I get this question quite a bit; especially in one of the following variations:
- Italian?? Why Italian?
- That's actually a major?
- You do know that Italian isn't one of the major languages of the world right?
- What are you going to do with that major??I understand the concern and where people are coming from when they ask.
I'd first like to expel all ideas that this choice was made as some sort of shortcut or easy major.. I do know people who have taken it for that reason; and while I don't agree, I can't relate either.
I personally don't think it's easier than any other path that I would take - and in any case, I'd consider it a bit more difficult because I'm learning to become fluent in a completely different language than my own.. and learning all about a culture different from the one I've always known.
In short, I've struggled with finding my niche in the world of academics and often times I wondered if I should even stay in school. Some people thrive in situations that they aren't necessarily the most passionate about; but it has always been something that I just couldn't do.
I tried the medical path; tried the business path. Nothing.
But in the 6 years that I've spent taking classes here and there, working full time at a home health office.. I was able to learn/do a couple of things that shaped all the decisions I've made so far.
1) Working around nurses and people in the medical field, made me realize that I am happy I'm not studying medicine or anything science-related. I'm not passionate about medicine; my brain is not structured in the way that makes me enjoy being around people who rely on me to manage or relieve their bodily pains. The allure of financial stability isn't enough for me to motivate myself to study medical terms for hours on end.. and study diagnosis' and biology concepts.
Don't get me wrong.. I know that there is importance in knowing these things.
2) In the time I've been trying to discover what I want to do.. I've been able to see most of Spain, travel within Europe (for the most part, alone) - in London, Amsterdam and Paris, I've been able to visit my home country - the Philippines - on several occasions; explored Tokyo, Japan.
I love travelling and learning about other cultures, and that desire is embedded in every pore of my body... as dramatic as that sounds.
I took my first Italian language class almost 2 years ago, knowing very little of the culture.. but knowing this:
- I loved listening to the language and I certainly felt the warmth of the idea of Italian Culture. After All, we're all very aware of certain things we know to be "very italian".. whether that's the food or the tight-knit family dynamics.
- I think the beautiful bucket-list travel destinations are also enough in themselves to strive towards.. being able to go there and know the language and culture well.
Since that first course, I've studied through all the language courses PCC offers (up to the intermediate level.) I took a course called Italian Civilization where I learned a lot about the history, the art, and other layers of the Italian culture.. and fell even more in love with the culture.
I study Italian because I'm thrilled by the concept of adding a whole new culture to my own. Why are we always so seemingly confined by invisible borders? I am American.. by residence. Filipino by birth and DNA.. but why can't I love and appreciate another culture on top of these, to the point where it basically becomes another of my own?
When I've learned all that I can and I'm fluent, I can begin to learn Spanish if I wanted to.. (a similar, and less complicated language to learn). I can study Latin...
Challenge my mind with Mandarin, or Russian, or German.
I want to be able to break down borders of language and distance.. & do so in a way that isn't expected.
I have a few specific desires with my major, that would take longer to explain but they involve organizing trips for underprivileged youth to travel and experience various cultures.
I could teach Italian, teach Italians English, I could translate..
I don't necessarily like having to list possibilities for people when they ask.. because honestly.. and I don't mean this in braggart way,
but I can do anything I want with it.. if I want it badly enough.
That goes for anyone with an "odd" or "impractical" major.
But if you have to convince yourself that your major is useful... you're probably not in the right one..
because when you're out there on the job hunt.. your first job will be to sell yourself to whoever it is that you need to.
If you allow the criticisms of others to define you and your capabilities.. you won't get far at all.
I've found a major that I deeply enjoy & if/when my future employers or investors or business partners ask me "why Italian?" I'll say:
Why not Italian? I've chosen a major that's outside of the box, because that best represents the way my mind works. I will make the most of situations given to me, without compromising who I am.. or what people expect on the surface. This major has taken me to places I've never been. I'm familiar with the vast possibilities this world has to offer, be it cultures, languages, etc. and I'm not afraid to tap into each of those to make all that I have to offer, greater.
So no, my major is not conventional.. but I have something different to contribute, and I'm ready for the opportunity to prove it.
