Elementary Education 2025

Javiera

Javiera Acevedo

My name is Javiera Acevedo Contreras, I am 28 years old, and I am currently on my eighth semester of the Primary Education degree at Universidad de Concepción, Biobío region, Chile. I come from a committed and dedicated family, which is an example of bravery and perseverance. Although my parents did not have the opportunity to pursue higher education, they made sure to give their children solid principles and a chance to overcome the obstacles. They inspire me to be better every day.

I am the middle sister of three siblings. At the moment I live with my father, who works as a machine operator, my mother who is a housewife, and my younger sister, who is studying to become a nurse. As a family, we are very close, and we enjoy spending quality time together.

Talcahuano is the city where I live, and it is also located in the Biobío region. Talcahuano is one of the most important harbors in Chile, known for its natural wonders and coastal landscapes. It is a city rich in history and culture, and of a unique character.

I think of myself as a responsible, empathetic and persistent person. I enjoy working on social projects and serving my community. I am also an active leader in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, where I have coordinated and conducted activities for children and adults in vulnerable situations. This has helped me to develop my soft skills and to grow and improve in different areas of my life. Regarding leisure activities, I enjoy outdoor activities and spending time in nature, in addition to cooking, reading and attending sport and musical events that enrich my cultural knowledge. Teaching is one of the things I like the most and I am always willing to learn new things.

All these activities will play an important part in my internship at Minnetonka School District. I hold a solid knowledge in pedagogy, not only theorical, but also practical, as my previous internship’s results demonstrate. My interpersonal skills and professional profile will contribute to students’ academic and personal development. Furthermore, I look forward to learning from Minnetonka’s culture and sharing mine. I have no doubt that after this meaningful experience, I will be better prepared to bring new and useful tools to my local educational environment. My goal as a future teacher is to focus on the integral well-being of my students, drawing from relevant experiences like this.

Javiera c

Renata Mellado

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Renata Mellado Venegas, and I’m a 22 years old student currently completing my 8th semester to become an Elementary teacher at the University of Concepción. I am interested in applying to the exchange program with the Minnetonka schools.

However, before giving you my reasons, I would like you to know a little more about me. In my free time I like to read, go for walks, cook, go rollerblading, investigate and learn about neurosciense, and spend time with my beautiful family. About that, I live with my parents and my two sisters in Chiguayante, a place near Concepción and as a fun fact, I’m part of the two oldest families in my community. I’m closer and proud of my family. My mother is an art teacher, she has teached me to appreciate the different types of art around me. My father is a seller and an intelligent and inspiring man, he has always encourages me to follow my dreams and daily teaches me something new. My oldest sister is an architect and studies the heritage of Chile and my city, that’s why I’m always learning about the architectural culture. And my younger sister is still in school, growing as a happy, strong and supportive girl. These values have shaped my dedication to education as a tool for change.

I would like to do my internship in the Minnetonka School district because I’m passionate about education, and I believe I have the necessary skills and knowledge to be a contribution and take advantage of this enriching, bidirectional and unique cultural exchange. I believe that education is the beginning to change the world, and a universal language, because even speaking a different ones, education unites people.

I am confident that my passion for teaching, combined with my proactive and responsible nature, will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the district while also growing personally and professionally. Also, I would like to return to Chile to transmit everything I would learn, to be a contribution with teachers and with the students I will educate, leaving my small contribution to education.

I have honed my leadership skills through various roles, including serving as a student representative and working as an animator at a youtube program of my community. These experiences have taught me the importance of communication, collaboration and responsibility, all of which I bring to my teaching practice.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the possibility of participating with you, getting to know you and contributing to your educational community. I’m looking forward to further discussing how I can support the Minnetonka School District.

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Javiera Vergara

My name is Javiera Antonia Vergara Romero, I am 23 years old, and I am from Concepción, Chile. Currently, I am in my fourth year of studying Elementary Education, specializing in Spanish Language and Social Sciences, at Universidad de Concepción.

I consider myself a committed, disciplined, and adaptable person. My involvement in various activities has helped me develop leadership, teamwork, and organizational skills. I strive to maintain high standards in everything I do, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and learning.

In my free time, I am passionate about sports, travel and community work. I have been part of the Universidad de Concepción Rhythmic Gymnastics team since 2021, which has taught me the importance of perseverance and collaboration. Additionally, I have actively participated in a youth program in Talcahuano, where I worked to support the personal and social growth of children and adolescents. Traveling, both within Chile and across Latin America, has expanded my understanding of cultural diversity and adaptability, qualities I believe are essential for an educator.

I am deeply interested in this internship because it provides a unique opportunity to experience a different educational system, learn new teaching strategies, apply what I know about pedagogy and share my own cultural background as I experience a new culture myself.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to contributing to the cultural exchange in the Minnetonka educational community and growing professionally through this experience a I see this opportunity as a pivotal step in my development as a future educator.

Anita

Anita Soto

My name is Anita Loreto Soto Oyarzún, I am 21 years old and I am a fourth-year student of Elementary Education at the Universidad de Concepción, Chile. I was born and raised in Ancud, in Chiloé Island, a city in the south of Chile, where nature, family, and cultural traditions play a fundamental role in the daily life of us, the “Chilotes”. I grew up with my mother, my father, my older brother, and my dog. My family focused on teaching me and my brother the importance of empathy, respect, and commitment to the community; values that I consider fundamental. Currently, I live alone in Concepción, 10 hours from my home, which has strengthened my autonomy and my ability to face new challenges independently.

From an early age, I have witnessed the profound impact that education can have on a person’s life, particularly through the example of my grandmother, uncles, aunts, and cousins, who have been great education professionals. Their dedication to their students and their legacy have inspired me to follow this vocational path.

Throughout my training, I have managed to maintain a balance between my studies and my passion for basketball, a sport I have been practicing since I was 5 years old. I have had the opportunity to represent my commune, province, region, country and university, even competing at a professional level. This experience has taught me key skills such as teamwork, perseverance and organization, which I also apply in the academic field.

In addition, I have complemented my teaching training with a tutoring program called PropeUdeC at the Universidad de Concepción. The program is designed for high school students interested in pursuing teaching careers. This role has allowed me to support future teachers in their transition to higher education, which has been an enriching experience both personally and professionally.

I am applying for this scholarship because I am convinced that it will provide me with an invaluable opportunity to expand my knowledge on educational methodologies in a different context from my country. Learning about the educational system in the United States, particularly in Minnetonka, will allow me to acquire new perspectives and strategies that I hope to apply upon my return to Chile, especially in the rural areas of my beloved Chiloé Island, where significant progress is required in the educational field.

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