APPLICANTS 2020

Enter and meet our applicants:

Paula Bórquez (Early Childhood, Concepción campus):

My name is Paula Valentina Bórquez Melo and I am 22 years old. From my birth I have lived with my mother Alba and my older brothers Felipe and Andrés, in the city of Coronel. Currently two members have joined my family, my nephew Carlos and my dog Randito.

In my free time, I love being able to enjoy my favorite hobbies, which are agriculture, sports activities such as fitness, read novels, and discover and explore new places.

What motivates me to participate in the student teaching program in Minnetonka schools, is the possibility of increasing my professional knowledge, since I would face a different reality with different methodologies and strategies, which in the future I could readjust to our childhood education. In addition, having the opportunity to learn about the culture and society of a different country, starting with its language and way of life, would enhance my personal growth.

For more information, you can download my documents here.

Catalina Méndez (Early Childhood, Concepción campus):

Hi, I'm Catalina Méndez Aranda, I'm 22 years old. I was born and raised in La Calera, but I have been living in Coronel for 10 years. I live with my mother María Inés and her partner (José), and my two younger brothers Erik and David. I have a very close relationship with my dad (Mauricio), my uncles, cousins ​​and grandmothers.

I enjoy family evenings watching movies, and family trips, especially when we travel by car or bus and I can take pictures of the landscape. I love singing and karaoke. I also participate in the Catholic Church, in a group called the Neocatecumenal. I like animals, in my house we have six pets, three cats and three dogs.

My scholarship application is based on my interest of learning about the culture of Minnetonka and being part of the Spanish immersion program. I would like to experience and learn about different teaching and learning methodologies in Early Childhood Education and how families are involved in the education of the kids. Finally, I would like to be a great contribution to the educational process of children and bring them a little piece of Chile.

If you want to download my documents, click on this link.

María Jesús Rioseco (Early Childhood, Concepción campus):

My name is María Jesús Rioseco Vallejos. I am a 23-years-old. I live in Concepción, with my parents and my grandmother. I am the fifth daughter of six children, thus I was raised in a friendly family.

I enjoy learning and deepening my knowledge on teaching children. Thus, I dedicate an important amount of time to my University studies. I have also been able to transform this passion into a part time job working as a baby-sitter. Also, I enjoy volunteering. I am a member of a group which provides food to homeless people and works with the integration on migrants into the city. During my free time, I like to relax with my friends. We go to the movies, ride our bicycles and explore the nature. As a former girl scout, I enjoy nature very much.

I am applying for this internship because I want to learn the strategies and teaching methods applied in Minnesota. In the future, I would like to work in the public educational system. Once I am back in Chile, I will be able to apply these strategies and methods in my future jobs and contribute to enhance the quality of the Chilean public education.

To know my documentation, go to the following link.

Débora Santander (Early Childhood, Concepción campus):

Hello, I am Debora Santander Cea, I am 21 years old and I have always lived in Concepción, in a rural place, where I have forged my customs, beliefs, and lifestyle. I come from a family constituted by my father Juan, a truck driver, a fighter and a very empathic man, and my mother Elena, the one who runs the house, a woman full of love and loyalty.

My hobbies are linked to the social and spiritual. My personality characterized by histrionics and creativity, make me a sociable woman, which reflex on activities such as: going to church, visiting the sick, spreading the word of the Lord, and participating in social activities such as Bible classes. I practice sports, share with my loved ones, in my free time I love playing guitar, working on projects with my dad, walking my dog, cooking and visiting places.

The reasons that drive me to participate in this opportunity are: learning new educational practices, absorbing constituent elements that empower the students, contribute deploying social elements such as cooperative work and taking on challenges in diversified contexts. I hope to transmit cultural elements, promote the Spanish language, and the development of skills that contribute to the deployment of the individuals in the social context.

You can find my background on this link.

Javiera Vargas (Early Childhood, Concepción campus):

My name is Javiera Alejandra Vargas Alarcón and I am 22 years old. My family is composed by my father, mother and younger brother. I currently live in the city of Concepción with my dad's family, because my parents are living in a rural area. I have been living independently of them for 4 years, which has allowed me to acquire autonomy and greater skills that have contributed to my personal growth. Among these, I must specify that one of my greatest skills is related to one of my hobbies, which is to paint.

From an early age I have longed to do great things related to the visual arts and I consider that through this scholarship I can promote that through the teaching of Chilean arts, including music and literature. In addition, another reason why I decided to apply for this great opportunity, is because I want to enrich my professional training with the different methodologies, in order to enhance the quality in the teaching-learning processes in early childhood education.

Click here to download my documents.

Aracely Molina (Elementary Education, Los Angeles campus):

My name is Aracely Fernanda Molina Rodríguez, I am 23 years old and I was born in the city of Los Angeles. I completed my secondary studies at the Bicentenario High School, in Los Angeles. Currently, I am studying elementary education at the University of Concepción.

My hobbys are painting and making crafts, such as sewing, making jewelry and recycling. I also, enjoy to dance, that's why I go to traditional dances classes and practice zumba.

I am always looking forward for new challenges, therefore during the internship periods at college, in which, we are given the opportunity to choose the schools, I have tried to experience different realities. From prestigious schools, to establishments with an extreme vulnerability index. That is why I look forward to learn about other educational contexts, in this case in another country, completely different from our educational system. My purpose is to know and study different work methods, to strengthen my knowledge and experiences. I also want to be a great contribution during the time I am in Minnetonka schools, collaborating with my knowledge, skills, competences, and showcasing my culture. In conclusion, let it be a mutual learning.

Click here to download my documents.

Andrea Pavez (Elementary Education, Los Angeles campus):

My name is Andrea Soledad Pavez Orellana, I am 23 years old and I was born on May 28, 1996 in the city of Los Angeles. I grew up in Santa Barbara where I attended Cacique Levián Elementary School and Cardenal Antonio Samoré High School. In 2016 I began my studies at the University of Concepción, Campus Los Angeles, to become an elementary school teacher. I am currently in my fourth year of studies. In addition to studying,

I enjoy playing sports like football, volleyball and chess. I love painting and working in my greenhouse.

I applied for this scholarship in order to share and learn from teachers who educate under other methodological approaches, thus complementing my learning and acquiring new tools that I can later replicate and / or adapt with my students in Chile. I also believe that my presence will have a positive impact on the students of the Minnetonka public schools considering that I have a lot of knowledge and skills to contribute in their education.

For more information, you can download my documents here.

Juan Enrique Sandoval (Elementary Education, Los Angeles campus):

My name is Juan Enrique Sandoval Aguilera, I was born on February 26, 1998 in the city of Los Angeles, where I grew up and studied. I completed all my elementary, middle and high school education at Padre Alberto Hurtado School. When I graduated, I took the university selection test (PSU) and started my bachelor`s degree in elementary education at the Universidad de Concepción on the Los Angeles Campus. Currently, I am in my fourth year.

To be honest, not everything in life is about studies. I also enjoy playing - as a fan -futsal and football, which are my favorite sports. I like to listen to music and learn new things. I am passionate about reading and writing.

The main reason that prompted me to apply for this scholarship is because it would be the best opportunity to test my personal and professional growth. Along with that, it would be a good way to take the first step in one of my life projects. It contemplates living experiences in developed countries, especially in matters of education - which is my area of competence - to be able to adapt them and bring them to Chile, in order to give all the possible tools to my students so they can reach their maximum human potential.

If you want to download my documents, click on this link.