Chris Lane
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Majors and Minor: Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations, Spanish, Minor in Sustainability
Fun Fact: I love spending time snowboarding and I have my scuba diving certification!
Bio: Saludos! I am double majoring in Political Science (International Relations emphasis) and Spanish with a minor in Sustainability. I grew up speaking Spanish with my nanny Maria and also participated in a K-8 Spanish bilingual program. Alongside my student ambassador position, I am an intern at the SCU Center for Sustainability and a member of the Political Science Honors Program. This summer I will be doing an internship abroad in Latin America and I will be applying to the Fulbright Fellowship after graduating. I hope to study Sustainability in graduate school and find a job within the Sustainability sector where I will hopefully be able to use my Spanish skills. My experience with Spanish classes at the university up to this point has been fantastic, and I hope to contribute as much as possible to the department of Modern Languages. Go Broncos!
Emily Takamiya
Hometown: Mililani, Hawaii
Major and Minor: Accounting major and International Business minor
Fun Fact: I love to crochet and draw in my free time.
Bio: 皆さん、こんにちは！I’m Emily Takamiya, aa accounting major and international business minor. I’m definitely more on the creative side and have experience in dance, playing both piano and violin, and drawing. I chose to attend SCU because of the diverse community and because of the university’s commitment to giving back to the community. I also love meeting new people and gaining new perspectives! I think that learning about different cultures and languages helps us to connect and understand others, so I’m excited to promote MODLL!
Francesca D'Urzo
Majors: English and Italian Studies double major
Bio: Hello! My name is Francesca D’Urzo, and I am an English and Italian double major. One of the many reasons why Santa Clara was my first choice of university is because of its incredible Modern Language Department. On campus, along with being a student ambassador, I am also a member of the Santa Clara Dance Team and the Cultural Italian American Organization. My future goals are to hopefully attend law school and pursue a writing-based career in this field. I am very grateful to be a student ambassador at such an amazing university!
Isabela Erfort
Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois
Majors: Undeclared Business and French double major
Fun Fact: I love animals of all kinds! At home, I have four cats, six frogs, and a tarantula!
Bio: Bonjour! Hello everyone! I am double majoring in business and French (class of 2026). I came to SCU with the hopes of minoring in French, but once I started taking classes here, it quickly became a double major! In addition to being a student ambassador, I am involved in French Club and Surf Club, and I have worked as an Orientation Leader and as a student assistant in the Communication Department! In my free time, I love reading, listening to music, and playing video games. After graduation, I hope to set aside some time to travel and learn more about different cultures across the world!
Jackson Druker
Hometown: Palo Alto, California
Major and Minors: Economics Major, Japanese and International Business Minors
Fun Fact: I have watched well over 3,000 hours of anime and I bake my own sourdough.
Bio: はじめまして！I’m Jackson Druker, a Bay Area native. During my freshman year, I played soccer for Emerson College in Boston but transferred back home to the bay for my sophomore year. I started taking Japanese to fill my language requirements, but quickly found a great passion for it. Now I’m minoring in it, planning to study abroad in Tokyo in Spring 2024. I want to be a peer educator, and couldn’t be more excited to go to class every day. Apart from being an Ambassador, I like to host dinner parties, bake, bbq with my Traeger, play Scrabble, and watch anime. I hope to work in business between America and Japan. よろしくおねがいします！
Jonathan Terryn
Hometown: Zürich, Switzerland
Majors and Minor: Philosophy and French
Fun Fact: I have lived in four countries!
Bio: Guten Tag, Bonjour, Grüezi, hi! I’m a double major in French and Philosophy. I come from a multicultural background, my father is Belgian, and my mother is American. As such, I’m used to interacting with and learning about different cultures. I grew up in Switzerland, where I learned German (a little bit of Swiss German), French, and English. Apart from being an ambassador for the Modern Languages Department, I am also an ambassador for the school’s Global Engagement Program, where I help students to have as much fun as I did studying abroad. After I graduate, I hope to participate in TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France) to further my French skills and live in a different country. I don’t have the details ironed out yet for my future career plans, but I’m considering International Law. I’d love to take my passion for learning about different cultures and applying it to global matters. I’m excited to promote the MODLL because it has been instrumental in my development at SCU. Not only did it allow me to deepen my passion for learning languages, but it also introduced me to a vibrant community of Francophiles, which I’m so glad to be a part of. I can’t wait to expand and promote the department to even more people.
Simone Schneekloth
Hometown: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Major and Minor: Biology major and Spanish minor
Bio: Hola! My name is Simone Schneekloth and I am majoring in Biology with a minor in Spanish. I chose Santa Clara University because of its focus on educating the whole person and really feeling a sense of community. I was also attracted to the great pre-health academics and the new Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation. It is also gorgeous! Besides being a Student Ambassador, I am also in CHAARG, Biology Club, VAW Global, and Ski Club. I have achieved a Global Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and with my Spanish fluency I would like to continue to use it in my future plans in pre-health. Go Broncos!
Sofia Perrone
Hometown: Tarrytown, New York
Majors and Minor: Environmental Studies and Italian double major and Sustainability minor
Fun Facts: I have dual citizenship - I have a US passport and an Italian passport!
Bio: Buongiorno, hola, hello! I have lived in the suburbs of New York City my whole life with my dad who was born and raised Italian, and my mother who was raised Colombian. Because of that, I am trilingual and speak English, Spanish, and Italian! I took Spanish in high school and decided I wanted to perfect my reading and writing in Italian at SCU - I am so glad that I did because I have met a great group of professors and students! Aside from being a MODLL student ambassador, I’m also a peer educator for Italian, Embrace Facilitator, KSCU radio DJ, Underclassmen representative for Queer & Qualified, and the development manager for SCU’s chapter of Sprout Up. One of my favorite things about SCU is how easy it is to get involved and meet new people! I chose to come here because of our small class sizes, Alumni network, and our wonderful location in the Bay Area. After graduation, I hope my plans bring me back to Europe to pursue a career in environmental studies/sustainability. I have nothing but good things to say about the Italian department and am so happy to be able to help!
Trent Lowe
Hometown: Parker, Colorado
Majors and Minor: Economics and French double major and International Business minor
Bio: Bonjour! I am double majoring in Economics and French with a minor in International Business. I’m involved with the French Club and Student Economics Association, as well as being a tutor with the Drahman center and a peer educator for the French department. I was originally only planning on being a French minor, but after taking more French classes at SCU, I realized I wanted to pursue a major to learn more French and get involved with the department. Outside of academics, I enjoy skiing, hiking, and playing tennis. After college, I plan on going to law school to pursue a career as a lawyer.