Student Spotlight: Study Abroad, Research Opportunities Enhance Study of Foreign Languages and Literature
Taking advantage of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville study abroad program is worthwhile for any student, but particularly for one triple majoring in Spanish language and literature, French language and literature, and international business. That’s why SIUE senior Ethan Hill has elected to study abroad not once, but twice during his college career. His time in Québec City, Canada, for the summer 2017 term and Angers, France, for the fall 2018 term has been the source of valuable learning opportunities – and some of his favorite college memories.
“While my study abroad experiences have had an immeasurable impact on my language skills, they have also given me a firsthand insight into the cultures of the countries I have lived in,” said Hill. “It is one thing to learn about how particular the French are about their wine, but it is very different thing to take a wine marketing course with a French winemaker as a professor.”
Hill first caught the travel bug when he spent a year studying in Jaca, Spain, during high school. This immersive experience gave Hill a greater appreciation for the Spanish culture while bringing his study of the language to life. When a second opportunity came up during the summer of his sophomore year at SIUE to travel to French-speaking Québec City, he jumped at the chance. Not only did the experience help him improve his language skills, but it also provided him with opportunities to get to know his classmates and French professor, Debbie Mann, PhD, in a new culture.
“Without question, my summer in Québec City has been the best part of my college experience,” said Hill. “Although the study abroad was only five weeks long, I grew extremely close to the other students in the French program as well as Dr. Mann. The program was immersive in respect to the French language, but it also provided an abundance of cultural activities so that the students were able to further get to know the Québécois way of life. It was an unforgettable summer in one of the most charming cities I have ever traveled to and made learning an unconscious and enjoyable act through the exploration of an entirely new environment.”
In addition to the study abroad program, Hill has taken advantage of another opportunity to expand his learning outside the classroom while at SIUE: the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) Program. For four semesters, Hill has been working with different faculty members as an assistant in the program. He was initially attracted to URCA because he wanted to advance his study of Spanish; little did he know the experience would change the course of his future career plans.
During his first semester as an URCA assistant, Hill worked with Professor of Spanish Carolina Rocha, PhD, to study the Latino representation in the television show, Blue Bloods. Gaining this new perspective on careers in academia led Hill to shift his career focus from international business to higher education.
“Being an URCA assistant showed me a side of what professors do that I previously did not know,” explained Hill. “I am passionate about the projects I have worked on, and I truly believe that the knowledge gained in the research process has enriched my SIUE experience and better prepared me for life as a graduate student.”
Hill is spending his final undergraduate semester as an URCA assistant for Mann, with whom he also worked last spring. He is continuing to transcribe and translate the University’s collection of documents from Étienne Cabet, a French philosopher who attempted to establish a socialist utopia in Nauvoo, Illinois, based on his novel, Voyage en Icarie.
“As these documents have never been translated before, it will allow historians and other researchers who do not speak French to utilize the documents in their own investigations,” noted Hill.
Following graduation this spring, Hill plans to pursue a master’s degree and doctorate in Spanish literature in preparation for his career as a teacher and researcher at the university level. Hill is confident about the direction of his education and future career in part because of the solid foundation he has gained at SIUE.
“I believe the combination of my degrees earned at SIUE will give me a unique perspective in my future career,” said Hill. “My courses have given me a broad overview of what is to come, yet I am excited to hone my skills and knowledge in the Spanish language and literature as I pursue a graduate degree. The experiences I have had abroad in college as well as the URCA projects I have worked on have also been paramount to my preparation for life after my undergraduate studies.”
Photos: SIUE senior Ethan Hill stands in front of the Château Frontenac in Québec City, Canada (top photo) and the Château d’Angers in Angers, France (bottom photo).
