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Growing up in Iowa, Professor Lea Ramsdell had little opportunity to encounter other cultures outside her own. So she vividly remembers the day when a family from Cuba moved in next door. Through them, a new world opened up for her. She fell in love with Spanish and the rich cultural background that it introduced her to.

鈥淭hat was eye-opening to me,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淚've always had this broader interdisciplinary interest, especially in music and dance. Seeing how politics, the arts, economics, and history interconnect is very exciting鈥攁nd necessary to understanding a particular culture.

鈥淚 feel like I owe it to our students, our faculty, and our community to provide opportunities to appreciate the richness of other cultures.鈥�

The Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures does just that. Collaborating with departments and individuals across the campus, the department hosts public events throughout the year with an international theme to provide an in-depth introduction to a specific culture.

鈥淥ne program was called 鈥楻ethinking Brazil,鈥欌�� she says. 鈥淪o we brought in speakers to talk about Brazilian society and politics, but we also had a film series鈥攁nd even a performance by a group of Brazilian drummers.鈥�

This interdisciplinary approach, which is woven into all of Towson鈥檚 foreign language courses, motivates students to continue their studies in a way they might not otherwise. 鈥淭hey can see that a language is relevant to their lives,鈥� says Professor Ramsdell.

鈥淚n our global society, knowing another language opens doors that would otherwise remain closed.鈥�

鈥淟earning a language gives you a broader understanding of the world鈥檚 different cultures, as well as problem-solving skills.

And, in our global society, knowing another language opens doors that would otherwise remain closed.鈥�