RLL’s Language Clubs
The Department of Romance Languages & Literatures sponsors three undergraduate clubs: LCF, Spanish Club, and ITSA. Each club has their own with their own amazing faculty sponsor to guide them: Sabine Gabaron for LCF, Julie Harrell for Spanish Club, and Janaya Lasker-Ferretti for ITSA. These sponsors have supported the activities of our undergraduate clubs by generously dedicating their time and expertise. The clubs are open to all undergraduates seeking to connect with their peers and engage in opportunities to hone their language skills through social and service activities related to Romance language speaking countries and cultures.
We asked a student from each club to tell us more about the club and what it means to them:
Le Comité Francophone (LCF)
Sreya Sista — French Minor & Vice President of Le Comité Francophone
Tell us about LCF! LCF offers French movie showings, Macaron mixers, picnics in the arb featuring French foods, charcuterie nights, etc! The club has about 200 members and around 15-20 active members who come to conversation hours and events.
Why LCF? I enjoy practicing my French skills with other members and interacting with different French media such as movies, songs, and tv shows with the members as well. I chose to get involved because I love French and learning it! I have been learning French since high school and it is now my minor. I believe that everyone should learn at least one other language in their lifetime as it can help immensely with making new connections This club has made a difference in my undergraduate experience because I have been able to meet many people and greatly improve my conversational French speaking skills.
Spanish Club
Michael Cardamone — Spanish Minor & President of Spanish Club
Tell us about the Spanish Club! Every week, Spanish club offers two Spanish conversation hours and four peer-led tutoring hours to provide language learners with free resources to bolster their Spanish skills. In addition to these language-oriented events, we tend to hold biweekly events relating to Hispanic culture, including Latin dance classes, cooking lessons, and even a soccer tournament. Spanish Club typically has around 30 members engaging in the club every week through our conversation hours, tutoring program, and other biweekly events.
Why Spanish Club? Throughout high school, my Spanish classes were always my favorite, and I was always searching for ways to improve my Spanish. When I arrived at the University of Michigan, I began going to Spanish Club's weekly conversation hours almost immediately and quickly found myself more involved in running the club and finding new opportunities to advance Spanish language-learning opportunities on campus. My favorite part of Spanish Club is interacting with a community of fellow students who are as dedicated to improving their Spanish and engaging with Hispanic culture as I am. Joining the Spanish Club has made an enormous difference in my undergraduate experience, from helping me achieve fluency in Spanish to giving me a community of people with a similar love for the Spanish language and Hispanic culture.
Click here to learn more about Spanish Club!
Italian Student Association (ITSA)
Veronica Bargnesi - Spanish Minor & Event Coordinator for ITSA
Tell us about ITSA! ITSA offers weekly activities celebrating Italian language and culture, including but not limited to: movie nights, games (board games and physical activities), cooking / eating activities, Italian conversation hour, and other educational opportunities. ITSA has about 20 active members, but participation can vary depending on event popularity.
Why ITSA? I chose to get involved because Italian culture is an important component of my life at home with family, and I wanted to continue to celebrate it at school. What I enjoy most about the club is the opportunity to socialize with people with similar interests, especially amidst a stressful school week. ITSA has definitely made me more comfortable with the Italian language and allowed me to practice it since I don't get a chance to use it much in classes or everyday interactions.
Click here to learn more about ITSA!
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