Spanish Bachelor's Degree Delivered Online Focuses on More Than Words

Giselle Trejo speaks Spanish fluently. So, why is she studying for a bachelor's degree in Spanish at the University of Arkansas?

Speaking Spanish well doesn't automatically mean you can read it and write it well, she explained, and she aspires to work in the publishing business, translating books but also writing them herself, in either Spanish or English or possibly both.

Trejo also found that her Spanish courses go far beyond mere words to encompass the culture and history of Spanish-speaking countries. Professors in the program impress upon students to expand their minds, Trejo said.

"The highlight of all my classes in general and one of the things I love is how much all of the professors go into detail for every lecture, every piece of literature, every lesson," she said.

 

Online Bachelor's

The Bachelor of Arts in World Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Spanish Concentration is delivered online by the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

Globalization and expanding migration and immigration have increased demand for Spanish-language education and training in the workforce, and one goal of the online BA in Spanish is to help U of A students fill this need. The late professor Steve Bell with Spanish faculty members Brenda Magnetti, Raquel Castro and Hilda Benton developed the online Spanish degree and launched it in the fall of 2023.

 

Cultural Education

In an introductory literature course she took last fall, the professor suggested music to listen to along with a piece of literature the class was assigned to read, saying this is the music the people in the piece would listen to.

"Throughout the Spanish program, I've learned not just the language but also the rich and diverse cultures of Spanish-speaking countries," Trejo said. "We learned how cuisine varies by region. We also studied important holidays such as Dia de los Muertos in Mexico and La Semana Santa in Spain, which gave insight into how cultural and religious beliefs shape community traditions."

In class discussions and projects, students examined clothing styles, work environments, and family dynamics across different countries, she said.

"These cultural elements helped me better understand the context behind the language and made my learning experience much more meaningful," Trejo said.

 

The Right Degree

The curriculum and high-quality faculty of the Bachelor of Arts in World Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Spanish Concentration are the same as in the on-campus version, but students can stay in their hometowns to earn the degree when they choose the online option.

Trejo grew up in Polk County on the western border of Arkansas, about 85 miles south of Fort Smith. She graduated from Cossatot River High School in Cove and attended University of Arkansas Rich Mountain, which is in Mena, to earn an Associate of Arts degree.

When she began looking for a bachelor's degree in Spanish, she was disappointed to find some colleges that offered a minor in Spanish but not a major. The U of A offered what she wanted but it was much more than she expected, she said.

"One of our professors said, 'You're always going to learn. If you think you aren't always going to learn, you're wrong,'" Trejo recalled.

 

Bilingual Foundation

From a reading and writing standpoint, English could be considered her first language, even though she grew up speaking Spanish, Trejo said. Only 19 years old, she is considered a heritage speaker of Spanish and has served as translator for family, friends and members of her church over the years.

A heritage speaker typically grew up hearing and possibly speaking a language at home that is different from the dominant language of the society in which they live. They may not have received any previous formal education in their heritage language.

Trejo started working last summer at the bookstore at UA Rich Mountain and found several occasions to assist students from other countries such as Colombia or the Dominican Republic feel more at home – and get the books they needed.

A few months ago, Trejo moved from the bookstore job to a full-time position in the business office at UA Rich Mountain. She's a procurement specialist in the accounts receivable department and has used her Spanish fluency to help international students make their payments.

 

Affordability, Flexibility

Trejo earned her associate's degree in May of 2024 and entered the Spanish bachelor's degree program as a junior. Students in fully online degree programs at the U of A pay in-state tuition regardless of where they live.

Choosing an online program offered by the U of A in Fayetteville provided many advantages for Trejo. She can continue to live with her parents, saving on housing costs and receiving other support from family that she needs as a first-generation college student. She can also keep her full-time job at UA Rich Mountain to pay for her education.

During high school, Trejo visited the Fayetteville campus as part of Upward Bound, a federally funded college preparation and access program for eligible high school students in grades 9-12. From that point, she knew she wanted to be a U of A student.

After church on Sundays and spending time with her family, she gets out her planner and logs onto the Blackboard Ultra learning management system used by the U of A. She maps out what she needs to do in the coming week for her courses.

"Whatever I have to do, I schedule," she said. "I start my homework on Sunday; sometimes, I don't want to, but I know I have to do it. It is hard to balance a full-time job and being a student, while keeping my financial aid, but it's worth it at the end of the day."

She makes it a priority to work ahead on big projects and is grateful some professors open their assignments a week in advance of deadlines.

"With my friends, the worship team at church and the hospitality team, I have had to tell them several times, 'Sorry, I have this project, this exam, I can't do it.' Sometimes, I do feel left out, but I know it will be worth it."

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