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Department ofModern Languages and Literatures

Students share why they studied languages

Jovanna Maresca '23, Spanish Major

Having grown up with a nanny from El Salvador, Spanish to me was just another language. Throughout high school Spanish interested me and to this day I love speaking the language, but it was not until I met with Laura Callahan that I decided to really pursue Spanish studies.

Majors: Communication and Spanish

Having grown up with a nanny from El Salvador, I have been speaking Spanish since I was about four years old. As a little girl, Spanish to me was just another language. Yes, I could communicate with a whole new world of people, but it was also still a bit strange in terms of finding my identity considering that my mom does not speak Spanish and my dad is from Italy. I always looked down upon myself for not speaking Italian because of this, but little did I know I would soon blossom into someone with a passion for the Spanish language and history thanks to Santa Clara’s Spanish Department. 

Throughout high school Spanish interested me and to this day I love speaking the language, but it was not until I met with Laura Callahan that I decided to really pursue Spanish studies. Upon meeting with Doctor Callahan, she encouraged me to explore more of Spanish, explaining that yes, I knew quite a bit about the language and culture, but that I had barely even scratched the surface. Although nervous, I listened and decided to pursue a Spanish major rather than a minor along with my original Communication major. I am so thankful that I did because not only have I learned so much more, but I have discovered a new community of people who accept me and help me everyday in furthering my understanding of not only the subject matters, but of my identity as well. 

Classes with José Ortigas keep me on my toes with the most exciting and interesting stories to read which always have something to do with important cultural or historical aspects. Jill Pellettieri was the first to reach out to me to get me set up for more Spanish classes after transferring into Santa Clara as a sophomore, making me feel so much more welcome. Laura Callahan is currently teaching me some important grammar in a surprisingly fun way, making me more confident in exploring areas of the language that push me further. All of these professors and all others involved in keeping the Spanish department going have helped me find acceptance in a new environment. I may not speak Italian like many of my family members here and in Italy do, but I know that I will always have a home with the Spanish community at Santa Clara.

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