Spanish 450 Students Explore Language Pathways at Washington University
Señora Robin Begley, Upper School Spanish Teacher, recently took her Spanish 450 students to Washington University in St. Louis on Tuesday, April 14, for an engaging and inspiring day centered on higher education opportunities in Spanish. Throughout the visit, students applied their advanced language skills in authentic settings while gaining valuable insight into university-level study.
The day began with a visit to a 3000-level Spanish course, where students experienced the rigor of college academics firsthand. They also connected with undergraduate Spanish students, engaging in thoughtful conversations about coursework, studying abroad, and campus life. It was also a wonderful surprise to see alumna Nina Bhayani ’25 as a student in one of the classes our group attended—a meaningful reminder of the continued path our graduates take in pursuing Spanish at the university level.
Students had the privilege of meeting with Ignacio Infante, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Romance Languages & Literatures, and Rebeca Fromm Ayoroa, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies in Spanish, deepening their understanding of pursuing language studies at WashU and beyond.
The Department of Romance Languages & Literatures graciously hosted the group for lunch and a lively Q&A session, where students asked insightful questions about academics and careers in Spanish. In the afternoon, alumni Hale Foster ’25 and Sophie Yokoo ’25 led a personalized campus tour, sharing their favorite spaces and experiences. We are especially grateful to Hale and Sophia for their time and generosity—their perspectives made the experience all the more meaningful. Sophie’s participation was particularly special, as her sister, Isadora ’28, is a member of the Spanish 450 class.
The visit concluded with a session led by Demetrius Coleman, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, who outlined academic programs, admissions, and scholarship opportunities.
Reflecting on the experience, Sra. Begley shared, “Seeing my students gain independence in Spanish and navigate a university course was something to behold. They engaged with complex ideas in Spanish, and the professors were deeply impressed by their level. Their maturity and kindness carried through in the language as well. I am so proud of who they are—not only as Spanish students, but as compassionate, engaged individuals. We need more of that.”
Chaperone Carolyn Dalton, Middle and Upper School French Teacher, said, “For many students, stepping onto the campus of one of the nation’s top 20 universities made the experience feel both real and inspiring. We joined advanced level 3 courses conducted entirely in Spanish, where university students were exploring the repression of minorities within Latino cultures. At first, our students listened intently, taking it all in, but during a quick check-in, it became clear just how much they were understanding.
“The most powerful moment came during small group discussions. Our MICDS students didn’t just follow the conversation—they actively participated, exchanging thoughtful perspectives with university students, entirely in Spanish. The whole day offered a meaningful glimpse of what’s possible, and a testament to the dedication of our Spanish faculty, who empower students to reach this level of confidence and proficiency.”
A particularly poignant moment of the day was our group photo at the Elizabeth Danforth Butterfly Garden. It was a beautiful day, and the setting reflected the shared history between MICDS and Washington University, providing a meaningful and memorable backdrop for the experience.
This visit offered students a powerful glimpse into their future beyond MICDS, particularly as members of the Class of 2027, and encouraged them to envision how their passion for Spanish can shape their academic and professional paths.
Some students discovered that the college-level class felt familiar thanks to their Spanish classes at MICDS. “I found the experience quite educational, especially our Spanish class shadowing,” shared Justin Karam ’27. “I learned a lot about how the college structure works, but more than that, I found out what the most advanced Spanish looks like. The funny thing is that what we do in class normally is not dissimilar to what I witnessed.”
Other students enjoyed the new level of practicing Spanish and the chance to explore a college campus. “The trip definitely helped improve my Spanish-speaking confidence,” said Grant Krainik ’27. “My main worry with speaking in Spanish is that I will be misunderstood or appear incompetent. The simple act of speaking in a high-level class and having someone more advanced than I understand really helped build my confidence. Additionally, I listened to a lot of really good Spanish speakers talk during presentations, which helped me pick up on new vocabulary and eased me into speaking Spanish.
“The WashU field trip was a really cool experience overall, but if I had to choose a single highlight, it would definitely be being able to tour a prospective college more in-depth than a traditional tour might allow.”
Arissa Alpaslan ’27 said, “A highlight from the field trip for me was the immersive classroom experience I got to do with my classmates. It was an opportunity that I couldn’t have found anywhere else, and I’m grateful for the chance to learn Spanish in a university environment. As well as expanding my Spanish knowledge, I could tell the WashU students were passionate about their studies and were in this class for more than just the language.”
The experience offered a glimpse into a possible future for these students. “This trip helped me to grow as a Spanish speaker by showing me what different Spanish-speaking classrooms can be like and how they can go past high school level,” Alpaslan added. “While my MICDS classroom experience is excellent, the university classroom experience went beyond my expectations. At WashU, we discussed the benefits and disadvantages of Americans traveling to Mexico for surgeries simply because it’s cheaper there. The key takeaway is that the university experience applies all the skills learned previously to create an environment where Spanish is used to explore culture and literature.”
Sra. Begley extends her sincere thanks to Ms. Dalton, as well as Ignacio Infante and Rebeca Fromm Ayoroa for their thoughtful coordination and warm hospitality.
Spanish 550 & 600 Students Celebrate at the Apex of MICDS’ Spanish Program
On Thursday, April 16, our senior Spanish students in AP® Spanish and Spanish 550 enjoyed a field trip that celebrated how much they’ve pushed themselves to the top of our MICDS Spanish program, and inspired them to consider continuing their studies in college and through studying abroad.
The first stop on the field trip was Club Viva, where members of the Class of 2026 enjoyed salsa and bachata dance lessons with instructor Carlos Reyes.
- Ají de gallina – Shredded chicken in spicy aji Amarillo creamy sauce, served with potato and rice garnished with boiled egg, olives, pecans, and Parmesan cheese
- Pollo a la brasa – Peruvian style rotisserie chicken
- Tallarín saltado vegetariano – Peruvian-style Lo Mein cooked with onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes in a special sauce
- Empanadas colombianas – Fried empanadas stuffed with beef and potatoes
- Tostones con ahogado – Fried plantains served with tomato and green onions sauce
- Papa a la huancaína – Potatoes topped with creamy Peruvian yellow pepper sauce
- Chips
- Salsa
- Cheese dip
- Inca Kola – a very popular Peruvian soda
Dr. Bea Grayson, Upper School Spanish Teacher, shared how the restaurant brought the topics studied in her Spanish 550 class to life. “The restaurant menu was enjoyable for the Spanish 550 class since they spent the previous three weeks learning about different aspects of Peruvian life, including the world-famous gastronomy scene in Lima,” she said. “Specifically, we learned about Asian influences on their cuisine, so being able to eat Peruvian noodles was particularly special.”
Over lunch, the teachers invited three guest speakers—WashU senior Nora Jarquin, WashU senior Samira Saleh, and SLU junior Reese Langhorne—to eat with them and share about their experiences with Spanish in college. All three speakers are university students who currently double-major in Spanish and another complementary area. They also all have studied abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.
“Something I found extremely valuable from the Spanish field trip was hearing from guest speakers who are currently Spanish students in college,” shared Mia Brauer ’26. “This experience really helped me understand what taking Spanish will look like next year. Each of the three students who spoke to us is studying Spanish at their university. I learned that two out of the three students switched from minoring in Spanish to double-majoring. Hearing from them helped me make the decision to switch from a Spanish minor to a double major. In all, this experience helped me understand what the next few years of my life would look like, with Spanish being an important part of my educational experience.” How fun it was for our students to be inspired by these three current college students!
“This trip is a celebration of the hard work and years of study that all of these seniors have dedicated to honing their Spanish language proficiency and cultural competence,” said Kelly Weidenmiller, Upper School Spanish Teacher. “Each and every one of them is walking out into the real world next year with relevant skills that will serve them in their future endeavors, whether that be majoring or minoring in the language, studying abroad, or even using their language skills in future internships, volunteer opportunities, or careers. Seeing them joyfully immerse themselves in Latin culture today, from dancing salsa and bachata to trying new Peruvian flavors, it is clear evidence that our World Language program has not only prepared them for the next step in their lives, but also created young people who are willing to take risks and go forward with open hearts, ready to embrace and appreciate different cultures. Finally, having our guest speakers from local universities share their personal stories about studying abroad was the perfect way to end our outing, offering advice and inspiration to our seniors who are excited for their next phase in life.”
¡Felicidades, seniors, for your hard work in the MICDS Spanish program! We can’t wait to see what connections and doors open for you, thanks to your understanding of the Spanish language and culture!