When attending a large university such as U of T, often times it is hard to find your identity especially if you come from backgrounds and roots that aren’t primarily Canadian. Student clubs like the Spanish Student Organization (SSO) are an amazing aspect of student life, bringing resources to be a part of one’s language and culture to the diverse UofT student body. Founder Jina Aryaan works tirelessly to make SSO what it is today, and her achievements are clearly evident within SSO and the other organizations she is involved with like Her Campus UToronto, Undergraduate Sociology Student’s Union, and the Arts and Science Students’ Union. The passion and unwavering excitement is also found within SSO’s executive team, and it was amazing to find that they were all available to give answers for this interview.
Whether you are a native Spanish speaker, a Spanish-learning student, or you simply enjoy listening and dancing to Spanish music, the Spanish Student Organization promises to meet your needs by giving you opportunities to meet new friends, make lifetime memories, practice the language, and learn more about the diverse cultures of Spanish-speaking countries. Read on to find out more!
Name of club: Spanish Student Organization (SSO)
Year established: July 2015
Find them at:
- Website: https://utspanishstudentorganization.wordpress.com
- Facebook: SSOUofT
- Sign up to our email listserv!
- Instagram: @ssouoft
- Email: spanishorganization.uoft@gmail.com
Answers provided by: SSO’s Executive Team 2017-20178
President: Jina Aryaan, 4th Year, University College, Sociology major, French and Latin American double minor
Vice-President: Cassandra Yanez-Leyton, 3rd year, Innis College, International Relations major and double minor in Economics and German
Treasurer: Carson Healey, 4th year, Trinity College, Environmental Biology and Spanish double major, French minor
Secretary: Isabel Todd, 3rd year, New College, Human Biology major and Immunology minor
Events Director: Christina Yiyang Liu, 4th year, Woodsworth College, Statistics & Spanish Double Major and Minor in Math
Outreach Director: Julio Chen, 2nd year, Innis College, Rotman Commerce, Finance and Economics double major
Social Media Director: Emily Encalada, 2nd year, New College, Political Science and Latin American Studies double major, Anthropology minor
Tell me a bit about the SSO in a few sentences or less.
Jina: The Spanish Student Organization (SSO) is a student club that aims to serve the needs of any and all Spanish-learning and speaking student communities on campus, as well of those passionate about the Spanish language, and the various cultures and musical genres of all Spanish-speaking countries. By offering frequent and successful academic and social events, we aim to engage the entire UofT community by uniting students of all academic backgrounds through their shared interest in the Spanish language. Our club encourages and enables them to further explore this interest in an intimate and non-restrictive manner, such as in the conventional classroom setting.
For Jina, what inspired you to start up the SSO?
Jina: In my first year, I was placed in a second year Spanish course, and while I was able to do well on the writing portion of the class, I didn’t feel confident in my oral proficiency, as I had very little vocabulary to draw from in even the simplest conversations, due to my weak academic background in the language. I noticed that there weren’t any clubs that specifically catered to non-native Spanish speakers or Spanish-learning students, and I couldn’t wait for someone to start this club by the time I finished undergrad; I needed the club right then and there! I also figured: if there’s something I need that’s currently missing on campus, there’s a good chance a bunch of other people feel the same way. That’s when I decided that I would start this club on my own. It was the end of my first year and I had no clue how to start a new club, but after a little research the club just came to be. Once I organized all the logistics of it, I reached out to my peers over the summer through the Spanish Department’s email listserv and asked for SPA students to submit executive applications, and sure enough, there was a high interest. Ever since then, the SSO has been growing and improving as a club along with its student members.
For the execs, what made you interested in joining this club?
Isabel: This past year, I was actually a regular at the bi-weekly academic labs offered by the SSO. I really enjoyed the conversation labs because they challenged me and allowed me to sharpen my speaking skills. It was difficult at first, but it held me accountable to continue using my Spanish on a regular basis, and so the labs became something I looked forward to. That experience made me want to join the executive and contribute to the great work that’s being done to help other students.
Christina: What I really liked about the SSO before becoming an exec myself, is that the executives have always been active and passionate about their work within the club. I followed their Facebook page since day one and really liked their consistency and activeness as a student club. Also, I’m really glad that somebody finally started a club that represents the Spanish learning community because I would’ve had way more fun learning Spanish in my first year, so now I get to help other students benefit from our club activities.
Emily: I wanted to find a place where I could get to know students who are interested in the Spanish language, as well as Latin American culture throughout the U of T community. I also believe it’s a great space to practice the Spanish language, which is another reason I became interested in the club!
Cassandra: Being a second generation Chilean, I can’t say that I’m Latin American because my Canadian side is a very strong component of my identity. The SSO allows me to connect with other students who come with baggage from one culture and mix it with another. I have had the opportunity to meet some very interesting people.
What is the mission of your club? Can anyone be a part of the SSO regardless of whether they are Spanish-identifying or not?
Jina: The SSO aims to create a small and inclusive community within the big community that is U of T, and absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to join. Our club is not Spain-oriented, rather it is focused on the Spanish language, and in this way we strive to include students from all backgrounds. Whether you identify as Hispanic, Latinx, or simply Canadian, our club exists to serve your interest and appreciation of the Spanish language. This includes: students who are either enrolled in a Spanish course or program; student who may have learned Spanish in the past, but don’t have the necessary means to continue practicing it; students who are interested in learning the language for the first time; and, students who simply enjoy hearing the spoken language or listening to Spanish music. Essentially, our club exists to enhance and further enrich the student experience of all U of T students, and how students choose to take advantage of our events and initiatives is up to their relevant needs, interests, and personal goals.
As a recently founded club, what have been some of the challenges and achievements you’ve faced since becoming established in 2015?
Jina: Fortunately, I’m glad to say that we haven’t faced too many challenges. A club is as great as its executive team, and I’d like to think we’re pretty great! The majority of the challenges were in our first year of operation, when we first wanted to get the club up and going in the summer before classes started, but we managed to overcome that hurdle very quickly. Other than that, the biggest obstacle for us was to reach as many students possible, but thankfully it didn’t take too long before we got the solid membership that we currently have, which we dedicate to our various and consistent efforts of student engagement through frequent events and club activities.
Julio: I think the SSO’s greatest achievement is its activeness, its consistency, and its continuity. At the end of the day, we’re students with midterms and other responsibilities, so it’s very difficult to keep up with our executive roles and club duties, but we have a great team of execs who are all eager to help with different tasks and to stay on top of their work to keep this club growing. At the moment, we are not facing any challenges, but I have no doubt that if we were to ever encounter any obstacles, we would have no problem overcoming them as a team.
Do you feel that there is a benefit to learn of different cultures and languages (Spanish or not)? How can one start learning about a culture/ and/or language?
Christina: The benefits are endless to list. I guess what’s most important is that it gives you a unique aspect to view the world and what’s happening; it might also help you to start a meaningful conversation with a stranger who eventually becomes your best friend. If you have the opportunity to learn a new language, go for it – you will never know where this new skill will take you. Learning about a culture and language is honestly not that difficult. In fact, people in Toronto are doing it everyday since Toronto is such a diverse city. Reading a lonely planet article on a new country is my favourite way to start exploring.
Emily: Learning a new culture and language is extremely important because it not only expands your network, but it also aids in understanding the world in a new light. Having and knowing a new culture and language under your belt essentially allows for a new perspective. Learning a new language is also a great skill to have because it gives you more opportunities later on in the workforce! At least for me, being trilingual and knowing many languages has helped a lot when it comes to traveling to different places, especially when you’re asking for directions and trying to make friendly conversation with locals.
Carson: Learning new languages has given me new insight into certain cultures. It is certainly true that some jokes are only funny in their languages of origin; although globally we can rely on translations most of the time they do not always give us the best insight into what the speaker or writer was trying to convey. For us to get along in a world riddled with conflict, violence, disagreements, and misunderstandings, it is paramount that we make an effort to dismantle barriers to communication, and an excellent way to do that is through learning new languages.
Do you feel that there is a strong Spanish identity at U of T and in the city of Toronto?
Cassandra: Yes! When I first came to Toronto I was so pleased to see so much Latin American pride both within the university and the in city. I grew up in Ottawa and the few Latin Americans I knew were mostly family. In my school, I was the only Latin American student and I remember being really bummed out by that because I could only practice my Spanish with my family. But, in Toronto, I’ve met so many young people my age who have been able to teach me the more youthful side of the language.
Jina: I do think there’s a strong Spanish-speaking community both on campus and in the city. Do I think this community is well integrated and explored by non-native Spanish members? No, and so the establishment of this club aims to serve as the stepping stone of the type of unity we’re striving for.
Do you have any advice for students struggling to identify with their Hispanic or Latin American heritage and roots in a multi-cultural, multi-language community like U of T?
Isabel: Honestly, I’m in that boat. I was born and raised here in Toronto. To be honest, as much as I love dabbling in my little half latina heritage, I’m not going to force it. I don’t think anyone else should feel ‘compelled’ to connect with their heritage either. You have to do what makes you happy, so you shouldn’t be concerned if you don’t necessarily fit in the box people expect you to fit in just because of your ethnic background or race. I was born here. Canada is my home. My latina heritage is just a bonus, and I’m claiming it slowly, but surely.
Christina: I’m not Hispanic or Latin American, but I can definitely relate to this. Unlike many of my Asian friends, I moved back and forth between China and Canada when I was a kid, and spent an equal amount of time in both countries (and even different cities within the two), plus a year in the US. As a kid, the first day of school or the first couple days of a summer camp is my least favorite part of life. Why? Because people will ask: Where are you from? The little me struggled to put my life into one sentence and still pretend that I’m telling a common story. After all those years, I finally realize and appreciate the fact that I carry both cultures in mind and I can switch modes to communicate with different people. There’s really no need to force yourself to fit into either culture because it all happens naturally. No one else should be telling you who you are.
What are you most excited about this academic year involving SSO?
Isabel: Events! it’s a great opportunity to meet new people, speak some Spanish, and have a good time.
Emily: Super excited for all the amazing fiestas we have planned!
Jina: Honestly, I think the entire executive team is super excited for events, just because we have some really cool events and collaborations planned out for the year and we’re all waiting to share this excitement with our student members very soon. Not to mention, it’s also a great way for us to reconnect with former and current student members, as well as meet some new faces.
In that case, any events students should be looking forward to?
Jina: Absolutely! One them being, of course, Latin Night, which is our highly anticipated big social of the year. But, we also have a lot of great new events planned for this year, such as a cultural event we’re organizing in collaboration with some of your favourite campus clubs and organizations, such as the Indian Students’ Society (ISS), Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations Students’ Union (NMCSU), and the Global Student Network (GSN). This particular event is all about uniting and celebrating the similarities of Latin American, South Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures through good food, music, and various other activities; it’s really all about connecting U of T students in one place with the goal of enabling everyone to thoroughly explore these similar cultures and their respective campus groups and communities. These are only a few of the many events we have planned for the year, so students should definitely follow our social media and sign up for our email updates to avoid missing out on these fun events.
How can one get involved with SSO?
Jina: Come to our events! Drop by our bi-weekly academic labs to engage in informal and casual discussions with other students from diverse academic backgrounds and Spanish speaking skills, and come to our socials to party it up in a more cultural and musical setting. Anyone interested in taking on a more executive role is encouraged to run in our executive elections later in March 2018. In the meantime, we’re always looking for native or fluent Spanish speakers to volunteer as mentors, who can dedicate a little time during our academic labs to help lead conversations with our lab attendees. Students interested in this mentorship program should sign up on our website or email us to learn more about the process.
Thoughts on “Despacito”?
Isabel: Apparently some countries banned it? I guess good music is being outlawed by the haters! I feel like “Despacito” has opened the airways to Spanish pop because they were playing all kinds of Spanish music in the malls and on the radio this summer, even in Abu Dhabi. I love it, it’s a Spanish music takeover!
Emily: I like the original song way better than the one that Justin Bieber is in, but either one is good to dance to!
Carson: The Bieber version has none of the charm of the original; in my opinion it really doesn’t sound like it at all. What’s so attractive about “Despacito” is that it combines Fonsi’s classic pop with Daddy Yankee’s reggaeton, and does so beautifully. And of course they’re both borinqueños.
Jina: Bieber was not needed to make that song a hit. If anything, they would’ve done us all a favour by keeping him off of that song collaboration. The original is way better! That being said, it’s really overplayed now. There are a lot of other great Latin American artists and songs out there that people are being deprived of in their lives, so I’m hoping this sparks interest in listeners to look into more Spanish songs – hopefully, it doesn’t end at “Despacito” or the next Spanish song that makes it into mainstream media.
Edited by Sophia Savva