As students explore clubs and organizations on the Richland campus, the options on the horizon this semester include the return of the Modern Languages and Cultures Club.
This club is not new to Richland as it existed pre-pandemic and halted, but it has now been reinstated with club leaders eager to establish it this fall semester.
“With all the changes and problems with COVID and everything, we wanted to restart it again,” Dr. Gabriela Solano, professor and co-founder of the club, said.
While the club hasn’t been active in years, its foundation remains the same now.
“We wanted to give the students that space where they can practice their skills or learn other languages,” said Hasmik Gharaghazaryan, a language professor and club co-founder.
The club will be student-driven, with members providing resources and help to each other. It will also be receiving assistance from other campus professors when needed.
“Let’s say there are people who want to learn a very specific language. I think faculty can help us,” said Rodrigo Morales, the club’s president and Richland student.
Fostering a diverse body on campus serves as an important role for this club. “Maybe this could help to nurture an international community here in Richland and we’ll get to know each other’s culture,” Morales said.
The core of this club is the ability to have students engage in verbal discussions.
It will further strengthening their knowledge and providing cultural deep dives. “It is meant to provide students with resources and conversational partners so they can practice and get better at languages in any area like pronunciation or vocabulary,” said Gharaghazaryan.
She added, “It also will provide an excellent opportunity to explore different cultures and attend various cultural events such as movie showings and cultural celebrations.”
The skills gained from being involved in active engagement with learning a new language go past the campus walls and slip into the real world.
“They come prepared for the job market when an employer is asking you not only about languages, but they ask you if you have knowledge of working with people in different backgrounds and cultures,” Solano said.
While upcoming meeting dates are currently to be determined, students can expect more information to come soon.
For now, Morales aims to have “general meetings as a hub for members to share their milestones they have achieved since learning a language.”
Gharaghazaryan said that the Modern Languages and Cultures club, with its versatile resources and enthusiastic approach, ultimately provides students with tools that contribute to a rewarding journey.
“It’s very useful to learn a language. It’s one of the greatest investments that you can make in your life. It’s like giving you the keys to the world,” she said.
