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Alumni Updates: German Studies Graduates 2013-2014 News: German Studies

Thomas Bettge (’14) Scores Law Position with Houston Firm

Thomas

Thomas Bettge (German Studies, ’14) checked in with us. Here is what he reported:

I matriculated at Penn State’s Dickinson Law School in 2014. My background in German Studies enabled me to secure work the following summer with one of my professors, who was completing a dissertation comparing the horizontal dimension of constitutional rights in German, Canadian, and American law, and needed a research assistant capable of working with legal academic literature published in German.

During my second year, I discovered an interest in tax law. My undergraduate experience naturally led me in the direction of international tax, and in addition to completing coursework in that area, I secured a summer position after my second year with a transfer pricing group, helping multinational clients to navigate tax disputes and invoke tax treaty protections when the IRS and a foreign tax authority disagree on pricing matters. After graduation, I joined the same group of attorneys as an associate, married my fiancée of almost six years, and moved to Houston.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Christian Bale ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Bale.CI made it my goal freshman year of high school to speak French fluently and I’m proud that I never let that go. Part of the reason was because my mom used to tell me about her semester abroad in Cannes and I couldn’t wait to have my own experience in France. I had planned to continue taking French classes in college but I only decided to pursue the major after taking courses with Pr. M. Leruth and Pr. Fauvel. They were both extremely passionate and got me excited about studying the language. Pr. Leruth has gone out of his way to advise me throughout my college career and I am extremely thankful for his guidance and support.

2) My best experiences have been the close interactions that I’ve had with so many warm and approachable professors that go out the way to encourage me. William & Mary truly does have great teachers. One touching experience that comes to mind was during a sophomore year grammar course with Pr. Kulick. For one of our presentations, we were supposed to read a piece of poetry out loud. I chose Chanson d’automne by Paul Verlaine and I enlisted my roommate to play his viola while I read to the class. As a joke, I passed around a hat to collect some extra cash! A few days later after class, Pr. Kulick gave me a card with a $20 inside saying that she really appreciated my creativity.

3) Studying a foreign language has changed my life. I got to meet so many people during my time abroad and I’ve made great friends in the our program. It has also made me a more tolerant and culturally curious person for which I’m very grateful. I was especially excited to take two literature courses my senior year, one with Pr. Compan and the other with Pr. St. Clair. They were absolutely spectacular.

4) I will stay a fifth year at William & Mary to earn a master degree in Public Policy and I hope to audit additional French courses. After earning my graduate degree, I plan to work to pay down some of my students loans and to eventually attend either law school or pursue a Ph.D.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Sierra Barnes ’14 Senior Profile: German Studies

IMG_0750As someone who had studied German all through high school and absolutely loved it, the decision to major in German Studies seemed logical. I didn’t know it then, but that was the best worst-informed decision I have yet made.

Studying modern languages gave me the opportunity to go overseas, study in Germany, and now possibly to go to Lithuania and Austria over the summer to research and teach English. Between German and Russian, which I picked up sophomore year here, I discovered entirely new movements of literature and philosophy that I hadn’t even heard of (and certainly would not have been able to pronounce!), and having access to those other languages has proved invaluable to my study of history.

Studying a foreign language is about 95% gruelling work and 5% glowing epiphany, but as much as memorizing endless charts of verb conjugations and noun endings makes you want to eat a pint of ice cream and cry on the floor, it’s all worth it once you pick up a copy of Goethe’s Faust and read it in the original German. Learning German, and now Russian as well, has taught me more than just a jumble of funny sounds, but a whole new perspective on the world. There’s a theory that the language you speak affects the way you think. I believe it.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Linda Baysore ’14 Senior Profile: Chinese Studies

SANYO DIGITAL CAMERAChinese culture and history courses have been my favorite classes throughout my college career and I can’t imagine what my William & Mary experience would be like without them. The Chinese major led me to live in the Chinese House, become involved with the Confucius Institute, dance for Chinese foreign dignitaries, learn Chinese painting, and study in beautiful Southern China. As I prepare to transition into the professional world, I don’t see myself immediately working with Chinese issues and topics. However, my hope is that I will continue to study the Chinese language and culture, and one day apply it to my career. Nevertheless, I am sure that I will always be eager to learn more about China.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Michaela Beane ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Senior Bio Pic BeaneAfter graduating high school from the American School of Paris, Michaela entered William & Mary with a love for the French language and planned to pursue a minor in the field. Once here, her experiences in the Modern Languages department not only convinced her to pursue a major in French and Francophone Studies, but they took her academics back to France. Michaela spent the Spring of 2013 attending L’Université Lumière in Lyon, France with a focus in cross-cultural studies. Michaela plans to begin work at the State Department in the Fall of 2014 where she hopes to not only put what she’s learned here to use, but eventually call France her home again. In addition to a major in French and Francophone Studies, Michaela is pursuing a degree in Psychology and has spent her time at the College juggling both disciplines.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Paula Billingsley ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Billingsley.PI originally chose to major in this discipline to broaden my understandings of communities and experiences in the US, Latin American and Spain while improving my language skills. Memorable experiences I have had in the program include my work and time as a Sharpe scholar my freshman year through a course on Ethical Fashion, engaging seminar conversations in classroom settings and with professors, my senior seminars and especially my time abroad in Sevilla, Spain. There I engaged with a local community through an unforgettable service learning experience working with individuals from a range of Latin American and European countries. I could not speak enough about this abroad experience and am so grateful to the program for the incredible opportunity!

For me, the Hispanic Studies major has meant analyzing larger social, cultural, and historical contexts of various perspectives. It has meant learning that all voices offer insight but not all voices are always heard. It has also meant examining my own perspective in larger social contexts and in cross-cultural exchanges. The discipline has exposed me to diverse representations and histories in ways that will allow me to better understand information, complex social issues and cross-cultural interactions in future endeavors.

My post-graduate future plans remain up in the air! My varying interests may lead me to pursue a career in public policy, communications or a political-science related field more generally. Currently I am applying to jobs and look forward to the next chapter of life! As for long term plans, I hope to pursue social and political advocacy in some way and plan on applying to graduate school within a couple years. I would like to thank the entire Hispanic Studies department, especially my professors and my advisor Professor Stock, for their guidance and support throughout these past four years!

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Graduates 2013-2014

Laura Bolger ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Bolger.LI was especially excited to give a presentation at the departmental research festival this year, remembering how impressed I had been when I first attended the event as a sophomore. This personal and intellectual growth would not have been possible, were it not for the challenging and supportive community of the French department. Living in the French house has also shaped my college experience in a profound way. As a transfer student, I struggled to find my place at William and Mary until I discovered the crazy, wonderful people who made my junior and senior years incredible. I also have my professors to thank for encouraging me to study abroad. Although I have loved French since middle school, it wasn’t until my semester in Paris that I decided to be a French major. I fell so in love that I had to go back! Next year, I will be an English teaching assistant at a primary school in the Bordeaux area.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Brittany Borman ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Borman.BBrittany originally chose to study Hispanic Studies because of a love for the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. This love was reinforced during her semester abroad in Sevilla, Spain where she lived with the best host family ever and fell in love with Spanish culture from the beautiful cathedrals and Catholic traditions to the azulejos decorating the streets to the delicious tortilla española. Brittany is incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to develop such language skills and explore so many new cultures. Next year, Brittany will be earning her Master’s in Elementary Education through the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education while teaching 5th grade full-time at Holy Rosary School in Jacksonville, FL.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Brooke Carr ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

carrBrooke Carr is a French and Psychology double major.  After taking her first French courses at William and Mary, she decided to pursue a major because of the faculty that was so invested in the students and she found that she was passionate about the French language and culture.  Her first semester senior year, she was blessed with the opportunity to study abroad in Montpellier, France.  The experience of living in the French culture and being immersed in the language was by far her favorite experience as  a French major at William and Mary.  After graduation, Brooke hopes to eventually attend psychology graduate school and obtain a Master of Arts in Counseling.  While she is not sure where she will ultimately end up, she is certain that her experience as a French major will prove to be a very valuable tool in her future.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Mariama Cooper ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

cooperFor the past nine years, French has been a major part of my life (no pun intended). A Francophile at heart, the language and culture appeal to me in such a way that I often wish they were my own. Being a French major has helped me refine my lingual skills and made me even more appreciative of the language that I love. I could not have chosen a better major or a better department in which to study. Originally set on majoring in Business, the close-knit community of the French Department turned out to be far more suited to my personality. I have gained so much inspiration from my professors and peers and been awarded the privileges of living in the French House and studying abroad for a semester in France. I will leave the College with fond memories of my time as a French major and take with me a valuable lesson for life: Be unafraid to pursue your passion, for this invariably leads to happiness and success.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Gabriela DeCuir ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

DeCuir.G“I will be graduating with a double major in public policy and Hispanic studies. I’ve always loved learning about and experiencing new languages and cultures, which made majoring in Hispanic the perfect fit. Being a Hispanic studies major has also meant a great deal to me personally; as someone with Hispanic ancestry, I feel that my participation in this program has deepened and strengthened my connection with my roots.

This program has provided me with numerous unforgettable opportunities, including internships with both the Hispanic Reading Room at the Library of Congress and the Central American Research Center (CARECEN). Of all the experiences I’ve had with the Hispanic studies major, however, the most memorable was spending a semester abroad in Sevilla, Spain. Through this immersion experience, I was able to continue improving my Spanish-speaking skills while expanding my knowledge and understanding of other world cultures.

After graduation, I will begin working as Assistant Canvassing Director with Grassroots Campaigns, a non-profit in DC that pairs with client organizations to spread awareness about progressive issues. Going into post-grad life, I am grateful for all of the experiences that I have had with the Modern Languages Department that have helped to shape me into the individual that I am today.”

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Graduates 2013-2014

Elizabeth Denny ’14 Senior Profile: Japanese Studies

Denny.EI took my very first Japanese language class all the way back in 2004, as an eighth grade elective, simply because it was different from anything else I’d studied. It was indeed different, and that proved to be one of the hardest things about it. But it was also one of the most tremendously rewarding things as well. Almost ten years later, here I am, and it has taught me so many things: how to succeed and, more importantly, how to fail; how to look at the world from a different perspective; and most of all, what I love in life, which is studying Japanese culture.

When I got to William & Mary, I took my first Japan studies class as a freshman and never looked back. Over the last four years I’ve grappled with everything from translation to feminism to tsunamis to soft power, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I kept up with my language studies through the 400 level, and I spent nine weeks last summer studying abroad in Osaka. Now I’m finishing up my honors thesis on the Takarazuka Revue, and I can’t even believe where I’ve ended up when I think of where I started. With any luck, my journey isn’t nearly over yet. I’ll be spending the next year working with Japan-related institutions in the Washington, D.C. area before applying to graduate schools to continue my studies, with the eventual goal of teaching and researching Japanese culture full-time.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Antonio Douglas ’14 Senior Profile: Chinese Studies

douglasMy name is Antonio Douglas, a Chinese Major, Process Management and Consulting Minor, and Senior at The College of William and Mary. As graduation looms ever closer, it is funny to think how my Chinese experience started simply as s bid for more credits Freshman year. Nonetheless, four years later I find myself with strong intent to both live and teach in China the year following my graduation from William and Mary. Being a Chinese major has not only illuminated the rich culture and history of China, but has reinvigorated by belief in language’s ability to build relationships across borders. My friend groups and activities look much different now than they ever did back home in Atlanta, and most of this diversity is due to my interest in Chinese. However, no matter how varied my friend group has become or what languages we all speak, our desire to fellowship and be a genuine part of each other’s lives is consistent no matter where we’re from. I believe that this experience has only been made possible due to my time as Chinese Major at William and Mary. I thank God for the Chinese Department Professors and students, who have all contributed to my continual growth as an individual. Should I blessed to be able continue my life’s journey in China, I now have an unyielding confidence in my language skills thanks that will continue to allow me to develop relationships with those I might not have otherwise been able to meet.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Erin Duffin ’14 Senior Profile: German Studies

duffinI have always loved languages, but never had a chance to study German until college. I started taking German Fall of freshman year, partly because my dad speaks it, but also on a whim just to see what it was all about. Somehow I ended up being an accidental major. Definitely the best experience I’ve had from studying German was attending the Potsdam Study Abroad Program over Summer 2013. While there, I lived in Berlin with a couple who have become great friends of mine, and was able to visit awesome sights throughout Berlin and Potsdam with fellow William & Mary-ers. I was able to use my newfound language skills, while making great friends.

Studying a language has been a great experience. How cool is it to be able to speak to people in another language? Through this department I have met so many wonderful people and learned so much about myself. After graduation, I will be attending the Yandara Yoga Institute in Baja, Mexico to become a certified yoga teacher. After that, I’ll be utilizing my language skills by moving to Stuttgart, Germany as an Au Pair. I can’t thank the German Department enough for these wonderful opportunities.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Dana DyTang ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

DyTang.DI am an accounting and French double major, and I’ll be at William & Mary next year to complete my Master’s of Accounting. I studied abroad in Paris in Spring 2013 through IFE, an experience that greatly improved my conversational skills and confidence in the language. With my knowledge of both business and a foreign language, in the future I hope to either work abroad or work for an international nonprofit that focuses on human rights. Through my time in the French department, not only have I learned about the differences between French and American societies, but also practical skills, in particular critical thinking and translation.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Sarah Edmonston ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Edmonston.SSarah chose to major in French & Francophone studies because the culture has had a profound effect on her life and has become one of her greatest passions. As a child she was lucky to have lived in Geneva, Switzerland for a few years where she developed a love for the language as well as the important historical background of the Francophone community. Studying with the French department gave her the opportunity to travel abroad to Montpellier for a summer. While there, she discovered the beauty the south of France has to offer, but also the openness and diversity of the people. Studying French at a collegiate level has given Sarah insight into another culture but has also helped continue to push her towards her ultimate goal of living abroad. The William & Mary French department is a community she is so proud to be a part of and she hopes to continue using all that she has learned throughout her travels and studies that are sure to follow.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Crosby Enright ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Enright.CUpon entering W&M four years ago as a shy New Englander with an intense love for books and learning, I had my mind set on majoring in history and government. It took only one class with Professor Cate-Arries however, that freshman fall semester, for me to completely change my plans and commit myself whole-heartedly to Hispanic Studies. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have found a home within the Modern Languages Department so early in my college career, and have loved every moment spent learning from and working under the passionate and talented Hispanic Studies faculty. For me, they vibrantly brought the study of language, culture, literature, history, and politics to life, and made going to class exciting, unpredictable, and incredibly thought-provoking. Not only have I been able to grow as a scholar through their guidance and support, but also as an individual, with an incredibly broadened-world view and passion for a wide range of social and cultural issues. Over the past four years, I have been able to travel to Spain twice on research grants, intern at the Library of Congress, and conduct honors research on penitentiary poetry under franquismo, a topic incredibly close to my heart, which in fact stems all the way back to that first freshman class with Professor Cate-Arries. Along the way I have also watched movies that have completely changed the way I understand cinema, read novels and plays that have found a permanent spot on my shelf of favorites, analyzed art in a variety of mediums ranging from traditional oil paint to Andean thread, and ultimately fallen in love with a language that was by no means by native tongue.

Following graduation this May, I will be headed to Washington D.C. to work at the law firm of Latham & Watkins, LLP, as part of the legal services staff. As much as I will miss the professors and Hispanics Studies department and the W&M community, I feel confidently equipped to handle whatever projects or challenges may come my way, thanks to the skills and knowledge they have imparted. I already cherish the memories that I have made in the many classrooms of Washington Hall and Old Campus over the past four years, and owe a large part of the happiness that I have felt at W&M to the many members of the Hispanic Studies community here at the College.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Emily Eyestone ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Eyestone.E“It’s been my dream to speak French since I was about 10 years old, so I was relatively sure I wanted to pursue further studies when I came to college. What I’ve learned in the French program has been a great deal more than just the language however; it’s really changed who I am and shaped how I see the world. I had the chance to study abroad in Lyon, France during the fall of my junior year and then was also able to do research in Paris this past summer for my senior thesis. Spending time in France was a crystallizing and important step; it felt like the fulfillment of everything I worked toward in 8 years of studying French in class. France made me fall in love with art, poetry, film and literature, and instilled in me the passion to continue pursuing these interests at William and Mary. Someday, I hope to pursue graduate studies in French literature and art. For my senior thesis, I looked at the aesthetic connections between music and poetry, through a comparison of several poems by the nineteenth century poet, Paul Verlaine, and their accompanying song settings by the composer, Claude Debussy.
I have been consistently exhilarated by my coursework and stimulated by the impressive and insightful contributions of my peers. I am so thankful for the brilliant and supportive faculty in the French department. Next year, I will be in Bordeaux, France, working as an English teaching assistant in an elementary school.”

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Graduates 2013-2014

Rachel Faith ’14 Senior Profile: Chinese Studies, Russian Studies

Faith.RBefore I’d even gotten to William and Mary, I knew that I wanted to study Russian and Chinese. Luckily, I was able to get into classes for both languages in my first semester, and found myself in true linguistic love. After almost four years of memorizing characters, reciting Pushkin, forgetting characters, staging absurd Russian skits, re-memorizing characters, going on mad study abroad adventures, and wrestling with prefixed verbs of motion, I’m pleased to say that I still love Russian and Chinese just as much as when I started studying them. I hope to go back abroad next year to study Russian in Kyrgyzstan, and to eventually work with both languages as an interpreter or translator.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Hayley Fallon ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Fallon.HHayley Fallon is a French and Sociology double major. She grew up in Meredith, New Hampshire, and from a young age, it was clear she had no idea what she wanted to do. The summer after her freshman year in college, she spent a magical summer in Montpellier, France through a William & Mary study abroad program, and she chose to major in French and Francophone studies. She spent her junior year in Rennes, France, where she had some unforgettable moments, made life-long friends, and fell even further in love with the language and culture. Hayley’s experiences in France have solidified her desire to return after graduation.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Daniel Falloon ’14 Senior Profile: Russian Studies

Falloon.D1. After seven years of putting little effort into Spanish, I decided I wanted to make a concerted effort to learning a new language. Hoping to one day communicate with my Baba in Serbian, I decided to learn Russian since it was the closest to Serbian. After my first year of Russian, I fell in love with the language. I knew that I wanted to explore all aspects of Russia further (e.g., politics, history and literature).
2. Although my summer “study abroad” did not actually take me to Russia, my time at Middlebury’s summer language program opened my eyes to full immersion in Russian. After speaking Russian for a whole summer, it showed me a microcosm of what Russia could be like. Moreover, it made me excited to return to William & Mary to take more difficult classes.
3. Studying Russian has meant more than any other subject at William & Mary. RPSS has opened my mind to an area of study and culture that, frankly, not many people know about. The faculty at William & Mary is unmatched, and they truly care about you progressing. Although I have a long way to go in terms of “mastering” Russian language, RPSS has taught me never to quit, because those in the faculty (and the students) are all focused on getting better day by day.
4. I hope someday to work for the Peace Corps and then the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer, but, currently, I’m letting life take me as it may (while trying to figure it out of course…).

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Graduates 2013-2014

Fallon Fitzgerald ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Fitzgerald.FHi, my name is Fallon Fitzgerald and part of the Class of William and Mary 2014. I am a double major in Hispanic Studies and Latin American Studies. I chose to major in Hispanic Studies mainly to learn how to write and speak effectively in the Spanish language in order to connect with my native Peruvian roots and culture. I’ve had many memorable experiences in the program including my study abroad experience in Argentina and learning about the rich culture of Latin America. While studying abroad, I lived in La Plata for six months and traveled back to my birthplace in the country of Peru for the first time. The Hispanic Studies program has allowed me to better understand and grasp my own identity as a Hispanic and appreciate differences of people and cultures through literature, poetry, films, real life experiences, and relationships with others. In the future, I plan to teach English in a Latin American country and contribute to the Hispanic/Latino population in the United States or in another country in any way possible.

Un abrazo,
Fallon Fitzgerald

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Graduates 2013-2014

Rebecca Gallahue ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Gallahue.RI chose Hispanic Studies as my secondary major after taking Literary Criticism my freshman year. I enjoyed and wanted to continue analyzing literary texts to discover how they contribute to the discourse on relevant socio-political and cultural issues. As a Hispanic Studies major, one of the most important lessons I have learned is that there is no singular, homogeneous “Hispanic” or “Latino” culture. For example, in the senior seminar “Confronting the Barrio,” we discussed the relationship between “barrioization” and “barriology”–theoretical terms that refer respectively to the representation of the barrio from within and from the outside–to determine how this space and places has been socially and historically constructed by various sources.

One of the best experiences I had through the Hispanic Studies program was studing abroad in Cádiz, Spain the summer of 2011. I feel fortunate that I was able to experience Spanish culture and travel through a beautiful country while making some of my closest friends here at William & Mary. The independent research project that I undertook focused on the connection between the life and works of noted Spanish poet Gloria Fuertes. One of my favorite memories from that summer was when the program ate at a bar in Madrid that Fuertes frequented.

While I plan on going to law school for public interest law in two years, I am currently applying to jobs at legal advocacy organizations. Thanks to Hispanic Studies, I qualify for positions that require applicants to be highly proficient in Spanish. I hope to continue to improve my reading, writing, and comprehension skills by obtaining a job that would allow me to interpret and translate for Spanish-speaking clients.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Kristin Giordano ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Giordano.KI wish I had a better story for what drew me to Hispanic Studies or how I ended up in this major, but ultimately I was one of the many students who studied Spanish in high school and just wanted to keep the language up. I never guessed that I would spend hours talking with friends and professors about what Hispanic Studies was, nor that I would make so many friends both in the major and around the world thanks to the opportunities I’ve had with the department.

I lived in La Plata, Argentina for five months, worked over a summer at the Embassy of Spain, and met various artists and and figures closer to home, but what the professors and classmates who have been there with me have taught me is that it’s not necessarily those experiences that change you, it’s the questions that you ask yourself about all of those experiences. And through all of my disagreements and worries, my struggles, both academic and emotional, the Hispanic Studies department has been a place where I could formulate those questions and slowly work to understand the university, national and international contexts a little bit better.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Libby Gohn ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Gohn.LLibby started studying French eleven years ago, inspired by her trip to Paris and the Loire Valley.  This kicked off her love of learning languages.  Her favorite part of the William and Mary French program was the summer she spent studying in Montpellier.  After graduation, Libby is marrying her boyfriend of six years and they will move to Alexandria, Virginia where she will pursue a career in theatrical house management.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Ryan Goodman ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Goodman.R“Prior to matriculating at the College of William & Mary, I could have never guessed that I would be graduating four years later with a Hispanic Studies major.  Born and raised in Miami, I lived immersed in Latino and Latin American culture and did not recognize the importance of these early influences until I moved away.  It started out as a genuine interest in the language, but by my sophomore year, I began to recognize Spanish not just as list of vocabulary and grammar rules, but rather as a tool for communicating ideas and building connections between communities to address greater issues.  Most importantly, Hispanic Studies has given me the tools to better understand and be critical of United States and ultimately myself in a more global context.

William & Mary’s Hispanic Studies Department means so much to me in so many different ways.  There is such a wonderful sense of community between both professors and students, whether we are in the classroom or walking the narrow and winding streets of an Andalusian city.  Looking back as a senior, Hispanic Studies has changed me as an individual.  It specifically changed the way I approach and think about problems.  In my post-graduate work, I look to combine my academic interests to study environmental problems in Latin America. Additionally, during this summer, I will be returning to Spain thanks to the generous assistance of the Philpott-Perez Award, conducting research along the Camino de Santiago with Dr. George Greenia. Having presented our research at a Galician Studies conference at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee early this May, we will co-author a paper for publication in the coming months.”

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Graduates 2013-2014

Brittney Gordon ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

gordonI will be graduating with a double major in Hispanic Studies and Accounting with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. I knew I was a Hispanic Studies major at heart since high school, when I became fascinated with the Spanish language and culture. Upon entering William & Mary, I was deeply involved with the Latin American Student Union and became empathetic of the Latino community on campus and abroad. As I took Hispanic Studies classes, I fell more in love with the subject. With the guidance and support of my wonderful professors, I learned to be critical and academically skeptical of information and historical accounts, as they may be censored, incomplete, or representative of only one perspective, leaving out a multitude of other viewpoints and marginalized voices. Because of this, I have grown not only academically, but also personally in becoming a conscious citizen of the world and appreciating worldviews different from my own. For this, I will be forever grateful.

Highlights from my experience include studying abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica where I studied at the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica alongside local students who soon became my good friends, and completing my practicum during a winter break trip to Cuba with the Mason School of Business, where I conducted interviews with locals, community leaders, academics, and government officials to develop a business plan for a sustainable, social-entrepreneurial business based in Havana.

After graduation I will be taking the Certified Public Accounting exam and will begin working in the audit practice of Ernst & Young. One day I aspire to found my own socially-conscious business addressing issues in Latin America.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Zachary Hanson ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Hanson.ZMy decision to study Hispanic Studies here at the college was a gradual one. Originally a History major, over the course of my first year and a half here included a few Hispanic Studies courses I took with the intent of simply maintaining and improving my Spanish language skills, however I slowly found myself falling in love with the culture, language and history of the pre-Colombian and Hispanic worlds. As I took more and more classes it went from an interest, to a minor and finally I decided that there was no way I could truly enjoy studying or working in any other field in any comparable way.

The Hispanic Studies program here at the college has expanded my mind in unimaginable ways, and has offered me experiences that before I would have thought impossible. I had the opportunities to study and live in Lima, Peru for nearly six months, where I was able to travel extensively and see entire worlds that otherwise I only could have read about, to volunteer teaching English to immigrants, and to examine artifacts and history most people only see in books. I’ve met some of the most interesting, kind and motivated people in the world, from fellow students and friends, to professionals practicing the kinds of things I hope to also do someday, to foreign nationals a home and abroad who have opened my mind and shown me a new way of looking at the world around me. And of course, I never would have found this path without the guidance of all the professors here in the department, always encouraging and challenging me to look at and think of everything I experience new ways. Studying Hispanic Studies has given me more than just a degree, but a base of knowledge, a new way of thinking, and the ability to apply these things to the world I see around me.

It is this new perspective that I am excited to take with me and utilize in my future with the United States Navy after graduation, where it is my hope to work closely with Latin American states. I hope that I can project this new-found attitude to the would, and use my position to take part in and try to improve in any way possible not only relations between the Hispanic world and the United States of America, but also to improve the lives and perspectives of as many individuals as possible.

Atentamente,

Zachary RF. Hanson

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Graduates 2013-2014

April Hardy ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Hardy.AI’ve had an affinity for studying Spanish since high school, so I was already planning to major in Hispanic Studies when I arrived at William and Mary. However, as I navigated the William and Mary curriculum, my passion grew to encompass not only language, but also Hispanic history, literature, and culture. I felt my horizons broadening with every passing semester. My Hispanic Studies professors have helped me learn to view everything with a discerning eye. I learned that the history we’re taught in school must often be questioned; that censorship still exists even within our own modern nation; and that the voices through which information is relayed cannot always be accepted as fair, objective, or all-inclusive. I feel that the lessons I’ve learned from my Hispanic Studies major have poised me to be a more conscious and responsible world citizen.

Highlights from my time in the Hispanic Studies Department include interviewing author Martín Espada during a senior seminar with Professor Arries, attending the 2013 Symposium on Pilgrimage Studies for a class with Professor Greenia, and taking Spanish Phonetics, a course that blended Hispanic Studies with my other major, Linguistics.

During my time as a Hispanic Studies student, I traveled to Honduras four times. I used one of these trips as the basis for my practicum requirement. During the summer of 2013, I spent three months in a small Honduran town where I worked to open and advertise a public library. Now that I’ve graduated, I work as a freelance bilingual editor. I will also intern at the Embassy of Spain in Washington, DC during the summer of 2014. Learning under the Hispanic Studies faculty at William and Mary has been an enriching experience, and I believe that the wisdom I gained here will continue to serve me in years to come.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Rachel Heideman Senior Profile ’14: Hispanic Studies

Heideman.RI chose to major in Hispanic Studies because proficiency in Spanish allows me to serve and form more meaningful relationships with Spanish-speakers both in the United States and abroad. I love the Hispanic Studies department at William and Mary because of the small class sizes, the relationships formed with faculty, and the variety of perspectives explored in the courses. One of my favorite experiences in the major was studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain where I taught an introductory English class to adult immigrants from northern Africa and South America as well as traveled all over Spain learning about its rich cultural history. I also greatly enjoyed the opportunity to be a Teaching Assistant for HISP 103 last fall. I have spent the spring student teaching at a local high school and will graduate with Virginia licensure to teach Spanish (K-12).

After graduation, I will be spending the summer running short-term service trips for a non-profit organization in Comayagua, Honduras that works to provide local communities access to clean water and educational opportunities for children. In August, I will be moving to Peru as part of the Young Adult Volunteer program of the Presbyterian Church (USA) where I will live with a host family and work with an education related non-profit for the next year (and hopefully make at least one trip to Machu Picchu!). My time at William and Mary has given me an incredible foundation with which to go out into the world and join other leaders tackling some of today’s most pressing issues. I am forever grateful for my time spent in Washington Hall and beyond. Thank you!

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Graduates 2013-2014

Preston Heinlein ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Heinlein.P.jpgI am a twenty-one year old senior and am a transfer student from Tidewater Community College, having only been at “the College” for the past two years. I am double majoring in Linguistics and French, which I began studying just a few years ago. What was once a simple hobby has blossomed into a deep-seated love for the French language and French/Francophone literature. One of the best memories of my time here at William & Mary would definitely have to be my study abroad trip to Montpellier, France with the fabulous Professor Maryse Fauvel, after which I traveled to Belgium, Austria, England, and Iceland. The entire experience only intensified my love for French and made me determined to spend more time in France. Because of this, I have applied to the Teaching Assistant Program in France, where I plan to teach English in Bretagne, Lorraine, or la Réunion, beginning what I hope will be a long career in second-language acquisition, whether French or English

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Graduates 2013-2014

Emily Hemmingson ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Hemmingson.EAt the beginning of my freshman year I never thought I would be a Hispanic Studies major, but today I do not know what I would be doing after graduation without it. I remember even that after I declared my double major in Psychology and Hispanic Studies, I still considered Hispanic Studies to be my “fun” major. I decided to major because I found the challenge of speaking in a different language exhilarating. I often felt far from the most fluent in my classes, but the feeling of getting exponentially more proficient through each semester encouraged me to keep pursuing the major. I also loved learning about the different cultures of Latin America. There was a wealth of knowledge and history that I had no idea about until I started enrolling in classes about Mexico and Argentina and even the barrios in the United States.

Despite my excitement, until I studied abroad I considered Hispanic Studies more of a serious hobby than a path towards a career. That all changed in the Spring of 2013 when I boarded my first plane to travel to my first new country—Argentina. The experience was amazing. In addition to learning about the Argentine language and culture, I also learned a lot about myself. I learned how to go beyond basic communication where I felt shy and slightly anxious, to a point where I could speak Spanish and still feel like my comic, outgoing self. I never would have pursued a study abroad experience in Argentina had I not learned about that country in multiple courses taught at William and Mary.

My experience abroad helped me become confident enough to pursue a position as a Spanish teacher in D.C. Public Schools. So far I have passed the Spanish Praxis II Exam for teacher certification, I have been accepted into the D.C. Teaching Fellows 2014 Cohort, and I am on track to be in a classroom teaching by the fall of this year. Thank you to the W&M Hispanic Studies professors for all of the support and inspiration along the way!

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Graduates 2013-2014

Sofia Herrera ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Herrera.SHispanic studies has helped me to enhance my language capabilities, familiarize myself with incredible Spanish and Latin American literature and learn about social and political issues faced by Latinos both within and outside U.S. borders. Furthermore, the program has opened an array of opportunities to me. I had the chance to study abroad for a year through the program in Seville, Spain and work for the Embassy of Spain throughout the proceeding summer.

My international experiences and love for cultural studies, combined with my interest in politics, led me to pursue the study of international relations at a higher graduate level. Next year I will be studying international development and diplomacy in Georgetown University’s Government Department. I hope to one day live and work abroad in a Spanish-speaking country for either an NGO or the Department of State.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Tim Hogge ’14 Senior Profile: Japanese Studies

Hogge.TSure! I got into Japanese because I heard a Japanese song when I was younger and became interested in learning the language. Studying Japanese has allowed me to not only learn another language, but learn about another culture that is so vastly different from American / European culture, and allowed me to study abroad in Japan and have such a wonderful experience learning the language and culture first-hand.

Attached is a photo of me at Toei Studios during my study abroad!

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Graduates 2013-2014

Jocelyn Jamison ’14 Senior Profile: German Studies

Jamison.JAfter living in Germany for three years when my father was stationed in the small town of Giebelstadt, learning German seemed like the best option for me. Though I was young, it was a way for me to immerse myself in the culture and language of the land I was living in. When I returned to the US and found out my high school offered German as well, I decided to continue to learn, and after finally getting a taste of William and Mary’s Germany department my sophomore year, I knew I’d found a home. I’ve met kind and amazing professors, learned more about the German language, nation and culture than I ever thought possible and had many experiences I might not have otherwise had.
Being able to speak to professors about studying abroad in Freiburg, Germany and hearing about their personal experiences there was a huge help, and being able to go there myself was the highlight of my German studies career. I met many amazing students and professors, was able to improve my language skills and bring back what I learned to help me continue my studies back in the States. Studying German has allowed me to broaden my horizons, to learn about places I’ve never been and people I’ve never met, as well as bring me into contact with people I would never have met. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything else in the world and hope to continue my studies and experiences post-graduation by perhaps teaching abroad or becoming a linguist in order to share what I’ve learned with others and to continue to broaden my horizons.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Rachel Janis ’14 Senior Profile: Russian Studies

Janis.RWhen I first started studying at the College of William and Mary, I knew right away that I wanted to continue taking Russian, as I did in high school. Little did I know then that one language class would transform into a major and a lifestyle. Originally, I was dead set on majoring in chemistry, but after attending the William and Mary summer program in Petersburg, I had to change my mind. Using the language with native speakers and learning more about their culture merely made me want to do more.

As graduation approaches, and the ever-intimidating job market, I look back on that decision I made sophomore year and I still feel that the decision I made was the right one. I’ve applied for an English Teaching Assistantship with Fulbright for Latvia next year and I’m excited at the potential opportunity to use all the information I’ve learned through my major these past four years.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Jack Jasper ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Jasper.JI took my first French class at William and Mary out of habit, I had taken a French class every year for 5 years but it wasn’t something I loved. That changed thanks to the French department’s fantastic professors and interesting classes and it is now a subject I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in. Studying abroad in Montpellier was absolutely my most memorable experience in the program but more than that, it was my favorite experience in my entire time at the College. I was lucky enough to study firsthand the culture and language (and wine) of France, as well as make friendships that will last a lifetime. Learning a foreign language has given me much more than just an extra skill to add to a resumé, it has given me the means to perceive things in a completely different fashion, something that cannot be quantified. Looking to the future, my immediate plans are to travel as much as possible for as long as possible… and either get lost somewhere in the world or find a job, whichever one happens first!

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Graduates 2013-2014

Hannah Kitchen ’14 Senior Profile: Russian Studies

Kitchen.HI stumbled into my Russian and Post-Soviet Studies major. It was a slow-motion stumble that began when I took Russian 101 the first semester of my freshman year. At the time, the decision to study Russian emerged from the fact that, while I’ve studied a variety of languages, I’ve never studied a Slavic one. So, prompted to fill the gap in my linguistic knowledge and spurred on by the desire to decipher the words of Russians in film, I began my studies. However, in order to fully understand a language, one must understand the history, politics and culture of the people behind it. I really wanted to understand Russian, thus I stumbled into my RPSS major to study all things Russian. It has been a fascinating scholastic journey.

Reciting Russian poetry during the Russian Language Olympics was one of the most memorable aspects of my time in William and Mary’s RPSS program. First, I gained a greater understanding of the poetic potential of the Russian language. As a non-Russian learning the language, it was a staggering realization. Next, I got a taste of Russia’s prestigious literary tradition and cultural heritage. Most importantly, I now have poems by Pushkin, Lermontov and Tyutchev in my repertoire, ready to whip out at a moment’s notice to impress those around me.

Pursuing in a multidisciplinary major such as Russian and Post-Soviet studies is an exercise in mental agility. Studying Russian allowed me to not only learn something new every day, but to also engage in a variety of disciplines, from history to political science. Russian language grants me access to different facets of Russia, and that is unquantifiably cool. Therefore, my plan is to continue studying Russia and Russian in graduate school, with the eventual hope of carrying my knowledge over to work in the public sector.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Sarah Klotz ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Klotz.SI originally chose Hispanic Studies because of my urge to travel abroad to Spanish-speaking countries. My time spent in Argentina and Spain increased my language abilities and fueled my passion for further travels, working in issues of environmental justice. Hispanic Studies has provided me with a means to interpret a wide spectrum of Spanish voices that reflect how class struggles, cultural shifts, interpretations of history, and national identities affect the fight for interpretive power of a nation. In Spanish, I learn to replace relying on fact with a process of gathering perspectives and strategies to engage independently, respond quickly and be mindful of the complexity of entering a new culture or environment. I am excited to take this knowledge back abroad and in work of social change for Spanish-speaking populations in the United States.

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Graduates 2013-2014 Uncategorized

Sophia Kosar ’14 Senior Profile: Russian Studies

Kosar.SВсем привет! My name is Sophie, and I realized I wanted to be an RPSS major before I was even halfway through Russian 101 during my freshman year. It all started with the language, since I grew up wanting to speak Russian like my Babushka and other friends and relatives from home, but as soon as I started taking classes on culture, literature, and politics, I knew there was no going back.

Since then, I’ve studied abroad with W&M in St. Petersburg, done original research and filmed a documentary in Russia, lived in Russian house, spent a semester in Kazan, edited the RPSS program’s Gazeta, and experienced a million other great opportunities. I’m taking some time off before applying to grad school, but at some point I hope to study contemporary Russian art and cultural theory. Many many thanks and much love to all the great professors and faculty here!!

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Graduates 2013-2014

Sandra Malone Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Malone.SI chose to major in French and Francophone Studies because French has been an important part of most of my life. I was always fascinated by French culture, and my interest in other Francophone countries grew when I began taking classes at William and Mary. The French department at William and Mary offered me the opportunity to expand my knowledge of French and Francophone history, literature, and culture. Completing my major has exposed me to fields that I would not have otherwise studied, such as Art History, French Female Writers and Movie Makers, and Religion in France. Although I was unable to study abroad in France, majoring in French has given me the opportunity to communicate with a diverse array of people and has expanded my life knowledge. After graduation, I hope to spend a few years working in consulting before going to graduate school.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Eric Massey ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Massey.EI chose to major in Hispanic Studies because I enjoyed learning Spanish and wanted to make a career out of it. Throughout my time at W&M as a Hispanic Studies major I’ve learned how to look at the world from the perspective of a variety of different groups spanning from that of nobles in Medieval Hispanic Literature to the Hispanic community in the United States today in Librotraficantes.

The memorable experiences I’ve had in the program include learning how to read medieval manuscripts with relative ease after thinking I wouldn’t be able to at first sight, and living with a large and friendly family while I studied abroad in Cádiz.

My plans for the future include studying abroad one more time this summer in Santiago de Compostela , earning a Master’s in education, and eventually becoming a Spanish teacher.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Erin McShea ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

McShea.E.I developed a love of French culture in high school during a trip to France and Italy, and it is an interest that has followed me ever since. From the very beginning of my time at William & Mary, I knew that I wanted to continue to pursue my learning of the French language, and I was lucky enough to spend the summer of 2013 in Montpellier, France alongside 12 other students through a W&M study abroad program. In addition to this trip, other memorable experiences I have had during my four years include participation in a social sorority, leadership positions in the Panhellenic Council, and a job at Campus Recreation. After graduation, I will be pursuing a career in Health Care Management, applying to graduate schools in Washington, D.C., and hopefully spending more time in France!

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Graduates 2013-2014

Chelsea Meisinger ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Meisinger.CChelsea is a French and Education major who is using her degree to help the non-English speakers in her local community. She lives in Williamsburg with her husband and looks forward to new opportunities and challenges that will enrich the lives of those around her.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Richard Murphy ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Murphy.RI associate my love for the French language with Satine’s tragic death at the conclusion of Moulin Rouge. We watched the film in my first year of French class in high school – much to the dismay of the administration – and something about its story spoke to me. Was it the snippets of French conversation that, at the time, escaped my understanding? Was it the dramatic tale of love, loss, and broken dreams that resonated with my burgeoning sense of teenage angst? Or was it, perhaps, that part of me that always wanted to experience a life of such passion and poetry, a life that can only truly be found en La Belle France? Whatever it was, I knew from that day in April 2007 that I wanted the French language to be a lasting part of my life. Now, seven years later, I am so happy with my decision to translate that seed of passion into an academic degree because of the opportunities it has afforded me. Sadly, Romance languages do not feature highly on lists of profitable majors, but what my major may lack in bankability, it more than makes up for in memorable experiences. Thanks to three and a half years with this department, I can read and discuss works of foreign literature, I can add four months at a French university in Grenoble to my list of attended schools, and I can claim my FREN210 professor as my only faculty Facebook friend. Thank you to the French department and William & Mary for three and a half special years, I’ll be sure to give you a shout out when I’m on MTV France.

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Graduates 2013-2014 Uncategorized

Dan Otto ’14 Senior Profile: Chinese Studies

Otto.D-3” I did not come to William and Mary intending to study Chinese, but, due to the applicability of China’s growth to my other major, economics, I decided I would try taking a few classes to see how I liked them. I have never looked back. Studying Chinese has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding undertakings of my life. In the last four years, I have traveled the length and breadth of China, studied in the Peking University language immersion program, and made life long friends through my involvement with the Chinese Department at the College. The incomparable access to China’s ancient and beautiful culture provided by my study of Mandarin has given me a passion for Sinology that I will carry far into the future. Over the course of senior year, I conducted research on Chinese sex cultures since 1978 under the guidance of Professor Calvin Hui.

I am a 4 year varsity rower for the William and Mary Rowing Club for which I have served as an executive board member and captain. After graduation, I will be working as the COO of a software development firm I co-founded.”

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Graduates 2013-2014

Matt Paganussi ’14 Senior Profile: Italian Studies

Paganussi.MBefore I arrived on campus at William and Mary, I knew I wanted to study the Italian language. My interest in pursuing the study of the Italian language stemmed from a personal desire to be able to speak and comprehend the language of my ancestors. Given that practically no one in my family has spoken the language in several decades, I wanted to study Italian so that one day, my children will be able to understand and appreciate their genetic and cultural heritage. In addition to studying the language, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning more about multiple subjects of Italian history. From the Risorgimento, fascism, and classical authors such as Dante and Machiavelli, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to explore these subject areas and assess their lasting cultural and global impact on the modern era.

My Italian language studies also enabled me to spend a semester abroad in Florence. I do not think there was ever a day where my daily walk by the Duomo or through the Oltrarno ever provoked such vivid images of Italian life during the intellectual and artistic explosion of the Renaissance. Having the opportunity to explore the Tuscan region where most of my ancestors come from also provided immense personal satisfaction and gratitude for those that came before me. If it were not for the desire to pursue a life of opportunity and promise in the United States, I might not be here. Such an appreciation for my heritage and the Italian language inspired a desire to serve as a TA for the department during my senior year. Having the ability to directly engage students and assist with their development and understanding of the Italian language was immensely gratifying and an experience I will never forget.

Next year, I will be pursuing a Master’s degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia where I hope to combine my liberal arts background with a business foundation that may allow me to use my language skills in an international business context. Regardless of where I wind up in the future, my experience in the Italian Studies department has provided immense personal satisfaction and spurned a desire to pass on the skills I have developed to future generations of my family.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Jessica Parks ’14 Senior Profile: Russian Studies

Parks.JWhen I entered W&M, I enrolled in Russian 101 just for fun, after a bit of exposure to the language in high school. No language exists in a vacuum, however, so as I progressed in my language study my fascination with Russian culture, politics, and literature increased. I took more classes and eventually declared a major so I could explore this area of the world more thoroughly. The unwavering passion and support of the Russian department faculty has greatly helped me participate in enriching activities like presenting a paper on my favorite Russian author at a conference.

The single best decision I made as a Russian and Post-Soviet Studies major was going abroad. I participated in W&M’s St. Petersburg summer program last year, and in Fall 2013 I went to Vilnius, Lithuania to complete a State Department internship. As I worked at the US embassy, and did extra traveling to other awesome places like Riga, Tallinn, and Warsaw, I realized that this region of the world is a truly dynamic area that I would love to explore further. Thus, I have decided to continue my study of this region in graduate school, and I hope to return to this area of the world soon.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Steven Pau ’14 Senior Profile: Japanese Studies

Pau.SSteven Pau is a graduate of the Class of 2014, receiving Bachelor’s degrees in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) and a unique, self-designed major titled “Japanese Culture and Language Studies (JCLS).” During the 2013-14 year, Steven has worked on a number of projects across campus to better his own and others’ understanding of the construct of identity as a social and political entity. His research for his Honors Thesis titled “Deconstruction and Reconstruction of Self Identity: A Critical Analysis of Zainichi Korean Identity” has been influential in shaping his goals for the future as a university professor and researcher. Pulling from his own heritage, he examines the history of Japanese colonization and the Korean minority group it ultimately created in contemporary society, examining discourses of identity and the difficulties Koreans in Japan face creating their own identity today. He is working to have excerpts of his thesis published in academic journals within the year. Another project Steven is extremely proud of is the William and Mary Issues of Identity Conference, a conference dedicated to examining how identity is shaped through race, gender, sexual orientation, and class constructs in society. He hopes that this conference will encourage the campus to not simply accept multiculturalism and diversity, but actively work toward promoting them. Steven’s deep interests in the cross-section of nationalism and identity, critical race theory, and the way in which these discourses have shaped contemporary East Asia will serve as the core of his research at Duke University in the pursuit of a Master of Arts in East Asian Studies. Following his three-year program at Duke, Steven plans to pursue a Doctorate and become a professor at a reputable university in order to give back to the community and honor the professors that helped him succeed.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Luke Pickett ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Pickett.LI did not come around to majoring in Hispanic Studies until my second-to-last year in college. After working at Claytor Lake State Park (in Southwestern Virginia) for a summer and encountering many Latinos with whom I conversed using Spanish learned in high school, I decided that it would be well worth my time to pick that up as my second major. After all, if Spanish is useful in a place as notoriously un-cosmopolitan as Appalachia, it would probably be useful anywhere else in the country, let alone in virtually the entire western hemisphere!

Some of my highlights as a Hispanic Studies major include trying to find my way back to Cadiz from Tarifa with two of my classmates during a summer study abroad program in southern Spain (the bus left without us), and, honestly, experiences of talking to people off-campus whenever I have needed to use Spanish to communicate.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Michelle Pillepich ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Pillepich.MIn high school, Spanish was always my favorite subject. The language seemed to come easily to me and I loved learning about foreign culture while creating a connection through language. I knew I wanted to continue studying Spanish in college so I took a few introductory classes and eventually decided I might as well major! The best part of my Hispanic Studies experience was definitely studying abroad on the Cadiz program during the summer between my sophomore and junior year. This was such an incredible experience of cultural immersion and study. In Cadiz, I improved my language skills immensely while communicating with local Spaniards. I came away with a better sense of the language as well as an incredible relationship with my amazing host mother! (and her family!). The research aspect of the Cadiz program was also thoroughly enriching. I was able to study a topic I am truly interested in (Spanish food!) despite the fact that I had never taken a class on this topic at school. It was liberating to be given so much freedom in research while we were in Spain so that we could truly explore all facets of the culture while it was available to us. I am so grateful for this experience!

Throughout my four years at William and Mary, Hispanic Studies has come to mean something very different than what I thought it would be. I came in as a freshman who didn’t want to lose my Spanish skills, and I am leaving as a senior who thinks about and analyzes cultural contexts of any situation. I am much more in tune with the cross-cultural relations in our society, and I take pride in the fact that I am able to understand and learn from another culture that is increasingly present in the United States.

I am hoping to work in the government or non-profit field upon graduation. I want to be involved in our country’s leadership and creating policy to improve American life. I would love to continue using my Spanish language skills and my cultural awareness to connect with all sectors of the US population, and possibly work with immigration as well. Even with graduation so close, my plans are always changing, but I know I want to stay on the track to becoming bilingual and I will not forget the skills and awareness I have learned in Hispanic Studies at W&M.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Jennifer Piraino ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Piraino.JMajoring in French & Francophone Studies was perhaps the easiest decision of my four years at the College. When I entered as a freshman, I didn’t yet have much direction, so I let my passion for the French language and culture guide me. I took class after class in the discipline through sophomore year, at which point I set my gaze eastward and traversed the Atlantic to spend the entirety of junior year abroad. My year in Lille, France, was, unsurprisingly, the most memorable experience I had as an undergraduate. The most important lessons I learned during the year were the ones learned outside the classroom. I found that, sometimes, saying yes to an opportunity doesn’t necessitate certainty or justification. I also discovered the importance of traveling light. On the one hand, this means being detached materially (which helps to avoid those pesky overweight luggage fees), but more importantly, this means freeing oneself from the weight of discouragement. May we, the Class of 2014, all begin the next adventure in our lives with great courage. Congratulations to my peers, and God Bless the Class of 2014!

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Graduates 2013-2014

Sara Rock ’14 Senior Profile: Chinese Studies

student for confucious instituteSara is a senior with a double major in International Relations and Chinese at the College of William & Mary. She is a Research Fellow at the Center for Geospatial Analysis and spent the past summer as an AidData Summer Fellow working at Kathmandu University in Nepal. She taught AidData methodology and geographic information software to faculty and students while at the university. Sara has previously studied at Qinghua University in Beijing, China and hopes to spend a year in China after graduation before attending graduate school for Development Studies.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Alessandro Roux ’14 Senior Profile: Italian Studies

Roux.AI came to the Italian department to repent for years of abusing grammar. I grew up speaking “Italian”, or a barely-passing, linguistic approximation assembled from the tumbling Roman phrasing and syncopated Sardinian dialect that I absorbed from my family abroad. More often than not, I’d make the stuff up: irreverently yoking together American stems and Italian-sounding endings to communicate my day-to-day necessities (“andiamo a rentare un film?”; anglicismo, as I so often saw written on my Italian papers). Without hesitation, the Italian faculty began exorcising me of my language-mangling demons.

In the meantime, they were gracious enough to allow me to attend their lectures, distract them with all sorts of nonsense during office hours, and, eventually, stand up in front of a class to teach beginning Italian students (for two years; I assure you, that takes faith). They let me join the Italian house, where my defining college experiences took place. There, I met my friends and always eager cronies in late-night tomfoolery. I got to live with two stupendous tutors, whose guidance and good humor allowed me to connect with my inner Italian when far from home.

I am immeasurably thankful to the professors for inviting me to participate these four years. They, in their generosity and kindheartedness, have made their mark.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Elena Santini ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Santini.EI came the College of William & Mary already knowing I wanted to pursue French as an area of study, but it wasn’t until I experienced the incredible classes from the unparalleled professors of our department that I decided to choose it as my major. Subsequently, I was able to participate in 2 French study abroad programs (Summer in Montpellier and Internships in Francophone Europe in Paris), and I realized that my choice was the right one for reasons beyond those I initially thought. My decision to major in French & Francophone studies has done more than I could have imagined to broaden my perspective of the world, also imbuing me with previously undiscovered self-confidence and emboldening me to not just take on new experiences, but to tackle them with enthusiasm and open-mindedness.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Amanda Schiano di Cola ’14 Senior Profile: Italian Studies

Schiano di Cola.AI first decided to take an Italian class my freshman year to gain a better understanding of a language I had grown up with, as both of my parents immigrated from Italy. The following years, as more and more classes focused on aspects of Italian literature and culture piqued my interest, I decided I wanted to pursue a minor in Italian studies. I ended up being a TA for Italian 101 and 102 for three semesters, which proved to be an extremely rewarding experience. Last summer I had an opportunity to study abroad in Bologna. There, I broadened my understanding of Italian culture. After graduating, I will be interning for a few weeks at the Library of Congress’s European Reading Room where I will be working with the Italian literature collections.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Jordan A. Scott ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Scott.JI remember being drawn to major in French from a love of French art, especially French film and music from the 20th century, such as Jean-Luc Godard and Serge Gainsbourg. Being in Paris my junior year was the highlight of my time as a French major, I enjoyed each and every day. For me, studying a modern language is like a bridge to the rest of the world, keeping me from being too isolated in my own language and culture. For the near future I’ll be moving to New York, and after that I have really no idea.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Sarah Stubbs ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Stubbs.SI majored in Hispanic Studies by chance; it was never my original intention. Although I knew that English would be my first major, I took a college Spanish class because the language was useful and enjoyed the intro course so much that I took more classes. Eventually I decided that I wanted to go abroad to a Spanish-speaking country – and by that point I knew I wanted to declare my major.

Although I have learned so much through my on-campus involvement with Hispanic Studies, the experience that influenced me most in this discipline was my semester abroad in Sevilla, Spain. I made lifelong friends, and my Spanish improved immensely in the immersion environment of living with a Spanish family and taking all my classes in Spanish. My other activities included travelling to other cities and countries in Europe; this travel not only opened my mind to other cultures but also helped me understand more about my own culture by comparison. I worked weekly in a nunnery and soup kitchen in Sevilla as well, giving out food to the economically disadvantaged. This activity made me feel connected with a whole different level of city life and gave me a focus on something other than myself during my months abroad.

To me, Hispanic Studies has taken on the importance of a greater cultural sensitivity that transcends merely Hispanic and Latino cultures. Because of my major, I have gained increased appreciation for others’ cultural practices. I also have a passion for encouraging bilingualism in Americans whose families speak Spanish, and I take part in this passion by volunteering for a program that encourages bilingualism in children at a local elementary school. While I am still discovering what I want my future plans to be, I am going to spend this summer completing an internship in the D.C. area, and hope to eventually use my Spanish and writing skills as a foreign correspondent or travelling journalist for a U.S. publication.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Doug Tibbett ’14 Senior Profile: German Studies

Tibbett.DEver since I enrolled at W&M, I wanted to teach language in a secondary education setting, and I’m happy to be realizing that goal soon. I originally chose to study German because I wanted to improve my proficiency in the language, though I’ve come to love language study in general through my classes in Spanish and Italian here. But through this, German has remained my fascination. The grammar makes sense to me in such a way unlike any other language I’ve studied.

Through the years, I’ve enjoyed discussing complex and sometimes uncomfortable topics in German history courses and taken in the rich German culture in literature and film. My studies allowed me to live in Berlin for a summer and go to school at Universität Potsdam, which was important to my personal and academic development. Next year, I’ll be at William and Mary to earn my Master’s in Education and become certified to teach high school German.

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Graduates 2013-2014

Caitlin Verdu ’14 Senior Profile: Hispanic Studies

Verdu.CI love Hispanic Studies because I value speaking a second language and learning about foreign cultures. I put my major to the test when I studied abroad in Central America, and was supremely pleased to find I was able to successfully communicate with the locals. And since no one else in my group spoke Spanish, this was really helpful too!

Upon graduation, I will be working for the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) at the Manassas National Battlefield and the Conway Robinson State Forest, where I will be designing interpretive materials and assisting on land management projects. And although my career goals lie in the environmental field, I am confident my experiences in Hispanic Studies will continue to come in handy as Spanish become more and more predominant.

And anyway, maintaining my language skills is a great excuse to travel!

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Graduates 2013-2014

Emily Wolfteich ’14 Senior Profile: French & Francophone Studies

Wolfteich.E“Emily started college with the intention to major in history, but the lure of the French Revolution and presidential scandals proved too seductive — as did her desire to gain enough fluency to have an effective career in Francophone Africa. During the course of her time at the College, she had the great pleasure to not only study on campus but also to study and work abroad in Paris for seven months through the IFE program, where she interned at two public health nonprofits, ate a lot of pastries, learned about seventh-floor walkups and made incredible friends. She also completed, with heavy reliance on her French skills, a Monroe Project on the role of radio as a tool of reconciliation in Rwanda. In the future, Emily hopes to work in international public health with a concentration in Francophone Africa, ideally in a capacity that lets her travel as much as possible and learn more languages. But wherever she ends up, the end goal is to be as useful as possible, and to never stop seeking adventure.

“I started college with the intention to major in history, but the lure of the French Revolution and presidential scandals proved too seductive — as did my desire to gain enough fluency to have an effective career in Francophone Africa. During the course of my time at the College, I had the enormous pleasure to not only study on campus but also to study and work abroad in Paris for seven months through the IFE program, where I interned at two public health nonprofits, ate a lot of pastries, learned about seventh-floor walkups and made incredible friends. I also completed, with heavy reliance on my French skills, a Monroe Project on the role of radio as tool of reconciliation in Rwanda. In the future, I hope to work in international public health with a concentration in Francophone Africa, ideally in a capacity that lets me travel as much as possible and learn more languages. But wherever I end up, the end goal is to be as useful as possible, and to never stop seeking adventure.”