Why is learning a language important? Why do people need to know anything about other cultures? It is a growing industry and important to the betterment of anyone’s future. This past week at Millikin University, the Italian Club hosted an event, Carnevale. It took place in RTUC and it was a packed room. The event had an introduction to what is Carnevale. Carnevale is most similar to the American festivity Mardi Gras. The Italian holiday begins around the time of Lent, a Catholic holiday. The Italian club also shared that Carnevale is celebrated 10 days before Easter and pranks are very common during this time. There is a common saying of, “anything goes at the Carnevale.” Not only does anything go, but it is a huge party. Venice’s Carnevale celebration lasts about 2 weeks. It is like one great vacation that you get to take without giving up your personal days because it is right in your back yard.

After learning about Carnevale, it was important to get an inner look at the workings of Italian club and the reason why students back the languages here at Millikin University. Student and a prominent member of Italian club, Shalyn Welch, shares a little bit about Italian club, Carnevale, and why cultural influence are important. Welch shared, “ We put on La Festa di Carnevale because it is a very important and prominent holiday in the Italian culture. People all over Italy spend so much time and money into preparing and celebrating Carnevale, as we as Americans do with Mardi Gras. As a foreign language club, we want to share the culture and teach others the ways of a place we love—Italy! And just like any holiday here, there is always a holiday party! So why not enjoy a little Italian holiday party?” As nice as it would be to spend two weeks or more partying, there just are not enough vacation days to do so, but for Welch, there is enough time to pursue a language. Welch said, “To put it simply, I decided to pursue Italian because I love languages and culture. Communication is something all humans have the ability to expand, and I find that incredibly beautiful and romantic. I grew up bilingual, taking half of my classes in Spanish and the other in English from grade school to high school. Being fluent in two languages, I decided I wanted to learn another one! I have always loved Italy, so I chose Italian and have been hooked ever since.”

Welch could not have said it any better. Language is something that every person should take an opportunity to pursue, even if you are past the ideal developmental age to learn one because it can only help you. The world is becoming more and more diverse and more of those languages are being intertwined. With that being said, it can only help you with communication and to understand the culture better. Personally, I believe having the opportunity to learn a language is so extraordinary and to have such opportunities, such as from the language department of Millikin, it will be an option that Millikin student will always take a hold of. Many of the students at Millikin take more than the required languages for their major because they know it will be very marketable in this “need to be as marketable as you can be” world. The language department offers many opportunities to pursue a language and offer coursework that helps the understanding of the language go smoothly. Without this opportunity, many students will not be able to pursue a extra course load that will put them ahead of many other applicants in the work world and there may be misunderstanding of cultures later on in life. Learning a language will not pain you in any way, but it will be invaluable to your mind and future. Thanks to Italian Club and the language department, Millikin University and its students’ will benefit greatly from their language opportunities and their cultural events.