Dave Hollenberg ’09
Romance Languages (Spanish and French) / Government double major; Pre-law
F08-S09 D-plan: R-R-R

Favorite and least favorite thing about department: The Spanish and French departments are very easy to navigate. The professors that I have encountered are available frequently, and go out of their way to answer any and all questions you may have. Courses are generally not overenrolled, and you don’t have to wait to take a certain class because you can’t get off of a waiting list. There are plenty of options for those who want to study abroad – in fact, it’s encouraged for majors. The frustrating aspects of the departments are few, but there are limited course options for 20th century literature study, in my opinion.

Important info for potential majors: The most important aspect of the Romance Languages major is finishing up your prerequisites as quickly as possible. It can be tedious to wait until your sophomore to finish up a drill sequence, so if you are interested in Romance Languages, it is really important to take Spanish 9 and French 8 (or their equivalents if you're interested in other Romance languages) as soon as possible so you can move on to the major courses.

Talk to me if: you're interested in Spanish as your primary language, and French as your secondary language – I can give you some helpful advice.

Most valuable academic information learned: Get to know professors! This is invaluable. Contacts with professors don't just end in college. The professor who you take two courses with and have lunch with every few weeks could write you the letter of recommendation you need for law school. Fostering these relationships will only help you in the long run.

Favorite class and professor: Spanish 63, Postmodern Film and Literature in Post-Franco Spain, taught by Txetxu Aguado highlighted the uncertainties and difficulties of constructing a new national identity in Spain after the end of a dictatorship that stifled creativity and free speech. This course, through its close examination of film and literature alike, was a revelation to me and has motivated me to investigate writing a thesis.

Major classes taken: FREN 8; SPAN 9; FREN 22; FREN 30; FREN 31; SPAN 32; SPAN 37; SPAN 63

Major journey: I came to Dartmouth with good command of Spanish. I had studied French since fifth grade, and although I didn't have the same level that I did in Spanish, I couldn't just abandon it. As I investigated courses and took more Spanish and French department offerings, the allure of combining aspects of both languages into a coherent area of study was too much to pass up.

Major specific activities: Drill instructor (Spanish)

Off Campus Program: French FSP in Paris, 07W

Other activities: Chi Gamma Epsilon, Social Chair

Thesis Status: Intended thesis with Txetxu Aguado on the effects of literature on political sentiment in the Basque Country

Internship experience: Hillary Clinton for President, Field Organizer, 07F, Claremont, NH