This project was originally undertaken to expand my knowledge of Hispanic and Arabic language and culture. To meet these ends, I studied abroad in Spain and Morocco with the intent to complete volunteer work. Through these methods, I increased my proficiency in both languages and greatly expanded my cultural awareness. These results have prepared me to continue pursuing a career in translation or interpretation by applying for a government internship and a Boren scholarship.

1. The most immediately applicable portion of my project is my
exposure to Hispanic life. At the University of Seville in Seville,
Spain, I took a Spanish Culture class taught in the native
tongue to contribute to my Spanish degree at U. of L.; my daily
interactions with local Sevillanos, especially the woman who
comprised my host family. Both of these methods for achieving
linguistic proficiency also aided in my acquisition of Spanish
cultural experience. I also planned out a volunteerism project,
training unemployed people in soccer techniques to promote
healthy living, to complete while in Seville, but the inability to
contact the responsible organization while in Spain forced a
cancellation.
This project was originally undertaken to expand
my knowledge of Hispanic and Arabic language
and culture. To meet these ends, I studied abroad
in Spain and Morocco with the intent to complete
volunteer work. Through these methods, I
increased my proficiency in both languages and This project successfully allowed me to accomplish
greatly expanded my cultural awareness. These both of my original goals. My linguistic abilities
results have prepared me to continue pursuing a increased dramatically, resulting in a basic
career in translation or interpretation by applying understanding of the Arabic alphabet and grammar
for a government internship and a Boren and the attainment of fluency in Spanish. In
scholarship. addition, I added to my understanding of Hispanic
and Arabic culture, paving the way toward being
able to ingratiate myself into these societies; I
Summer 2011: I traveled to Italy with the Brown know more about European civilization and have a
Fellows Class of 2015. This marked my first The other main portion of this project is to expose myself to the newfound knowledge of Africa. Although my
intercontinental experience and first plane trip. Arabic world, a previously unfamiliar language and culture to volunteer opportunity unfortunately was not
Fall -- Spring 2012: I began studying Spanish at me. To achieve this, I took Arabic language classes in Seville successful, I can use this experience to plan future
the university level and used the past summer’s and ventured to the other side of the strait of Gibraltar to humanitarian efforts better.
experience to plan my first solo trip abroad. acquaint myself to Morocco. In addition to learning firsthand, I
also absorbed the lasting influence of the Arab world by
• I have progressed toward my Spanish degree.
exploring the remnants of Islamic society in Southern Spain.
• My work on linguistic and cultural studies abroad
has prepared me to pursue a U.S. State
Department internship and a Boren scholarship.
• I visited numerous Spanish cities, including Granada,
• I plan to use my new capabilities to serve the
Cordoba, and Madrid.
Spanish-speaking and possibly the Arabic-
• In Morocco I traveled to Fez, Tangiers, and Marrakech,
speaking communities in Louisville.
where I became ill.
• The foundations for further study of Arabic at U.
• I explored Seville through their progressive Sevici bicycle
of L. and beyond have been created.
system.
• With the beginning of a third language, I am now
• I rode a camel to watch the sun rise over the Sahara desert.
considering translating and interpreting for the
• I can now make a tasty Spanish tortilla with a side of
United Nations.
gazpacho!