By Jessica Morlock, recipient of the Italian Language Foundation’s Enrico Fermi College Fellowship
As a Biology of Global Health major with aspirations of becoming a physician, it is important to me that my college experience is defined by cultural immersion in all aspects. The educational demands of being a pre-med student are intense and rigorous, but my experience studying Italian has proven to be a refreshing, lively addition to my academic ripertoire, exceeding all expectations I had in mind for a diverse education.
Though I was thrilled by the idea of taking an Italian course solely for the purpose of mastering a foreign language, I now know that studying Italian is defined by far more than grammar rules and vocabulary: it involves in-depth immersion into the vibrance of Italian culture. My first Italian course at Georgetown offered a multifaceted style of learning that I had not yet experienced, serving as a counterbalance to the often intense nature of science courses.
In the midst of memorizing chemical terminology and grappling with complex biological concepts, delving into the liveliness of Italian language and culture became a welcome escape that I look forward to continuing.
This journey of cultural exploration was more than just a method of enhancing my language skills—it allowed me to cultivate a holistic understanding of cultural competence, preparing me to become a knowledgeable, empathetic physician prepared to foster a nurturing, deep connection with patients from diverse backgrounds.
