The Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures held a "Student Success & Global Futures with World Languages, Literatures & Cultures" on Tuesday, March 14, at the Multicultural Center. The event featured information tables for each language section, an undergraduate roundtable discussion organized by Rhodora Vennarucci and Erika Almenara, a passport game developed by Valentina Morello, and a raffle, along with lunch provided by Ozark Catering.  

Each language's table offered handouts with information about the target language's program, including course and enrollment options; information about majors, minors and graduate programs; extracurricular and cultural activities; and study abroad opportunities.  

Attendees had the option to pick up a "passport" to participate in the passport game, where players visited each table to learn how to say "Global Futures" in the target language to receive a stamp. Once completed, players were eligible for select prizes.

Halfway through the event, attendees had the chance to hear from undergraduate students who are currently or have previously studied a language at the U of A. These students discussed how knowing a language and a culture has benefitted them professionally and personally, even sharing stories of how they had used their language skills unexpectedly in the NWA area — such as helping non-native English speakers or interacting in the target language with customers at their current jobs. 

Students also shared the advantages and importance of bilingualism and how this ability made their resumes more robust and competitive on the job market.  

The event's success is due to the excellent effort put forth by professors Vennarucci and Almenara, and many thanks to the undergraduate students who participated in the roundtable:  

• Dylan Young (Majors: Spanish, Spanish education; Minors: Classical studies, Chinese) 

• Jayakumari Nair (Majors: Arabic, Middle East studies, Asian studies; Minor: Chinese) 

• Mariana Dias (Major: international business; Minor: Spanish) 

• Blaise Becan (Major: Arabic; Minors: French, Spanish for professional second language speakers) 

• Nina Thomas (Majors: international studies, Spanish, Latin American studies; Minor: German; additional studies in Portuguese and Arabic) 

• Myka Shepherd (Majors: anthropology, French, global studies) 

• Nikhil Pai (Majors: engineering, math, physics, Russian studies; additional studies in Spanish, French and Chinese) 

• Avery Antill (Majors: Arabic, Middle East studies) 

• Erwin Arellano (Major: Arabic; Minor: Japanese with business orientation) 

• Chase J Freeman (Majors: African & African American studies, criminology, French, history, sociology)

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