Recent grad puts global education into practice after Spain’s deadly floods
When catastrophic flooding hit the Valencia region of Spain in October, alumna Erin Kaplan ’23 found herself at the intersection of crisis and community.
As an English teacher at a high school in Aldaia, a town of about 31,000 people just outside Valencia, Kaplan witnessed the devastating impact of what meteorologists described as the equivalent of a year’s worth of rainfall in a single day.
Kaplan’s path to Spain began during her undergraduate years at Virginia Tech, where she embraced opportunities for global education through multiple study abroad experiences. A recipient of the Skelton Honors Scholarship, she spent the spring 2022 semester participating in the Presidential Global Scholars program at the Steger Center for International Scholarship in Switzerland. Her time there inspired her to extend her European experience the following summer in Spain, where she continued cultivating a passion for cross-cultural education and community engagement.
Such experiential-learning opportunities are key components of Virginia Tech Advantage, a universitywide priority designed to offer the full educational experience to all students. Through scholarship support and programs such as Presidential Global Scholars, Virginia Tech is preparing graduates like Kaplan to become globally minded citizens ready to serve communities around the world.
Now, she’s working to help her school community recover while putting into practice the principles of service and global engagement she developed as a student.
What is the situation in Aldaia right now?
The roads are blocked except for emergency vehicles because they’re too dangerous to drive on. Many areas are without water, food, and power. The first floor of our school has been severely damaged — we’ve lost our computer lab, textbooks, and other essential materials.
What’s remarkable, though, is how the community has come together. In Spain, we don’t have an equivalent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, so it’s really about neighbors helping neighbors. People are walking for hours to reach affected areas, cleaning streets, and preparing food for those in need.
How did your experiences at Virginia Tech prepare you for this kind of situation?
I was an international relations major with minors in Spanish and international business. My time at Virginia Tech, especially through study abroad programs, really shaped my perspective on community service and cultural engagement. I participated in programs like The Big Event, Relay for Life, and environmental initiatives. These experiences taught me the importance of giving back and being part of something bigger than yourself.
The Presidential Global Scholars program at the Steger Center was particularly transformative. Under the mentorship of Paul Heilker, we learned to engage deeply with local communities and think critically about global issues. I was there during COVID restrictions in 2022, which actually created an even stronger sense of community among students and with local residents.
I also studied abroad in Spain with Professors Gonzalo Montero and Javiera Jaque Hidalgo and fell in love with the country. After graduating, I wanted to find a way to improve my Spanish while giving back to a community. Gonzalo and my other Spanish professors helped connect me with this teaching opportunity.
While I don’t get paid much, the experience has been invaluable in terms of developing skills in language, communication, empathy, and cultural navigation. It’s not the traditional path many take after graduation, but it’s teaching me so much about being a well-rounded, globally minded person.
How can the Virginia Tech community help with recovery efforts?
The situation here isn’t getting much attention in English-language media, but the need is urgent. Unlike areas that experience regular natural disasters, this region doesn’t have established systems for disaster response. We’re working to raise funds to help replace damaged school materials and support the broader community recovery efforts.
The community spirit I’ve witnessed here reminds me of the Virginia Tech motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). It’s about people coming together to help their neighbors in times of crisis. Whether it’s clearing mud from streets or providing basic necessities, every bit of help matters.
What message would you share with current students?
Don’t be afraid to take the path less traveled. I was initially nervous about choosing this different path after graduation, but the experiences I’m gaining — especially during this crisis — are invaluable. Virginia Tech taught me that community extends beyond campus borders, and sometimes the most meaningful way to serve is by stepping outside your comfort zone.
Those interested in supporting recovery efforts at the IES Carles Salvador school in Aldaia can contribute through Kaplan’s GoFundMe campaign. For more information about Virginia Tech’s study abroad programs and global engagement opportunities, including those at the Steger Center, visit the Global Education Office website.
