Teach & Learn: Unique opportunity for rewarding graduate school experiences at an unbeatable value

I participated in the Teach & Learn program at Universidad de Alcala's Instituto Franklin during the 2017-18 academic year. Since graduation, I have come to regard the experience as one of the most important pillars of my personal and professional trajectory.

This program is ideal for new or experienced teachers and anyone who wants to work within the educational field. I chose to pursue a Master of International Education, but there are a total of six different degrees that match the skills and interests of prospective applicants. Plus the transferrable skills gained during the program will be valuable to anyone, regardless of their career path.

Being able to work in an ESL classroom alongside experienced teachers was the most significant aspect of the program for me. This practical experience, coupled with the theoretical and academic exploration of education in my Master's classes, has significantly enhanced my skills as a teacher, but also in the areas of public speaking, workplace etiquette, professional networking, academic writing, and others.

The three different funding options allow for a great deal of flexibility when it comes to financing your degree. A similarly positioned Master's program in the United States would cost at least $35-40 thousand dollars, but since I chose to teach in a local school as part of my degree practicum, I never received a tuition bill as my labor helped offset the cost of tuition.

This program also offers a high degree of work-life balance. Between my commitments as an ESL teacher and my coursework at Instituto Franklin, I estimate that my time "on the clock" did not exceed 40 hours per week (except when wrapping up my thesis project in the final weeks). Pursuing a Master's degree while also working part-time originally seemed daunting, but I found that with enough foresight and time management I was able to juggle many competing priorities with a healthy level of stress. I appreciate this very much since I was really able to take advantage of living in a foreign country and didn't feel so overwhelmed from working all the time.

Lastly, the administrators and staff that operate the Teach & Learn program are very helpful, always friendly, and genuinely seem to care about their students' success and wellbeing. For example, many of my professors have offered career advice and expressed their willingness to serve as a reference for their students. I hope to always stay connected to the Instituto Franklin staff, and I will consider them to be lifelong friends and mentors. I also made great friends with my fellow students and still keep in touch with them on a regular basis even though several of us are thousands of miles away from each other.

In conclusion, the Teach & Learn program at Instituto Franklin is a unique opportunity that many people only wish they had the opportunity to pursue. I would highly recommend the experience to anyone!