Outstanding Seniors

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

My interest in Japan started with a childhood appreciation for the traditional aesthetics, and deepened as I studied both the language and cultural aspects of Japan. Studying Japanese imbued in me a love of languages that encouraged me to pick up Korean language studies when I became interested in Korean pop music. In both areas, my initial inspiration has led to an entertaining and fulfilling academic path.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

One of the most memorable experiences from this program was on a study abroad in Korea. We were visiting Busan as a class, and I had gotten up early to go a walk along the beach. An elderly gentleman out for a morning stroll greeted me kindly in Korean, saying that it was a lovely morning. It was not only refreshing, but also an insight into the lives of locals like that man, to experience such quiet moments within a bustling city.

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

I have enjoyed learning about such a broad range of topics from all of my professors. It’s impossible to choose which one was my favorite.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Take the opportunity to step outside of your focus area. There’s lots of interesting connections to be made with an interdisciplinary approach.

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

I plan to rest for a while before pursuing graduate school. I will also continue my work in costume crafts, including working in the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s armory this summer.

Any fun facts about yourself/area of study you would like to share?

Studying costume construction and crafts in the theater department gave me a good foundation to research traditional Japanese and Korean clothing.

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

In addition to its rich literary tradition, Russian is essential for understanding a diverse range of cultures. I began studying Persian to deepen my understanding of the cultural and linguistic connections across Central Asia and to explore the beauty of Persian poetry. I began studying French to explore its rich literary heritage and to better understand the cultural and historical connections between France and other regions of the world.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

I greatly appreciate the professors in the WLC department who consistently find ways to bring language to life through events such as the annual Russian Club Concert and نوروز celebrations. The sense of community in the department is very strong!

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

I enjoyed Russian Film 4610 with Professor Kuznetsova and Persian language courses with Professor Alavi and Professor Amirsoleimani, as these classes consistently fostered engaging discussions and exploration of cinema, poetry, and literature.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Take advantage of any opportunity to have a conversation in the language(s) you're studying (such as Русский разговорный стол) and realize that making mistakes is the only way to improve!

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

I will be participating in Critical Language Scholarship program for Turkish during the summer and then pursuing a Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literature and Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University.

Any fun facts about yourself/area of study you would like to share?

Забон донӣ – ҷаҳон донӣ is a Tajik Persian saying I enjoy, which means, "If you know a language, you know the world."

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

I was initially inspired to study Classics by reading Donna Tartt's work, especially The Secret History. Then I found that I really enjoyed learning about different world religions, ancient and modern, so I added a Religious Studies major.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

I was able to go to Italy one summer with the Libarna Urban Landscapes Project for an archaeology field school. It was an incredible experience to unearth ancient Roman architecture, and it was wonderful to explore Italy!

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

I think the most impactful class in my college career was first year Greek with Professor Toscano. She cemented my love for the language and encouraged me to take Latin as well, which I started the year after.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Both Classics and Religious Studies are small programs in a big university. You can take advantage of that to get to know your teachers and classmates well. Make connections and ask for help when you need it!

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

After a gap year or so, I intend to pursue a PhD in Classics. I plan to be a professor of Greek and Latin one day.

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

I came to love Mandarin as I grew up in a Utah Mandarin Immersion program and the professors and the program at the UofU gave me the confidence to pursue teaching Mandarin as a second language.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

My most fun experience has probably been my internship at a Mandarin Immersion Elementary school. Real life language teaching experience is so valuable and so fun to me.

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

One of my favorite classes was Professor Wu's Classical Chinese course. While challenging, I found the class to be well structured, taught at a manageable pace, and often felt like solving a puzzle as we translated passage after passage of ancient Chinese text. It was so fascinating to see an earlier, and often stripped down version, of the language I have studied for so long and I felt that the course deepened my knowledge of the Mandarin language overall.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Dive into the courses and stay curious! Think of language learning as exciting rather than nerve racking, don't be too nervous to try new sentence patterns or vocab especially in the classroom environment where the teacher is there to help you.

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

Currently I am working at an elementary school as a teacher aide and will ideally continue my work there during my gap year as I contemplate getting a master's degree so I can teach Elementary school level Mandarin.

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

I’ve been interested in Religious Studies for a while now, and I was converted to the major after a couple of really good classes. I don’t think I could give a singular inspiration.

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

I’ve had so many good classes with such wonderful professors—I don’t know if I could pick a favorite! I would like to mention Brandon Peterson, Nathan Devir, John Wynne, and Christine Everaert as some of my favorites.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

I really don’t think anyone should take my advice, so I’ll just say have fun and don’t push yourself too hard!

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

I’m going into an MPhil program at the University of St. Andrew’s for Theology and the Arts next year, and then after that… who knows?

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

I chose to study Japanese in a higher education setting because I wanted to go beyond learning just the language. I wanted to dive into the history and culture of Japan, and since the University of Utah offered so many unique and diverse courses surrounding Japan, I decided this was the major for me.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

I really enjoyed participating in the Japanese Cultural Association activities and the Virtual Language Tables when I could. Since we live in Utah and don't have a lot of opportunities to speak Japanese in our daily lives, these activities were great for speaking practice and it was fun getting to know the exchange students who were studying in Utah or the university students studying in Osaka.

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

That's a tough one! I've really enjoyed all of my professors and the Japanese courses I've taken, but Kawase Sensei was one of the first professors I met and has helped me every step of the way on my academic journey. In her class, she doesn't want you to just learn the language, she wants you to learn how to use the language effectively, and that's something that I sincerely appreciated while attending her intermediate level classes.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Get involved, practice speaking Japanese as much as you can, and keep going. Don't let kanji intimidate you! Learning a language is a journey, and most likely a lifelong journey at that, but I promise there will come a moment when things start to click and you'll be able to engage with the language in a new and exciting way. We have a lot of great resources and incredible professors who are more than willing to help, so please don't hesitate to reach out to them.

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

The short-term plan is to hopefully find work in Japan and move back as soon as possible. I miss the lifestyle there and being immersed in Japanese really helps me learn the language. The long-term plan is to keep studying Japanese and pass the N1 Japanese Language Proficiency Test to work my way into a translation position. I love learning about the nuances between English and Japanese and I hope I can turn that passion into a career.

Any fun facts about yourself/area of study you would like to share?

Before I was admitted to the University of Utah, I was living and working in Osaka, Japan. I went on an independent study abroad trip to learn Japanese at a language school and I lived there for about a year before moving back to Utah to attend the U.

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

I discovered a passion for languages early in life. French just happens to be the one I’ve spent the most time studying.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

All of my French language classes were wonderful. I haven’t gone yet, but I expect that this summer’s Learning Abroad program in Angers, France, will be incredible too.

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

Both Prof. De Raedt and Prof. Gutt are amazing professors and I greatly enjoyed all of the classes I took from both of them. It’s nearly impossible to choose a true favorite, but I will never forget Prof. Gutt’s seminar on Medieval French Literature and Prof. De Raedt’s class on 19th Century French Literature.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Don’t give up! Consistency is key. The more you keep at it, the better you’ll get it, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. Good luck!

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

Short-term, I will be building a portfolio to use in order to apply for translation type jobs. Long-term, I might consider graduate programs in California, Canada, or France, but I plan to look for a job related to my degree and work in the field for a little bit before applying to a graduate program.

Any fun facts about yourself/area of study you would like to share?

Whether or not you speak French, it’s worth it to look into other genres of francophone music than 60s chanson. For example, the francophone rap scene is just as alive and diverse as the scene in the US. Look (or really listen) around and you’ll find there’s something for everyone.

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

In 2021, I became interested in Christianity, a journey that led to me being baptized in the Episcopal church in 2023. This journey, however, was one of much consideration and research. I discovered that, not only did I love learning about the little details and idiosyncrasies of different Christian denominations, I also loved learning about religions other than Christianity as well. Whenever I passed by a religious building I didn’t recognize (a church, synagogue, mosque, etc.), I always looked it up online to see if I could find more information about its history and/or denomination. This thirst for information and love for everything religious inspired me to embrace the life of a religious studies major.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

One of my professors has visited and lived in India a number of times, so she is skilled at cooking Indian food. On the last day of my course with her, our small class of four students went to her office and were treated to a homemade Indian dish of the chaat variety. It was delicious and a great opportunity to discuss her travels.

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

There are too many courses to choose from! But I have particularly enjoyed all my classes with Brandon Peterson as well as my Controversial Indo-Pakistani Literature and Media class with Christine Everaert.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Your work is important. Your passion is important. You are important. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

Short-term: working full time at my credit union. Long-term: discerning a potential call to priesthood or religious life.

Any fun facts about yourself/area of study you would like to share?

• The Quakers worship by sitting together in silence, only standing and speaking when the Light or the Spirit moves them to.

• During the 20th century, Utah had multiple Episcopal bishops who espoused socialism, including Franklin Spencer Spalding and Paul Jones.

• Early Christians depicted peacocks in their art as symbols of eternal life and the all-seeing eye of God.

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

I lived in Brazil for a little while and just loved the language and culture. I wanted to keep learning and then the major/minor opened up!

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

The CEL projects were so much fun and rewarding too! I also loved being a part of the Brazilian Club!

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

My favorite professor was Prof. Bateman. I really like his teaching style— everything is clear and well organized. You know exactly what material is necessary for exams and can have fun in the activities and discussions.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Always apply yourself and don't get too bogged down by what you don't know. Learning another language or about another culture is difficult but it's so rewarding!

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

Short-term: I plan to take the MCAT and work on getting volunteer/clinic hours this summer! I would love to see if there are any opportunities for me to do this while also practicing my Portuguese.

Long-term: Med-school eventually! But hopefully a break in between so I can reconnect with friends and spend more time with family before heading back to school!

Any fun facts about yourself/area of study you would like to share?

My double-major is really the best of both worlds! I was able to engage in the interests of my science-nerd self through my degree in Biochemistry while still being able to explore art, literature, and history with my WLC: Portuguese degree!

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

During the COVID lockdown, I became obsessed with German-language musicals! The music and different stories are so fun, elaborate, and beautiful. I was fortunate to find translations of some songs online. Still, I wanted to understand the music and dialogue by myself someday. This wish is what pushed me to start learning German.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

This year, I was the president of the German Conversation Club. I had a lot of fun planning activities with the other student officers and the German Department. My favorite activity was the “Chocolate Tasting” event with Professor Ott and Professor Kubiessa. They lectured on the development of chocolate. After the lecture, we all got to try different chocolates and vote for our favorite one!

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

My favorite class was Grimm to Disney with Professor Baumgartner. She is such a kind and fun professor. I had a lot of fun learning about the history of fairy tales and how the Grimm Brothers played an important role in collecting and translating them. We also had a final project where we had to adapt a fairy tale ourselves! It was so fun looking through different fairy tales and figuring out how we could adapt it into a more modern setting, while still keeping the original beats and messages of the story.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Mistakes are inevitable and only help us improve. The German professors are very kind and accommodating. They know German is hard, and they want you to do well. Don’t be afraid to email them or visit them during office hours! Don’t be afraid to use the language outside of class too. Watch videos in German, listen to German music, etc. The German Conversation Club also offers many great opportunities to practice German on campus. Use your resources, and you will be bound to improve!

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

Post-graduation, I would love to incorporate German somewhere in my career. I am applying for internships and other career opportunities that allow me to use German with other professionals in various settings. I would also like to work towards becoming a translator or a teacher.

Any fun facts about yourself/area of study you would like to share?

Last summer, I studied abroad in Lüneburg with USAC. I had a lot of fun taking classes at Leuphana University with students from all over the United States and Turkey! By meeting new people, I was able to form a friendly group where we could share study guides, discuss our various interests, and explore Germany together. My favorite memory is when we visited the Hamburger Kunsthalle, ate dinner, and saw the musical Hercules together. We had so much fun seeing all the different art and having the unique opportunity to see a new show in Germany!

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

Growing up as a Heritage Spanish speaker, I always felt inspired to study Spanish and cultural studies at an academic and professional level. When I began my studies at the University of Utah, I began by taking Political Science courses focused on Latin American studies. During my second year, I took a Spanish CLAC course on comparative politics, and I would declare a second major in Spanish. I always wanted to improve my Spanish grammar composition and writing, while also expanding my knowledge on cultural studies in Latin America and Spain.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

During my time in the Spanish program, a fun and unique experience that I remember was volunteering as a Spanish translator and interpreter during my Fall of 2023 semester. In fact, the class was Spanish for Professionals, and I volunteered for both the Pro Bono legal clinics on Immigration and Street Law. In addition, I volunteered for the former CESB (Center for Equity and Student Belonging) Early belonging initiative, that helped high school students transition into the university. Both experiences exposed me to valuable insights on my professional development and allowed me to use my Spanish skills to help in local community programs.

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

My favorite Spanish classes would have to be Introduction to Latin American Studies with Dr. Pamela Cappas-Toro and Latin American Classics with Dr. Alejandro Quin. I enjoyed taking introduction to Latin American studies with Dr. Cappas-Toro because it provided me with a great foundation on Latin American cultures across different regions, especially with a focus around the Caribbean, North and South America. By far my favorite class would have to be Latin American Classics with Dr. Quin, which inspired me the most to gain a deeper interest and appreciation of literature over the summer semester.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

My biggest piece of advice for students still studying Spanish language and cultural studies would be to keep an open mind and embrace each moment in class. I think each class session, lecture, reading or material is an opportunity to learn more about new cultures and perspectives. All the while you’re creating new friendships with classmates and professors alike. I would encourage students not to discourage themselves and keep in mind that through your classwork, you are making new connections with the texts and with others.‘La literatura es para crear nuevos mundos.’

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

My post-graduation plans will be to return to the University of Utah for the MA Spanish program in the Fall 2025 semester. I am excited with furthering my professional and academic development in the MA Spanish program, and I look forward to using my knowledge to work in teaching and community-based programming.

Any fun facts about yourself/area of study you would like to share?

During my third year at the U, I went on a 2-week faculty-led Study Abroad program to Colombia. We visited Bogotá and Medellín, and I would spend a lot of my trip talking with locals, exploring new sites and locations, while learning about transitional narratives with students from both the U and USU. It was on my study abroad, that I developed a strong relationship with coffee, carrot cake and was interviewed by the local TV news station on my experiences with the Medellín metro system.

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

I had the opportunity to serve an LDS mission in South Korea, and when I came back, I wanted to further my Korean skills that I had been learning for two years.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

I was able to work as an interpreter for a K-Pop Singing academy at the U, put on by the Korean Cultural Center of Los Angeles, because of connections I made in this program. I definitely didn't expect to have the opportunity to listen to vocal lessons in Korean when I signed up for these classes!

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

KOREA 3200 (Intermediate High Applied Korean Communication) was a really fun class, both because of Professor Kim ensuring the class had a really fun atmosphere, as well as the people in the class being really cool to learn alongside.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Any effort spent learning about and sincerely trying to understand a culture other than your own, is effort spent making yourself a better person.

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

I'll start working full time in May as a Software Engineer for a Utah based company called BambooHR!

Any fun facts about yourself/area of study you would like to share?

I'm 1/4 Korean (from my maternal grandfather), but didn't learn any Korean or anything about Korean culture until I went there at 18 for my mission. My grandfather had written and published an autobiography, in Korean, that even my mom didn't know the contents of, because she was never taught Korean. Since my grandfather didn't speak much English and I didn't speak Korean when he was alive, I didn't get a chance to know him very well; however, this program provided me with help in beginning to read that autobiography and starting to learn more about my grandfather's journey from North Korea to Brazil, where he started a family.

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

As an aspiring diplomat and champion of peace, I look to lead with a “feminist foreign policy” perspective in order to confront the patterns of warfare and aggressive governance that directly challenges peace. Dismantling the pervasive patriarchal structures inherent to violence and divisiveness must include efforts to improve women’s prospects globally, empower their voices in leadership, and secure archives of female experiences in their mother-tongues.

Russian imperial ambitions are rooted in and fueled by patriarchal systems, ideologies, and policies; feminist foreign policy in the Russian language is the innovation needed to address the persistence of extensive conflict and oppression in Eastern Europe.

Language learning is a powerful pathway for me to dismantle patriarchal violence by giving me the tools to produce research, reports, and digital media to improve the accessibility and extent of feminist scholarship in the Russian language. Through collaborating directly with Russian-speaking women and local organizations in Eurasia actively fighting for empowerment and equity, my work as a Russian scholar will contribute to building community spaces and diplomatic platforms of safety, openness, and support.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

During my time as a FLAS Fellow during the 2023-2024 Academic Year, I co-founded the Russian-Ukrainian English Learners Club with fellow Russian scholars in my cohort to offer free english lessons to Eastern European refugees living in Utah. In this role, I interacted directly with women impacted by the Russo-Ukrainian War and listened to their experiences with devastating gender-based violence caused by Russian imperialism. This experience has enriched my work as a global advocate and underscored my desire to produce research into the gender-based consequences of global conflicts as a graduate student at Middlebury Language Schools and Columbia University SIPA.

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

Dr. Natalya Kuznetsova is easily my favourite professor at the University of Utah and her course “Reading Russian Press” was an exciting and challenging experience that strengthened my scholarship. She creates an environment of excellence by advocating for her students’ capacity to use foreign-language to navigate complex global challenges. Her advocacy taught me we must use encouragement to drive change and that kindness is crucial to building a more peaceful and connected world. In her courses, I learned how to speak about the issues I was passionate about with greater fluency and supportive feedback. Being her student has made me a better global leader and scholar in the Russian language.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Keep going! Russian is a very challenging language and academic programs in Russian studies are disappearing. That is why we need students like you who have dedicated time and energy to fluency and cultural comprehension to continue advocating for the peace-building value of studying foreign languages. Don’t give up even if the instrumental case never makes sense!

What are your post-graduation plans? Short-term and/or long-term?

I am currently a Direct Care Mentor at a residential treatment center for adolescent girls with trauma and other mental health challenges. I also serve on the Youth Advisory Board for Born This Way Foundation to advocate for greater mental health awareness and stronger community connections. I will be joining Columbia University SIPA’s Class of 2027 this fall as an MIA candidate and will begin Middlebury College’s MA in Russian program this summer! In the future, I hope to serve my country as a Foreign Service Officer or find space in the diplomatic world to be a champion for human rights and gender equity.

Any fun facts about yourself/area of study you would like to share?

A fun fact is that the Middlebury Language Schools are a small slice of heaven on earth and I encourage all language scholars to spend a summer in Vermont, connecting with peers that share your dedication to learning about other cultures and enjoying the beautiful nature!

What initially inspired you to choose this area of language and/or cultural studies?

I had some prior experience speaking Portuguese, and I like literature courses.

What was a fun or unique experience you had at the U related to your program in the World Languages and Cultures Department?

I loved the opportunity to explore new films or books with like-minded individuals.

What was your favorite class and/or professor? Why?

Christopher T. Lewis! I enjoyed all of his classes. I love how we were able to learn about language, culture, and art, while also learning about how those elements were connected to or influenced by the times and people in which they were found.

What words of inspiration or advice do you have for students still at the U studying in your language/cultural studies program?

Study what you love, and you can learn to love learning even more!