Society for American Sign Language Journal, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring/Summer, 2024.
Department of Languages
Language and International Health Society
March 3, 2024
The purposes of the Language and International Health Society shall include:
- Helping students succeed in the L&IH major and prepare for their future through contact with guest speakers, L&IH graduates, study abroad advisors and other campus and community resources;
- Serving as a forum where L&IH majors can meet and exchange information, ideas and concerns about internships, study abroad and other aspects related to the major;
- Providing opportunities where students can network with other students and professionals, explore career paths, and broaden their knowledge of global health issues and their cultural and linguistic contexts;
- Representing the L&IH major to Clemson University.
L&IH Society Officers (2025-2026)
President: Laura Gorissen
Hey guys! My name is Laura Gorissen, and I am a senior Spanish LIH major with a minor in psychology and life sciences. This is my third year with the LIH Society, and I can’t wait to get to know you all during the semester. I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain last semester and it was the best experience ever. My plan after graduation is to take a gap year and then apply to PA school!
Vice President: Lydia Dorroh
Hi everyone! My name is Lydia Dorroh and I am a senior Language and International Health major with a Spanish concentration. I am graduating in May of 2026. I love trying new coffee shops, going on walks, and playing pickleball. I also just got back from a semester in Sevilla, Spain and had the best time! I’m so excited to have a great semester and serve as your vice president this year!
Treasurer: Cecilia (CiCi) Viera-Atwell
Hi! My name is CiCi, I’m a junior Language and International Health major studying Spanish. I’m on the pre-PA track and am set to study abroad Spring ‘26 in Santiago de Compostela. Super excited for this upcoming year and can’t wait to develop my Spanish skills!
Secretary: Valentina Perez
Hi everyone, my name is Valentina Perez. I’m a junior majoring in Language and International Health with a concentration in Spanish. This is my second semester serving as secretary, and I’m excited to continue in this role! A little about me: I absolutely love cooking and baking, especially making things from scratch. I’m also a big TV fan, so if you name a show, chances are I’ve watched it!
Social Media Coordinator: Bella Hooker
Hi everyone! I’m Bella Hooker, a Sophomore LIH major with a concentration in Spanish! I’m so excited to be serving as the Social Media Coordinator for the LIH Society this year! I am not sure where I am studying abroad yet, but I hope to go to Spain. I love hanging out with friends, going to the lake, and staying active!
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Arelis Moore, PhD.
“Hello! I’m Arelis Moore, an associate professor of community health in the Department of Languages. Since 2017, I’ve had the privilege of serving as the LIH Faculty Advisor. It’s truly an honor to work with such a dedicated group of Language and International Health Students. Their commitment to service and leadership inspires me, and I have no doubt they will make a positive impact in the world as they move forward in their careers.”
Clemson Student Reflects on Clemson in London-Paris-Normandy Study Abroad
Clemson student Crayton Rhodes, class of 2025, recently shared his reflections on his recent study abroad experience through Clemson’s “Remembering D-Day: Clemson in London-Paris-Normandy” in Clemson World.
Led by Professor Eric Touya de Marenne and Col. (Ret.) Lance Young, Clemson Corps Life Emeritus, “Remembering D-Day: Clemson in London-Paris-Normandy” is a yearly study abroad course which allows students to fulfill a global challenges requirement by learning about the history, legacy, and importance of D-Day in a variety of historically significant locations throughout the United Kingdom and France.
Students revisit the experiences of American soldiers during World War II and reflect on the meaning of these experiences through visits to museums, battlefields, memorials, and cemeteries in France and the United Kingdom. A unique feature of the program is its face-to-face component, which allows students a personal experience with history through private guided tours and conversations with eyewitnesses to the events of D-Day.
As Rhodes reflects in his post, many students have the opportunity to connect intimately with their own family histories by reflecting on family members’ experiences against the real-life backdrop of these events.
To read Crayton Rhodes’s reflection and learn more about his Study Abroad experience, please visit Clemson World.
Today: Russia in 21st-Century Cuban Film
Today, Tuesday, April 16, the Department of Languages welcomes guest speaker Dr. Jacqueline Loss from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Loss will give a talk about Cuban-Russian connections with a focus on Russia in 21st-century Cuban film.
The event will take place in Daniel Hall 123 at 4:30 p.m.
Film Screening “The Zone of Interest”
Join us for a screening of Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest on Wednesday, April 3rd, at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Auditorium of Watt Family Innovation Center. Panel discussion to follow.
The Zone of Interest focuses on the life of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his wife Hedwig, who live with their family in a home in the “Zone of Interest” next to the concentration camp. The film won the Best International Film at the 96th Academy Awards and the Grand Prix at Cannes.
Official Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-vfg3KkV54
Official Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFNtVaAuVYY
Spring Highlights: German and Spanish Programs Host Conference for International Business in Mexico
On February 14, the Spanish and German programs hosted the Conference for German and Spanish in International Business and Engineering: Investment in Mexico. Faculty members Daniel García, Magdalena Matúskova and Lee Ferrell collaborated together in organizing this event with publicity and social media coordinated by Anna Grace Araiza. Events for the day were moderated and organized by student leaders Gwyneth Terry (LAIB Spanish), Derek Dias (Finance), Emiliano Sanchez (Finance) and Anna Schmidt (Management).
Hosted in collaboration with the Department of Management and the Consulate General of Mexico, the conference brought in numerous German companies from the upstate region to speak with our students about the work they do in both the US Southeast and in Mexico. This unique opportunity allowed students to learn about the presence of German businesses in Mexico and the unique benefits they have on the region.
After opening remarks by Dean Nicholas Vazsonyi and an address by the Deputy Consul General of Mexico, the conference showcased a keynote address by BMW representatives on the benefits of conducting business in Mexico. Also featured was a panel discussion with the North American heads of Röchling Automotive and Dräxlmaier Automotive Groups as well as the Mexican Ambassador to Germany about German business and investment in Mexico. Students and attendees were also afforded the chance to participate in roundtable discussions on German business and investment through a broader regional lens.
The conference concluded with a mini job fair in which students and attendees could network with representatives from various German companies and learn about internship and introductory-level jobs in their companies.
Two 2023 LIH Graduates Ready to Make their Mark in Public Healthcare
The Department of Languages is proud to acknowledge two LIH graduates, Madeleine Wolfe and Rund Adelnabi, both recently featured in Clemson News.
Both Madeleine and Rund will be receiving degrees in Language and International Health with a Spanish concentration. Their unique passions and talents have led them both in different and equally impressive directions.
Image courtesy of Clemson University
Madeleine plans to focus her future efforts on combatting the health disparities that arise in rural communities. She has already had a positive and tangible impact on the local community. During her time at Clemson, she earned her EMS certification and has been working as an EMT with the Clemson University Fire Department. Her unique background in cybersecurity as related to healthcare systems combined with her research with Clemson Rural Health no doubt will allow Madeleine to continue making her mark as she heads off to medical school.
Image courtesy of Clemson University
Rund’s approach is more language-driven. Fluent in three languages, Rund seeks to help Arabic and Spanish speakers access and navigate the complexities of the public healthcare system. Her firsthand experience working in a public health center in Argentina while completing her study abroad program gave her valuable experience in forging meaningful patient relationships, and her goal of becoming a physician’s assistant will allow her to integrate her talents, skills, and passion to make a difference in the experiences and lives of patients in the future.
The Department of Languages heartily congratulates these talented and impressive graduates as they take the next steps in their healthcare journey!
Languages Newsletter
Cripps, Jody
Society for American Sign Language Journal, Vol. 6, No. 2, Fall/Winter, 2022.
Remembering D-Day: Clemson in London-Paris-Normandy Info Session to be held September 20
An informational meeting about the study abroad program “Remembering D-Day: 2024 Clemson in London-Paris-Normandy” will be held on Wednesday, September 20, from 5:30-7:00PM in Daniel Hall 113.
The program runs from May 14 – May 24, 2024 and takes participants to historically significant locations throughout the United Kingdom and France, including London, Normandy and Paris. Participants will have the opportunity to revisit the experiences of American soldiers during World War II and reflect on the meaning of these experiences in contexts both historical and current. Students will explore important questions and topics from a broad range of perspectives and academic disciplines. The program fulfills the GLCH (Global Challenge) 3990 and FR 3980 course credits.
For more information, contact Professor Eric Touya de Marenne, Department of Languages (etouya@clemson.edu) and Col. (Ret) Lance Young, Clemson Corps Life Emeritus (lsyoung@clemson.edu)
More information can be found on the program flyer below. The Zoom link to the information session is provided on the flyer.
