PICS Class of 2021 Senior Story – Katherine Corbett

“Last winter, I had the opportunity to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina for a semester to study the Spanish language and Argentine culture. Although this journey was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I feel grateful for the month that I was able to spend learning about Latin American history, experiencing the language and culture in Argentina, and for the peers that I was able to meet along the way. Through taking several Spanish courses here at the University of Michigan, I've developed a deep interest in and appreciation for the Spanish language and culture, as well as for sharing my native language with others. The correlation between topics of Global Environment and Health, and Spanish introduced me to themes that I hope to continue to explore after graduation. Another topic of interest that I was able to explore with an interdisciplinary approach through the Program in International and Comparative Studies (PICS) is the importance of women's education in the mitigation of our climate crisis. 

Next year, I am moving to Spain to work as a Spanish language Auxiliar for the 2021-2022 school year. There, I will assist with teaching English to elementary and adult students. I hope to build on what I’ve learned through PICS and apply the Spanish language skills that I’ve gained through U-M courses and study abroad to help other people learn English.”