As someone who programs, I think it’s cool to look at the structure of other languages and compare them to English. While I’m not a German major/minor, I think taking German helped me learn to use certain context clues that I could apply to learning Python. In other words, it made something that seemed complex to me easier. I also liked the cultural aspect of my German classes. I never traveled out of the US until March of this year (2025). I assume that there are many people in a similar situation to mine, and I think it’s helpful to know that there’s a huge world outside of the US with different cultures and customs.

I believe the thing I enjoyed the most about taking German classes was the experience in a culture different from my own and then comparing it with my own. The different traditions and unique perspectives gave my insight to what the world was like outside of the U.S. That was truly exciting for me to learn about. I think just that alone makes it worth taking a foreign language, because it makes it easier to understand folks from other walks of life. In a world that is so globalized with technology and the internet, I find that ability to connect invaluable to my education and social skill set. Not to mention that showing interest and ability to understand and speak in someone’s native language, even if not perfect, opens up so many possibilities in any kind of relationship, both personally and professionally!

What I enjoyed most about the class was that I was able to use what I was learning to engage with my classmates in German during projects and in-class discussions, and I loved how our instructor encouraged us to use the language to talk about things that were relevant and important to us. We learned how to be comfortable using German to talk about regular everyday things that matter to us, and I think that encouraged us to connect more with the language! I believe that it’s important to take a language because it doesn’t just open up the ability to communicate with different people, but it gives you the ability to appreciate the similarities and differences among different cultures. Living in such an interconnected, globalized world, that perception is so important to feeling connected to the world and to others on a global scale. Also, German music is great! I keep my playlist updated, and I still love Helene Fischer.

Taking Spanish courses has been beneficial to my overall learning. I have learned not only grammar, vocabulary, and speaking, but I have also learned about unique cultural aspects. In my SPAN217 class, we studied a holiday called La Tomatina. I found this so interesting that I went on to use La Tomatina as a topic for my International Speech in my Communications class. With Spanish proficiency, I foresee that it will open doors internationally in my studies and career in the arts, possibly allowing me to travel and work in places that speak Spanish. The Spanish courses at UTK have made me a more productive Global Citizen. I live in the United States, which is often referred to as ‘The Melting Pot’. And with that, I believe it is a valuable skill to be proficient in many languages. Learn more about yourself and others, and take a language!

Learning Portuguese opened a window into a people and culture beyond my own. Now that I work in Brazil as a professional volleyball player, what I learned in class is part of my everyday life. I can build better relationships with my teammates and connect with people in the community. I’m grateful that learning Portuguese has allowed me, as a foreigner, to reach out to others in their own language rather than relying only on English. If there is a country or culture that you want to know more about or establish a connection with, consider taking a foreign language. Your world opens into many amazing opportunities when you do!

As a Geography major, I am studying issues like climate change that are fundamentally global and require international collaboration. Studying in the Spanish Program at UTK has been essential for breaking out of a purely local or English-only mindset. So many of the world’s diverse populations and environments are in Spanish-speaking regions. These courses have provided a critical foundation in cultural understanding that complements my scientific training. Whether I end up in a public-facing role communicating science or in a more technical research position, the skills I have fostered will allow me to connect with more people, understand different perspectives, and be a more effective collaborator. It has reinforced that my career is part of a global community, and communication is key to solving global-scale problems.

Studying Italian has benefited me academically and socially. When you learn a language, you engage your brain in a way that no other field of study can. My critical thinking skills have improved, and I feel more confident. I have learned about being culturally competent and connecting with those who are different from me. As someone who is studying to work in a museum, these are skills that are invaluable. Studying a language hasn’t just made me better at Italian, it has also made me a better person.