Spanish
Maria Girbacea '27
Why did you decide to study Spanish?
I chose to major in Spanish because speaking different languages is both culturally and personally significant to me. I grew up speaking Romanian and began speaking Spanish in kindergarten. Fluently speaking both languages, especially Spanish, has opened doors to life-changing experiences and opportunities that I want to continue exploring in college and beyond. Being trilingual is an invaluable skill to have, and I am excited to keep using it in college, future travels and my career.
What class has been your favorite so far?
My favorite class so far has been Advanced Spanish Language & Composition with Professor Kim Hernandez. Kim is an incredible professor who is passionate about the class and appreciates every part of the Spanish language. This class taught me how important values such as compassion, commitment and cultural awareness are when studying different cultures and finding ways to meaningfully communicate with others in Spanish.
Tell us about a unique experience you've had or a project you've worked on for your major.
I had the opportunity to listen to a group of students share their experiences from a semester-long study abroad trip through the Central America Study & Service Program (CASP). During their time studying abroad, they built meaningful relationships and shared unforgettable memories with the people they met and served, which was very heartwarming. Listening to their stories not only deepened my appreciation for the value of studying abroad but also made me very excited to have a similar experience in the future!
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in Spanish?
My advice for anyone interested in studying Spanish is to enjoy every moment spent learning about the importance of Spanish history, culture and communication. Everything you learn is extremely valuable, fascinating and helpful if you ever want to travel, work or connect with Spanish-speaking communities.
What's your dream job?
After graduating, I plan to pursue a career in physical or occupational therapy. My goal is to help others regain the ability to enjoy the activities they love and help them perform everyday tasks. However, my dream has always been to use my Spanish-speaking skills beyond college to help overcome language barriers in healthcare, ensuring all patients receive the care they need and deserve.
Who are three people who have made a difference for you at Whitworth?
Professor Kim Hernandez is one of the people who has made an incredible difference for me here at Whitworth. The appreciation, support and joy she poured into teaching the Spanish 311 course I took during my first year here greatly inspired and motivated me to immerse myself more in the Spanish culture and history. Her effort to know and understand each one of her students also greatly impacted my first semester here at Whitworth.
Another person who has made a difference for me at Whitworth is one of my closest friends, Tamara Rojas. Studying for Spanish and our other shared classes has been challenging at times, but her support and motivation have been incredibly inspiring. I am very lucky to have met someone as kind, dedicated and supportive as Tamara.
The third person who has made a significant difference for me throughout my time at Whitworth is my swim coach, Steven Schadt. The continuous love and support he pours into his swimmers and team is one of the most special and motivational aspects of being part of the Whitworth swim team. Coach Steve has not only helped me grow as a swimmer over the past two seasons, but also as a student and as a person.
Why did you choose to attend Whitworth?
I chose to attend Whitworth because of the opportunities offered both academically and athletically. When making my decision, I knew I wanted to attend a small university where I could study health science, continue speaking Spanish and compete on a collegiate swim team. Being a student-athlete requires hard work and dedication, which is why having a strong support system of professors and coaches was a crucial factor in my decision. Whitworth does a great job of providing student-athletes with the support and understanding they need to pursue their goals, both in the classroom and in athletics.
Tamara Rojas '27
Why did you decide to study Spanish?
I decided to major in Spanish to help me better understand the language and connect with my cultural roots and family history. I was raised speaking Spanish, and it is such a beautiful language and a unique ability that helps me communicate with others.
What class has been your favorite so far?
My favorite class so far has been Spanish 311 (Advanced Spanish Language & Composition) with Professor Kim Hernandez. In this class, we explored and discussed different Spanish-speaking cultures. My friend and I were allowed to dive into Venezuela's social realities and better understand the reality that many individuals face related to health and education.
Tell us about a unique experience you've had or a project you've worked on for your major.
A unique experience I've had while majoring in Spanish is the opportunity to hear the stories of those who went on CASP (Whitworth's Central America Study & Service Program) early in 2024. We were lucky enough to hear their stories and experiences while they were studying abroad. Something that has truly stuck with me since that unique opportunity is the poem shared by a student who went on CASP. The poem expressed many heartfelt emotions and the hardships she saw many individuals, especially children, facing. Even though there was sadness, she expressed the joy those children had, how thankful she was to go on CASP, and what a life-changing experience it was.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in Spanish?
Some advice I would give to someone thinking about majoring in Spanish is to give it an opportunity. Even if you don't fully understand the language, it gives you many opportunities to communicate with many individuals. You have the opportunity to understand many different cultures and fully embrace them. You'll gain a deep understanding and appreciation of various cultures. Majoring in Spanish allows us to study abroad and immerse ourselves in Spanish-speaking countries to help us enhance our language proficiency and cultural understanding.
What's your dream job?
My dream job is to become a physical therapist or occupational therapist to help people regain independence in all areas of their lives and help them enjoy activities/hobbies they have difficulty enjoying. I want to help families feel connected and understood by their healthcare providers, particularly those facing language barriers, a challenge I am familiar with.
Who are three people who have made a difference for you at Whitworth?
The person who has made a difference for me at Whitworth is Professor Kim Hernandez. From the beginning, she has been my guide, helping me navigate the challenges of Whitworth while making me feel like I truly belong here. She uplifts everyone around her with an encouraging attitude and a warm and welcoming spirit that creates a sense of home. Professor Hernandez has inspired and supported me, reminding me I can thrive at Whitworth.
Another person who has made a difference is Dr. Justin Ulbright (instructor of health sciences). He has helped guide and support me through these past few months. He is always willing to listen, even with his busy schedule. He has always made the time to listen, even with only knowing me for a few short months. Justin prioritized making himself available to his students outside of class and listened to what we needed. Justin has made me feel known and understood, always letting us know that school is one thing we do and does not define us.
Finally, my friends Maria Girbacea and Karen Quintero have made the biggest difference while at Whitworth. They are both always patient and very understanding individuals, always willing to listen, and always showing their constant love and support during times of joy and sadness. And family and loved ones who are constantly pushing me to do my best. I would not be where I am today without all of these amazing individuals who show their constant support
Delaney From '23
Why did you decide to study Spanish?
I decided to study Spanish because I feel that the ability to speak multiple languages and communicate with more people in the world is a gift. Instead of expecting that the rest of the world learn English, we should make an effort to learn the beautiful languages of those who live all around the world, and for me, studying Spanish is a wonderful way to open these doors.
What are some of your favorite classes so far?
So far, one of my favorite Spanish classes has been my conversation class because we have gotten to practice how to handle real life situations, such as how to get a job or go to the grocery store or the bank. Having the opportunity to speak in small groups, both about specific prompts and simple day-to-day conversations, has helped me better my language skills and feel more comfortable conversing with others in the target language.
Tell us about a unique experience or project you've worked on for your major.
Something unique that I have been able to do within my major is a research project regarding how English speakers learning Spanish acquire accents and learn Spanish pronunciation. I have gotten to read many studies that already exist as well as design and carry out my own study.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in Spanish?
I would tell you that you need to be ready to not only continue learning the language itself, but to also learn about history and important topics and issues facing Spanish-speaking countries.
What's your dream job?
My dream job is to be a professor of Spanish linguistics.
Who has been an important connection for you at Whitworth, and why?
My major advisor, Dr. Katherine Karr-Cornejo, has been a very important connection for me here at Whitworth. From my first week of freshman year, she has helped me organize my classes, helped me tremendously with my research project, and she always enjoys talking about new recipes that I should consider trying.