Get to know Luisa Alvarado, 2nd year Work Learn student and prospective International Relations Major, who joined the Department of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies (FHIS) as the Student Services Assistant after previously volunteering at the FHIS Learning Centre.
“Since I arrived at UBC, I wanted to find ways to stay connected to my roots and heritage. I volunteered as a Spanish tutor for the FHIS Learning Centre. I then wanted to be more involved with FHIS, so I applied for the Student Services Assistant position.”
What is your role as Student Services Assistant?
My role encompasses several tasks, which include providing support to students interested in FHIS courses, assisting with course scheduling, helping with event planning and brainstorming ways to engage with students, supporting the Learning Centre with promotion and data collection related to the services offered, and assisting with administrative tasks when needed.
How have your previous connections with the Department opened doors for you?
Since I arrived at UBC, I wanted to find ways to stay connected to my roots and heritage. I volunteered as a Spanish tutor for the FHIS Learning Centre to help students with their Spanish learning journey while, at the same time, showing them the beauty of the language and of the Hispanic culture.
I then wanted to be more involved with FHIS, so I applied for the Student Services Assistant position at the department. This position gave me the chance to better understand the department’s work, as well as to learn about the different programs and activities it offers. It also allowed me to support and engage with students, while also connecting with staff, faculty, and students interested in French, Hispanic, Italian, Portuguese, and Romance Studies.
During my first year, I also took some FHIS language and literature courses and found them really interesting. This initial involvement with the department and the basic knowledge I had about it helped me with my application process and interview. I also had other volunteer experiences that helped me develop crucial skills for this role, such as time management, communication, event planning, and teamwork.
Getting this role has been a rewarding experience that has taught me a lot of things, has helped me sharpen and develop new skills, has allowed me to meet amazing people from diverse backgrounds, and has given me the chance to be more in touch with Romance languages, literatures, and cultures.
What is your favourite part about working at FHIS?
One of my favourite parts of working at FHIS is the positive and supportive environment. Both the staff and faculty members are genuinely kind and welcoming, creating a collaborative and respectful atmosphere where you feel encouraged and valued. I also really enjoy the chance to engage with and learn from different languages, cultures, and people. The FHIS team is highly diverse, which constantly broadens my perspective and makes every day interesting and full of learning experiences. Being part of such a vibrant and inclusive community has been both inspiring and deeply rewarding, encouraging me to grow personally and professionally.
What is one fun fact about you?
I’m Colombian, but with a Mexican accent, which always makes for an interesting story when I meet new people. When people ask me where I’m from, I usually give a longer explanation: I was born in Colombia and spent my early years there before moving to Mexico, where I lived for quite a while. When I speak Spanish, most people assume I’m Mexican, and they’re often surprised when I tell them I’m actually Colombian. Meanwhile, Mexicans can tell that some of my words and expressions are different and might even say my accent sounds unusual. This comes to show how both identities are part of me and make me who I am.
