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Their Stories, Our Alumni
A degree in Spanish from USCA fosters social integration and prepares students to meet the workforce needs of our region. Our alumni are our strongest ambassadors, exemplifying the value and impact of our program on the communities they serve. They embody the personal and intellectual growth that comes from learning a foreign language and engaging deeply with its cultures. They demonstrate the powerful influence a Spanish degree can have on career paths and life goals, as well as its ability to complement a wide range of disciplines and professional pursuits. A Spanish degree from USCA opens countless doors. Our alumni are living proof that education can change lives for the better.
My time at USCA? Invaluable life lessons. Having a degree in Spanish has given me many benefits that I did not initially anticipate. I learnt how to create meaningful connections, articulate my thoughts, multitask, and, most importantly, apply on-campus learning to real life.
I now work as the Pharmacy Manager at Southern Equine Service, the largest equine veterinary practice in Aiken. I use my Spanish skills almost daily, helping to explain medications and dosage to our Hispanic client population. In my routine, I also help to interpret wherever applicable throughout the practice to the point that I’ve been able to brighten many people’s days since I can communicate with them in their native language. That wholesome and helpful feeling is something that will never get old to me! Being able to combine my love for horses with my love for Spanish has been a blessing.
Before this job, I spent some time in Spain, and this adventure taught me many lessons. I was forced to navigate another culture and language, which made me realize the broader ways I can use my degree now within my community here in Aiken. I am now a person with a deeper sense of cultural understanding, I can adapt easily to different spaces, and I can contribute ideas and use my skills in diverse contexts that many people may not have considered.
Lastly, I want to emphasize the human factor of my degree. I still maintain contact with my professors and greatest mentors, and I truly could not be more thankful for my time as a USCA student in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.