This is dedicated to all the students who are either dual-degreeing, double majoring, minoring, or certifying in Spanish in addition to their primary STEM major. As a biochemistry and Spanish dual-degree student, I seeked to find the intersection between these two fields and I’d like to share more about my perspective in this existing overlap. 

As a BIPOC student, I have personally experienced injustices that occur both in the STEM and Spanish world. As a Latina I have been judged and discriminated against due to my skin color, physique, and personality. This led me to pursue Biochemistry as my primary major where I seek to work in the medical field as a researcher and pediatric endocrinologist. I hope to one day be in a position where I can bring to light the injustices the Latino community experiences in the medical field. More so, I would like to bridge the gap and represent the Spanish speakers in these settings. Maybe as you read you think about your own experience where you have not been familiar with a language and have felt discriminated against or judged. The Latino community feels like this every day in work settings, at the store, and even a regular doctor’s visit. As a STEM and Spanish major you can make a difference through your voice and awareness of these ongoing issues. 

I love biochemistry, but my experience at UMass would be quite different if I had never taken a Spanish course. Taking a language class, specifically a language I interact with my parents and extended family with, allows me to embrace my identity and continue learning about my cultural history and background. If you are reading this and do not identify as Latino, I encourage you to take the opportunity to submerge yourself in learning a new language that will allow you to see the world in a whole new light. Learning about other cultures, especially the Latino culture that is so diverse and rich in history, will help gain cultural competence and awareness. You may even learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible.

We all perceive the world in a perspective that has been influenced by the ways we were raised, educated, and chosen to see it. My hope is that as you continue to pursue your major in STEM, the additional Spanish courses you take may allow you to use the more creative, social, and interpretive part of your brain. I would encourage you to take full advantage of the various courses offered with different focuses. For example, my junior year I had the opportunity to take a Spanish in medicine course where we discussed more in depth the discrepancies in healthcare toward women, immigrants, non-white individuals, and insurance preferences. All of these are more present than we think in our communities and as STEM and Spanish majors will have the ability and education to stand up and create change through our own work. 

To conclude I’d like to share that personally, my Spanish classes gave a breath of fresh air from the STEM world. As STEM majors we often focus on the evidence and analytical side of things. But, without my Spanish classes I would be unable to analyze without recognizing my own bias. I personally think any STEm major should have the opportunity and take advantage of taking classes in a whole other college department because this broadens your perspective in such an incredible way. Most importantly, remember to enjoy the ride more than the trophy itself.