Spanish 12th-grade teacher Erika Atehortua is going from May 26 to June 30th to an internship and a literature doctorate in Sevilla, Spain led by the University of Antioquia.

Atehortua began a doctoral program in literature at the University of Antioquia two years ago and is currently in the 5th Semester. One requirement is a doctoral internship which she is completing with the school support.

“I am very excited and willing to see the opportunity to communicate with international teachers and learn about the Coloquio,” Atehortua said.

Atehortua is going to have the opportunity to present her research and the possibility of learning from the great teacher of the University of Sevilla, Jose Manuel Camacho Slim.

“We have approximately 8 people, among them the most important directors and teachers in the research group of Literary Studies,” Atehortua said. “I will be able to socialize and learn from international teachers and directors.”

Atehortua worked in a comparative study on Literature and transatlantic dialogue from the books; Del Simulacro a la Obra de Arte, Otra Mirada sobre el asesinato, Emma Zunz by Jorge Luis Borges and La Pesada Valija de Benavides by Samanta Schweblin. The theme of the study is mock-ups and artwork.

“I feel that this is a great opportunity for people to see my work and it is a greater certainty and conviction of how the contents are developed to better explain them to the students,” Atehortua said.

The Columbus School is giving Atehortua permission for the time being absent and the University of Antioquia is going to cover tickets, lodging, and other accommodations.

“The initial colloquium is in June but I am going from May 26th to do the internship to learn and it will help me have contact with other students and teachers from other places, develop useful knowledge for the society and learn from each other and earn academic credit,” Atehortua said.

The paper was presented to the University of Sevilla and was accepted for her quality and elaborated work after getting a 5 out of 5 grade. It was based on relating two books by different authors.

“I decided to do this Colloquial because I am passionate about my career. I have always liked to investigate and was always involved with research groups but never in a doctorate so I really lacked the degree, but fortunately, the opportunity arose,” Atehortua said.

Atehortua found a way of relating Jorge Luis Borges and Samantha Schweblin titles by the same literary genre and fantasy literature type.

“It took a lot of work and effort, but the opportunity of doing a colloquium not only helps me personally and professionally, but it helps me to better understand the content I teach in a school for my 12th students,” Atehortua said.