Amber Gott’09
Spanish Literature (Peninsular Lit) major, Art History minor
F08-S09 D-plan: R-R-R

Favorite and least favorite thing about department: The professors are enthusiastic and engaging, and the other students are there because they have an interest in the subject matter. I have also found my professors in the Spanish department to be among the most available and helpful on campus. Classes are small and intimate, and you become very well acquainted with other Spanish majors. The department also does an amazing job of bringing interesting and world-renowned speakers, performers, and professors to campus, providing a variety of activities and opportunities for the interested major. However, it is necessary to plan courses thoughtfully from the start because many are only offered once or twice in a four-year period.

Important info for potential majors: Don’t be discouraged from pursuing a major in Spanish because it seems superfluous or impractical. Fluency is an amazing asset for your future and studying literature can open more doors than you might think!

Talk to me if: you’re interested in Spanish Literature and want to know what you can do with it during and after Dartmouth.

Most valuable academic information learned: Study what you are passionate about. When you love what you study, you will not only get more out of your work and enjoy your classes, you will also feel more fulfilled as a student and will embrace your undergraduate experience at Dartmouth to the fullest.

Favorite class and professor: My favorite class was actually SPAN 24, Spanish Art History. I took the course while on my FSP in Madrid. It was just incredible to study important works of Spanish art in class, and then after class be able to visit the art in the local museums. It really made Spanish history and culture come alive.

Major classes taken: SPAN 20, 24, 31, 34, 36 (as 32), 37, 45, 57, 63, 75

Major journey: I studied Spanish in high school but did not take my first Spanish course at Dartmouth until Freshman Winter, more because it was something familiar than because I had any designs to pursue it as a major. But from then on I took more Spanish courses, and soon it became my predominant interest and passion. So now I am a Spanish Literature major and am absolutely in love with what I study!

Major specific activities: Spanish RWIT tutor

Thesis status: Intended for W09 and S09 with Professor del Pino (Spanish Department), on the development of the Spanish short story as a literary form between 1980 and the present day (I am currently in the process of narrowing my topic).

Other activities: Alpha Xi Delta – Formal Chair, Chaplain; Ceili Irish Dancers – Treasurer; The Student Center for Reading, Writing and Information Technology (RWiT) – Tutor/Writing Assistant (WA), Spanish Program Tutor

Off Campus Program: Spanish FSP in Madrid, 07F

Internship experience: Hostería de la Colina (Inn on the Hill), Receptionist, Winter ’08, southern Chile – I lived with a host family while working at a small inn owned by American ex-patriots; Proud Galleries, PR Intern, X ’08, London.

Julia Tse ’09
Spanish and Biology double major
F08-S09 D-plan: R-R-R

Favorite and least favorite thing about department: My favorite thing about the department is that the professors are always available to talk to you. All the classes that I’ve taken have been very different from each other, so that has allowed me to learn about different perspectives of Spanish and Latin American literature. My least favorite thing about the department is that some of the more introductory or mid-level classes are bigger than they should be.

Important info for potential majors: Plan ahead. Some of the most interesting courses are only offered during certain years and some Spanish classes even fulfill distributive requirements. I like looking at the Spanish and Portuguese department website when planning my courses because it lists the professors who will be teaching the classes before the registrar does.

Talk to me if: You want to study abroad, complete a double major, talk about public health, learn about living in La Casa.

Most valuable academic information learned: I’ve had the best academic experiences in my smallest classes, so take advantage of them! For some people, being in a small class makes it a lot easier to participate in class discussions and you find yourself even more engaged.

Favorite class and professor: I’ve enjoyed all my Spanish classes but Spanish 72 (Latin American and Latina Women) by Profesora Spitta is a favorite because I learned so much about Latin American history and society just by reading the different literary texts. The readings were so interesting that I like to go back and reread them.

Major classes taken: Span 9, 20, 24, 32, 34, 36, 37, 40, 72

Major journey: I came to Dartmouth planning to be a Spanish minor because I wanted to continue my studies of the language and culture but I decided to be a major after completing my Spanish FSP and realizing how much I enjoyed the classes. I chose the Spanish Language, Culture, and Society major because it gave me more flexibility in choosing classes in both peninsular and Latin American literature.

Major specific activities: UGA of La Casa (Spring 08, Fall 08)

Thesis status: None

Other activities: Main Street- Editor; Tae Kwon Do Club; The Aegis Layout Staff; Tucker Foundation service trips (various)

Off Campus Program: Spanish FSP in Madrid, 06F

Internship experience: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 06X
Dr. Eugene Santos, Jr., Thayer School of Engineering, Women in Science Project Intern, 07W-07X
Montefiore Medical Center, Tucker Dartmouth Partners in Community Service Intern, 07F, Bronx, NY
National Institutes of Health, 08X, Rockville, MD