Spanish teacher Susanna Tippett went on a six and a half week trip to Mexico, worked towards earning her master’s degree and got engaged all in one summer.

“I was in Guanajuato, Guanajuato for most of the time. I also visited San Miguel de Allende and León,” Tippett said.

While in Guanajuato, Mexico, Tippett experienced many different cultural activities.

“I took Latin dance classes and learned how to dance salsa, bachata and cha cha cha. I made friends with the locals and went dancing and out to eat with them,” Tippett said. “I did some shopping in the markets. I visited La Gruta, thermal hot springs, in San Miguel. I explored Guanajuato, went to several museums and hiked the mountains surrounding the city.”

In addition to all of her excursions, Tippett still managed to find the time to work towards a masters degree.

“This summer I took seven classes and earned 17 credits in six weeks. I will return to study for two more summers,” Tippett said. “I will graduate in 2018 with a masters degree in Spanish and education from the University of Southern Oregon.”

While in Mexico, Tippett’s boyfriend of six and a half years Mike Pauldine showed up in Mexico to propose to her.

“I had no idea Mike was coming to visit me. I went to my house (in Mexico) to meet up with (my friend) and to my surprise she was not there, and Mike was. He had been waiting 2 hours with the Mexican family I was staying with. These were two awkward hours for him because he doesn’t speak Spanish, and they don’t speak English. The next day Mike and I hiked a nearby mountain. At the peak of the mountain Mike asked me to marry him and I said ‘yes’,” Tippett said.

While they have not began planning their wedding yet, Tippett and Pauldine plan to take a two to three week honeymoon in Europe.