Italian Alumni
Rebecca Kosar, Minor in Italian, B.A. in Spanish, Minor in International Business (2019)
Why did you study Italian at WCU?
I studied Italian due to being a Spanish major and needing to add a second language. Italian was of interest to me because it is similar to Spanish, but has enough differences to set it apart as its own language
What have you done since graduating from WCU?
I work for a company called Lutron Electronics and am on their international team servicing different accounts worldwide. Studying Italian did assist in getting where I am in my career path due to my director seeing that I have a background with studying languages and that I hope to continue my studies throughout my professional career.
Lindsey Anna, Minor in Italian, B.A. in Spanish and International Relations, Honors College, Minor in Latin American / Latino Studies, Minor in Civic and Professional Leaders (2020).
Why did you study Italian at WCU?
I studied Italian not only because it was a requirement for my major, but because I have always been interested in languages and curious to try out Italian. Studying Italian really boosted my communication skills, especially with written communication. When I learned Italian from scratch, I really got an understanding of how the grammar and syntax worked for that language, and it transferred over to my English communications as well. I feel like it's made me a clearer and more concise writer.
What have you done since graduating from WCU?
After graduation, I moved to Austin, Texas and I'm currently working as a concierge for KEY. I've also been filling my free time with some creative side projects.
Matthew Ratliff, Minor in Italian, B.A. in Sociology (2019)
Why did you study Italian at WCU?
Personally, I studied Italian as a continuation from what I had learned in high school. In addition, my major program required four semesters of a language. To get a minor in the language, I would only need to take two courses beyond what was required of me. On top of that, the professors truly were what drove me to do my best and have influenced my academic and professional careers outside the classroom.
What have you done since graduating from WCU?
Since WCU, I have worked as a Tracking Support Representative for 3SI Security of which serves banks and retailers internationally. In the mean time, I have been working towards a master’s in Geospatial Information Systems through Penn State’s World Campus. Studying any language is a strong asset to a resume and brings out new skills cognitively. Even if I do not use my language in my profession right now, I very easily could in the future as well have the confidence to undertake similar tasks. I work with people across North America, and we often interact with Spanish and French speakers. My language background has supported my efforts to make connections and make the job easier for myself and colleagues.
Kelsey Bastien, Minor in Italian, B.A. in History, Honors College, Minor in Political Science (2020)
Why did you study Italian at WCU?
I studied Italian at West Chester because I have always loved learning about Italy and always wanted to go visit the country. I also loved the melodic quality of Italian and the deep history associated with the language.
What have you done since graduating from WCU?
Since graduating from West Chester in Spring of 2020, I have been working as a full time legal assistant at Skinner Law Firm. Even though my career isn’t requiring me to directly use the Italian language, learning Italian has helped me have a better handle on using the English language. While learning Italian, I feel like breaking down language into certain categories and really getting an understanding of when we use certain things and why has helped me now, since I must often express my thoughts and other information in writing. Learning Italian has made my expression, both verbal and written so much more concise, which helps me greatly in the law field.
Isabela Paździerski, Minors in Italian and Music History, B.M. in Vocal Performance & B.A. in Communication Studies (2019)
Why did you study Italian at WCU?
As a Vocal Performance major, I decided to study (and eventually minor in) Italian at WCU to better my Italian diction while singing. Singing in Italian is a fundamental component of classical vocal music!
What have you done since graduating from WCU?
Since graduating, I have interned with Opera Philadelphia as their Marketing and Communications Intern for their Festival O19. Currently, I am pursuing a graduate degree in Voice and Pedagogy at The Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Studying Italian was paramount to the development and comprehension of many facets of my education. Many historic and phonetic musical components are rooted in Italian language and culture.
Elizabeth Strauss, Minor in Italian, B.A. in Anthropology (2018)
Why did you study Italian at WCU?
I studied Italian at WCU because I wanted to feel a connection to my Mom's side of the family which came to the United States from Italy. It is a dream of mine to travel to Italy to visit family and learn more about my heritage.
What have you done since graduating from WCU?
Since graduating from WCU, I have been working at the WCU Foundation as a Gift Processing Specialist. I am also enrolled in WCU's Master's of Public Administration program.