When I was 13 years old, I decided that I wanted to learn Italian. Wellesley gave me the opportunity to do so in a structured format and I have never regretted my decision to minor in Italian. The course load while at Wellesley was fun, interesting, and practical. However, when I eventually studied abroad in Bologna, I saw I had the opportunity to finally become fluent. In the 8 months that I spent in Bologna, I dove into the Italian culture and interacted with as many native Italians as possible. This was instrumental in both my language development and in enriching my understanding of the new culture.
On a personal level, studying Italian was a priceless experience. I eventually met my (Italian) husband in Italy. My ability to speak Italian has allowed me to build a personal relationship with my acquired family. It has also allowed me to pass on Italian language skills to our growing family.
From a career perspective, the impact of speaking Italian is more nuanced, yet still impactful. My job does not require me to speak Italian, but this skill serves as proof to my organization that I can learn quickly, retain a large amount of new information, and apply what I learn in a real world environment. It also demonstrates I have the appropriate focus and determination to undertake and succeed in a huge task. These traits are sought after in my role as a marketing director for a large health care company – and have helped me differentiate myself in the work place.