ISU Professor Fields Questions From Illinois High Schoolers About Her Language Journey and What Universities Offer Students in 2025

On Thursday, February 27, Dr. Marin Laufenberg, teaching assistant professor of Spanish and director of the Spanish MA program, met virtually with students of Carmel Catholic High School of Mundelein, Illinois (just north of Chicago).

Laufenberg spoke with the school's Spanish Language Club members about her journey with language learning and how she ended up as a university professor of Spanish at Idaho State University. Current Spanish MA student, Greg Schwab, is the chair of the World Languages Department at the high school and helped coordinate the visit.

“The best part about being a professor is developing long lasting relationships with students who go on to do something with the skills you helped them acquire in your classes," Laufenberg said. "Often, students will write to me, even years after they have graduated, telling me how what they learned in my classes is helping them in their job or their life today. Those are the most fulfilling parts of the job. The worst part? Probably grading. But, that can be combated by designing projects that are fun to grade!”

The students of Carmel Catholic High School represent typical high schoolers in 2025 - they are getting ready to explore the world, preparing for some of their first trips abroad, and excited to know what their futures, and college, will hold for them. They are also wondering what advantages language learning will grant them in life.

Dr. Laufenberg shared two takeaway points with them: “Continue learning languages – any language! In the current moment, learning languages will benefit you no matter what. Languages are a window into other cultures and will help you to understand people better. Also, study and travel abroad if you can.”

Some of the other great questions she fielded included: What was the best part about your study abroad experience as an undergraduate? Why did you choose to learn Spanish of all of the languages that exist? When did you know you wanted to be a college professor?

Laufenberg shared that though she nearly switched her major to Russian in her undergraduate years, and nearly pursued an MA in Art History instead of Spanish, through continuing to pursue her passions for literature, travel, theatre, and teaching, she found her way to college instruction and research.