Raven Hoffman
Graduation year: 2017
Major: Teaching Spanish
Minor: Theatre arts
Activities: Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble, Young Life, Sigma Kappa Tau sorority, Micah House
Internships: Play Pal at the Family Museum in Bettendorf, Iowa, and student teacher at Bettendorf (Iowa) High School
Post-grad plans: I will be teaching English language and U.S. culture in Extremadura, Spain, for the upcoming school year.
Why Augustana?
I applied to a lot of colleges, but ultimately it came down to financial aid. The final determining factor was the fact that I’d be able to be involved in theatre here as a non-major (the minor was not in my initial plan).
Are you where you thought you’d be four years ago?
In many ways, yes, and in other ways, no. My end goal stayed the same, but the path to get here is so very different than I ever could have expected.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
College has helped me realize that there is no one person who makes you who you are, and so I have to give credit to my family, friends, sorority sisters, Capernaum friends, Micah housemates, the Spain Crew, Jenny Lind, my professors and advisors (especially the Spanish, theatre and education faculty), and my cooperating teacher and the students and other staff at Bettendorf High School. They gave me new perspectives, support, a good shove and numerous memories.
A peak experience?
My Augie experience was so full of opportunities, but my experience in Spain definitely stands out above the rest. I had never left the country before, but I ended up loving Europe so much in those 10 short weeks that I am looking forward to the opportunity to teach there for a year. Spain brought me out of my comfort zone and provided me with many life experiences that I was afraid of in the United States but leaped at while I was abroad. It definitely taught me how to grab life by the reins.
What surprised you?
I learned that I am terrified of taking risks, but when I do, I end up with the best experiences and the fantastic friends. It has definitely been a process, but I have slowly learned to try new things.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used Augie Choice for the study abroad program to Sevilla, Spain, where I spent 10 weeks living with a host family, attending classes and traveling around Europe.
What will you miss the most?
My friends and the area. I have grown so in love with the Quad Cities and so close to people during the past four years that it makes leaving even more bittersweet than I felt graduating high school.
Advice for the Class of 2021?
Make friends with commuter students. They know the best ways to get off campus and have awesome connections. I feel so much more comfortable in the Quad Cities than I ever would have otherwise.
“Raven is an intelligent young woman with strong academic skills who has also engaged herself in a multiplicity of curricular and extra-curricular learning activities. Among other things, she has led Tertulias for the Spanish program; a conversation table in which Spanish students practice their oral skills. During her senior year. she completed her student teaching and proved to be a responsible, conscientious and enthusiastic Spanish teacher. Her talents and passion for Spanish and teaching were apparent since her arrival, but she kept growing due to her dedication and the rich learning experiences in which she chose to participate. Next year, Raven will keep growing as an educator and as a person while teaching English in Extremadura, Spain.”