Taking a foreign language class in high school might seem mundane and less than useful for many students, but for one new CMR teacher, it opened a plethora of opportunities for her life. CMR Spanish teacher Abigail Hansen lived abroad in Spain during her sophomore year of college. 

Hansen originally enrolled at Montana State University – Billings to start her path towards becoming a psychiatrist, but after her experiences in Spain with her friend, Bonnie, she found a renewed passion for the Spanish language. 

“Watching kids learn how to read in Spanish made me so excited that I switched my major right then and there,” she said.

Hansen said she is grateful for her time abroad, reflecting on many experiences, including when she ordered a drink with her professor, and did not know Spain had a lower drinking age.

“I ordered a drink and was shocked it was alcoholic…it came out on fire,” she said. 

Hansen, well-traveled, encourages all students to travel and take opportunities to explore new places while they are young, as it allows them to expand their view of the world, explore new cultures, and open doors to new possibilities.