When I arrived in the United States at the age of thirteen, without knowing English or knowing the culture, I felt that the world around me was falling apart, I had no idea how I was going to survive middle school. For a long time I felt that I did not belong to this culture and all I wanted to do was to return to Mexico. After a while I had the fortune to meet some friends, which made the process of assimilation to a new society and culture much easier. By the end of middle school, I was able to have a conversation in English and understand most of the instructions during classes. I never really thought I could finish high school, a higher education seemed like something out of my reach. I didn't know anyone who had graduated from College. And my limitations to obtain a higher education degree were many. Going to college was not part of my plans. Like many Hispanic girls my age, I got pregnant at an early age. And my son was the first motivation I had to become someone in life. I entered Hartnell College with the idea of earning a Certificate in Early Childhood Education. My goal was to work in a daycare center. During my second year in Hartnell College, I took a Spanish course, little did I know that this class would change my life forever. Something inside me
change and I realized that I really enjoyed my Spanish class. Professor Aurelia Vacaflor, was my inspiration to get an AA degree in Spanish. Thanks to her and her dedication I found out that the Spanish and Hispanic Literature was my position. And this is the reason why I choose to be a Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures major at CSUMB.
During my years at CSUMB, working in my Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures major, I have learned many things. For example working on my courses too meet my MLO 6: Research and Technology, I had the opportunity to do research, and learned to use technology to gather information and prepare for the Capstone project. We also completed a Graduation ePortfolio reflecting how each MLO was met. This courses helped acquire important skills that will help me in research projects as well as oral presentations. To meet my MLO 3: Literary and Cultural Knowledge, I had the opportunity to work in something that I really enjoy, Hispanic Literature and Culture, I was able to appreciate different styles of literature through different periods of time in Latin America. Something that was very interesting because I was able to see that the way of writing of various poets and authors was influenced by the period of time in which they wrote, as well as the social issues that the countries were going through. Literature has always been one of my favorite areas of study, taking this courses help me learn a lot more about different Latin American authors, and I really enjoy all the reading that we did in this courses. Working in my MLO 2: Linguistics, was also fundamental for my growth in during this major, this courses introduced me to the nature of linguistic, focusing in different areas. I developed knowledge of fundamental concepts in the fields of Hispanic and Applied Linguistics, and I was able to apply them in the completion of research papers and group presentations that talked about different topics.
After meeting all of the requirements for my MLOs, one of the areas that I am most proud of through my years in this program, is my Capstone project. Working and finishing this project was a huge challenge for me, and I feel I learned a lot during the process of completing the writing paper and the oral presentation. On the other hand Linguistics is one of the areas that I would like to developed more in the future. My initial goal was to get a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, and become a bilingual elementary school teacher, but after finishing this program I have decided to enter the Single Subject Credential program, to obtain my teaching credential and teach Spanish at a high school level. My future goal is to go apply for a Master’s degree at San Jose State University, and continue learning about the Spanish Language and Literature. Applying for the Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures, at California State University Of Montery Bay, has been the best decision I had made in my life. Through my years at CSUMB I had the best educational experience ever, all the professor in the department have been very supportive and I really enjoyed all of the courses I took to complete my major. CSUMB was a great learning opportunity for me.
change and I realized that I really enjoyed my Spanish class. Professor Aurelia Vacaflor, was my inspiration to get an AA degree in Spanish. Thanks to her and her dedication I found out that the Spanish and Hispanic Literature was my position. And this is the reason why I choose to be a Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures major at CSUMB.
During my years at CSUMB, working in my Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures major, I have learned many things. For example working on my courses too meet my MLO 6: Research and Technology, I had the opportunity to do research, and learned to use technology to gather information and prepare for the Capstone project. We also completed a Graduation ePortfolio reflecting how each MLO was met. This courses helped acquire important skills that will help me in research projects as well as oral presentations. To meet my MLO 3: Literary and Cultural Knowledge, I had the opportunity to work in something that I really enjoy, Hispanic Literature and Culture, I was able to appreciate different styles of literature through different periods of time in Latin America. Something that was very interesting because I was able to see that the way of writing of various poets and authors was influenced by the period of time in which they wrote, as well as the social issues that the countries were going through. Literature has always been one of my favorite areas of study, taking this courses help me learn a lot more about different Latin American authors, and I really enjoy all the reading that we did in this courses. Working in my MLO 2: Linguistics, was also fundamental for my growth in during this major, this courses introduced me to the nature of linguistic, focusing in different areas. I developed knowledge of fundamental concepts in the fields of Hispanic and Applied Linguistics, and I was able to apply them in the completion of research papers and group presentations that talked about different topics.
After meeting all of the requirements for my MLOs, one of the areas that I am most proud of through my years in this program, is my Capstone project. Working and finishing this project was a huge challenge for me, and I feel I learned a lot during the process of completing the writing paper and the oral presentation. On the other hand Linguistics is one of the areas that I would like to developed more in the future. My initial goal was to get a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, and become a bilingual elementary school teacher, but after finishing this program I have decided to enter the Single Subject Credential program, to obtain my teaching credential and teach Spanish at a high school level. My future goal is to go apply for a Master’s degree at San Jose State University, and continue learning about the Spanish Language and Literature. Applying for the Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures, at California State University Of Montery Bay, has been the best decision I had made in my life. Through my years at CSUMB I had the best educational experience ever, all the professor in the department have been very supportive and I really enjoyed all of the courses I took to complete my major. CSUMB was a great learning opportunity for me.