Spanish

Why Study Spanish?

Did you know that Spanish is the world’s third most spoken language with over 500 million speakers worldwide?
“Learning a second language helps to break the stereotype of Americans that we rely only on English and expect that everywhere we go we’ll be spoken to in our native language. I chose Spanish because I love the incredibly rich culture that comes with it and its global utility. It’s a language that reaches all over the world and in every part takes on a different personality. I know that Spanish has made my travel and study experiences more personal, culturally authentic, and over all fulfilling.” Morgan Hannah Pickett (‘11 )

Did you know that there are nearly 50 million people of Hispanic heritage in the United States and that approximately 1 of every 10 U.S. residents speaks Spanish at home?
“Studying Spanish shows that there isn’t simply one way to be an American. You don’t have to have English as your first language to be recognized as an American, and I’ve realized from all my Spanish classes that Hispanics represent a huge part of America. I feel as though I have a deeper connection with people who are Hispanic in the United States when I am able to connect with them through another language.” Laura Cloherty (’10)

Did you know that Spanish is the second most commonly used official language in international communication?
“Communication is key! Learning a second language is an incredible way to communicate with a variety of different people. A second language opens doors for opportunities like studying and interning abroad, improving skill sets on a resume and discovering new cultures.” Rachelle Doucette (’10)
“Who doesn’t want to speak another language? My original plan was to study computer science. After studying abroad in Spain, I decided to double major and add Spanish to my studies. I’m majoring in Spanish because I see the value (and fun) in being able to communicate in a language that is becoming increasingly important in our world. Whether you want to teach in a classroom, work for a government agency, or start your own business, a bilingual person will always be very marketable in the job world.” Simon Lynch (’10)
“I study Spanish not because I have to but because I want to. My dream is to practice medicine in the U.S. and in Latin America.” Marc Delaney (’13)