International Language Advocacy Program Empowers Student Representatives
Fresh Take:
Angelina Wu, a senior majoring in computer science and engineering at MIT, shares her passion for Japanese language studies and serving as a Global Languages Student Ambassador.
"Learning Japanese has been an incredible part of my MIT journey," says Wu, who credits the language program with broadening her college experience and forming connections far beyond her major.
At a recent Global Languages preregistration fair, Wu spoke to other students curious about pursuing Japanese studies. As an ambassador, she couldn't be happier to help promote this enriching experience to the wider MIT community.
The Global Languages Student Ambassadors group, led by students passionate about language learning, works to increase program visibility and build a sense of community within and beyond the classroom.
"Promoting language learning and culture helps create connections across various disciplines," notes Per Urlaub, Global Languages director. "A thriving community enhances our students' proficiency gains and makes language learning more enjoyable and impactful."
Throughout the academic year, student ambassadors like Heba Hussein (Arabic focus), Katie Kempff (Spanish focus), and Zixuan Liu (Chinese focus) hold events, encourage cultural exchange, and offer peer support.
"Discovering the multifaceted beauty of other languages and cultures has been transformative for me," says Liu, who also believes that language learning deepens her understanding of the world.
While the specific responsibilities of Global Language Student Ambassadors may vary, their primary goals remain fostering community, supporting language learners, and advocating for the value of language and cultural education. As ambassadors, they often collaborate with MIT faculty and administrators to plan and execute events that promote language learning and cultivate a vibrant, connected community.
- Angelina Wu, an undergraduate student majoring in computer science and engineering at MIT, advocates for Japanese language studies.
- As a Global Languages Student Ambassador, Wu has experienced the profound impact learning Japanese has had on her college journey.
- The classroom materials and environment of the MIT Global Languages program have been instrumental in Wu's college experience.
- The climate of a thriving language learning community, as advocated by the student ambassadors, is essential for enhancing students' proficiency gains.
- In line with this vision, student ambassadors like Heba Hussein (Arabic focus), Katie Kempff (Spanish focus), and Zixuan Liu (Chinese focus), among others, work to increase program visibility and build a sense of community beyond the classroom.
- Studies like biology, technology, engineering, and education-and-self-development can be enriched by the multidisciplinary lens of language and cultural education.
- Liu, a student ambassador with a focus on Chinese, expressed that discovering the complexity of other languages and cultures has been transformative for her understanding of the world.
- The primary goals of Global Language Student Ambassadors include fostering community, supporting language learners, and advocating for the value of language and cultural education, often collaborating with faculty and administrators to plan and execute initiatives that promote this vision.
