A travel junkie and expert in all things French, Nina Hartman has her heart set outside the United States. At only 18 years old, the girl has already been to 38 out of 50 states and several countries outside the US including: Canada, Mexico, Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Before entering college this year, Nina studied abroad in Italy for the summer.
Name: Nina Hartman
Year: Freshman
Intended Major(s): Global Studies and French with a minor in Italian
Hometown: Valparaiso, IN
How did you get to study abroad in Italy this summer? “I knew I wanted to spend some time in a foreign country on my own before coming to college, and I also wanted to live there, not just visit. The best way to do that would be a homestay immersion. I took a lot of time researching programs online so that I could go to Italy. I chose SPI High School Study Abroad Program which ended up being really awesome.”
What made you choose to study abroad in Italy this summer? “Italy has always been important to me. My family is from Italy, and I really wanted to spend time with them especially before college. Out of other options, Italy felt most comfortable to spend my summer at.”
What sparked your love for languages? “It’s kind of an embarrassing story, but when I was in eighth grade, I was reading Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Besides loving the books, I really admired Tolkien himself. He knew over 30 languages and that really inspired me. The first language I wanted to learn was Elvish (the language of the elves in LOTR). I learned it all those years ago, and from there it kind of sucked me in. I wanted to figure out the puzzles of languages. In drowning myself in language, I learned about cultures as well.”
Dream career: teaching languages in other countries
What made you want to study global studies? “Basically, I’m really interested in cultures and when I first heard about the major at Saint Mary’s it seemed perfect for me. It required me to be efficient in a language. I was intrigued with the possibilities and opportunities if I were to choose a major like global studies.”
What would be the title of your autobiography? The Language Connoisseur
Favorite part about studying abroad in Italy this summer: “I loved the full immersion of being forced to speak the language in every day situations. I’d be so excited to order food at restaurants. Also, the teenagers there are really independent. I loved hanging out with them. We’d be in the piazza which has been around for 1000 years, and it’s crazy to think that we’d be sitting on a piece of history.”
Favorite food: Mediterranean or really anything with olive oil. My favorite Greek dish is gyros.
Favorite music: French pop
Study abroad plans for the future: I want to experience the Angers, France program during my sophomore year and ultimately visit my international friends from my Italian school.
Favorite word: dépaysement (French): the feeling of not being in one’s own country
Languages Nina knows/is currently studying: French, Italian, German, Elvish, and Russian
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