Studying another language cultivates new, unique ways of thinking. Carolyn Sakstrup (BA ‘99, Spanish, minors in Latin American studies and Studio Art) is a senior vice president in marketing at Target. Her path all began with language studies and a desire to continue learning.

Evolving culture means evolving language. Students in the Spanish and Portuguese graduate program are thinking about how to create inclusive classroom environments for all students, not only those with binary gender identities.

Congratulations to PhD Candidate Tripp Strawbridge who was the runner-up in the collegiate 3-Minute Thesis Competition! Tripp presented his research: "The Social Networks: How to understand second language learning abroad". He was one of eight presenters from across the College of Liberal Arts. 

Michelle Hamilton offers a new perspective in the field of medieval studies in her new book The Study of al-Andalus: the Scholarship and Legacy of James T. Monroe. This volume brings scholarship on Andalusi culture to an English-speaking audience and casts Monroe’s work into greater relief as part of—and as a foil to—current debates about Muslims and the cultures and traditions of the Arabic-speaking world.

Joseph Rojas learned abroad in three countries and three languages. He discusses how his experiences in Brazil, Venezuela, and France informed his career path. “Adaptability and flexibility are two of the greatest skills I learned as a result of studying abroad.”

Issraa El-Khatib spent summer 2018 working an internship in Toledo, Spain and taking a course on Christian, Muslim, and Jewish art. She talks about the significance of connecting with classmates, professors, a host family, and her religion. “As a Muslim, it gave me a sense of familiarity and pride in a country that had seemed so foreign to me before,” she says.

For Jacob Dixon, studying in Maputo, Mozambique confirmed a desire to teach Portuguese and opened up interests in the greater Lusophone world. Support from the Institute for Global Studies and the US Department of Education made his trip possible.

Greta Treiber spent spring 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She discusses her connection with her host family and her tips for other students looking to participate in learning abroad. By honing her Spanish skills, Treiber hopes to further her intercultural competence as she pursues a master's in arts education.

Kathleen Ganley started teaching service-learning classes with the Latino community in 1996. This January, she took a class to the US/Mexico border. Her students returned with an acute understanding of the reality that migrants face when attempting to immigrate to the US.