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Two Teachers, One Shared Journey: M.A. in Spanish Students Enrich Their Careers Through SLU-Madrid

by Isaiah Voss

For educators, earning a graduate degree is often about more than advancing their careers—it's a chance to become better teachers. For Emily Risner and Ross Jones, the M.A. in Spanish at Saint Louis University-Madrid has provided exactly that, combining rigorous academic study with cultural immersion in Spain to enrich both their professional and personal lives.

Although they arrived at the program through different paths, both students found the M.A. in Spanish a time to strengthen their language skills, deepen their understanding of Hispanic cultures and return to their classrooms in the United States with new perspectives on teaching.

Emily Risner began the program in Summer 2023 after discovering SLU-Madrid while researching master's programs in Spain. As a high school Spanish and ESL teacher in the Chicago suburbs, she was looking for a graduate program that could fit around the academic calendar.

"It was the perfect program for me because I could complete it during the summers while I wasn't teaching," Risner said.

Over the course of four summers in Madrid, she has combined graduate studies with her teaching career in Illinois. She will complete the program after taking her final examinations in Summer 2027.

Seven Saint Louis University-Madrid M.A. in Spanish students and faculty members pose together on a campus rooftop terrace overlooking Madrid on a sunny day. The group smiles at the camera with the city skyline and blue sky in the background.

M.A. Spanish faculty and students from left to right: Vicky Albornoz, Ph.D., Diana Velázquez, Ph.D., Cristina Matuate, Ph.D., Raelin Reuck ('26), Aitor Bikandi-Mejias, Ph.D., Emily Risner ('27) and Ross Jones ('27). Photo by Isaiah Voss.

For Risner, the experience has gone beyond academics. Living in Madrid has allowed her to improve her Spanish through daily immersion while experiencing the culture firsthand.

She also credits the program's faculty for making a lasting impact on her academic journey.

After graduation, Risner plans to continue teaching in the U.S. while incorporating what she has learned into her classroom.

Ross Jones began the M.A. in Spanish in Spring 2025 at SLU's St. Louis campus and expects to graduate in Spring 2027. He first learned about SLU-Madrid through recommendations from an undergraduate professor, a former SLU faculty member he met at an academic conference in Salamanca, Spain, and a colleague who completed the program.

Now spending his second summer in Madrid, Jones says the experience has exceeded his expectations.

A Spanish teacher at Mascoutah High School in Illinois, Jones enrolled in the program to strengthen his own language skills while preparing to teach more advanced Spanish courses.

He says that studying in Madrid has allowed him to continue learning beyond the classroom through daily interactions with professors, classmates and the local community.

Following graduation, Jones plans to continue teaching Spanish while considering doctoral studies in the future.

For both educators, the M.A. in Spanish has provided much more than graduate coursework. Through academic excellence, cultural immersion and close connections with faculty, the program has helped them grow as educators while strengthening their connection to the Spanish-speaking world.

Students Reflect in Spanish

Emily Risner

"Me interesó el máster porque me permitiría ampliar mis conocimientos tanto de la lengua como de la cultura, algo que podría llevar directamente a mi práctica como profesora de español. Además, valoro mucho la experiencia de estar inmersa en la cultura mientras aprendo a lo largo de los cursos.

Mis habilidades en español han mejorado muchísimo a lo largo de mis veranos aquí. Los profesores son increíbles y creo que lo mejor que se puede hacer es practicar el idioma siempre que sea posible. Desde mi primer verano hasta hoy hay una gran diferencia, y siempre voy a valorar esta experiencia.

Mi parte favorita del programa ha sido conocer a los profesores. He creado una relación muy cercana con todos ellos. Todas las clases que he tomado han sido muy significativas y he aprendido muchísimo gracias a ellos."

Emily Risner stands smiling beside the Saint Louis University-Madrid sign outside Padre Rubio Hall. She is wearing a black sleeveless top, white shorts and white sneakers, with trees and the campus entrance visible in the background.

Emily Risner, an M.A. in Spanish student, poses outside Padre Rubio Hall at SLU-Madrid. Submitted photo.

Ross Jones

"Me interesó el máster porque quería poder enseñar niveles más avanzados en mi instituto. También quería volver a ser estudiante para mejorar mis propias habilidades lingüísticas y ampliar mis conocimientos de la literatura y la cultura hispánicas.

La experiencia en Madrid ha sido increíble. Es impresionante estar en una ciudad tan bella, tan histórica y tan diversa. Los profesores, mis compañeros y las personas que he conocido aquí me han ayudado a seguir aprendiendo más allá del aula.

El tiempo pasa muy rápido, así que hay que aprovechar todas las oportunidades que ofrece el máster y disfrutar de cada momento."

Learn More About the M.A. in Spanish

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