Established to encourage and assist language students to study abroad and gain life experience in the language they are studying at Grand Valley.
Why language? Language is considered a critical part of a liberal arts education. Part of Grand Valley State University's vision and strategic priorities are to "inspire and equip students to be active life-long learners and global citizens" and to require global learning of all undergraduate majors. This does not mean that we expect all students to become fluent, but instead to have exposure to a second language and culture, which in turn leads to practical language skills. The Modern Languages and Literatures Department's language courses offer not just the chance to study a language, but to actively engage with another culture on its own terms.
Multiple studies link the benefits of language learning to:
The following professions are seeing an increased need for language skills:
Check out our majors, minors, and other language courses. Explore further reading on the importance of learning a foreign language.
Game night hosted by the LRC and presented by professors Meghan Chai and Carol Wilson-Tiesma was a wild success! Several said that we need to have game nights more often. In total, the department of Modern Languages and Literatures has raised $140 from the book sale, 4 jars of peanut butter and 1 can of soup for Replenish! Additionally, the Windows of Wellness was a success! Many students shared positive notes to promote mental health awareness!
Emily is currently a professor of sociology at Elmhurst College, and she continues to use Spanish to research and advocate for immigrants in the community.
She is currently working as a pediatric physical therapist at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis where she is able to use her Spanish education daily with a diverse patient population.
She credits her language studies at GVSU with helping her see the beauty of living abroad.
October 22, 2022 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
We have several events that are happening on the entire week of October 18th - October 22nd. Please refer to the embedded flyer for details.
