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Latin American, Latino/a
and Caribbean Studies at Miami University

Student Profiles

Read what LAS students have had to say about their Miami and other experiences.

Jonathan Korte (Class of 2013)

[Studying abroad] really has a profound affect on you as a person ... I think that's true for anyone who studies abroad, but when you go to a place where you see such drastic differences in the life of people there and the life of people here, seeing people living in cardboard boxes or landfills, versus coming back here, especially to a place like Miami, it's just such a huge difference.

Jonathan is a senior with majors in Latin American studies and Spanish. He studied abroad all of his junior year and recommends that all students study abroad.

[Read what Jonathan has to say about his experiences in Central and South America.]

Katie Arlinghaus (Class of 2013)

Through daily trips to local neighborhood markets to purchase fresh ingredients before each lesson, I didn't just learn about market culture but was able to experience it ... It was just so much fun. Mundane textbooks become so much more interesting because you know what you're talking about.

Katie is a senior with majors in Latin American studies and economics. She was able to do research in Mexico as part of the Undergraduate Summer Scholars program.

[Read what Katie has to say about her experiences in Mexico.]

Audrey Houseman (Class of 2012)

Throughout high school, I was always interested in the people and cultures of Latin America, but this interest didn't translate into a major, until I arrived at Miami and saw all that the Latin American studies program had to offer.

Audrey is a junior with majors in Latin American studies and sociology and minors in political science and business management. Her dream job is to be working in the political sphere to affect policy on Latino issues.

[Read what Audrey has to say about the LAS program and her internship with the Washington Center.]

Jonathan Lawson (Class of 2011)

My diverse experiences at Miami were unforeseen when I began my freshman year. I eventually found many easily attainable options to gain exposure to Latin American culture, and my involvement in LAS greatly influenced my life direction.

Jonathan is a junior with majors in Latin American studies and business and minors in Spanish and entrepreneurship. He is a recipient of the 2011 President's Distinguished Service Award. Jonathan is looking forward to a career in Latin America.

[Read what Jonathan has to say about his Caribbean and European experiences while being a student at Miami.]

Juli Smith (Class of 2010)

My study abroad experience in Latin America really helped me to put the things I learned in LAS and Spanish classes into practice, and to see first-hand how the things I've been learning about affect the people in this region. It was so cool to be able to put a real memory with the places I've been studying for so long!

Juli is a senior with majors in Comparative Religion and Latin American Studies. She also minored in Spanish and spent 5 months studying abroad in South America.

[Read what Juli has to say about her South American study abroad experiences while being a student at Miami.]

Stephanie Brock (Class of 2010)

There is so much more to college than just taking classes. I have formed real friendships with my professors and peers because I am studying a subject that I have always and will always love. I am excited to be involved on and off campus and feel like I have really made a difference.

Stephanie is a senior with majors in Spanish and Latin American Studies. She is president of the Association of Latin and American Students (ALAS) and a recipient of the 2010 President's Distinguished Service Award.

[Read what Stephanie has to say about her experiences at Miami.]

Tom French (Class of 2011)

The LAS curriculum and outside-of-class programs have brought an international consciousness that I did not expect to find at Miami. LAS enriched my knowledge of history and how we, as Americans, view our neighbors to the south.

Tom is a junior with majors in history and Latin American Studies, as well as a minor in Spanish. He has traveled throughout South America and is president of the Miami chapter of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

[Read what Tom has to say about his international experiences at Miami.]

Brittany Jacobs (Class of 2010)

Through my majors in zoology and Latin American studies, a minor in Spanish, and Miami Plan courses ranging from anthropology to art history, I've gained a broader view of life and the ability to analyze things from different perspectives.

Brittany is a senior with majors in zoology and Latin American Studies, as well as a minor in Spanish. She has participated in community projects at both the local and international levels.

[Read what Brittany has to say about her international and other experiences at Miami.]

Miami University
College of Arts & Science

Latin American, Latino/a and Caribbean Studies
Walter Vanderbush, Interim Director
(vanderw@MiamiOH.edu)
317 Harrison Hall
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
(513) 529-2018

Office Hours:
M 1:30-3:00 pm;
W 12:00-2:00 pm;
TH 9:00-11:30 am
or by appointment

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