Katie Joseph '15 - Languages, Literatures and International Studies

Majoring in International Studies at Northern Michigan University was an incredibly dynamic experience that has shaped me into the person I am today. Complementing the standard course requirements, my undergrad experience was enriched by participation with student organizations, friendships formed with NMU’s international student and faculty population, and, of course, study abroad by way of a full scholarship. I entered college knowing that a study abroad experience would be one of the cornerstones of my undergrad education, and because I majored in International Studies, I had no trouble at all transferring credits from my Brazilian university and completing my degree in the standard 4-year window, even with my 8-month adventure in Brazil. I chose to focus my studies in Latin America. When it came time for me to meet my Language Proficiency requirement, my professors allowed me to customize my experience by learning Portuguese, a language that had always intrigued me.

When I graduated, my main professional goal was to get as much international work experience as I possibly could, which led to my accepting a position teaching English through the Korean Ministry of Education. After 6 months teaching elementary students in rural South Korea, I felt it was time for me to get back to Latin America to tackle another goal of mine: to become fluent in Spanish by living in Mexico. I loved living in Mexico and taught high school English in Chihuahua for around 2 years, at which point I returned to Marquette to pursue my master’s degree. I am proud to say that I earned my second degree from NMU in 2019 and refer to myself dorkily as a “Two Time Wildcat.”

Today, I am proud to say that I have a wonderful job in my field right back in the city I came from: Grand Rapids, Michigan. I returned to my hometown 5 years ago and was humbled to rediscover my community through the new lens that I developed during my years away; my first job back in Grand Rapids saw me teaching English to Latino mothers and fathers through a nonprofit called the Literacy Center of West Michigan. It’s a beautiful thing to teach English to foreigners in their home countries, but to give the gift of literacy to newcomers in my very own community, to people recently arrived in the US and navigating a whole new world with their young children, fills the heart beyond words.

It blows my mind to think that Northern Michigan University was the first decision I ever made in my adult life, and that that decision has made me the person I am today. As I glance back fondly at my experience, remembering who I was when I decided to major in International Studies at Northern, I’m filled with gratitude for the many twists and turns that shaped my journey. Go Wildcats!