Integrative Narrative
When I decided to go back to school after 20 years, the first (of many) questions I asked myself was, “But what will I study?” I had already learned that I didn’t need a degree to earn a living or raise nice kids or feel accomplished. So I had the freedom to choose a course of study that I would love. I briefly considered kinesiology or anthropology, but in the end my heart belonged to Spanish. I remember the first time I spoke to Dr. Urioste on the phone. I had been accepted as a Spanish major, and I had sent in all of my transcripts (from like 6 different universities). I was about to register for my classes, but I had some questions. As soon as I introduced myself to Dr. Urioste as an incoming Spanish major he calmly began explaining to me that the Spanish major was no longer offered at CSUMB. I almost passed out from the shock! I couldn’t believe it!! I had invested so much time and energy to get to that point. I had completely rearranged my life as a forty-something, full time mom of four, only to be turned away just as I was arriving at the doorstep of my future! Sweet, Dr. Urioste took his time, while I tried not to hyperventilate, explaining that they no longer offered the Spanish major, but they now offered a major called Spanish Language and Hispanic Culture. My breathing returned to normal as I realized that I hadn’t taken a wrong turn on the path to my future after all.
Since that first phone call, I have had three wonderful semesters at CSUMB, experiencing life as an average college student. Ok, so maybe not that average. But I have met wonderful people, improved my Spanish skills, learned what it means to be biliterate, deepened my appreciation for other cultures, and best of all, I’m coming away with a confidence that there’s no stopping me. I am taking a year after graduation to figure myself out, but I may come back to CSUMB to get my Teaching Credential and Masters in Education next year. Through my Service Learning Experience I have learned that I may be better suited to teach the younger grades even though I had thought I wanted to teach high school. My Capstone experience and topic has made me realize that I want to visit Argentina someday. I also learned from doing my Capstone that I halfway enjoy doing research and I am intrigued by the option of pursuing my Masters in Spanish through the Middlebury Institute. I would look forward to taking additional classes with Dr. Oliva who currently teaches there.
Throughout these last three semesters, I am most proud that I am graduating!! It’s been a long road to get here, and I’m super excited to have my degree. I’m looking forward to taking my newly acquired skillset and seeing what opportunities are out there for me at this point in my life.
Since that first phone call, I have had three wonderful semesters at CSUMB, experiencing life as an average college student. Ok, so maybe not that average. But I have met wonderful people, improved my Spanish skills, learned what it means to be biliterate, deepened my appreciation for other cultures, and best of all, I’m coming away with a confidence that there’s no stopping me. I am taking a year after graduation to figure myself out, but I may come back to CSUMB to get my Teaching Credential and Masters in Education next year. Through my Service Learning Experience I have learned that I may be better suited to teach the younger grades even though I had thought I wanted to teach high school. My Capstone experience and topic has made me realize that I want to visit Argentina someday. I also learned from doing my Capstone that I halfway enjoy doing research and I am intrigued by the option of pursuing my Masters in Spanish through the Middlebury Institute. I would look forward to taking additional classes with Dr. Oliva who currently teaches there.
Throughout these last three semesters, I am most proud that I am graduating!! It’s been a long road to get here, and I’m super excited to have my degree. I’m looking forward to taking my newly acquired skillset and seeing what opportunities are out there for me at this point in my life.