Cath Edwards
Cath Edwards (pictured above) is a student in our Bachelor of Languages and Linguistics degree.
“I have always had a passion for languages, intercultural communication and travel,” says Edwards.
Edwards, a social worker, decided to explore her love of languages by studying with La Trobe part-time.
“I have always been intrigued by the Greek language, wanted to go to Greece and knew La Trobe offered Greek studies. During the application process, I thought it would be worthwhile to study linguistics as well,” says Edwards.
“I have loved learning about Greek culture, history and literature. I have also had the opportunity to advocate for Greek language education with a group called PHAROS, meeting some wonderful people and learning about how language programs are developed and maintained.”
“I have also started Italian as an elective as I would love to visit Southern Italy along with Greece. I have had so much fun exploring Italian culture and getting to know more people!”
Edwards hopes to bring what she has learned about language and culture to her role as a social worker.
“I want to better support people with the language skills and cultural knowledge I have gained during my degree. I also hope that linguistics will strengthen my tutoring work with school students by giving me more insight into how children acquire and use language.”
Kayla Careri
Kayla Careri is studying Greek language as part of her Bachelor of Health Sciences degree.
“My mother is Greek and I was raised in a Greek-Italian-Australian family, so I grew up speaking Greek and developed a love of the language,” says Careri.
“While I could communicate in Greek at an acceptable level, I always wanted to improve my abilities. I am so grateful that La Trobe allows me to pursue two of my passions at the same time – science and Greek language.”
Meeting others who are just as passionate about Greek has been one of the highlights of Careri’s student experience.
“I have made lifelong friends through Greek studies at La Trobe. Class sizes are smaller, which allows us to have more personal discussions. I am also immensely thankful for my lecturers who bring their passion for the language to their teaching and encourage us to participate in the Greek community more broadly,” she says.
Careri plans to bring her well-developed Greek skills to her future career as a clinical audiologist.
“When I was younger I used to take my yiayia (Greek for grandmother) to the hospital on a regular basis and we always needed a translator to help us convey medical terminology to her, and I noticed that she felt more comfortable with the translator than the health professional. I hope that being able to communicate with my future clients in their own language will allow me to build a stronger rapport with them.”
Sara Williams
Sara Williams, is a student in our Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Classics and Ancient History.
“I first became interested in classics and ancient history through my love of video games. I would play games set in the classical and ancient eras, and I was inspired to learn more.”
“La Trobe’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences have the most knowledgeable and supportive staff which made my interest in classics and anciety history flourish.”
Williams says the extracurricular opportunities have enhanced her success as a student.
“I am president of the Ancient Roman and Greek Organisation and I recently joined the La Trobe Leaders Program, which mentors new students and holds engagement activities throughout the semester. These volunteer positions have been invaluable to my growth and development, and I have also made great friends.”
Williams dreams of a career in academia and to be a pioneer in the new discipline of representation of history in video games.
“My hope is to become a lecturer and foster students’ passion for ancient history and classics in a new technological way using video games.”
Find out more about the Department of Languages and Cultures. Visit their website and LinkedIn.
