The CLCL Student Ambassador Program is a dynamic initiative where volunteer students play a pivotal role in representing the departments and programs housed in the Division of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. These ambassadors are current students majoring or minoring in a world language and are passionate about the experience and opportunities language learning can offer!
They have often studied abroad and have amazing and encouraging stories to tell! Read Celeste and Sophia's stories below to learn more about their experiences studying abroad and how their languages skills and cultural knowledge serve them in their studies and careers moving forward!
If you're interested in talking more to an ambassador for Arabic, French, Italian, or Swahili, see the Spanish & Portuguese Ambassadors page on the CLCL website.
"Minoring in Spanish is Easy at the University of Iowa"
At first, I wasn’t even sure if I’d take Spanish in college. By the end of my first few weeks at the University of Iowa, I couldn’t imagine my college experience without it.
When I graduated from high school, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue studying Spanish. I enjoyed it but I didn’t think it was something I would carry with me into college. I had already fulfilled my world language requirement, so I thought I might leave it behind. But as soon as I enrolled in my first Spanish class at the University of Iowa, I quickly realized that this was something I couldn’t give up. Within the first few weeks of my freshman year, I declared a minor in Spanish—a decision that would shape my college experience in ways I never anticipated
The Spanish program at Iowa became so much more than just a set of classes. Not only was it flexible and easy to incorporate into my major, but it also challenged me to grow academically and personally. The professors are passionate and approachable, creating an environment where learning extends beyond the classroom. Whether we were discussing grammar, improving conversation skills, or exploring the rich diversity of Spanish-speaking cultures, every class was engaging, and I looked forward to each one. Plus, the welcoming environment of my Spanish classes not only deepened my language skills but helped me build lasting friendships with classmates who shared my passion.
One of the highlights of the program was the chance to engage with the material on a deeper level. From literary analysis to cultural discussions, I was constantly encouraged to think critically and broaden my worldview. Every Spanish class I took here has significantly boosted my confidence and fluency.
Studying Spanish has uniquely prepared me for my career in speech-language pathology. Communication is at the heart of both fields, and the skills I gained through learning another language are directly applicable to the work I’ll be doing as a speech therapist. My experience in Spanish has given me a deeper appreciation for cultural and linguistic diversity, which will be valuable when working with clients from different backgrounds. Being bilingual will allow me not only to better serve Spanish-speaking populations but also to effectively address communication challenges faced by all individuals..
Looking back, choosing to minor in Spanish at Iowa was one of the best decisions I made. It enhanced my academic journey and enriched my personal growth. If you’re unsure about studying Spanish, I encourage you to take that first class—you might find, just like I did, that it opens doors you never expected.
Lannah Dee
Speech and Hearing Sciences, Spanish
Class of 2025
Savannah in Santo Domingo
Getting off the plane in Santo Domingo, I was overwhelmed with the realization that I was in a foreign country in anticipation of the weeks to come working for the Phillies Baseball Academy. Driving through the narrow streets, I took in colorful buildings, people sitting outside stores, mopeds carrying families weaving between cars, and the lushest greenery I'd ever seen. Then, in the middle of the dense greenery, we arrive in Boca Chica—my home and workplace for the next six weeks.
The first days were chaotic as I settled into my job and got used to the rapid Spanish surrounding me. Everyone spoke so fast, using dialects and unfamiliar slang. My brain was spinning at the end of the day, and I was more tired than I had ever been before in my life. But soon, with my patient coworkers' encouragement, I was able to interact more confidently and I rapidly developed by Spanish skills. Three years—or even three months—ago, I never could have imagined any of this, especially since my first encounter with language learning wasn't great.
Six years ago, I sat in French 3, struggling to grasp the grammar. Frustrated and stressed, I decided I'd fulfilled enough language requirements to get into college and could leave the rest for later. With my role on the baseball team expanding, my family moving, and college planning underway, language learning would have to be a college problem.
I knew early on that I wanted to go to Iowa. It was close to home without being too close, I knew what I wanted to study, and Iowa has one of the top baseball manager programs in the country. I thought that was all I needed, but as I looked deeper into the school, I found so much more—I learned about the different programs, clubs, and resources available to students, I heard student testimonials that made me realize I could build my own experience, and during the campus tour, I saw how the University and Iowa City perfectly combine elements of both big campuses and cities with small ones, offering countless opportunities where you can still feel comfortable and safe. I couldn't have asked for more.
My first time scheduling classes was a challenge: I had no idea how to balance a Statistics major, the General Education requirements (including the World Language requirement), and my time commitment to the baseball program. When it came to the language requirement, I was concerned about how much French I remembered; my advisor encouraged me to take Spanish instead. If it weren't for her, I would be in a very different place today.
On the first day of Elementary Spanish, I had not idea what to expect of language learning at the college level. Within a few weeks, I fell in love with the language and knew I had to find a way to minor or major in it. I didn't know if it would be possible with everything I was trying to juggle, but I did it and I'm so happy I did, as learning Spanish has already had an impact on my career.
Thanks to my choice of dropping French and my first-year advisor's suggestion, I got to experience the incredible Spanish program at Iowa. And if it weren't for other connections through the College of Education, I never would have had (or even believed possible) the opportunity to work for the Phillies in the Dominican Republic. During those six weeks, I not only developed my Spanish abilities, but I also grew as a person. Learning another language changes the way you see and interact with the world. As I continue to work in baseball with Spanish speakers, I'm excited to deepen my connections with Spanish speakers in ways I couldn't have imagined without Iowa's support.
Savannah Dennis