"As a bilingual clinician, I am able to work with clients in their primary language which promotes a more effective, safe space for healing and emotional expression. Speaking Spanish also allows me to serve more clients, and gives me more job opportunities and security in my career. Most importantly, I am able to contribute to a more equitable society by eliminating language barriers and improving access to care for Spanish speaking communities who have traditionally been underserved."
Major(s) and Certificate(s): Bachelor’s of Social Work, Spanish
Language(s): Spanish
Graduation Year: 2014
What motivated you to study this language?
Growing up in a monolingual English-speaking household, I was always fascinated by hearing the sounds of other languages and I enjoyed attempting to understand them. Most often, I was exposed to Spanish and I chose to study it for four years in high school, including one year for college credits at a senior. I deeply enjoyed the opportunity to connect with people using my basic Spanish skills in my part-time jobs as a worker at McDonald’s and as a Lifeguard. Then as a freshman at UW Madison, I tested into Spanish 5 (226) and received a whopping 20-something credits towards the major. I also realized that studying the Spanish language was a perfect compliment to my other major, Social Work, as it would allow me to serve the clients and communities that I worked with in a more culturally competent and effective way.
What do you remember about your UW language classes? How were they different from other classes you took?
I really enjoyed Spanish classes at UW Madison because they were interactive, experiential, and practical. The classes often involved lots of discussion, group projects, and opportunities to build relationships with others (some of which have turned into lifelong friendships!).
How valuable were your out-of-classroom experiences? How did they add to your undergraduate experience/coursework?
My junior year I applied for and won a Gilman International Scholarship and had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Lima, Peru. It was the most formative experience of my college years and I am so grateful for it. I needed to fully immerse myself in order to push my Spanish abilities (and self-confidence!) to the next level. More importantly, studying abroad helped me to grow as a human being by exposing me to new people and cultures.
My senior year I worked as a waitress in a Peruvian restaurant on campus and had the opportunity to keep practicing the language often. I also completed my social work internship for Dane County Department of Human Services and was able to use Spanish frequently in my new professional role as a social work intern. Additionally, I worked on a subcommittee to review and make improvements to the Interpreters and Foreign Language Policy for Dane County to increase language accessibility for our clients.
What have you done in a professional capacity since graduating from UW-Madison?
After graduating from UW Madison in spring 2014, I worked as a bilingual foster care social worker with children and families in Milwaukee for one year before returning to graduate school for my Master’s of Social Work (Mental Health Specialization) from Loyola University Chicago. While completing my MSW, I had my masters-level internship at Heartland Alliance’s Unaccompanied Minors Program where I provided psychotherapy in Spanish to migrant children primarily from South and Central America. Following graduation, I began working at a Family Health Center as a bilingual mental health therapist, serving primarily Latinx children and families on the northwest side of Chicago. Currently I work at Oak Street Health as a bilingual Behavioral Health Specialist, where I provide psychotherapy to older adults in an integrated primary care clinic.
What are ways, either expected or unexpected, that your language study has benefited you in your career?
Majoring in Spanish has had innumerable positive impacts on my career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. As a bilingual clinician, I am able to work with clients in their primary language which promotes a more effective, safe space for healing and emotional expression. Speaking Spanish also allows me to serve more clients, and gives me more job opportunities and security in my career. Most importantly, I am able to contribute to a more equitable society by eliminating language barriers and improving access to care for Spanish speaking communities who have traditionally been underserved.
How have you maintained or improved your language(s) since graduation?
Since graduation, I have continually sought out opportunities to practice and be exposed to Spanish including through my employment, volunteering, audio books, music, TV shows, and travel. It’s really important for me to get as much exposure as I can to the language, so that I can be constantly learning/improving my language abilities and be an effective bilingual therapist.
What advice do you have for students who are studying language(s) about how to incorporate their interests and skills into their future goals?
Seek out as many opportunities as you can to be exposed to the language including speaking, listening, reading, writing, etc. Find things you enjoy and engage with the materials in Spanish! For example, I’m a big Harry Potter fan, and listened to all the audio books in Spanish over the last few years.