Alejandra White:
CLASS OF 1965
Marshfield High SchoolClass of 1965
Coos bay, OR
Alejandra's Story
Dear all,
After returning to Chile, I had to retake my exams mainly because in Chile we do the baccalaureate (13/14subjects including chemistry, physics etc.), which I didn't study in the USA. Then I did my Masters Degree at University in English and History, followed by the Royal Society of Arts in London to become a TEFAL teacher and finally I did a Diploma in Interpreting Translating in English, French and Spanish with Berlitz School of Languages. All of which became really useful, since I married an English man form Manchester (Douglas). Douglas and I lived for 20 years abroad because of his job.
We lived in Peru, the Congo where our daughter was born, Dubai, Venezuela, Iraq, Gabon, and finally Spain.
Our only daughter who studied at American International schools until the age of 10 (by the time we were in Gabon),had to stay back in England to continue her schooling, unfortunately she hated boarding school, but loved her holidays abroad! Rafaelle our daughter did her Honours Degree in Business Administration with languages (we are all trilingual), in Bristol.
I loved living abroad, we always lived in the Capitals of these countries, one learns so much about its people and their different cultures. It was a tremendous experience for all of us.
We have now been back in England for 23 Years and we have been married for 43 years. We moved to Bath, which is an ancient Roman City, when Douglas requested to be stationed in England for good.
While Douglas,my husband worked for George Wimpey (now Woodrow Wimpey), an International building company,I worked at International schools, The British Council as a teacher, and in Venezuela for Berlitz training Interpreters Translators for OPEP.
Back in England, I lectured a UWE (University of the West of England), teaching BA in Modern Languages and Systems, then moved to Bath University (where he have lived for the past 23 years) teaching part time MA in Interpreting Translating, and also part time (to fill in my time) at a school in Bath. I taught Spanish literature, history and Current affairs to Senior students at KES (King Edward's school), a private school for boys (founded 500 years ago) which was a real privilege. KES eventually became coeducational.
In between countries, when Douglas had to stay in Eng...Expand for more
land to be up to date with taxes etc.I had the opportunity to work for periods of 6/8 months at schools and Colleges in England, which gave me the opportunity to keep up to date with changes in the educational system.
I retired a year ago because at 66 years old, my husband, who had retired at the age of 60,after 40 years with his company ( he was by then Finance Director), wanted to travel abroad to places he always wanted to go to, not to work but just to go as a tourist. I must say, apart from the fact that we often go to Spain, France, Italy and Germany, I finally fulfilled my dream of going to China.
For the past 20 years I have been promoting Chile by placing KES students at our Embassy in London. They do work experience during their Senior year, they also do a GAP in Chile after their Senior year final exams and before they start their courses at University. Some also go to work as assistants at Chilean Universities before their final exams here at University. I help them with advice,their visas etc.
I became a British National 42 years ago, so as to make it easy for my husband and I to travel abroad together,but I have dual Nationality.
Mr. And Mrs. Farr, the family I lived with in Coos Bay, came to visit us twice in England, once in Hanslope in Buckinghamshire (We were back from Peru then) and we didn't have a family,and the next time in our House in Sunningdale, Berkshire ( we were back from Gabon then)where we kept our house while we lived abroad. Our daughter was 11 years old then. Rafaelle is now 39. How time flies!
My parents, who travelled around the world, came to visit us wherever we lived. I miss them terribly, they died 23 years ago.
By the way, while I lived in Coos Bay, my parents in Chile had an AFS student called Jane Wild from Long Island, New York. She was adorable. Both our families became great friends. Jane returned to Chile several times. We visit one another often. We have now been friends for 51 years! I only wish Oregon was "a bit" closer...perhaps I would have been able to get closer and become good friends!
I am still madly in love with my husband, our daughter was a blessing in our lives after the death of our son. I have been very fortunate in my life and I owe my life and the way I am to my parents and my husband.
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