Anne Russell Assignment 5

I don't in fact know what I want to do when I grow up (even though I already am a "grown up" since I turned 18 last month). I find I am most passionate in life about things that don't realistically make a lot of money. For example, I love doing community service as well as being an intern in my youth group, neither of which bring income. Also I love to make and play music, but I don't think I want to (or necessarily am able to) reach the level of success to where it becomes my steady job. I much prefer it as a hobby.

But since I'm required to explore one option, I'm going to go with my somewhat unrealistic dream job of being a translator on mission trips which combines three things I love: traveling, speaking Spanish, and helping people. If I wasn't concerned with earning a living and settling down/being near to family, I would do this in a heartbeat. I went to Camalu, Mexico last summer on a mission trip with my church and although I was not fluent, being able to bypass the language barrier even just a little bit was so amazing and fulfilling. I can only imagine how much more I would feel that way being able to fully communicate between the two cultures. Also, despite the lack of steady income, I am not opposed to the thought of living on little, just like the people who I would be surrounded by in the countries I traveled to. If they can do it, then I can too and I would only be better off for doing so.

In order to achieve this goal, I would need to extensively study the Spanish language and culture so I can become fluent, and also get a better idea of the places that would become my temporary home.

Even if I don't end up doing this full time and devoting my life to mission work, I fully intend to go on shorter mission trips throughout my life and I still plan to become fluent in Spanish no matter what career I pursue.