Along with being a Spanish major, I plan to pick up a minor in Sociology, receive a letter in social work and obtain certificates in both Interpreting Studies and Latin American Studies. I have quite a bit of work ahead of me, but all of these courses of study seem to intertwine/connect quite nicely. They are especially all related to the area of work I plan on being involved in in the future. Continue reading
This class has facilitated a large amount of thinking and personal growth through the assigned readings and our discussions of what it means to us to be Spanish majors. For me, being a Spanish major is a way to open a door to a whole other world of culture, customs, people, food, and even more. On the most basic level, this is why most people study other languages, and it i considered a huge asset on paper if you are a native English speaker and are lucky enough to be a heterosexual white individual.
When unpacking ideas of white privilege it is inevitable that some people will not admit that they have privilege or that they are prejudice, when in reality everyone has been raised with some prejudice thoughts such as that African Americans are good at basketball, or that all women who identify as feminists hate males, and may not actively engage in these prejudices but still have them from time to time. Continue reading
Why this major? When I first heard this question I thought the answer was obvious, I like Spanish and I always felt really drawn to it. When I started the university as a biochemistry major I knew it wasn’t for me, and when I took my first Spanish class and finally officially declared myself a Spanish major I knew it was what I wanted to be doing. I thought that was enough. As a biochem student I knew that I wanted to be a forensic toxicologist, I just realized that I hated everything leading up to it, so I figured I wouldn’t like my career. I loved Spanish and had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do. I figured that eventually I would just fall into a career, I would find something I’m wicked passionate about and then I would be set. Continue reading
As my time at UMass comes to a close, I have begun to ask professors for recommendation letters to send to grad schools. As a Spanish major, the professors that know me best are those who teach within the Spanish Department, and they have asked me how my major ties to my desire to earn my Master of Social Work. My goal to become a LICSW is tied in every way to the pursuit of my Spanish major over the last 6 semesters. When I first started the major, it was because I had a talent for it, and I didn’t really know where it would lead me. I grew to love it, and eventually made the goal to become a medical interpreter. It seemed like a natural choice, given my experience with the healthcare system as a result of my mother’s ALS and that, as anyone that knows me knows, I love people and interacting with those from all different backgrounds and walks of life. However, as a result of taking the first course required for the Interpreting Certificate here at UMass as well as my time studying in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I realized that medical interpreting may be too restricting of my personality. I began to consider what career I could pursue where I would have more professional freedom to exercise my compassion and investment in the well-being of others, Continue reading
Muy a menudo oigo la pregunta “¿que quieres hacer con un título en lengua española?” o, “Si ya puedes hablar [básicamente] con fluidez, ¿cómo te ayudaría un título en español?” Esta consulta típicamente viene de mis amigos que estudian varios tipos de ciencias, o de mi abuela. Otros suponen que me convertiré automáticamente en un profesor, en lo que no tengo ningún interés. La noción que es una pérdida de tiempo y dinero a dedicarse a una carrera en un idioma extranjero es completamente falso. Yo sé exactamente lo que quiero hacer con mi vida, y eso requiere un conocimiento profundo de idiomas y culturas diferentes. Continue reading
So far in class and online and in many ways we have discussed the future. The future that we want to pursue and the ways in which we can prepare ourselves now in order to be successful in our pursuits. For the most part our discussions have begun the same, “what do you want to do with your major?” or “what do you want to be when you grow up?”, questions we have all heard and been asked a million times. Questions that as a Spanish major are maybe just a little more open ended than for someone studying say Engineering. Ever since probably junior year of High School people have been asking me what I want to do with my life and although I have tried many times to give answers that will satisfy whoever is asking me, now I realize that one of the bravest answers you can give is “I honestly don’t know, and I am okay with not knowing right now.” Continue reading
¡Hola a todos! My name is Siobhan Elvin and I am a recent UMass graduate (’14) and former student of Professor Marentes. Today I am blogging to inform current UMass senior/junior Spanish majors about what I have been up since graduation so as to hopefully motivate any of you thinking of moving abroad to a Spanish speaking country to have no fear and just GO!!!!! :)
During my last semester as a senior Spanish major at UMass, I was 180% unsure of exactly what I wanted to do after graduation. Seniors especially, welcome to the dreaded quarter life crisis that is the next 9 months of your life. I personally was terrified of the thought that May 10, 2014, meant I would no longer be a Minuteman, and that I needed a plan for postgrad life. So I did what I recommend others follow suit of: I applied to a variety of things to keep my options open and prolong my ultimate decision until the very last possible moment. I knew that I wanted to continue improving and practicing my Spanish, so I applied to UMass’ Graduate Program in Hispanic Literature and Cultures, as well as I applied to the Spanish Ministry of Education’s “Language and Culture Assistants” Program Teaching English in Spain. I was accepted to both which made me even more unsure of what I wanted to do, but after lots of thinking and tough decision making, I chose the latter, to try out new surroundings away from UMass and to return to the Spanish paradise that I had left in Salamanca just a year before. Continue reading
When I first heard to the question, “Why is Spanish your major?” my response was that I enjoy speaking and learning the language, and would like to eventually be a Spanish teacher. I’m not really sure what my motives were for being a Spanish teacher, other than the fact that my mom is a Spanish teacher, so I’ve been exposed to the career my whole life. I envisioned my self teaching in a normal, middle-class, nearby town. Both my parents work in wealthy towns, which comes with its fair share of downsides, but after a few eye opening experiences, I realized that I am more drawn to working with a different kind of population. When I look back at my first news forum post about my major choice, it seems vague and unsure to me, but I think I have a little more direction now after some of my experiences this semester. Continue reading
A forum with Diplomat in Residence Mary Beth Leonard to discuss careers and internship programs with the Department of State. Monday, November 16 at 6:30 in SOM 133.
Being a travel junkie, I spend a significant amount of time thinking and reading about traveling. I by no means think travel is everything, and I would encourage thoughtful and intentional travel whether you’re going on vacation or study abroad. I do think that traveling, whether to a new neighborhood, state, or country, is an incredible way to learn more about the world and yourself.
I found this article the other day on one of my favorite travel websites listing “10 excuses that shouldn’t keep you from studying abroad.” It’s a quick read that says neither money, time, or fomo (among other things) should stand in your way of studying abroad. Study abroad experiences can be anything from terribly unenjoyable to world-rockingly awesome, and sometimes can be a combination of both. It can be scary to embark on an adventure but my feeling is that you never know what you’re capable of until you try. Even if it’s difficult or scary to imagine leaving home, why deny yourself the opportunity to grow and learn in new ways? I always remind myself that sometimes my greatest learning has come from my most challenging experiences. And you never know how much fun you can have until you go!