What do you love about your major? 

I love my double major because it combines two passions: languages and language learning. Linguistics fascinated me and furthered my understanding of this field. Spanish, and the Spanish Heritage Language program was a phenomenal experience connecting me with other heritage speakers who love the language as much as I do.

Where do you call “home” or your “hometown?”   

As a military child, home was where my family was stationed, so I called many places home. Nonetheless, Silverdale, Washington is where I currently call home.

What do you study/what is your area of interest? And why did you choose this area? 

I applied specifically to the University of Washington to study Linguistics, so you could say I was over-the-moon when I was accepted into the university. Through being a social science, Linguistics forged the cognitive skills to rationalize better through compelling projects and fascinating content. I thoroughly agree with my Sociolinguistics instructor’s claim that Linguistics is the most humanistic of all sciences, meaning it combines the best aspects of the humanities with the rigor of science. We linguists are passionate about what we study. In every class, positive, profound engagement from my fellow peers and my professors is always present. This created an atmosphere I hold dearly for the department. 

The Spanish Heritage Language program offered me the academic stimulation I have always dreamed of while being taught by incredible professors pushing me to strive for better. Additionally, there is a Spanish class for everyone in the Spanish and Portuguese Studies Department. To study Spanish makes sense when considering that by 2060, the United States will be the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world (Spanish Learning Institute, Instituto Cervantes, 2021). 

These two majors complement each other beautifully, which led me to opportunities outside of school including jobs (Spanish/Humanities tutor) and internship opportunities (First Member-facing Navy Federal Credit Union intern). With the highlights of the departments, along with the passionate faculty in each department, my double major in Spanish and Linguistics brings joy and pride daily as a University of Washington student.

Do you have a faculty mentor? If so, whom? 

I look up to my Spanish Heritage Language program and Spanish Linguistics Associate Professor Antonio Rueda, who has guided me professionally through job opportunities and academic opportunities such as graduate school, all the while supporting my Spanish learning journey. What most draws me to him is, in addition to his expertise in Spanish Linguistics, his kindness and approachability. 

Are you a transfer student? If so, where did you study before? What advice would you give to a new transfer student?   

Yes, I transferred in from Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington. My advice for transfer students is to work closely with an academic advisor as soon as you enter UW and to see the same one continually, even every quarter. Over the years, I have worked with Giovanni Milan, and he was always knowledgeable, willing to help, and meet with me about whichever academic roadblocks I encountered. 

Have you studied abroad? If so, where? Tell us a little about this experience.  

I participated in the Northwest Cádiz Program hosted in Spain, which proved itself to be phenomenal, not only for my language learning, but also for my cultural awareness. 

Where is your favorite place to study on-campus?  

My favorite place to study on campus is at one of the on-campus libraries depending on the type of atmosphere I need. 

What is one of the many humanities courses you recommend taking? 

LING 200: Introduction to Linguistics is a fantastic course that gives a full overview of the field. It covers all the major fields and opens you up to the upper-division courses where you can focus on what interests you in. 

With Spanish, it is key to mention this department is the Spanish and Portuguese Studies Department, so Portuguese is also an option as a minor. Through my Portuguese-learning experience, I took PORT 310: Introduction to Lusophone Literature which was a wonderful experience as I had missed speaking Brazilian Portuguese. Diversity in class content and continual speaking excellence are what I cherish in this department. 

What has been an unforgettable experience during your time at UW thus far? 

My unforgettable UW experience was in LING 432: Sociolinguistics I. I truly felt connected with all the students and the instructor, as it was small enough to know everyone and large enough to engage in thoughtful discussion. This memory was what I had always imagined how the university would be, and it lived up to it beautifully. 

How have you used the Humanities Academic Services advising office while on your journey? 

Every quarter I visit my advisor, Giovanni Milan, to make sure I am on track to completing my degree. Through being a double major, I had to be fruitful with timing my classes while completing in a satisfactory amount of time. Humanities Academic Services (HAS) gave me the tools and support to make this a reality. 

What advice would you give a new student in the humanities? 

Ask yourself what has always interested you about the overall experience of life and why. Do you remember that burning question? Now find an academic advisor and pitch it to them, and they will lead you to the right class. 

Anything else you would like to share about your experience as a humanities student? 

Humanities is fundamentally about human experience, so we all have questions related to the humanities. Humanities can extend your perspective broadly, and this is where I find the most value in it.