Why Study Spanish at K?
Intimate class sizes, engaging language labs, rich departmental culture, personalized mentorship, and immersive study abroad opportunities make K a premier college to study Spanish.
The Spanish program emphasizes a critical understanding of the Spanish-speaking world by focusing on language skills, analytical tools, and the study of a variety of cultural expressions. The department prides itself on the personal mentorship and relationships built between faculty, teaching assistants, and students as well as the flexibility to allow you to combine your studies with other majors, minors and concentrations.
Starting with the basics, you will learn about Spanish literature, culture, and history, in courses like Beginning Spanish, Advanced Literary Studies, The Spanish-Speaking World on Film, and Constructing Spanish-America—to name a few. You can also take specialized courses to learn how to apply your Spanish in different fields like business and health.
Your coursework is additionally supplemented by engaging language labs and cultural activities led by teaching assistants from Ecuador, Mexico, and Spain who provide fun activities to practice conversing in Spanish. Each year the department also hosts a film series open to the Kalamazoo community to highlight new Spanish-speaking artistry and stories.
Nearly 70% of all Kalamazoo College students participate in a meaningful, immersive international and intercultural experience like study abroad, and the Spanish department is no exception! Our students have the opportunity to study abroad in Spanish-speaking countries, with programs in Spain, Ecuador, Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, Cuba and Colombia, and a study away opportunity on the U.S.-Mexico border.
The competencies you develop as a Spanish literature and language student at K will be an asset to you as you begin your career and enable you to appreciate the rich culture and history of the Spanish-speaking world. Our graduates pursue careers in diverse fields, including translation, interpretation, music, high school and college instruction, science, publishing, international trade, international banking, and foreign service.
What can you do with a Spanish language and literature degree?
Below are some of the careers, employers, and graduate schools of our Spanish alumni.
Careers
- Teacher
- Translator / Interpreter
- Human Resources
- Attorney
- Business Analyst
Employers
- Spain Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports
- Peace Corps
- TransPefect
- World Strides
- Stryker
Graduate Schools
- Michigan State University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Wayne State University
- University of Oregon
- University of California Irvine
Program Spotlights
Explore the World with 10+ Spanish-Speaking Study Abroad Opportunities
While you can choose from any of the College’s 50+ study abroad programs, many of them have special applied-Spanish focuses, such as studying International Relations in Madrid, Spain; engaging in meaningful service-learning work preserving cultural rights in Oaxaca, Mexico; applying your community and global health knowledge in San José, Costa Rica; or learning about ecology exactly as Darwin did on the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. See all 11 Spanish study abroad programs.
Experience Global Spanish culture right here in Kalamazoo
Each year visiting international students come to campus to experience life in America and impart their culture to you. These visiting international students, alongside senior K students, will be your teaching assistants and host cultural events so that you can taste international cuisine, learn modern slang and get to know international artists and films. Outside of the department, the College has several student organizations centered on Spanish-speaking cultures and identity groups.
Learn to Apply your Spanish with Professional Spanish Classes
The Spanish department offers a wide breadth of coursework so that you can explore the many applications of Spanish language and culture across business, global health, history and linguistics. Students will often pair their Spanish degree with another major, and these specialized courses will give you the skills and vocabulary needed to apply your Spanish in your future career. Past students have leveraged their professional Spanish into bilingual careers in medicine, social work and business.
Meet the Current Departmental Student Advisor
Lissette Reynoso (she/her)
Majors: Spanish and Biology
Study Abroad: Quito, Ecuador—Ecology and Evolution Program
Best Adjective to Describe You: Determined
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
What I love most about being part of the Spanish department is the support and care from the professors. Coming to a PWI and being far from what was familiar, I felt out of place at first. However, the Spanish department quickly became my second family. The professors have shown me that their care goes far beyond academics. Whether I needed feedback on a paper for another class, personal advice, or simply someone to listen, they were always there. They always root for our success, whether that means just making it through a tough semester or getting a new job. Whether you’re in their class or not, the professors are cheering you on every step of the way. That kind of compassion has made my experience at K better, and I hope my fellow classmates can appreciate that as well.
What drew you to the department?
What drew me to the Spanish department was the incredible variety of classes and topics it offers. Before coming to K, I had never taken a Spanish class in an academic setting, so I was especially excited to explore a department that goes beyond grammar and vocabulary. I’ve loved being able to study Spanish through the lenses of health, linguistics, literature and film. Instead of sitting through lectures where we are expected to regurgitate the information later, we’re encouraged to think critically, develop our own arguments, and engage in thoughtful discussions with our peers. It’s an environment that has challenged me, inspired me, and deepened my passion for learning Spanish.
What is your favorite thing about K?
My favorite thing about K is the strong sense of community. As long as you put yourself out there, you will always find your people.
What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?
This July, I will travel to Guadalajara, Mexico, to complete my SIP by shadowing doctors across a range of specializations, including pediatrics, gynecology, and surgery. Through this experience, I hope to embark on a meaningful journey of self-discovery. Becoming a doctor has been a lifelong dream of mine, as my mom has always motivated my siblings and I to pursue careers in medicine. The goal of my SIP is to gain a clearer, more personal understanding of what it means to dedicate one’s life to this profession and to see if it is what I truly desire. In addition, I see my SIP as an opportunity to reconnect with my cultural roots. As the proud daughter of Mexican parents, I’m eager to deepen my connection to the culture, explore the city, and experience the life that they once lived.
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
I plan to dedicate time to studying for the MCAT while continuing to gain hands-on experience in the medical field and expanding my professional network. My goal is to enter medical school with a strong foundation, both academically and personally.