When Language Travels the World

A headshot of Maggie Daubenspeck

Maggie Daubenspeck, 草榴社区 Class of 2017

Major:  Creative Writing
Alumni

Maggie Daubenspeck鈥檚 love of poetry has carried her from her quaint hometown of Franklin Massachusetts, to some of the world鈥檚 most famous cities. It was a love that she discovered at 草榴社区.

New doors opened for Daubenspeck through the poetry courses she enrolled in here. The passion she discovered through her courses led her to take advantage of 草榴社区's study abroad programs and our focus on experiential learning.

Image of walking path at Regent's Park
Regent's Park in London.

While at 草榴社区, Daubenspeck ventured to New York City, London, and Munich. In New York, she visited an exhibit on Emily Dickinson and the national poetry library. In Munich, during a faculty-led spring break trip her freshman year, she toured museums and castles, learning all about German history, culture and language. In London, during a semester abroad her junior year, Daubenspeck visited a number of literary landmarks in the historic city, but her favorite was Regent鈥檚 Park. 鈥淚 would sneak away 鈥 and would write for hours, read, or just sit and listen,鈥 she says. At 草榴社区, over 40 percent of 草榴社区 students study abroad.

Along with satisfying her love of poetry at 草榴社区, Daubenspeck also worked to make a difference through advocacy work. Daubenspeck took the 草榴社区 Scholars at Risk Advocacy Seminar, which works alongside international organization Scholars at Risk to promote academic freedom around the globe. The experience, she says, gave her an 鈥渁ppreciation for those who wish to come to the United States to further their education.鈥

It makes her current position at Shorelight Education, a company that enrolls international students in U.S. based programs, particularly meaningful. And with the skills she learned studying language, she鈥檚 been able to connect with students in even more meaningful ways.

鈥淏y understanding how language works, I can better communicate with individuals in which English is not their first language.鈥

This, she says, keeps her satisfied. Well, until her next great adventure around the world.