Student Spotlight: Art Blecher

So — what makes a retired psychotherapist/forensic psychologist/rabbi decide to learn Spanish? According to Art Blecher, it was the desire to connect on a deeper level with his own neighborhood. “I’m realizing how many people I live with on a daily basis that speak Spanish,” he told us. “I’ve been in DC since 1978 — there are so many people around me that speak Spanish that I had never previously connected with.” 

Andrea Dyes is originally from Colorado, but she’s seen more of the world in the past few years than many people see in their whole lives. She spent eight and a half months traveling around South America before finishing her degree in fashion design at RISD. And now? She’s a bona fide New Yorker, taking Spanish 6 with Fluent City. Keep reading for more on Andrea’s travels, her art, and her language-learning experience.

We’re heading into the final stretch of summer, and you may be running out of time to squeeze in a vacation abroad. But if it’s cultural experiences you’re after, there’s no need to go further than your closest subway stop. Read on for our tips on how to swap out your passport for a Metro card and take a vacation in your own city.