Connecting Learning to Life

I selected artifacts that reflect how Spanish has moved beyond the classroom and become a part of how I connect with people, remember my heritage, and serve my community. These artifacts represent a balance of personal and professional experiences and show how Spanish has helped me deepen relationships, build cross-cultural empathy, and envision ways to use the language in my future career. Just as my studies in economics have shaped how I think about systems and human behavior, my Spanish coursework and experiences have helped me see language as a bridge, not just between ideas, but between people.

To begin, I included a short story titled El albañil tierno, written in Spanish, about my great-grandfather. This piece is deeply personal. Writing it allowed me to use Spanish to express something meaningful about my family history. I wanted to explore the idea of resilience, sacrifice, and gentleness in a man who, by trade, built homes, but who also quietly built a legacy of love. Writing this narrative in Spanish challenged me creatively, as I worked to convey emotional nuance and use literary language effectively. More importantly, it showed me that Spanish can help me to convey the emotions and feelings that are usually awkward for me to share in English. 

Alongside that, I included a report summarizing several conversations with my friend Ángel, whom I met while living in Veracruz, Mexico. We’ve stayed in touch since, and these conversations have become one of the most authentic ways I’ve continued to use Spanish in my personal life. Talking with Ángel has helped me improve my conversational fluency, but more than that, it has helped me understand cultural values and perspectives that are very different from my own. His stories, from his childhood birthday memories to his reflections on Día de los Muertos, have taught me about family, tradition, and the lived reality of everyday life in Mexico. These interviews didn’t feel like assignments; they felt like friendship, and they reminded me how language connects us at the most human level.

I also included a recipe for picaditas veracruzanas, a dish I came to love during my time in Mexico. This artifact might seem casual, but it represents a type of cultural engagement that’s intimate and long-lasting. Cooking this dish brought back memories of local markets, street vendors, and shared meals. Writing out the recipe in Spanish helped me absorb practical vocabulary and reflect on the way food and language are intertwined. It’s also a way I’ve brought Spanish into my home life, something small, but meaningful, that keeps the language alive in my daily routines.

For the professional dimension of this section, I included a service learning report detailing my experience teaching English to Spanish-speaking immigrants in the town where I attend college. This was one of the most transformative experiences I’ve had. It wasn’t about grammar lessons or worksheets, it was about people trying to build better lives for their families, often after long and difficult journeys. Spanish allowed me to connect with them, encourage them, and help them feel seen and supported. In the process, I gained insight into the realities immigrants face and the importance of language as empowerment. It also helped me realize that teaching, especially teaching across languages and cultures, is something I care deeply about. These students became some of my closest friends.

Looking ahead, I have two goals that reflect how I want to keep using Spanish both personally and professionally. First, I plan to create and publish an introductory economics course in Spanish on YouTube. I want to make economics more accessible to young Latin Americans and inspire interest in a field that often feels out of reach. This project brings together both of my majors and reflects a desire to give back, teach, connect, and elevate. Second, I’ve made it a personal goal to watch at least one Spanish-language television series each year. It’s a way to unwind, but also to stay immersed in the language and culture. It reminds me that Spanish isn’t just something I use for work, it’s something I love.

Ultimately, these artifacts show how my Spanish major has shaped who I am. I didn’t just learn a language, I found new ways to see the world, connect with others, and share what matters to me. Whether I’m writing stories, cooking, teaching, or just watching a show, Spanish continues to shape my life.