Alumni

Kirsten Rasmussen, French and Philosophy Major

While I knew that teaching was not the path for me in pursuing a degree in French at Illinois State, I was first unsure exactly of what I wished to do with my degree. After interning a summer in San Francisco with the International Rescue Committee, a refugee and asylee resettlement agency, I gathered a vague sense that I was interested in the work of non-profit organizations. (Learn more about Kirsten's experience. )

 

Alan Medina, Jr. Intl. Business and French Major, German Minor

Growing up in Central Illinois, I had always dreamed about life in distant places. I started learning French at the age of 11 and then began with German at the age of 15. I knew at some point that I wanted to use the foreign languages I was learning in my career and to accomplish my long-term goal of living and workingin Europe. (Learn more about Alan's experience. )

Marivel Escatel, Criminal Justice and Spanish

The Dept. of Languages, Literatures, & Cultures enhanced my Spanish-speaking & writing skills, as well as my knowledge of Latin American culture. In addition, the endowed professors continuously challenged me to excel academically and professionally. These qualities make me an invaluable asset to corporate America and have opened doors to success!

Nadia Crisan, BA Spanish and Political Science, Taxco Study Abroad

Nadia is currently the Managing Director for McGuireWoods Consulting Romania. She joined the McGuireWoods team in February 2007 to help open the firm’s newest office in Bucharest. With a unique combination of skills in diplomacy and international and media relations, Nadia focuses her practice primarily on business development, government relations and strategic communications.
Prior to joining MWC, Nadia served as First Secretary at the Embassy of Romania in Washington. In that capacity, she was responsible for promoting Romania’s policies and interests before the United States Senate; strengthening relations with American investors in Romania; and articulating the Romanian perspective on international security to various Washington think tanks. Nadia is also an accomplished journalist having worked for two newspapers and as a correspondent for the Romanian National Television. She has written extensively on foreign policy related to the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Laurie Fraser, German Teacher Education Major

I always knew that I wanted to become a teacher. It was my passion and I didn’t really care what it was I was going to teach. I first thought I was going to teach English, and then I thought it would be biology. It did not take long for me to realize that if I wanted to succeed as a teacher, I needed disregard any concerns and follow my heart, and deepen my knowledge of the German language and culture. (Learn more about Laurie's experience. )

 

 

Adam Chambers, German Major

I began studying German in junior high and had an interest in foreign languages, although I did not know at that time that it was the field I would end up pursuing. Being originally from Normal, I had the opportunity to enroll in college-level German courses at ISU as a high school junior, and I took two 200-level courses, one on literature and another on composition. During my senior year of high school, I traveled to Stralsund, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Eastern Germany on the Baltic Sea Coast. The exchange began with a group of Americans together at an orientation, and it quickly became clear that the coursework I had done with the German professors at ISU had given me a tremendous advantage in rapidly being able to speak and understand the language fluently and hence concentrate on learning more about the country’s culture. (Learn more about Adam's experience.)

Irma Escatel Bantista, MA Spanish

Through the Graduate program in this department, I had the opportunity to do a comparative analysis of the Spanish Peninsular and Latin American regions. I also studied abroad at La Universidad Complutense in Madrid, Spain. It was a life-changing experience for me! I developed a greater understanding of the diversity within the Hispanic culture and it also enhanced my knowledge of the Spanish language.
The instructors in this department are extremely supportive and prepare you for any career you decide to pursue.
ISU prepared me to confidently pursue my career goals con ganas!

 

Andy Hillier, French BA and MA

While in my second year of graduate school at Illinois State, I knew I wanted to continue teaching language. In short, I loved my time teaching with the university and putting into practice the methods and techniques I had learned through various pedagogy classes that I wanted more even experience. After reading advertisements seeking native English speakers to teach in France, I knew I had found what I was looking for. (Learn more about Andy's experience. )

 

 

David Currier, Spanish Major

I live in New Orleans, Louisiana, and am a Construction Supervisor with Habitat For Humanity. I've been with Habitat now for about 16 months (since October 2006) and am trying to do my part to help the city rebuild post-Katrina. My job basically entails teaching the volunteers we get everyday how to do anything from building walls for a house to putting up siding to building stairs. Along with teaching volunteers how to build a house I am responsible for all the administrative tasks that are involved (scheduling sub-contractors, ordering materials, taking care of special guests that come to site...things of that nature).

There are a large number of immigrants here working in the city, helping to rebuild because there are jobs to be had and work to be done. A number of our subcontractors are Spanish speakers so I speak with them quite frequently in Spanish as their English is still developing.

If you are interested in finding out more about what Habitat is doing in New Orleans, you can go to this website:

http://www.habitat-nola.org/

Stephanie Gurewitz, BA Spanish

I am Stephanie Gurewitz, I'm 25 years old and from Chicago, Illinois.  I attended Illinois State University from August of 2003 to May of 2007.  I was a Spanish major and sociology minor.  I spent my spring semester of 2006 in Madrid, Spain.  I lived with a host family there and had an incredible time.  I connected well with my family, made new friends and had the opportunity to travel- which was my main reason for going- except for improving my Spanish, of course :)  I was able to travel all over Spain, to Portugal, France, Italy, Greece and Egypt.  I learned so much about not only myself, but the world as well. 

Click here to read more about Stephanie.