Clara Anneliese Rinker

When I was choosing where to go for college, the one thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to study Spanish. Even though I was aiming to pursue a career in mathematical biology, I applied to school as a Spanish/Hispanic Studies major. At William and Mary, the Hispanic Studies department quickly became a constant force of good in my life here and helped me remember my own humanity while also studying in a STEM field.  The professors and students in this department as well as the subject matter we study and how we study it was vital to my mental health and will stick with me long after I have graduated. 

I was able to study abroad for my junior year in both Sevilla and Gijón, Spain and was able to experience first hand the real world benefits that come from studying a language and immersing oneself in a culture that is not one's own. In learning to adjust to new dining times, how to escanciar Asturian sidra, paddle surf, and conduct STEM research in Spanish, I have grown as an individual and know I will be leaving parts of myself across the world in Spain and in Washington Hall. This department gave me family and a home away from home both on campus and in opportunities abroad and will guide how I seek to connect with others wherever I go. Un abrazo para todos aquí y graaaaaaaaaacias por todo.