2022 Modern Languages Graduates

My name is Sophie and I am about to complete my final semester majoring in French & Francophone Studies and International Relations. The MLL Department has allowed me to pursue so many opportunities that I never would have thought to be possible before coming to William & 玛丽, including studying abroad in Strasbourg, France alongside my peers. I have valued every single classroom experience that I have had with the amazing professors and students in the French Studies program. My hope for the future is that one day I can return to France with my family and friends to share the incredible experiences that I have had.

William Anderson is graduating with a double major in Chinese and Economics. He has enjoyed learning a new language with the wonderful faculty and students in the Chinese Studies program. Highlights of his time spent studying Chinese include a summer abroad in Beijing, learning about history and current issues in China, enjoying C-House holiday events, and doing his capstone research on western representations of the cheongsam. He is grateful to the Chinese program for everything he’s already gotten out of his studies, from a Critical Languages Scholarship to the lasting friendships he’s made in this department. William’s senior thesis in Economics discusses the relationship between housing and family planning in Taiwan, which has inspired him to pursue further research opportunities and graduate school to study demographic issues in East Asia.

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  My experience in Hispanic Studies has been incredible and formative. From my time abroad in Sevilla to incredible classes like Professor Terukina’s “Hot, Wet? Cold, Dry?”, the department has shaped my William & 玛丽 experience by allowing me to explore cultures and languages, challenging me to think critically, and inspiring me to, as Gandhi said, be the change I want to see in the world. I look forward to continuing my Hispanic Studies experience this coming year while teaching English in Spain

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I have really enjoyed my time here at William & 玛丽 as a Japanese Studies Major. When I first came to W&M as a freshman, I had no clue what I wanted to study, but when I took my first Japanese class, I loved it! Naturally, I continued to take Japanese-related classes and decided to major in it. I have learned so much and have made life-long friends through the Japanese Studies program. While I am sad to be leaving W&M, I am excited to see what the future hold for me!

The French Studies program was my favorite thing about my time at William & 玛丽. My professors were incredibly kind and caring and I learned so much from them. I will take all of the cultural lessons I learned here with me throughout the rest of my life. As of now, I plan on moving to San Francisco in the fall for a consulting job, but I am still exploring other opportunities. I’m hoping to return to pursue a graduate or law degree sometime in the next few years, once I am able to pin down what I want to study.

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  To the class 2020-22’ and all that we have shared! May the future bring something new. “[H]uman beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers give birth to them, but over and over through acknowledgement of their experiences.” - Love in the time of Cholera

  I have spent almost the entirety of my college career in the Russian department and it is one of the best choices I’ve ever made. I am so grateful to the amazing people I have met throughout my time here, including my phenomenal professors and beloved friends. The Russian department is incredible both in and out of the classroom. The Russian teas, movie nights, and guest lectures have been just as important to my education as my time in class. The opportunities given to me by the Russian department are priceless and I am excited to take my education wherever life after graduation takes me.

Some of my favorite memories from my time at William & 玛丽 take place in the classrooms of Washington Hall or in the language houses. I am incredibly grateful for all of the amazing professors in the Italian program and the time they have dedicated to helping me develop my Italian language skills and encouraging me to pursue a Self-Designed Major. I will forever be impacted by my professors' kindness, dedication, and ability to inspire students. 

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Joelle Goolsby is very proud to have earned BAs in both French & Francophone Studies and Linguistics. During her time in the MLL Department, she undertook an independent study under the wing of Professor Pacini on the sartorial culture of the French Revolution. This experience, in tandem with courses taken in the Theatre Dept. Costume Shop, helped build the necessary skillset to land internships for both the summer and school year at the Valentine History Museum in Richmond. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in public history, as well as French History in graduate school. She would like to thank her loving family and friends, and Professor Pacini, for their unending support and guidance through thick and thin.

Paul Hardin is a French & Francophone Studies and Music Double Major. Over his four years in the William & 玛丽 French Program, he enjoyed delving into the history and culture of the Francophone world. His senior thesis musical, Spectacular, which is set in eighteenth-century France, received highest honors. Paul is excited to continue pursuing his dream of composing for musical theatre in the next chapter of his life.

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  Throughout her time in the Hispanic Studies program, Samantha loved being surrounded by passionate, and caring individuals. Many of the classes she took through the department has had lasting impacts on her outlook on life and her interests for the future. Specifically, working on her research in Cádiz as well as Guatemala surrounding collective memory in the face of systematic oppression were once in a lifetime experiences that Samantha cannot be more thankful for. Following graduation, she is looking to further serve marginalized communities either at the border or in Puerto Rico. Finally, Samantha cannot thank the Hispanic Studies faculty enough for the time they had together. 

During my time at William & 玛丽, I discovered a love for China and its many facets. I always loved the language, but the diverse history and culture classes I took taught me to appreciate everything else. After my second year, I applied for the Tsinghua University summer study-abroad program, and those 3 months were the highlight of my academic career. There is something so profound and meaningful about learning a culture first-hand in the land of the people, and my experiences at Beijing will be remembered forever. I honed my practical language skills, made connections with the local teachers and students, and even had time to tour on the weekends. Overall, the William & 玛丽 provided me with the resources to discover what’s underneath the surface of China, and I am truly grateful.

  After graduation, I aspire to combine my expertise in Chinese Studies with my passion for Chemistry to work for international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, becoming a bridge between American and Chinese medicine.

  Thanks for all the memories W&M, and a special thank you to all the professors that helped me reach my goals and genuinely cared for my success.

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My name is Izadora Lenna and I am a Hispanic Studies major. I grew up in Massachusetts, and when I decided to come to William & 玛丽, I was a little nervous about being so far away from home. However, I quickly found my place within the MLL department. All my professors have been so supportive and kind. My Spanish skills significantly improved as well as my conversationalist skills. Professor Riofrio, Professor Buck, and Professor Root have pushed me to worked harder and persevere. They also taught that it’s okay to take a step back when needed. A few months ago, during my first semester senior year Professor Rio joined our small seminar class for dinner. This dinner was a highlight of my senior year, we were able to talk to our classmates and to our Professor as adults with similar interests, I truly felt a part of something bigger that day. Thank you, Hispanic Studies program, for the best four years!

With love, Izadora Lenna.

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  I am grateful to the French Studies program for providing me with all the tools I need as I move into this next chapter. After graduation, I will begin working as a Consultant for Unison Global in June. would like to thank all the Professors I have had over the years for everything that they have done and continue to do for students. I will always have so much love for this program.

  I had studied French for my entire academic life but wasn’t sure I would continue to pursue it once I got to William & 玛丽. My class with Madame Leruth quickly changed my mind. I improved my grammar and felt encouraged to practice speaking despite making mistakes. After building confidence in the language, I had the amazing opportunity to extend my learning beyond the classroom and do a gap year in Aix-en-Provence, working as an au pair. I vastly improved my French while living there and explored nearly every village and beach in the region. This experience solidified my interest in French and Francophone culture, and upon my return to William & 玛丽 I became friends with other students who shared my passion, through movie nights, conversation hours, and cooking classes in the French House.

  I absorbed everything I could about French society, literature, and art through courses with Professor Pacini, Monsieur Leruth, and Professor Conley. During class discussions, I shared my own experiences living in France and developed a deeper understanding of French culture.

  Through the IFE program, I had the chance to study in Paris for eight months during my junior year. I completed two internships, including one at an environmental research institute, where I wrote a 50-page French-language dissertation on climate change litigation.

  I’m so gratified that I’ve reignited my love for French culture these last few years. I graduated in December 2021 and plan to use my French when I pursue a master’s program in Europe this fall.

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As an International Relations and Hispanic Studies double major, I realized early on how much the curriculums coincide and highlight one another. Whenever possible I would tweak my IR research to focus on Latin America, specifically evident in the choice of my final capstone course: Cuban Revolutions. I have been so lucky to have made personal relationships with my professors in the Hispanic Studies program, as one of my capstones courses this semester only has 7 students in it! My interest in Hispanic Studies led me to study abroad for a summer in Costa Rica in 2021 and has influenced my decision to move to Spain this coming fall to work as a Language Assistant teacher. I am so grateful for all the knowledge both W&M and the Hispanic Studies program has provided me with, and while I am not sure of what my future holds, I am confident it will have something to do with the Spanish language.

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Pursuing a degree in Hispanic Studies (along with a degree in Biology) has enriched my personal and professional life in many ways. With courses ranging from Basque Studies to Environmental Cultures, and from Pandemic Lessons to Gender in the Early Modern Hispanic World, I have grown in my understanding of representation, marginalization, diversity, and empowerment. Moreover, I have learned to articulate how cultural hegemony differentially shapes and affects our lives.

  I am extremely grateful for Professor Root, who not only inspired me in her courses with her enthusiasm and critical pedagogy, but also gave me the opportunity to assist her in editing an upcoming book on Latin American fashion. I have learned about the publication process, cultural research, and the importance of intercultural communication. I also greatly appreciate Professor Buck for her vibrant teaching and support. I want to express gratitude to Professor Carrión for her incredible medical interpretation course, where we learned about both the vocabulary and ethics of interpretation. I’d also like to thank Professor Terukina for his encouragement and his ability to make challenging, historical texts electrifying.

  This degree has provided me with a sense of self-fulfillment and a passion for thinking critically about life and culture. As I plan to attend the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine as a member of the MD Class of ‘26, I know that I will use my education in Hispanic Studies to advocate for patients and for those in my community.

Although I came to William & 玛丽 intending to major in French, I couldn’t have imagined at the time how much the program would enrich my college experience and my life more broadly. Not only have my French skills improved by leaps and bounds while learning about Francophone cultures and literatures, but I have also been constantly challenged to think critically and communicate effectively. Not one French course was easy, but neither was one uninteresting, thanks to professors’ expertise and enthusiasm, and students’ readiness to engage thoughtfully with the material. I truly appreciate the department’s collaborative atmosphere, where students’ insights are valued by faculty and classmates, and where each course was an opportunity to learn and grow, intellectually and personally.

  My W&M French education prepared me well for the most challenging yet rewarding experience of my life—study abroad in Strasbourg in the spring of 2021, in the middle of the pandemic, where I interned at the University of Strasbourg and conducted original research on a topic I had no idea I had a passion for—translation. Presenting this project at the Fête de la Recherche last fall (while also having the privilege of co-organizing the event) is one of my favorite memories as a French student. Since returning to the US, I have not been able to think about much else besides France, so I am planning to participate in TAPIF this upcoming school year. Merci à tous!

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Hispanic Studies has been the heart of my education at William & 玛丽. The professors in the program not only taught me to be a global citizen by seeing the world through other perspectives, but their genuine passion for each course's content inspired me to be curious. Throughout my time in the program, I've had the privilege of taking a wide array of classes, ranging from Latinx identity to soccer to explorations of gender in early modern Spain. These lessons will stick with me after graduation, from my professional life to my personal life. Thank you MLL!

I am incredibly grateful for all the Chinese Studies program has done for me. The feeling of progress and improvement is one of my favorites, and all my interactions with the staff of the Chinese Studies helped me get that feeling. They gave me a healthy environment to develop my language skills and inspired me to be curious in areas I had never entered before. Not only was I given opportunities to develop my language skills, but I also was lucky enough to be able to apply my skills on campus. This department meant so much more than just a few undergraduate classes, and I will always look back fondly on the people I met and the experiences we shared.

Kelly Sherman’s (they/them pronouns) academic career at William & 玛丽 initially began with a major in French and Francophone Studies, to which they added a second Linguistics major. Interest in other languages accompanied French, and they soon added a concentration in Japanese due to their interest in the language and culture since middle school. W&M’s Modern Languages Department provided a rich experience for both languages, and they were able to take multiple courses delivered in the target languages, further enhancing their understanding and enjoyment of topics such as nature, medieval history, feminism, and textual analysis.

Because of W&M’s amazing professors, Kelly was also able to gain deep knowledge of cultural topics in both Japan and across the Francophone world. As a result, they applied to the Japan English Teaching (JET) Program, a Japanese government-sponsored consortium that sends English speakers to teach elementary through high school English in Japan. Kelly has been honored with an acceptance and will be leaving for Japan in July. They will treasure their memories from W&M and are extremely grateful to the entire faculty of the Modern Language Department.

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The Hispanic Studies program faculty and courses challenged me to utilize and grow my Spanish skills in such unique ways and encouraged me to find opportunities to be involved with the Spanish speaking community in Williamsburg. I am so thankful for the relationships with peers and professors from the department. I plan to attend graduate school to become a Physician Assistant and I am hoping to work with primarily Spanish speaking patients. I know that my courses in Hispanic Studies have prepared me well for the future!

Hello all! My name is Jordan Strong and I have LOVED being a Hispanic Studies major here at William & 玛丽. One of my goals coming into university was to achieve fluency in Spanish, and this department's belief that in order to be a fluent speaker of a language, one must also be fluent in the cultures of the nations that speak that language (however “imagined” they may be, Benedict) has helped me to do that and so much more.

  I was enormously grateful that, even during the pandemic, I could take part in W&M's incredible semester in Sevilla program. Some of my greatest memories of the past four years were made gallivanting around Spain, fully dedicating myself to speaking Spanish, and in doing so meeting people I never thought I would meet in my life. In fact, the picture on the screen is me kayaking in the Parque del Buen Retiro in Madrid!

  From my first Hispanic Studies class with Profesora Cate-Arries at 8am in Tucker to my mind-bending capstones with Profesor Rivera and Profesora Buck, I have expanded my understanding of the world thanks to the outstanding professors of this department. I’d also like to thank Profesora Root, Profesor Cantarello, Profesor Terukina, and Profesora Tandeciarz for their deep care for me and for consistently pushing me to be a better learner. Wherever I end up in the future, I know the skills and values I learned here will never leave me.

  Que todos se mantengan en contacto y que siempre recordemos nuestra experiencia especial aquí.

I initially chose to pursue Russian to fulfill my International Relations’ language requirement. Although my friends and family warned me to pick “an easier language”, I knew what lay beyond the difficult and demanding language - a genuinely caring, supportive, and welcoming culture. My decision was partially guided by the event that sparked my interest in International Relations - the Maidan Revolution in Ukraine. As a middle schooler, the Maidan Revolution was the first major international event I followed in depth. The struggle for freedom and democracy helped open my eyes to the injustices faced in Ukraine and the world. 

The professors and fellow students in the Russian & Post Studies faculty have been the most friendly and supportive people during my time at William & 玛丽. From Professor Pickering’s government courses to Professor Ginzbursky-Blum’s language classes, the faculty has offered a rigorous but encouraging academic environment that has resulted in immense personal growth. I would not be the person I am now without my Russian coursework, the experience living in the Russian House, and interactions with the wonderful professors involved.  I have particularly appreciated the support of the department in studying abroad, even during an unprecedented global pandemic. 

My time in the classroom and while abroad in Prague, Czechia have fostered a deep appreciation for the culture and people of Central and Eastern Europe.  After graduation, I hope to build on my experiences by working in government policy focused on human rights and democracy in Central and Eastern Europe

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  I have had an incredible experience being part of the German Studies program in my time at William & 玛丽. While I had prioritized my other major, History, in my freshman and sophomore years, I enjoyed my introduction to German 101 and 201 enough to pursue more classes in the program, I am so glad that I did. The German Studies professors, though few in number, were always helpful and encouraging in my studies for both my majors and offered advice on how to overlap the two disciplines in my projects and classwork that has left me with a great appreciation of the intersections between German culture and history that I look forward to exploring more in the future.

  Looking forward, I plan to pursue a graduate degree in German history and eventually teach at the high school or college levels, but for my immediate future, I was accepted into the Fulbright Austria Teaching Assistant Program for 2022-2023! I will be helping teach English at two schools in the Austrian town of Oberwart, and I can’t wait to further explore the German language and Austrian culture as I gain experience in education before moving on to graduate school. I am so thankful to my German professors and the department for the opportunities and guidance they have provided in my William & 玛丽 education. 

The Chinese Studies program has been a huge part of my college career. Dr. Hill first introduced Mandarin to me when I took his COLL 200 course my freshman year.  At the time, I was an aspiring Physics major, but clearly that did not last long!  With his support and Dr. Hui’s guidance as my advisors, I have grown as a researcher and writer, gaining skills I will take with me in my next steps.  I will miss seeing Su Laoshi and Lin Laoshi’s smiling faces every day!  I am so grateful for their patience and kindness, especially when teaching online and with masks. 

  Besides coursework, I have enjoyed being a part of the Chinese Studies community.  The Chinese House is a tight-knit group, and I will miss our dumpling nights.  I never expected to become close friends with classmates, but the camaraderie I have felt with my peers in the program is unmatched.  It seems few things can bring people in college together more than humbly admitting that while you may have read the Chinese homework - you certainly did not understand it.

  In the immediate future I plan to practice my language skills as much as a I can as I start a career in marketing.  Sooner rather than later I hope to find myself abroad, putting my skills to the test and finally experiencing the cultures I have learned so much about.