Language Journey: From Classroom to World

Let me share a bit about myself and my passion for languages.

Plaza de España, Seville, Spain 2012

From a young age, I've always been intrigued by languages and had a deep-seated desire to connect with others, to delve into their cultures, and simply listen to their stories. I firmly believe that through conversation with people, one can glean invaluable lessons about life.

My journey with languages began in high school when I embarked on Spanish language classes. Concurrently, I developed a keen interest in German and decided to pursue both simultaneously. I took summer classes to accelerate my learning and progress through various levels.

Fast forward to my undergraduate years at West Chester University, where I made the decision to double major in Spanish and German, complemented by double minors in International Business and Linguistics. At that time, although I knew I didn't want to pursue teaching, I was uncertain about other career paths involving languages.

To explore my options, I seized the opportunity to study abroad—three times, to be exact.

Plaza de España, Seville, Spain 2012

The first time, in 2011, I secured a marketing internship in Seville, Spain. Living with a host family for the entire summer, I worked on marketing campaigns for Mail Boxes Etc., targeting students seeking to ship their luggage while traveling or studying across Europe.

Seville captured my heart, and bidding farewell was an emotional ordeal. I resolved to return and study abroad for an entire year, which I did in 2012. Reuniting with my previous host family, with whom I had formed a deep bond, I also delved into Arabic studies, undertaking private tutoring alongside my other language courses.

Berlin, German 2013

In 2013, I embarked on another study abroad adventure, this time in Berlin, Germany, to further hone my German skills and accumulate more credits for timely graduation. Living with a multicultural host family—combining Bolivian and German heritage, fluent in both Spanish and German—was an enriching experience that perfectly aligned with my linguistic pursuits.

After graduating with my Bachelor's degree in 2014, I made the decision to pursue a Master's in Spanish. Although typically a two-year program, I was determined to complete it in just one year. Despite facing challenges and moments of doubt, I persevered, and in May 2015, I proudly graduated with my first Master's degree.

My proficiency in languages has not only enriched my personal journey but has also enabled me to serve my community. Volunteering my time to teach English, providing interpretation services for non-English speaking parents at West Chester Area School District parent-teacher conferences, and collaborating with immigration law firms to assist individuals in navigating complex legal processes have been deeply rewarding experiences.

This, in essence, is my language journey—a testament to the power of language in fostering connection, understanding, and meaningful impact in the world around us.