"Learning a language is more than just studying vocabulary and taking tests. You have to learn the culture and the people who speak that language."
Major(s) and Certificate(s): Italian
Language(s): Italian, Spanish, French, Arabic
Graduation Year: 2014
What motivated you to study this/these languages?
I grew up bilingual in Spanish and English and took French when I was middle school. I continued to study French until I got to UW-Madison. I had always wanted to learn Italian so I registered for Italian as a freshman. As a senior, I took Arabic to try out a different language since so far the languages that I had studied were Romance languages. I have a great love of languages and studying them was a sense of identity for me. I wanted to be able to use my language skills in whatever career path I ended up on.
What do you remember about your UW language classes? How were they different from other classes you took?
My UW language classes were always smaller, and it was more comfortable for me to be in them and participate as opposed to my larger lectures. I felt that I could connect more closely with my instructors. I felt they knew me better since they usually knew me by name instead of being just another student in a big lecture hall.
How valuable were your out-of-classroom experiences? How did they add to your undergraduate experience/coursework?
I participated a lot in the French and Italian club activities and they were great opportunities to meet with other students who had a love of languages outside of the class.
What have you done in a professional capacity since graduating from UW-Madison?
After I graduated, I took a TEFL certification course in Italy and stayed there to teach English for some time. I came back to the United States and worked for a social work non-profit in a bilingual capacity in two programs providing support and resource services to low-income, immigrant families around Madison. I now work at an elementary school in a bilingual capacity serving the community and the families that attend the school as a resource person focused on family engagement.
What are ways, either expected or unexpected, that your language study has benefited you in your career?
When I was at UW-Madison, I thought that I wanted to be a language teacher after I graduated. I went to teach English with the intention of getting certified to become an educator, but instead I found myself drawn to the social work field and I discovered that serving my community in a language that they felt comfortable in was something that I wanted to continue doing.
How have you maintained or improved your language(s) since graduation?
I use my Spanish everyday; however my French, Italian, and Arabic are mostly now mostly Duolingo lessons whenever I get a chance to brush up on those skills. I do try to watch television shows or movies or read books in French or Italian if I find one that is interesting.
What advice do you have for students who are studying language(s) about how to incorporate their interests and skills into their future goals?
I’ve never been the best at advice, but I encourage students studying languages at UW-Madison to learn a language that is interesting to you. Don’t limit yourself with what you feel is going to benefit you the most because you won’t be able to connect to it. Learning a language is more than just studying vocabulary and taking tests. You have to learn the culture and the people who speak that language. Finding the way to incorporate those skills into your interests and skills into your future goals will come somewhat naturally after that.