Julie Marmion

Spanish Lecturer

Spanish, B.A. '16

The program helped me become more confident in my Spanish, and prepared me with necessary tools to use Spanish in different contexts.

How did your program at Biola prepare you for your career?
The program helped me become more confident in my Spanish, and prepared me with necessary tools to use Spanish in different contexts. I learned translation, medical Spanish, regional variations of Spanish, as well as how to read and write academically in Spanish. Thanks to this solid foundation, I felt completely prepared going into my graduate studies after graduation.

What did you appreciate most about your time at Biola?
What I love most about the program are the professors who are intentional with their students and care about them as individuals. I always felt known by my professors and would often visit them during office hours to talk and ask questions. On one occasion some classmates and I were invited to make enchiladas at a professor's home and another time a professor took our class to see a Spanish film at the cinema!

How did Biola equip you to be a more faithful follower of Jesus Christ?
The best part of the program is its intentionality in using Spanish as an instrument of God's love to others. There were always opportunities for us to connect with members of the Spanish-speaking community outside of campus. For example, there were monthly trips to an orphanage in Tijuana, Spanish churches that we could attend with our professors, and volunteering with a mothers group at Kidworks. I loved getting to use Spanish to build bridges, make connections, learn from others and share God's love in the process.

What advice would you give to students considering your degree program?
If you are looking to improve or gain confidence in your Spanish abilities and want to really understand the histories, cultures and complexities of the Spanish-speaking world, this program is for you. You will learn from incredible professors who are knowledgeable, experienced and truly invested in you. They will challenge you and guide you to apply Spanish in ways that truly benefit others and advance the kingdom of God.