My First Encounter with Languages

My linguistic adventure began in high school in the early 1990s. I remember how my sister and I loved listening to songs in English. We sang along without really knowing the meaning, making up the lyrics as we went—and having an absolute blast!

Then came the internet boom in Peru in the mid-1990s. By then, this new digital tool had already made its way into university labs, and that’s where I had my first encounter with emojis and the original old-school messenger. Around that time, my parents were deciding my university future. I wanted to study languages, so I enrolled in the professional language school at the local university. My dream was to travel, meet people from different countries, and explore their cultures—but above all, I wanted to improve my English.

One of my most unforgettable college memories was the excitement of rushing to the language lab just to browse the internet and download my favorite songs in English.

My classes were a joy, and my teachers and classmates made the experience even more special. I remember them with great affection. By the way, I specialized in English and French—though, oh, my French! I completely lost it, but one day, not too far from now, I’ll reclaim it.

I have a vivid memory of my first English classes at university. Our textbooks featured different countries and famous tourist spots where English was spoken. I was amazed by those beautiful landscapes, and suddenly, I found myself imagining—and saying out loud—“One day, I’ll take a plane and travel to New York, California, and so many other places!” My classmates laughed and said, “Sure, Zenia, keep dreaming! Like they’ll ever give you a visa to the U.S.” And yet, here I am, living in and loving the country that has welcomed me with such warmth.

During my university years, a thought kept lingering in my mind—I wanted to continue my studies in Translation and Interpreting. But after earning my Bachelor's degree in Education with a specialization in Languages, somehow, I found myself becoming an English teacher. That path, however unexpected, shaped me in incredible ways. Teaching gave me invaluable academic and pedagogical skills, as well as qualities like compassion, patience, and dedication. It taught me to see every student as unique, each with their own talents and determination.

I’m forever grateful to my colleagues who guided me and shared their knowledge throughout the years.

Then, a new adventure began in a distant land called the U.S.—but that’s a story for another time.