2020 Modern Languages Graduates

Being a Hispanic Studies major has been a fulfilling and valuable experience for me. I am thankful for the department for all owing me to develop new perspectives through  the study of a variety of cultures and subjects and improve my language skills, as well as my literary analysis and writing skills. These are skills that I know will serve me well in life after college. I have been able to deepen my knowledge about the i nequality that exists in the world through my work and travels within the Hispanic Studies department and while I do not have a dream job, I hope to one day make a difference in lessening the inequality that marginalized groups experienc e. I want to thank my mom who has been my inspiration for studying Spanish in high school and continuing with it in college.

Furthering my understanding of Japanese culture, history, language, and politics through my studies with the Japanese departm ent has been the most rewarding part of my academic career at William & 玛丽. My professors have been nurturing, compelling, and passionate, encouraging me to further my studies and interest in Japan at every step. My role in helping to run William & M ary's Japanese Culture Association since freshman year has allowed me to collaborate and connect with others passio nate about Japanese culture in a non - academic setting. This combination of studying under the Japanese department and engaging and learning about Japanese culture with JCA has greatly enriched my college experience and to foster my growth as a student and individual. My most rewarding opportunity was studying abroad at Keio University in Tokyo, which affirmed my long - term goal of pursuing a career in Japan. I am very thankful to my professors and the MDLL staff for allowing me every opportunity to make the most of my college experience. I am so excited to continue my journey by working in Japan as a JET Assistant Language Teacher come September. I hope that I will utilize what I have learned in my International Relations and Japanese Studies major in a long - term career facilitating cross - cultural connections.

This is probably lots of people’s stories, but here goes! Studying French at William & 玛丽 gave me the tools that I needed to spend junior year in France and succeed educationally and personally in the country. No matter how cliché, this really has altered my life plans because my short-term career dream is simply finding some sort of employment in France at least for a while, however long that ends up being. And that’s exciting.

The professors in the French department are just amazing and they’ve done so much helping me learn and figure out my interests in French studies. It's been massively rewarding academically. 

The study abroad office also did so much for me and I feel so lucky to have had access to the excellent programs I participated in in Montpellier and Strasbourg. The professors and friends I met in these places stay in my thoughts daily.  

I’d also like to say how much I look up to the fantastic Martine Fize who runs the housing program in Montpellier. She's great! I believe she is technically an employee of William & 玛丽 and she was so lovely and welcoming to me.   

My name is Allison Bolton and I am a double major in Japanese Studies and Linguistics, with an unofficial minor in TESOL.  Language and music are my passions. I’m  native to Northern Virginia and I am going to miss W&M terribly! Thank you for 4 years of learning, growing and bonding.

新兴市场

Spanish courses were a core part of my academic experience all the way through high school and I adored them. Yet, when I fir st arrived at William & 玛丽, I had placed out of the language requirement and I was unsure whether I was going to continue with a foreign language. Luckily, during the spring of my freshman year, I decided to take "Literary Criticism" and I was blown away  by the difference between a college - level language course and a high school one.  While I have always been drawn to  English, it was that opportunity to analyze poetry and literature in "Literary Criticism" that demonstrated to me that my courses within the Moder n Languages Department could be a continuation of the things I love, and  I ended up declaring a double major in English and Hispanic Studies. The Hispanic Studies faculty h as introduced me to a wide breadth of new knowledge, and I have been able to study a different language through the lens of many  different disciplines, including linguistics, history, and film studies. Meanwhile, due to my Hispanic Studies major, I was able to visit Europe for the first time in my life and study abroad in Cádiz, Spain, which woul d easily become one of the best summers of my life. With regards to my plans post - graduation, I was r ecently accepted into a publishing institute at Columbia University in New York. While I am hoping to pursue a career in publishing and journalism, I know that I will carry the invaluable skills and cross - cultural perspectives that I gained from my Hispani c Studies major forever.

My journey with the Modern Languages Department began even before I arrived as a first - year member of the Tribe. When scouting for universities, William & 玛丽 allowed me to attend a session with now retired Professor 玛丽se Fauvel  in a class on French cinema. Once I arrived at William & 玛丽, my beady - eyed ambition brought me into signing up for the Montpellier Summer Study Abroad Program for which Professor Fauvel happened to be the leading faculty member. That experience of being  able to research the political culture of Montpellier in the aftermath of the 2017 Presidential Election is something I will cherish forever. It w as exciting, frightening, challenging, and enlightening. Being a French major has also satisfied my passion f or learning not only how to effectively use the French language but also how to share it with others. After returning from Montpellier, Angela Leruth, my first Frenc h professor at William & 玛丽, offered me an opportunity to become a mentor for students wh o came into higher - level French courses with the right number of credits but still continued to struggle with the grammatical foundations of the language. Each sessi on I held in Swem was as much a learning experience for me as it was for my mentees. It was  among the many experiences that made me a better communicator both in and outside of the French language. Whether it was working as Lead Tutor for French in the Tribe Tutor Zone, presenting my research from Montpellier at a research festival, or serving a s a teaching assistant; the level of confidence this department instills in their students drives an effective learning experience that is a hallmark of our university’s values. My hopes are to continue to use both the language and personal skills my four years have given me in the field of research or international development.

I’m  both an International Relations and Hispanic Studies major, but I often joke that I’ve learned so much more about the world through the Modern Languages Department than through Government. Hispanic Studies has provided me with tangible, often surrea l expe riences in understanding how states and societies function. In study away programs in Argentina and Guatemala and with my internship at the National Security Archive, I was able to bear witness and contribute to processes of democratization, peace - building , and transitional justice in Latin America. I am especially grateful for the guiding hand of Silvia Tandeciarz, who convinced me to study abroad in La Plata during her office hours one day freshman year, and from that point on has accompanied me in severa l formative experiences. I intend to pursue a graduate program in Latin American Studies or International Development in the ne ar future. My profile picture was taken in Valparaíso, Chile, by far the most extraordinary city I’ve ever visited!

I am extremely grateful for the two years that I have spent at William & 玛丽, especially in the Hispanic Studies department. After declaring my major during my first fall, I was able to hear about all of the connections that the program had around the country, and the world. I immediately jumped in and applied for an internship with the Embassy of Spain in their Cultural Affairs Office in Washington, DC. I was selected for the internship and by that May I was in a fully Spanish-speaking workplace. That experience was something that I dreamed about since I was 16, studying abroad in Zaragoza, Spain. To finally be able to live out a long-term goal due to the connection that the Hispanic Studies Department had with the Embassy solidified my decision to transfer to William & 玛丽. I learned so much during my internship, helping plan and host events with Diplomats and Washington's elite, which was an experience I will never forget. 

I came to William & 玛丽 intending to major in Biology on the pre-med track. Having taken Chinese classes in high school, I decided to continue studying the language when I arrived on campus. My freshman year classes with Professor Su encouraged me to continue taking classes in the department. During my sophomore year, I ventured into the literature courses offered and decided to turn my interest in Chinese into a major. My experiences in the program have helped me to extend beyond the language and into a greater understanding of the breadth and depth of what constitutes “China,” the process by which the modern sociopolitical China came about, and how to understand China through both its literature and cinema.

Because of the opportunities available through the Chinese department, I spent the summer of 2018 participating in Professor Hill’s study abroad program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. This opportunity led me to apply for and receive the US Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship to spend the summer of 2019 participating in a fully-funded intensive language program in Xi’an at Shaanxi Normal University.

This May, I am graduating with a degree in Chinese Language & Literature as well as a minor in Biochemistry. After working for a few years, I intend to apply to medical school. I hope to work as a physician in Chinese-speaking communities, whether that be in the United States or abroad. I am grateful to my advisor, Professor Hill, and the rest of the William & 玛丽 Chinese department for their guidance and encouragement these past four years!

祝大家万事如意!

My involvement in the Hispanic Studies Department at William & 玛丽 has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time  in college. Not knowing what I wanted to major in, I did not enroll in a Hispanic Studies class until the fall of my sophomore year. I would like to thank Professor Baker, Professor Blanco - Mourelle, and Professor Buck for guiding me in my three - year journey of Spanish language, culture, and literature. From writing recommendations for a summer semester in Cádi z to proofreading my law school applications, I have found a tremendous amount of personal and professional support throughout the Department. Hispani c Studies has enabled me to become a more global citizen and I would like to thank everyone in the Departm ent that makes study abroad trips as the Cádiz program such an educational and enlightening experience. Thanks to the incredible learning pro cess that I have enjoyed in the Hispanic Studies Department, I plan to continue using my invaluable language s kills moving forward in law school and the workforce.

My name is Nicole Fitzgerald and I am a Hispanic Studies and Finance double major from Dobbs Ferry, New York. After graduation I will be working in New York City at a consulting and research firm. I came to William & 玛丽 knowing I wanted to pursue a Hispanic Studies major, and I feel so lucky to have had the support of such amazing faculty over the course of my four years. I had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain twice - in Cádiz, and in Barcelona. The combination of my liber al arts background that I gained from Hispanic Studies, in combination with my business major is sure to serve me well in the future.

I decided to major in Hispanic Studies at the last minute because I needed to declare a major and I wanted to get better at S panish, but my experience in this department has challenged me to grow and broaden my worldview far more than I expected, and far b eyond my ability to speak Spanish (although I got pretty good at that too). Apart from my HISP classes, I also lived in the Hispanic H ouse for three semesters, studied in Sevilla for one semester, and volunteered with English Language Learners at a local m iddle school, all of which are experiences that I will value for the rest of my life. I want to thank all of the Hispanic Studies faculty for work ing so hard to make sure we got the most out of every class, especially my advisor, Professor Buck.

俄文

I came to William & 玛丽 with no intention of majoring in Hispanic Studies, but now I could not imagine my education withou t it. Studying Hispanic studies gave me so many invaluable experiences, from being able to perform research on jazz - flamenco music  while studying abroad in Cádiz, Spain to working as a medical interpreter on the Eastern Shore for migrant workers and other  Spanish - only speakers. I still use the skills and principles I learned in Professor Carrión’s class on medical interpretation to when working with Spanish - speaking patients while volunteering in healthcare. Working on the Eastern Shore also made me realize how much I enjoy working in underserved communities, and this is something I hope to continue as I pursue an MD at the Universit y of Virginia.

As a transfer student, I didn’t initially think I’d be majoring in a language. But with the warm reception I received from the department here at W&M, coupled with engaging classes and excellent instructors, I quickly knew I would graduate as part of the Chinese Studies program. In particular, I wish to thank my advisor, Professor Michael Hill, for his invaluable guidance and incredible teaching. I’m excited to continue developing my language skills from Malaysia - my post-grad destination.

When I came to William & 玛丽, I really hadn't considered majoring in Hispanic Studies.  At most, I planned on taking a few Spanish classes so I wouldn't  lose the basic level of understanding I had achieved in high school.  However, after taking a couple classes with Professor Rio, he convinced me that Hispanic Studies was a valuable major that aligned with my interests.  Looking back, I've grown so much s ince my freshman year.  I'm much more confident and comfortable speaking Spanish, and I've learned so much about Hispanic cultures.  My study abroad experience in Argentina was particularly transformative for me; as a direct result of the La Plata program,  I began taking more classes on human rights and transitional justice in Latin America.  One experience that will always stand out for me is my time working on the National Security Archive's Argentina declassification project.  I owe a special thanks to P rofessor Tandeciarz for being there for me throughout this experience.  And I'd like to thank the Hispanic Studies department in general for making my time at William & 玛丽 inolvidable.

我

When I look back on my time at William & 玛丽, one moment that I will never forget is when as a first semester Freshman I enrolled in a 300-level German philosophy course and its once weekly German conversation hour. I had never taken any sort of philosophy course before and though this experience could have been disastrous, it was one of the best classes I've ever taken at William & 玛丽. The professor who taught it was passionate and supportive, my fellow students were friendly and encouraging, and I learned more from that course than I ever anticipated. The closeness and support I found in this class is what enticed me to be a German major, and after 3 years in the department, I can soundly say that was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Being a part of German Studies at William & 玛丽 has introduced me to students who have become good friends, professors who have become personal mentors, and provided me with opportunities that have been invaluable. After graduation I will be embarking on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Gratz, Austria where I am confident that the skills I have learned from the German Studies Department, and MDLL Department at large, will serve me well. After this I intend on going to law school and though I haven't decided on a specific career path yet, I will never forget what I have learned from German Studies at William & 玛丽.

Initially coming to William & 玛丽, I had no intentions of continuing my Chinese studies, as I thought classes would be too hard and one degree would be enough work. However, like every facet of William & 玛丽’s campus I’ve experienced, the encouragement and support were overwhelming. What started as a Chinese minor was scrambled to fit a double major in my schedule with my Marketing Degree. I’m so thankful for this support and “push” to take the extra classes senior year in order to get the dual degree.

So now thinking back on all of my courses in the Chinese department, my favorite memories have to be some of the final project videos we had to make. They were hard, uncomfortable to film at times, but rewarding and entertaining to make with friends that I had the chance to take courses with each semester. Post “virtual” graduation, I will be moving up to New York City to work as a Client Services Associate at AlphaSights. What first sparked my interest in this role, actually, was that they had Mandarin Associate roles as well. Although I don’t quite fit the qualifications of the role yet, I plan to continue studying and hope to one day mesh my Marketing and Chinese majors into a future career!

所以

It has long been a personal goal of mine to become fluent in Spanish, and it is this goal that first attracted me to the Hisp anic Studies major. However, I soon learned the common trend among those in the major: come for the language practice, stay for the  thought - provoking classes and committed professors. In my experience at William & 玛丽, I’ve been enchanted by Argentinian literature , intrigued by the complex political histories of countries on both sides of the Atlantic, galvanized by studying the comp lex challenges faced by Latinx communities in the US. I lived in la Casa Hispanica on campus for two years, and I lived in Cádiz, Spain, for  two unforgettable months. I’ve met brilliant professors that I admire and wonderful friends that will make leaving this place very difficult indeed. My time in the Hispanic Studies department has taught me Spanish, yes, but it has also encouraged me to be academical ly curious, culturally passionate, and determinately compassionate. I am lucky to take these things with me as I move onto the next phase of my life.

When I first arrived at William & 玛丽, I never imagined that I’d end up becoming part of the Hispanic Studies department. However, now that almost four years have passed, I can’t  imagine what my college experience would have been like without it. My Spanish language skills have improved tremendously, of course, but I’ve also learned effective communication and critical thi nking skills. I’ve made lifelong friends through my classes , my three semesters living in the Casa Hispánica, and my study abroad experience on the Camino de Santiago. Special thanks to Professor Cate - Arries, Professor Riofrio, and Professor Varra for all of their support and guidance.

Th

My time as part of the Modern Languages Department at William & 玛丽 has been full of wonderful memories. I came to the university knowing that I wanted French to be a part of my life, but what I did not know was that this program would lead me to all sorts of incredible people and experiences that I will carry with me through college and beyond. I learned in my classes about the multifaceted ways of thinking about the past and the importance of diverse voices representing themselves in a collective archive. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with artists from around the world about their works and their message. I visited France and Guadeloupe and was exposed to wildly different corners of the French experience. As I graduate from William & 玛丽 to pursue a Master of Architecture at the University of Oregon, it is that depth of experience and meaning that I was exposed to in my undergraduate years that will anchor my studies in the broader world.

I am so grateful for everything the Modern Languages Department has given me throughout my time here at William & 玛丽. I began my intellectual journey in Hispanic Studies to improve upon my Spanish language skills and to strengthen my connection to my S panish heritage, and while I certainly achieved this, I also gained further insight into many aspects of the Hispanic world b y taking a variety of classes about different countries of focus and their unique cultural productions. These classes have truly de epened my understanding of humanity. One thing I did not expect to gain from my experience in Hispanic Studies was the life - defining relationships I would make within the department, which has been like a family to me. Without these relationships and the g uidance they provided, I would not be the person who I am today. I am now a stronger writer and thinker who has grown and changed so much from when I took my first Hispanic Studies class my freshman year, and I am going to use the skills I have gained th rough my experience in graduate school when I attend this fall. To all of my professors and especially to my advisor, Regina Root: gra cias por todo.

My experiences in the Hispanic Studies department have largely been shaped by the people that I have met and had the pleasure  of studying alongside. I feel lucky to have been inspired and challenged by passionate professors, who brought excitement and ad ve nture with them to every class, and to have engaged in meaningful discussions with dedicated peers who share my love for the Spanis h language and culture. The courses that I have taken have exposed me to new and different perspectives, while also giving me  a sense of confidence while conversing in a foreign language that I never imagined I could have. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities I have had to travel and explore Spain, including summer weeks spent in Cádiz, and a spring week spent in the  Basque Country, and for the opportunity to complete unique and challenging projects, such as adding subtitles to a Spanish documenta ry, and researching bilingual parents’ access to school materials in the United States. My sincerest thanks go out to my ad visor, Professor Buck, for all of her passion, wisdom, and guidance throughout our time spent abroad, and in classrooms on campus. I will not soon forget the lessons I learned as a member of this department. Next year I will be a  student at the William & 玛丽 School of Education, where I will be pursuing a Master’s degree in mathematics secondary education. I hope to fuse together my love for math, Span ish, and education in my future as a teacher.

Throughout my experience in the Hispanic Studies Program at William & 玛丽, I have met some of the most incredible mentors an d had the chance to explore research interests I had never thought to explore before. My professors have not only pushed me to deve lop fluency in another language, they have also encouraged me to connect my love of neuroscience with my love of studying languag e and culture. Some of the classes that I have taken have allowed me to explore topics such as medieval Iberian medicine, "scie ntific" justifications for Spanish colonialism, or exploring the nature of Don Quijote's  madness and misperception of reality. My study abroad program in  Cádiz, Spain took my studies beyond William & 玛丽. The beautiful seaside city became a temporary home , and my host mother's cooking gave me a true taste of Andalusian culture. Although I have already returned to visit once, I hope that I wi ll get a chance to visit many more times in the future. Upon my graduation from William & 玛丽, I will begin attendin g Wake Forest University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences to obtain my M.S. in Neuroscience. Although my next step is farther away from Williamsburg, there will always be a spot in my heart for the Hispanic Studies Program at William & 玛丽.

埃尔

My pursuit of French & Francophone Studies has taught me embrace discomfort and vulnerability, to challenge myself intellectu ally, and to seek out the study of topics that destabilize the way I once thought of the world. Above all, my studies have offered me meaningful and lasting relationships. It was because of my French major that I traveled to Guadeloupe in March 2019 and discu ssed collective memory of slavery with scholars and peers. It was because of my French major that I got coffee with artists, Kid Kreol and Boogie, who had traveled from Reunion Island to share their work with William & 玛丽 students. It was because of my French ma jor that I had weekly dinners with students and professors where my culinary skills were tested more than my language on es. It was because of my French major I spent one semester in Montpellier, France, where every dinner discussion with my host family abo ut France’s view on immigration and multiculturalism lifted my studies from the page into life. I am not a student who h as a Francophone family or grew up hearing French in my home. No one in my Ohio born and bred family had ever spent time outside o f the country until I studied French at William & 玛丽. As I move on and pursue national security work in Washington D.C., I w ill always be grateful for the family I’ve found in the French & Francophone Studies Department at William & 玛丽.

Gr

我

As a non - native speaker, I started my journey learning Spanish in high school, but I started my journey understanding Spanish when I came to William & 玛丽. Taking courses across a broad range of topics helped me understand not only the Hispanic world but my own as well. I now am eager and prepared to use all that I have learned in my future after graduation. From Cádiz to text tra nslation, phonetics to food, I’m so grateful for everything I have learned along the way!

我的

Once the Covid-19 pandemic subsides and travel resumes between the USA and China, I’ll be serving as a Market Research Intern for Larkin Trade International, a customs-trade compliance firm in Beijing while continuing my study of Mandarin at a to-be-determined university. I'm truly excited to be at this huge crossroads in my life, but know I wouldn't have made it here without Professor Hill, Professor Su Qian, and the rest of the William & 玛丽 Chinese Department staff. I'm eternally grateful for the opportunities they've afforded me, and will never forget my time as a Chinese Studies major at W&M.

I have had many memorable opportunities  and experiences  through the Hispanic Studies department from my very first semester on campus. In my freshman spring,  I was able to travel to Madrid with a class taught by Professor Cate - Arries, which was an incredible opportunity to dive deeply into the themes of our class through in - person experiences. Professor Cate - Arries'  dedication to the material, and our understanding of it, is s omething I've found in every professor I have had in this department. I also had the chance to work closely with professors through  working as a teaching assistant for introductory Spanish classes. This was an experience I found incredibly valuable. This  summer I will be starting a Master's program for ESL and Bilingual education at the School of Education here at William & 玛丽. Of course, I could not reflect on my time as an undergraduate  student without  talking about studying  abroad in Spain.  My semester abroad was meaningful in so many ways, from the friendships  I created, to volunteering at a local after school program, and simply soaking up the beauty of Sevilla every day. I am so grateful for all of these memories, and I am s ure that these  experiences will allow me to be the best educator I can as I move into my career.

Elizabeth hails from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is double majoring in English and French & Francophone Studies. She has always loved French—her mom was a French major at W&M, and her dad’s whole family is French Canadian. She works as a TA and tutor for the French department, and has loved every minute of getting to work closely with French students and the wonderful faculty. She was fortunate enough to travel with Magali Compan to Guadeloupe during spring break of 2019 to research slavery, colonialism,and memory on the island, and that will always remain one of her most cherished memories during her time at William & 玛丽. The French department at W&M has always felt like family, and she will miss all of the professors and friends she met along the way.

Beginning with my very first French & Francophone studies course at William & 玛丽 during my freshman year, I have been fortunate to call the Modern Languages (MLL) Department my home. Per their mission statement, the Modern Languages department  has enable d me and my fellow seniors to strengthen our understanding of other cultures, communication skills, and critical thinking abilities. In the classroom, I have honed these skills in Professor Pacini’s “Culture of Modern France” class, Professor Breh m’s “Bohe mians to Avant - Gardes” course, Professor Compan’s “Francophone African Literature” class, and many, many others. I have also worked on these skills outside of the classroom, through Professor Compan’s experiential learning trip to Guadeloup e in Marc h of 2019, as well as through regular speaker events such as Professor Pieprzak’s “Surface Feeling: Moroccan Art and the Politics of Whitewash in the City” lecture and Kid Kreol and Boogie’s “Street Art From The Indian Ocean” talk. While the department has  enabled me to cultivate these important skills, it has most of all given me a community of professors and friends who have made my time at W&M so very special. I look forward to carrying the memories and skills I have learned from the departme nt with me t o my new role as an Associate Equity Research Analyst at T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

When I took my first William & 玛丽 French class, I did not fully see the value of what I was learning. I was motivated in pa rt by fear — a fear of losing the language skills I had gained in high school, a fear of regret if I didn't  study abroad. I certainly enjoyed my classes on an intellectual level, whether analyzing Paris on film with Prof. Brutsche or reading about scandalous eighteenth - century French women with Prof. Pacini. However, I had no clue just how much my professors we re preparing me for experiences that would be truly foundational for me.  During my junior spring, I had a whirlwind semester abroad in Paris. I interned at an arts center, volunteered at a film fest ival at the Louvre, and made international friends that w ere radically different from me. It slowly dawned on me just how meaningful my language education at William & 玛丽 had been. It had taught me to be adaptable, to ask important cultural questions, and to understand how language functions differently in dif ferent contexts. Above all, these ways of thinking were immediately applicable — this is how I made friends, navigated life in a city I loved, and planned my future. This recognition compelled me to choose to stay abroad and complete a second semester in Be lgium. Following a summer of French film research in Paris, I moved to Brussels, where I interned at a film production company and continued to seek out ways to apply my William & 玛丽 French skills in new contex ts. With a passion for learning more langua ges, I'm planning on teaching English in Spain through the Auxiliares de conversación program. I'm thrilled to continue exploring the world with the tools William & 玛丽 has equipped me with.

I found my home at William & 玛丽 through the Hispanic Studies department. My second semester, I took Professor Cate - Arries’  freshman seminar. She invited our class to have dinner with her senior seminar, so that we could get to know the Hispanic Stu dies majors and the opportunities available to us. That sense of community has stayed with me for the past four years. I was lucky  enough to study abroad for a semester in Argentina, intern at the National Security Archive, be an office assistant in Washington Ha ll, present my research at the New England Council of Latin American Studies conference, and learn from human rights groups  in Guatemala. These experiences shaped my interests in human rights and legal advocacy. I am incredibly grateful to our professors for thei r support both inside and outside of the classroom. I am especially grateful to Professor Tandeciarz for her mentors hip on memory studies, from researching female activism at W&M to comparing street art in Sarajevo, Bosnia and La Plata, Argentina. After graduation, I p lan to work as a Legal Assistant in Washington, DC.

Over my four years at William & 玛丽, I have come to view my French major as my primary academic pursuit – even when on my transcript it is relegated to the status of “secondary” major. My experience as a student of French at W&M has been a blast – stimulating, challenging, enlightening, and fun – all thanks to the people. Each member of the French faculty (and each French major!) is a gem; I am privileged to learn from and work with such passionate, knowledgeable people. The faculty engage s tudents in the classroom, of course, but they also make a conscious effort to involve students in the life of the MLL Department. I have had  the pleasure of working in several capacities for the French faculty: as a peer mentor for Professor A. Leruth, as a research assistant for Professor Compan, and as an exam grader for Professor Brutsche.  It’s impossible for me to choose a favorite W&M French course. The breadth and depth of the curriculum here are quite special ! Through my French major I have met worl d - renowned street artists; traveled to Guadeloupe to study the memory of slavery; helped organize a research symposium; completed an independent study; had dinner at a professor’s house; and studied in Lyon through another university, all while enjoying co urses whose subjects stretch far beyond the normal French - literature basis of American undergraduate French study. I’m delighted to say that I’m not done with French just yet: starting this summer I’ll pursue an MA in French at Middlebury C ollege. I’ll al so most likely complete the Teaching Assistant Program in France, in the Lyon area.

At William & 玛丽, I learned that being my best self involves educating myself on social issues, actively serving and caring for others and myself, reflecting on my actions, and incorporating community needs into my life. Studying Hispanic Studies allowed me to learn about social issues, participate in service learning, reflect in conversation with others, and meet new communities through traveling abroad to Spain or traveling a few miles down the road. 

I developed my critical eye for injustice, my clarity in writing and in speaking, and of course, my Spanish language skills. My professors challenged me to write essays in support of opinions that I strongly opposed, forcing me to realize being my best self requires that I sit in discomfort and anger from time to time and appreciate differences even when it is difficult. Right now, in quarantine, knowing how to sit in discomfort and focus on connections with others is more important than ever before, making me appreciate these skills. 

Professor Cate-Arries reminded me recently how much I can also appreciate taking advantage of every opportunity I had through W&M. I am thankful to have studied abroad in Cadiz and in Sevilla, to have interned at the Spanish Embassy, and to have served as a TA, but I am most thankful for the conversations and relationships that developed from my experiences with Professor Carmen Sanchis-Sinisterra and my Sevilla host mom. I will remember the people most of all, and the support they offered. Learning will never end as long as I have human connection, and Spanish allows me to build even more connections. I plan to continue making connections as an educator, earning my Master’s degree in ESL at W&M, learning from my students as much as I hope they will learn from me.

我

The amazing experiences I had with the Japanese Department have truly defined my time at William & 玛丽. Starting from Japanese 101, I have found the students and faculty to bring a warm environment and a caring community. It was through this department that I discovered two life-changing programs; the William & 玛丽 and the Keio University Cross-Cultural Collaboration and Keio University’s one year study abroad program. From these programs I have made life-long friends and cherished memories. I didn’t come to William & 玛丽 intending to be a Japanese Major, but I don’t think I could have chosen a more rewarding path. I will be moving forward as a JET Assistant Language Teacher, hoping to foster the same wonderful intercultural environment that I have enjoyed these four years. I am very thankful to all the faculty and peers who have helped me make it this far and continue to motivate me.