Please tell us about yourself and where you are today.
Hi there! My name is Patrick, and I'm from Hampton, New Hampshire. I am passionate about languages, travel, and making sure I never miss an opportunity to learn something new. While I hail from New Hampshire, I am fortunate to spend part of the year in Spain, which is where I studied abroad while at UNH, and where I pursued a master's degree in language translation following graduation. I am currently working as a freelance translator, which allows me to have "the best of both worlds" and work while I am abroad and at home in NH.
Did you have another major and/or minor at UNH? What impact did studying a language have on your other discipline?
I changed my major three times while at UNH; narrowing down one's interests to a single area of study can be difficult! I entered my undergraduate career in COLSA as a Medical Laboratory Science major, transitioning from my high school background in biotechnology and science. I then shifted my focus toward architecture, changing to the TSAS Architectural Technology program. However, as I began researching degree programs to continue my studies beyond UNH, I realized that there were few other universities that gave me that "spark" when you know a place is where you belong, and I decided to stay and complete my degree at UNH. I recognized a common thread throughout my studies: I always gravitated back toward languages. Finally, I decided to embrace this fact, entering COLA and changing my major for the last time to a Spanish and International Affairs Dual Major. As an added bonus, the IA program culminates with a capstone research paper, which afforded me the opportunity to combine my interests in languages, architecture, and my study abroad experience into a final project at the end of my undergraduate career.
Who was the language instructor/professor that made the biggest impact and why?
I would be remiss if I mentioned only one faculty member. First, Dr. John Chaston, Associate Professor of Spanish, whom I was fortunate to have as the Director of the Granada Study Abroad Program while I was in Spain. Were it not for his dedication to the pursuit of scholarship, and genuine interest in providing the best experience at UNH and abroad, my time at UNH—and even after graduation—certainly would not have been as fruitful.
Dr. Holly Cashman, Associate Professor of Spanish, whose pursuit of emerging social and linguistic issues in Hispanic culture and literature supported me in developing a cultural, academic mindset and helped to shape my path as a life-long learner.
Finally, Dr. Benjamin Cole, Lecturer in the International Affairs Dual Major, whose rigorous courses pushed me to excel in many aspects of my studies, namely analytical research and in my understanding of ongoing global issues, all of which culminated in the presentation of my research at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
What is your favorite memory from abroad?
Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain. Imagine an entire city, beautiful in its own right, closed off strictly for pedestrians and come alive with parades of people in traditional costume, nights of fireworks, music, and food stands. The various neighborhoods of the city each design and construct incredibly ornate and colorful figures and scenes—some several stories high—depicting a wide range of themes: some political, others cultural, and others still as fanciful as you can imagine. Then comes the night of the Cremà or "the burning." One by one, each creation is set ablaze throughout the city in a spectacular show of fireworks, fanfare, and blazing heat, which can be felt from hundreds of feet away. An unforgettable experience!
Why was language important to your UNH education? How has your language major benefitted you?
Language was an integral part of my education at UNH; it was a subject that I always found myself being drawn back to. Despite having changed my major twice, I knew that my passion for languages was something I had to follow. Thanks to having majored in languages, I made life-long friends and professional connections with whom I still keep in contact today. After graduation, I interned at the Organization of American States in Washington D.C., where I was able to use my language abilities on a daily basis in the areas of security and international relations in the Western Hemisphere. I was able to go back to Granada, Spain, the city where I studied abroad, to complete a master's degree in language translation, which set me down the path of my current occupation. Needless to say, all of these opportunities would not have been possible had I not majored in languages at UNH.
What high-impact learning experiences did you pursue while at UNH?
As anyone who has studied abroad will tell you, it is a "must" during one's undergraduate career. UNH has a breadth of study abroad programs to choose from, and the Granada Program was the one that best suited me. For some, a semester abroad may be their first time outside of the country, which leads to the broadening of one's ability to see the world and events from a different cultural perspective, and is crucial in becoming a well-balanced and open-minded member of an increasingly global society.
The Undergraduate Research Conference was the culmination of my time at UNH, where I presented my capstone research paper for the International Affairs Dual Major. Participating in the URC is one of the most formative experiences at UNH due to the sheer amount of preparation and labor required to present one's work. I was unaware of it at the time, but this experience prepared me for the rigorous workloads of both my future internship and master's degree program.
The Washington Center was another instrumental part of my UNH experience, pairing me with an internship that suited my language skills and competencies. The program provided excellent support in Washington D.C., scheduling interesting networking and social activities, and providing many opportunities to interact with peers and influential individuals through meetings, lectures, and evening courses. All of this helps you to build upon your experience and develop important contacts — arguably one of the most essential aspects of professional life in the nation's capital.
If you could talk to a prospective student, what would you tell them about the value of majoring in a language at UNH?
I would tell any prospective student that having a second language is invaluable in today's world. Being bilingual, or even having a basis in a second language, is an indispensable skill that will always be to your benefit. Furthermore, a language major can be combined with the IA Dual Major, which may open doors in other areas where you can truly put your skills to use. Majoring in a second language can also shape your world view, helping you to appreciate issues from a different cultural perspective, and become a more thoughtful and productive member of society.
What are your goals for the near and distant future?
My goals are to continue my work in the translation industry, helping clients to communicate across languages and cultures, and exploring opportunities with new clients, which is an excellent way to broaden one's knowledge in new and interesting topics. Building up my client base is also essential in working toward my long-reaching goal of starting a translation company. I also plan to continue learning languages, and will be enrolling in German courses this year, which will help me to hone my German-language skills in my translation work. Working on my professional development in this way will allow me to expand into more diverse and technical translation fields.
