Kolin Goldschmidt grew up near the UW-Madison campus in Verona. But his college experience has opened up the world to him, leading him to study Spanish and Portuguese, discover a passion for linguistics, study abroad and find connections in unexpected places.
How did you choose your majors?
I was actually a microbiology and Spanish major for a while, but last year I decided to take a Portuguese class, just for fun. I fell in love with it, so in one fell swoop, I changed majors and applied to study abroad in Portugal. I had already studied Spanish for quite some time, so I knew I had a passion for languages. Diving in and focusing on what I loved just felt right.
What do you like most about your major?
I like the freedom to explore, the freedom to get lost. Being able to speak more than one language opens up doors in unexpected places, and they lead to the most wonderful experiences. Language unites us, and I hope to harness that power as a professor.
What’s been a favorite class?
There are two classes that really stand out and reaffirm my choice in majors. The first would be Spanish 446: Acoustic Analysis of Spanish, with Professor Rajiv Rao. I was a sophomore when I took this class, and it was both challenging and rewarding. I designed my own experiments and used my friends as the participants. Thinking about language analytically like that opened my eyes to linguistics, a harmonious mixture of science and humanities. Portuguese 102, with Mariana Oliveira, was my first Portuguese class, and it was the catalyst that sparked my change in majors. It was a gateway class, if you will.
What was a class that changed the way you thought about something?
I’m in two graduate seminars this semester, Portuguese 751: Theorizing the Portuguese Black Atlantic, with professor Kathryn Sanchez, and Spanish 861: Creative Minds through Art and Science, with professor Alicia Cerezo. They’re my first experience with graduate-level work, and they’ve introduced me to a new, more critical, style of thinking. The techniques and concepts I’ve learned throughout the semester have already spilled over into other classes and areas of my life, so I’m excited to see how else my perspective will change over time.
How have you grown or changed since starting college?
People often say that college teaches them independence, but I think that comes along with age. College has taught me how to take risks, both academically and socially. When I started at the university, like many, I had never left the country, much less alone. During my first year, I had the opportunity to take a class in Costa Rica, and I took it. It was daunting being alone in a completely unknown country, but I quickly adapted and realized how much I liked the exhilaration of not knowing what’s next. I was fortunate enough to get a second taste while in Portugal, and now, as a senior, my comfort zone is my least favorite zone to be in.
What’s been a significant internship or out-of-the-classroom experience?
Internship, job, second family, I’m not sure what to call it, but I’ve held a position at the Allen Centennial Garden for over two years, and it’s been the perfect supplement to my classroom education. I was first introduced to the garden while working as a program assistant with Residence Life, and I was pulled on board shortly after. I started as an intern juggling events and photography, and leading workshops. Now, I’m an apprentice that helps to train the new wave of interns.
Although there may not be many apparent connections between a public garden and linguistics, the staff was able to help me customize my internship so that it was as meaningful as possible, by letting me design and facilitate workshops on my own. I’ve also used my studies to help visitors who speak Spanish or Portuguese connect to the garden, a space that transcends language.
I love the informal learning environment, and the experience I’ve gained working with various age groups has been invaluable, especially since I plan to remain in academia.
What are your post-college plans? Where do you hope to be in five years?
After completing my undergrad, I plan on staying in Madison and maintaining my position at the Allen Centennial Garden. I’ll continue with photography, as well as beekeeping on top of helping support our interns and educational offerings. Beyond that, I’d like to pursue a graduate degree in linguistics. My end goal is to move back to Europe, potentially indefinitely, so I’m considering graduate schools in both the U.S. and abroad. I like Europe, and I like linguistics, so being a linguistics professor in Europe kind of sounds like the best of both worlds.
What is the best memory you have from your time at UW?
It’s not one memory in particular, but rather, a collection of memories. Every Thursday, the Portuguese department holds a conversation table at The Kollege Klub, and our weekly reunions have become an essential part of my schedule. The conversation table consists of professors, grad students, undergrads and members of the community who just want to come and transport themselves to a different world. Everyone is warm and welcoming, and it takes us all back to a time in our lives when we were in a Portuguese-speaking country.
What advice would you give other students?
Get to know your professors, TAs and supervisors. They’re here for you, but you have to meet them halfway. They have access to resources that will help you succeed both in and out of the classroom, and I will be forever grateful for the diverse support system I’ve found on campus.