Student Voices

Molly Sommers, '10

Major: Spanish
Minors: Chinese, Theatre
Hometown: Genoa City, Wis.

One language wasn’t enough for Carthage senior Molly Sommers. The Genoa City native is majoring in Spanish with a minor in Chinese. She has a second minor in theatre.

"I hope to someday interpret or translate, whether it is for the government or traveling to connect people," she says. "Having two languages makes me valuable to a company that does business abroad. Chinese and Spanish are so different, it is hard to confuse them while speaking."

Studying theatre has improved her language skills, she says. "One of the biggest things emphasized in theatre is the need for enunciation and speaking in front of groups of people. I have trained my ear to hear differences and be able to pick up on how to apply them to my speaking skills."

In Spring 2009, Molly studied abroad through the University of Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC). She was placed in the University of Basque Country and stayed with a family in the city of San Sebastian, Spain. She praises the freedom the city offered.

"It was not necessary to have a car," she says. "You could easily get around on foot, by bike, or even by their bus system. My city was on the ocean and was between mountains. ... I loved the closeness of everything in Europe. I was about a 10-minute train ride away from the border of France and Spain."

During her freshman year, she traveled to tbe Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Germany and Austria with the Carthage Women's Ensemble.

Through both study abroad experiences, "I learned that confidence comes from all sorts of things, including the ability to start a conversation with someone who doesn't even speak your native language," she says. "I learned I am much more capable then I ever thought. I learned that friends are truly one of the most amazing gifts we are ever given the opportunity to have, and to keep them close because they make life a better experience."

Favorite professor: "I've had a couple of different teachers who have all affected me in different ways. Oddly enough, it was my two Heritage teachers who have made the biggest impact on me, Professor Heitman and Professor Lochtefeld. The classes were both Heritage, yet they were both so different that it was interesting to have them both. Each professor had something that really brought the students into the class and made them want to participate and generate discussions that made us all think."

Favorite class: "One of my favorite classes has been Play Reading and Analysis with Neil Scharnick. The class was an eye-opener to the world of plays and got me to read plays that I had never heard of. They gave me a new idea of what repertoire I should be reading to expand my theatrical knowledge."

Toughest class: "I'm sure the class I thought was difficult is not that bad, it was just the semester I took it in. I think one of the most difficult classes was Spanish 308. However, I was taking Spanish 309, a biology class, and Chinese 202. It was just an overwhelming semester in general."

Favorite moments at Carthage: "I have loved meeting people the ways I have. My best friend and I met because we were both painting in the theatre and ended up working next to each other. I love the opportunities I have had to work on the set-up for Christmas Festival that has allowed me to work with equipment I never would have even heard of. I also have enjoyed being a part of many shows here."

Favorite spot on campus: "My favorite spots on campus are the costume shop and sitting down on the rocks by the lake."

Biggest surprise so far: "The biggest surprise I have experienced here was the welcome I was given as a freshman into the theatre. I knew no one, knew very little of what I was doing, and no one seemed to mind. I was shown what to do and accepted into what I feel is a large family here."

— Elizabeth Reinhardt

Student Voices

Chinese

Jessica Fisher, '13

"I knew that if I knew Chinese, I would have a better chance of getting jobs because it is such a worldwide language."
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Vanessa Valentine, '13

"The biggest surprise to me is how much I have learned — not only academically, but also personally. I am a better person now than I was two years ago."
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John Gutt-Jankowski, '14

By studying both Chinese and Spanish, John said that when he graduates, he will have learned three of the most important languages in the world.
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Valerie Hathaway, '13

"The Chinese program is filled with professors who enjoy teaching their students the language."
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French

Jesse Daniel, '12

"I never realized how many doors are opened through studying abroad. Living in another culture, you become part of it, and are no longer a tourist."
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Emily Kolesar, '12

By studying both French and English, Emily has been able to mature as a writer.
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Diane Hahn, '14

"The Modern Language Department truly has made my learning experience an enjoyable one, and I can't image going to any other college because I'm afraid I'll be disappointed in this aspect."
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German

Anna Treudt, '13

"Both in German and archaeology the willingness to learn is what separates you from the others. That might sound uninteresting and a little daunting, but when you find something you like, you enjoy it."
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Karin Wirth, '13

Karin Wirth was raised with a rich German Heritage, which led to her love of the language. She is also a DAAD scholarship winner and a tutor for the Modern Languages department.
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David Rosenberg, '12

"The openness of the professors and their willingness to help struggling students" are among the Modern Language Department's biggest strengths.
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Ronald Harris, '12

Ronald is pursuing a minor in German, after studying the language since kindergarten.
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Japanese

Jennifer Weiss, '14

"Our businesses are becoming more global by the day, and Japan is one of the top countries America does business with. I want to be as prepared as possible when it comes to doing business with Japan."
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Spanish

Elizabeth Reinhardt, '12

"It's difficult to really learn a language if you don't actually use it. Studying abroad is the only way to really immerse yourself in it entirely."
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Andrea Winbigler, '13

"Carthage really became my second home and all the people here have become my second family."
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Read student voices from graduated students.