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In 20 words or less, what is the best thing about being part of this department?
Being part of a community where faculty & students are equally invested in and passionate about the Spanish-speaking world.

What is your biggest piece of advice to first years and sophomores about getting connected to this department?
The faculty of the Spanish department are some of the kindest and most supportive people that you will meet, and they are very invested in student’s success at K. I highly recommend reaching out. Meeting with a professor is a great way to build connections, learn about the department, and see how it can fit into your time at K.

What is something you know now that you wish you could tell your first-year self?
I would tell my first-year self to stress less about the future and making the “right” decisions for it. Life is unpredictable and being able to adapt to change has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding life lessons that I have experienced.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned at K?
Initially when I started attending K being put into new environments and adapting to them seemed like an extremely daunting task. But K has taught me how to navigate and adapt to a wide range of environments. I’ve learned to navigate both professional and informal settings, build meaningful connections, and embrace different perspectives.

What has been your favorite class at K? 
SPAN 301 with Professor Vazquez Cruz. Moving from taking primarily grammar-focused courses to one centered on film and literature from Spain and Latin America felt like a breath of fresh air. I especially valued the group discussions and assignments that challenged me to think critically and analyze texts and films. Moreover, Vazquez Cruz fostered an environment where I felt free to openly share my perspective on the texts and incorporate them into formal writing. Overall, the class pushed me to grow as a student and gave me the skills needed to succeed in higher-level Spanish classes.

How have you taken advantage of the flexible curriculum or experienced breadth?
I have taken advantage of K’s open curriculum by shaping an education that reflects both my interests and values. At K I have been able to explore my passion for film through courses in both production and analysis while also double majoring in Economics and Spanish. Moreover, the flexibility that this curriculum offers allows me to engage with both analytical and creative disciplines, which has allowed me to connect ideas and perspectives across fields.

What experiential education opportunities have you participated in?
I studied abroad in Aberdeen, Scotland where I developed greater cultural awareness, adaptability, and a broader global perspective. I also volunteer at El Sol Elementary  as a teaching assistant in bilingual classrooms where I have supported student’s learning whose first language is not English, further allowing me to develop my communication skills.

What is your SIP?
I plan on completing an experiential internship SIP through my internship with Kalamazoo Forward Ventures, where I will connect core microeconomic principles to real-world investing. I am interested in exploring how capital allocation can address market failures like unequal access to capital by investing in minorities.

What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
I am still deciding what I want to do after K but I am very interested in living and working abroad in a Spanish speaking country for a year before I continue my education and complete a master’s degree in either finance or economic public policy.

What is a random fun fact about you?
I am Canadian and spent my first year of undergrad in a literature and philosophy focused program.