Family from Spain names son Milan after local teaching experience

The couple lived in Milan between 2015-2017

(MILAN, Ind.) – Sara Gonzalez-Carvajal is a teacher in Spain who had the opportunity to teach Spanish in America nearly a decade ago. 

Sara had no idea where she would teach until she had an interview with Milan High School Principal Ryan Langferman. 

“After the interview Mr. Langferman said we want you here,” she recalled. 

She and her husband, Angel, arrived in Milan in 2015 and she taught at the school for the next two years. 

Arriving in Milan was quite the culture shock as the couple is from Granada, Spain, which has a population of 230,000 people.

“Everything is so different here but we are open minded and wanted to learn from this experience,” Sara said. “After I started teaching, I saw how the people here are really incredible.”

She recalls how Milan teachers helped them find an apartment and also how Batesville residents Elizabeth Hall and Joy Lake helped them adjust to life in the United States. 

“They opened their homes for us and were incredibly nice. Even the students, some of them still text me nowadays and ask how I am doing,” she added. 

Their time in Milan not only led to memories being made but also some major life events.

Sara and Angel started dating when they were both 19-years-old and got married while living here.

She also found out that she was pregnant while they were in Milan. The teachers threw her a baby shower. 

The couple returned to Spain where Sara gave birth to a boy.

What did they decide to name their boy? Milan! 

“It is not a common name in Spain. We decided to name him Milan as a way to honor all the good things we've lived here," she said.

The family is back in the United States this month for the first time since Sara was teaching at Milan in 2017.

It’s an opportunity to visit old friends while also giving Milan, and his younger sister, a memorable experience in America and to also learn about the origin of his name. 

Milan, which is pronounced Mee-Lawn, is a big sports fan so the family is also making some trips to sporting events including the Indianapolis Indians, Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Fever. 

“Next week we are going to Chicago so Milan and his sister can see the difference of a bigger city compared to here,” Sara said. 

They are also visiting several museums and other attractions in Cincinnati and Lexington. 

Since 7-year-old Milan is a big sports fan we asked him what his thoughts are on new the basketball-themed water tower.

“It is very cool! I wish we had one in my town,” Milan said. 

Although the town of Milan and Granada are separated by an ocean and thousands of miles, Sara says there is more that makes us similar than different. 

“Even though we live in two different continents, as people, we all basically have the same things going on in our lives. We have kids to take care of, we all sometimes have problems at our jobs,” she said. 

She added, “It may seem like we’re far apart, but once you live here, you see that people are people. There are good people here and there are good people there. 

Special thanks to Joy Lake and Elizabeth Hall for connecting The 812 with this wonderful family.