By Martina Starkey '24

This year, for the first time, Mount Union welcomed four native-speaking teaching assistants on campus for the 2021-2022 academic year. Students Kasumi Sudo of Japan, Amandine Lam of France, Ana Campos of Spain and Anna Hinrichs of Germany worked with the foreign language staff throughout the semester.

Sudo is from the Kansaigadai school in Japan and works in the Japanese program. Her jobs on campus include helping to teach classes in the Japanese program as well as working with students who need additional help. When time allows, she attends Japanese club as well. “I enjoy being able to show students at Mount the cultural difference between America and Japan and teach them about my home country,” said Sudo. 

Japanese Visiting Assistant Professor, Noriko Okura with Kasumi Sudo at a Sample the World event held on campus

Lam is the teaching assistant with the French program. She is from the University of Pau in France and is studying to become a French teacher. Lam teaches courses in basic and conversational French. She also helps lead review sessions for students in the French program. “My favorite part about working at Mount Union is learning more about the culture through students while sharing my own culture and experiences,” said Lam. 

Amandine Lam with Assistant Professor in French, Bertrand Landry at a Sample the World event held on campus

Campos is a student from the University of Basque Country in Spain. She works with the Spanish program by assisting with conversation classes, basic Spanish classes and tutoring. Campos enjoys being able to teach the students about Spain and its culture. “The culture differences in America were shocking to me while on campus but I enjoyed the intimacy of a small school like Mount Union,” said Campos.

Professor of Spanish, Gregg Courtad with Ana Campos at a Sample the World event held on campus

Hinrichs is a teaching assistant from Leuphana University in German. She works in the German program by teaching classes and working with students. Hinrichs enjoys being able to help students and gaining a personal relationship with them. “The international dinner in the fall was one of my favorite Mount experiences because everyone was able to learn more about different cultures," said Hinrichs.

Professor of German, Mark Himmelein with Hinrichs at a Sample the World event held on campus

Overall, the four teaching assistants enjoyed their time spent on campus over the past academic year. They all agree that they learned a great deal from students on campus while sharing their own experiences from their home countries. Learn more about the Department of World Languages at mountunion.edu/department-of-world-languages-and-cultures.