Immersion by Caleigh

Immersion by Caleigh - September 2024 Scholarship Essay

When thinking about a non-traditional way that I enjoy learning, I ask "what is non-traditional, is it non-traditional to me or to everyone?" Non-traditional can be subjective and for me I would say immersion. Before I joined college, I was studying Italian Language and Culture independently, I enrolled in learning websites, language applications, etc. Now that I am in college I have chosen to take a beginner’s Italian course. In this course the professor speaks solely in Italian when teaching. Before, during breaks, and after class he will explain concepts in English but while teaching, he will not say anything in English. Something about this makes learning so much easier and it sticks much more than when I was in high school Spanish class. I am also in the early stages of planning to go abroad in Italy either to obtain a minor in Italian or to continue my degree in Psychology. Either way it will be an amazing experience, and it will help with my immersion learning for Italian, whether I walk away with an Italian minor or amazing experiences. I am also a member of my community’s Italian club, to gain more experience of speaking the language. I make sure that any time I can I get immersive experience to better my skills I am learning I try and take it.