated in some places with expats trying to live abroad on English lessons alone. Finding mentors who had done something similar was an important part of the research process for me as well. 

If you know that you want to go overseas, I would encourage you to make the jump, as long as you have done your homework and you know what you are getting yourself into.

A few months, or even a couple years, is ultimately not that much time over the course of your professional career

For me, it ultimately came down to something I knew I’d regret if I didn’t explore, and I am so grateful that I have pursued this path.

Editor’s note: This article has been lightly edited for concision and clarity.

***

If you connected with Hildy’s story, she invites you to connect with her on the following platform:

Twitter: @hildyjoseph

Thank you for reading about Hildy, an American expat in Peru! Fearless Friday Features are posted every Friday evening France time. If you have any follow-up questions or comments about the feature, please feel free to leave them below. Until next time – a bientôt !