Rosalie Esquivel

“I would like to continue my studies and go for a master’s degree in intercultural studies/communication, and possibly teach English or German in another country in between.”

“Professor Gregory Baer of the Modern Languages Department was very helpful throughout my German studies because he was relatable and gave me guidance in what I could be doing to strengthen my interest in German studies. Professor Baer and Professor Sperber are both great assets to the Modern Language department, very experienced and enthusiastic teachers of the German language and culture. Professor Nicholas Ravnikar was also one of my favorite professors for offering such thought-provoking courses, making you feel comfortable thinking outside the box. He is also very encouraging and open to every student’s style as a learner and writer.”

“It is a tie between Studies in a Major Author and Creative Writing. Studies in a Major Author was interesting because you learn so much about the writing and personal life of the person. I learned to love Allen Ginsberg and a lot about the Beat generation. Creative Writing was much more creative than I anticipated, in the sense that there were a lot of techniques I had never thought of using before. Both classes got me interested in poetry and in my own writing, and I have grown a love for this new hobby.”

“In my freshman and sophomore year I played cello in the Carthage String Orchestra. I joined the fraternity Delta Omega Nu as a Don Darling at the end of my freshman year and two years later we have created our own sorority stemming from our success with the DONs called Delta Omega Epsilon, the DOEs. Our first recruitment begins in the fall of 2014, we can’t wait to introduce ourselves to the Carthage community and expand our sisterhood.”

“Western Heritage as a freshman was a reality check to college – lots of reading and papers to write but a good literary backbone to have.”

“I did an internship in the city clerk’s office in City Hall, Chicago, for two months in the summer of 2013. Although selling vehicle stickers had nothing to do with what I want to do, I learned great communication and problem solving skills dealing with Chicago citizens… In my year abroad, I did an internship for about six months working in a language school that taught German, English, Spanish, and Italian. Although I had not considered myself teaching before, this gave me the firsthand experience of helping teach German, holding an English conversation course, and learning the ins and outs of a language school. It is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had working with international students in a teaching environment, not only because I was helping them learn, but because I in turn have learned so much about all of these other countries.”

“The Homecoming Parade and tailgating at Homecoming is so much fun! You meet people who you have seen on campus but never met before and really see the sense of community at Carthage.”

“Behind Madrigrano, on the grassy hill between there and the lake.”

“The biggest surprise is how somehow, every class is interconnected. Any class you take at Carthage can relate to another in some way. Everything I am learning or have learned has a connection or is an expansion to something I have learned in another class, even with completely different courses. I find such coincidences of knowledge to be very fulfilling.”

“She would ask me where I got the idea to study language and intercultural studies instead of being an artist or a vet. My curious 8-year-old self would also wonder where I am going next in my life.”

“Whether it be German or another language, even though you are not in the country of the language you are studying, try to immerse yourself in different ways. Improvement of your linguistic capabilities requires perseverance and interest in the culture in addition to the language. Utilize the Internet, YouTube, read articles or books, and get to know your fellow students or the TLEs at Carthage for practice!”