Profe Anderson said Spanish club is always looking for opportunities to interact with other people and cultures in Spanish speaking countries. This month they were able to speak with students from a Colombian university called Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia (UNAD). The Spanish club met with the English club at UNAD on Zoom to practice the languages they’re each learning, and to see more about how life is different in their separate countries.

The club’s president, senior Keira Trill, said the club has always focused on learning about various cultures.  

“The Spanish club is basically here to educate on and celebrate all Spanish cultures,” Trill said. “Our last meeting was about the Day of the Dead, and we talked about the history behind it and made papel picado to celebrate the Day of the Dead. We have a theme for every meeting, and sometimes we’ll cook food, so that’s pretty exciting.”

Junior Vince Cormier said he enjoyed speaking with students in Colombia because of the new opportunity it presented.

“​​I had a great time speaking with this guy Jordan,” Cormier said. “It boosted my confidence in my Spanish, and I learned new words because he helped me when I didn’t know how to say something.”

Trill said the meeting was a great learning experience because she gained insight on how Columbian students live on an average day.

“I really enjoyed speaking with them because it was interesting to be able to talk and interact with people from a different country, especially Colombia,” Trill said. “It was cool to talk to them about their culture and what they do on a day-to-day basis.” 

Spanish teacher and advisor Hanna Anderson said she loves hearing her students engage with the language. 

“For the immersion students, it’s the expectation to be immersed and speak Spanish,” Anderson said. “But to see students from the regular track trying their best to say new words, the reward is amazing.” 

Trill said she encourages people to join the club, even if they don’t speak the language.

“It’s one of the more fun clubs out there,” Trill said. “People can just come to learn about Spanish and to have a fun time. Even if you don’t speak that much Spanish or any Spanish at all, we’ll always have people to help you out and we’ll get you included in any kind of activity that we’re doing.” 

Anderson said her favorite part about this experience was watching the club get immersed with other countries on a personal level.

“The joy of seeing the students exchange music prompts with students, or when students say, ‘I want to go to Columbia so bad,’” Anderson said. “All the perspectives, knowledge and ideas that they have now of Columbia, thanks to this real person that they now know from Colombia. It has definitely been a wonderful experience for both groups in Colombia and in St. Louis Park.”

Spanish club meets on the last Thursday of every month at 3:20-4:20 p.m. in room B228.