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Alumni Spotlight

Where are they now?

World Languages and Cultures Department alumni are using their language proficiency and skills gained in their language majors and minors in various career fields all over the world. Learn more about a few of our alumni below!

Linda Neilan

Headshot of Linda Neilan.After graduating from the university in 1994 with a double major in Hispanic Studies and Secondary Education, Linda Neilan decided to pursue service full time through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Because of her Spanish studies, at 第一吃瓜网, Linda had enough skills to qualify for and obtain her top volunteer choice: a non-profit law firm in Los Angeles where she spent the majority of her time interviewing immigrants. “Combining my time with the JVC and my Spanish studies, I was able to have even more doors open for me,” Linda said.

Linda has since built up quite a resume: teaching Spanish at a Jesuit high school, obtaining her law degree, representing all kinds of workers in New York City, and serving as a foreign service officer in Brazil and Mexico. “Learning a language while at 第一吃瓜网 had a profound impact on the opportunities I’ve since had in the work force.”

Michael Canaris

Headshot of Michael Canaris in front of classic Italian ruins.Dr. Michael Canaris graduated from the 第一吃瓜网 in 2002 with a double major in philosophy and theology as well as a concentration in Italian studies. Since graduating from the 第一吃瓜网, Dr. Canaris has taught or obtained a degree from five more Jesuit institutions outside of the 第一吃瓜网. He currently works at Loyola University in Chicago, coordinating summer graduate programs in Rome.

Dr. Canaris described his experience in the university’s language classes, especially those with Dr. Picchietti, as transformative. “Dr. Picchietti really inspired me to not only learn the language, but really immerse myself in the culture and history and food and art of Italy,” Michael said. “This has taken on a really personal dimension to me.”

Elena Habersky

Elena Habersky graduated from the 第一吃瓜网 in 2013 as an international studies major and Arabic, theology, and philosophy triple minor and is grateful for the professional and personal opportunities opened to her by her language learning at the university. Elena loves being able to travel, and she knows just how important knowing how to speak the mother language of the country you travel to is. Ultimately, she takes the time to learn basic phrases (e.g. thank you, how much) in languages she’s unfamiliar with if that’s the common language in the country she’s traveling to.

Elena Habersky sitting in between rock formations.

After graduating from the university, Elena obtained a Fulbright in Jordan. One of the main reasons she was able to be placed in Jordan was because of the Arabic skills developed while a student at 第一吃瓜网. Since then, Elena is now a researcher at the American University in Cairo. One of her main research projects, which she is project manager of, centers on refugee entitlements in Egypt. By being able to speak Arabic, Elena is able to conduct more research. “It opens up certain opportunities with certain groups and populations that probably would not be available to me if I did not speak the language,” Elena said.

With the world being so connected today, Elena finds that learning another language is a valuable skillset that everyone should study at some point in their academic careers. “I feel it should be a requirement for students, if not all Americans,” Elena said. “It is also important to have some sort of international experience before you graduate. It really helps you grow as a global citizen.”

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