Spanish
University of Valencia
During the Spring 2025 semester, attended the University of Valencia (UV) in Valencia, Spain. While there, I took four Spanish classes covering grammar, culture, history, and film. I was taught by local Valencian professors who shared their deep love of Spanish culture and language with us each and every day. In four short months, my Spanish skills transformed through the help of my professors, and also with the help of my friends. My friends provided me with the patience and gentle guidance I needed to take my skills to the next level.
The University of Valencia was founded in 1499, making it one of the oldest universities in Spain. Today, as a public research institution, it is one of the top universities in Spain.
Scholarships
I am honored to share that I was awarded three scholarships to help support my studies abroad. For these applications, I shared about how this program will support my future academic and professional endeavors in Spanish and film. A big thank you to those on the Experiential Learning Committee, the Honors International Scholars Program and the OGE Committee for your support.
Casa De Amistad
As a Casa de Amistad volunteer, I help teach English to Spanish speaking adults in the Athens area. During classes, I serve as a speaking practice partner for the students, and a judgment-free space for questions and help with the language. One of my favorite things about being a Casa volunteer is the shared atmosphere of learning. I’ve learned so much from the students I’ve worked with, as they have helped me improve my Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation, judgment-free.
Final Honors Essay
In this essay, I analyze the cultural shift that occurred in Spain during the years after Franco’s dictatorship through the lens of film. I use Víctor Erice’s film, The Spirit of the Beehive and Pedro Almodóvar’s film, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown to explain how years of repression under strict and often deadly censorship led to an explosion of cultural experimentation and expression in the years following Franco’s death.
Film Analysis Papers
Latinx Studies Podcasting Project
Listen in as Claire, Eddie, and I discuss “Spanglish”, a hybrid language of English and Spanish. In the podcast, we talk about its importance to the identities of those from the 1.5 generation, discuss Spanglish-speaking authors and poets, and ultimately argue that Spanglish should be considered a legitimate and valid language.