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Atlanta, GA | Posted: March 18, 2022
Cassidy Chreene Whittle
Communications Officer
School of Literature, Media, and Communication | School of Modern Languages
cwhittle9@gatech.edu
Summary Sentence:
Jonas Chan is pairing his passion for the Spanish language with his drive for medicine and hopes his double major will allow him to provide better care and relate better with a broader range of patients.
Full Summary:
No summary paragraph submitted.
Jonas Chen, ALIS-Spanish '23
Name: Jonas Chan
Major: Applied Languages & Intercultural Studies (ALIS)—Spanish & pre-med track
Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2023
Hometown: Snellville
Favorite class: Spanish Sociolinguistics
Favorite professor: Dr. Danielle Geary
Internships/clubs: VP Marketing for International Ambassadors at Georgia Tech (GTIA), Modern Languages Student Advisory Committee
Most helpful resource in the School of Modern Languages: The Spanish professors (shout out to Dr. Cecilia Montes-Alcalá & Dr. Danielle Geary) & major advisor (shout out to Dr. Mirla González)
Spanish holds a special place in my heart. I think that the language is beautiful, but I fell in love with Spanish because of the people I have met. My closest friends are Hispanic, and through showing me their culture, I was enamored. Every time I speak Spanish, whether it is in class or with my friends, I feel happy and at ease; it is comforting.
In my Spanish Sociolinguistics class, I was able to record native speakers and identify the filler words and sounds most commonly used. It was really cool to be able to analyze real life speech and relate that to what I learned in class. In addition, it provided me insight in how to make my own Spanish sound more natural and fluid.
I chose a degree from Modern Languages because it gives me fulfillment on an emotional and mental sense. I can explore a field of study that is vastly different than my pre-med track. In addition, my fluency in Spanish will allow me to connect with a wider audience. Directly related to my future career as a physician, I can provide better care and can relate better with patients than if I could only speak English.
My biggest challenge at Tech has been finding a balance between studying and having fun. It was a learning curve that took time for me to realize that only studying is not healthy, and it is important to make time for things that are fun and make me happy. I overcame this by joining GTIA where I met so many people. In addition, I block out time daily to do something fun and relaxing whether it is socializing with friends or going out.
My ability to balance studying and doing well in classes with socializing with friends. Especially this past year, I have found this balance, and I can tell that I am happier since I am doing things that allow me to destress.
Figuring out myself and being more confident is what I would consider my greatest achievement. Being unapologetically and authentically me.
The big wooden steps in the CULC because I have memories of meeting there before classes and catching up with friends.
My most memorable moments are staying after classes and talking to Dr. Geary about our shared passion for Spanish and also just getting to know her as a person. Hearing her talk about stories of her trips and her life is something I value because it allows me to hear about other experiences and perspectives.
Learning a language truly opens your eyes to a different perspective. The ability to speak to someone else in a different language is so rewarding. I would tell incoming students to take at least a few language classes. It will challenge you to think in ways that really open your mind.
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