One University of Maryland student calls her bilingual experience at the university “powerful” and “motivating.”
Junior sociology and Spanish major Lauren Paniati decided to double major in the language because of her love for it. Paniati believes being bilingual has not thwarted her time here. “I think it has helped tremendously,” she said. “It’s like discovering or opening up a whole new world. It helps to gain perspective, helps with job opportunities, allows you to understand a culture in a different way and relate to others and it’s fun.”
At the University of Maryland, many bilingual students can continue learning their native language within the language department or participate in the Global Communities Living and Learning program. Students that are part of the program have the option to live in Dorchester Hall, which according to its website, is known as “one of the most diverse, active and community-oriented residence halls on campus.”
According to a 2004 study conducted by psychologists Ellen Bialystok and Michelle Martin-Rhee, “Bilingual experience improves the brain’s so-called executive function — a command system that directs the attention processes that we use for planning, solving problems and performing various other mentally demanding tasks.”
Continue reading UMD Students Share Benefits and Burdens of Growing up Bilingual