Molly from the U.K. joined us in 2020 for our Tango Program. She also participated in our Intensive Spanish Program. Here is her story…
When I turned 14, I visited Peru on a school exchange program, including various touristic expeditions. Following this, I maintained a long-distance relationship with a Bolivian student and upon turning 18, I moved to love with my boyfriend in La Paz, Bolivia. Through teaching English full-time, I eventually secured a residential visa. I loved truly living there and as a result I much prefer the feeling of ‘moving to’ new countries, rather than just travelling to them with a suitcase.
In the summer of 2014, I returned to England to commence my undergraduate degree in London. Here, I started learning Argentine tango, and later salsa and bachata. In 2017 I went to Cuba for a month to top-up my Spanish and dance salsa and bachata. Unfortunately, dancing was then on pause because I was undertaking intensive courses to convert to law and qualify as a barrister. Now that I have obtained pupillage beginning in September 2020, I want to put my hobbies front and centre stage in my life.
I am quite an adventurous and independent person, although I much prefer going on adventures in good company than alone. I am deeply fond of Latin America, from the food and dancing to the culture and social values. Mi suegra in Bolivia was a Peruvian Chef. Her family also came from Tarija, meaning they had a slight Argentine accent that I ultimately absorbed. I feel a part of me remains in Latin America since departing Bolivia.
I enjoy socialising in the context of my hobbies: good food, good coffee,a nd social dancing. Nevertheless, I also value my own space to recharge ad have an evening in my room to myself. I strike a balance. I do not drink in excess and never really liked the clubbing and drinking culture at university. However, forgive me if I hog the karaoke machine a little too much or tell stories with extra drama! I do burlesque every week- I like to be on stage.
I am extremely liberal; I’m a feminist in the ‘I can do whatever I want, and I’ll do it just to prove it!’ way, not the proselytising way. I want to improve my Spanish and dancing. However, my ultimate goal was to feel I lived in Buenos Aires for a while and, if only for a short time, I danced to my heart’s galore!