"At the IRC [International Red Cross], we have many clients from Latin America, so I use my Spanish language skills daily at work. I often interpret for caseworkers and am able to interact with my own clients without the use of an interpreter."
Major(s) and Certificate(s): English-Linguistics and Political Science
Language(s): Spanish
Graduation Year: 2018
What motivated you to study this/these languages?
I had studied Spanish in middle and high school and really just wanted to continue to become more proficient. I never expected to ultimately use it in my career and become as fluent as I have, but I’m so glad I decided to keep pursuing it!
What do you remember about your UW language classes? How were they different from other classes you took?
When I took Spanish courses in my first couple of semesters at UW, I really struggled to speak in class. I felt like it was impossible and that I was behind my peers. But the base was obviously really helpful because once I was in an immersive setting I caught on much more quickly than I think I otherwise would have. The classes were much more frequent, and smaller, than other courses my first year which offered nice variety to my schedule.
How valuable were your out-of-classroom experiences? How did they add to your undergraduate experience/coursework?
In the first semester of my senior year, I did an internship with UW Madison’s International Internship Program in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I taught at an English Language Institute called Centro Ecuatoriano Norteamericano. I also interned in India through IIP and would highly recommend browsing their available internships!
What have you done in a professional capacity since graduating from UW-Madison?
After graduating from UW in 2018, I returned to Ecuador and taught there for about a year. It was then that I became much more comfortable speaking Spanish. My pronunciation also really improved as I was in an immersive setting that I hadn’t experienced previously. Since then, I’ve taught English in China to high school students and in Florida to migrant workers. I currently work as the casework supervisor at the International Rescue Committee in Tallahassee, FL, where we resettle hundreds of refugees each year. On the side, I am obtaining my Master’s in TESOL from FSU.
What are ways, either expected or unexpected, that your language study has benefited you in your career?
At the IRC, we have many clients from Latin America, so I use my Spanish language skills daily at work. I often interpret for caseworkers and am able to interact with my own clients without the use of an interpreter. My Spanish has continued to improve throughout these two years working with refugees. When I first started this position, I did not consider myself fluent, but I do now!
How have you maintained or improved your language(s) since graduation?
My Spanish has greatly improved – it doesn’t hurt that my partner is also a native speaker. Having the opportunity to speak Spanish both at home and at work has allowed me to consistently practice.
What advice do you have for students who are studying language(s) about how to incorporate their interests and skills into their future goals?
Don’t feel shy to practice when you have the opportunity. Mistakes are the only way to improve! Also, there are so many jobs that will value having a second language, even if you’re not fluent. Be sure to mention these skills in interviews, even if it doesn’t necessarily seem relevant.