Growing up, language learning was established in my family as an expectation more than a novelty. Amongst my parents and aunts alone, three of them are former Spanish teachers and one is a French teacher. At only 4 years old I traveled to Grenada, Spain for the first time with my mom, and Encarna (her host mom from study abroad) taught me my first Spanish words: “pera”, “tenedor”, and “plato”. Again, when I was 13 years old, my family traveled back to see Encarna; only this time, I had the very beginnings of a Spanish vocabulary to work with. As I attempted to speak with Encarna, and she patiently slowed her words, I was struck by the ability of language learning to create uncertain or improbable relationships.
My introduction to Spanish ultimately led me to Wesleyan and the Global Engagement Minor. As an English major, and GEM student, I have been able to pursue my interests in storytelling and environmental justice through a global lense. Through my Spanish language learning, and my study abroad program in Madrid, Spain, I returned to Grenada for orientation. I had the privilege of staying with my own wonderful host parents and further learned how to build trust and empathy in a second language. In my classes at Carlos III University, my local field hockey team, and my newly formed friendships I was able to immerse myself in a different cultural framework. Spanish presented the opportunity to form friendships and exchange ideas with people I otherwise would have never met. Furthermore, I felt as though my love of literature morphed into a love of storytelling while abroad as trading moments and laughs became the currency of my learning. Regarding my interests in environmental studies, my time in Madrid showed me that the possibilities of problem solving grow exponentially if we are able to communicate across cultural and linguistic boundaries. When looking at entanglements of ecologies across the globe it is incredibly valuable to be able to connect with diverse groups of people. After Wesleyan, I hope to take with me the curiosity, empathy, and creativity that I have learned in my GEM experience and be proactive in seeking out discomfort and improbable connections. In a world that is increasingly interconnected, but also increasingly polarized, I hope to combine my passions of storytelling, language learning, and the environment to build more sustainable and conscious communities along the way.
Image Citations:
Zhang, Jenny Tinghui. Book Review: ‘The Great Reclamation,’ by Rachel Heng – The New York Times, nytimes, www.nytimes.com/2023/03/28/books/review/the-great-reclamation-rachel-heng.html. Accessed 13 May 2025.
“TSKP ” Work ” Beman Middle School.” TSKP ” Work ” Beman Middle School, tskp.com/work/project_page/beman_middle_school. Accessed 12 May 2025.
“iStock Images.” iStock, www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image?mediatype=illustration&phrase=barcelona%2Btourist%2Bmap. Accessed 12 May 2025.
“Examples of Pluralism.” YourDictionary, YOURDICTIONARY, www.yourdictionary.com/articles/examples-pluralism. Accessed 12 May 2025.
Anwar, Aya. “Traders Rebrand Venezuelan Oil to China as Brazilian.” Amwal Al Ghad, en.amwalalghad.com/traders-rebrand-venezuelan-oil-to-china-as-brazilian/. Accessed 12 May 2025.
