Why RLL?
Concentrators, in Their Own Words
Theo Goode
Concentrating in RLL has been one of the best decisions of my academic career, as it allows me to connect with such a breadth of cultures and art styles. I knew coming into Harvard that I wanted to continue my study of the Spanish language and associated cultures, but I had no idea how the RLL department would shape those studies in ways I couldn't imagine. Dr. Kathy Richman has told me on multiple occasions that this is a literature department, it just happens to be in your second language. My experience of RLL has included all manners of novels, movies, poetry, music, comics, essays, literary theory, short stories, and more, which makes courses easy to engage with and more reflective of what people actually consume. Small class sizes, source material, and difficult topics means discussion and essay-writing are at the core of RLL, which are my favorite ways to develop my thinking and present ideas. Honing your ability to construct an argument in a language you're actively learning is hard, and the RLL department gives the perfect amount of push and encouragement.
Elena Guerra
My coursework in Italian, French, and Spanish culminated most recently with my senior thesis project, in which I used Death in sculpture, painting, and poetry to explore how mortality is embedded in the Italian baroque. Beyond my time in Cambridge, I have spent the past three summers in Italy through various programs that were made possible by both RLL and HAA departments. I have studied abroad, carried out independent research, and worked as an intern at the Villa I Tatti, Harvard’s Center for Renaissance Studies in Florence. RLL has given me the opportunity to thrive in these environments. My education has spanned all forms of media as well as multiple languages, allowing me to travel and research widely and without reservation. The support that I have received from individuals in this department is immense and has defined my undergraduate experience.
Sadie Kargman
The Romance Languages and Literatures department is a gift to Harvard University. Pursuing a degree on the Romance Studies track has allowed me to study French and Italian history and literature in their original forms. In addition to the amazing courses, the RLL faculty is incredible, and Boylston's fourth floor has become a second home. Moreover, the department encouraged me to study abroad in France for my Junior spring semester. However, while I am an ocean away, I still feel RLL’s support from Cambridge to Paris!
Emilie Mendoza
I arrived at Harvard certain that I wanted to study literature and language but unsure of exactly what that actually meant. Since then, RLL has become my home base, a place to explore my academic interests both in and out of the classroom. My coursework in Spanish and French have allowed me to deepen my existing interests and strengthen my ability to communicate both in my native language and my heritage language. My experience studying abroad in northern Italy during the summer opened up Italian not just as another language to make conversation in but a new world of interests I never would have considered otherwise. RLL’s community stands out at Harvard (be it around the table in a seminar or over coffee in the lounge) as one of the most encouraging and collaborative, and has been one of the most rewarding spaces I’ve ever been in.
Annabel Yu
I didn't arrive at Harvard intending to concentrate in RLL. But after taking my first French class freshman year, I immediately felt welcomed into the department with open arms. As a double concentrator in RLL and Economics, I've been able to complement my interests in both fields through an internship at the World Bank, where I got to use my French skills in a professional setting. My French literature courses have also pushed me to grow personally and intellectually as a stronger reader, writer, observer, and thinker--skills I know will serve me in any future field. That being said, what truly makes this department special is the people. The support that RLL faculty offer to students is one of a kind. I have felt a constant, individualized support system helping me navigate each step of the way, from making a 4-year course plan to preparing to write a senior thesis. No matter how busy college gets, the RLL department is always there to remind you: you've got this!
