Louise Amey at the summit of Cerro Bravo in Colombia, where she camped overnight more than 2,500 metres above sea level as part of her time studying in Medellín.
Louise graduated with a Bachelor of Business Studies and a Diploma in Arts in 2013. She first enrolled in a Spanish elective while studying in Palmerston North, seeing it as an opportunity to pursue something she had always wanted to do.
"I had dreamt of learning Spanish since I was a teenager, but it was one of those dreams I thought was whimsical, and I was also worried it would be hard," she says.
"When I was studying at Massey I had space for some elective papers and decided that it would be a great opportunity to give Spanish a try."
Alongside her Spanish studies, Louise majored in human resources, completing her degree through a mix of distance and on-campus study. One of the highlights of her time at Massey was seeing industrial relations brought to life.
Louise says attending a closed Meat Workers Union meeting during a strike left a lasting impression.
"It was very valuable to see industrial relations in action as part of my degree."
After graduating, Louise worked full-time in human resources, but continued studying Spanish through Massey for enjoyment. That decision would soon lead to an unexpected opportunity.
When the inaugural Prime Minister's Scholarship for Latin America was announced, Louise successfully applied and travelled to Medellín, Colombia, where she spent five months studying Spanish at EAFIT University.
The scholarship covered her fees, flights and living costs, allowing her to immerse herself in the language and culture.
Louise says the experience extended well beyond the classroom.
"The classes were excellent and the class sizes were very small, which gave me the chance to improve my Spanish a lot in a short space of time. It was full immersion and we also did a number of field trips to local art galleries, museums and people's homes to learn about the culture and history of the region."
Outside of study, she joined hiking and outdoor clubs, camped overnight on a mountain more than 2,500 metres above sea level and went paragliding in rural Antioquia.
She says Colombia challenged many of her preconceptions.
"Colombia is an amazing country because it is full of variety. You've got the Caribbean, the Andes, the Amazon and the Pacific coastline all in one country. The music, food and culture vary throughout the country.
"One thing that surprised me was how modern parts of it were. The university I studied at was particularly modern, with an amazing library. I also remember being impressed with the recycling systems they had, which encouraged as little waste as possible."
Living in Colombia also gave Louise a deeper understanding of the country's recent history and the resilience of its people.
Louise exploring Belmira in Colombia's Antioquia province, where she visited the unique Páramo de Belmira ecosystem during her five-month scholarship.
She recalls one impactful conversation that left a lasting impression on her.
"I remember meeting someone who told me, 'Even though we are the same age, I have lived a lot more than you’. I think what they meant was that because of the violence and unrest in Colombia when they were young, they had to grow up a lot quicker than I had."
Louise says the foundations she built through studying Spanish at Massey made the experience possible.
"Without studying Spanish at Massey, I definitely wouldn't have received the scholarship. It was fortuitous that I followed my passion and it took me far, literally. My Spanish studies gave me the foundation and understanding to build from during my time in Latin America."
The experience also created unexpected professional opportunities. After returning to Aotearoa New Zealand, Louise worked in human resources at Parliament, where she took on the additional role of Secretary to the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Latin America and the Caribbean, facilitating meetings between Members of Parliament and Latin American ambassadors.
Spanish remains an important part of her life as she keeps in touch with friends across Latin America and continues reading and watching content in Spanish.
Looking back, Louise says taking that one elective paper was one of the best decisions she made.
She encourages anyone considering learning a language to take the leap.
"You'll never know until you try. If you enjoy it, it could lead you to places you never thought possible!"
Keen to boost your career prospects while learning about a new culture? Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Spanish) will help you stand out in the international job market.
Related news
¡Hola! Celebrating Spanish at Massey on International Spanish Language Day
International Spanish Language Day is celebrated at Massey this year with special significance, marking 30 years of Spanish language teaching and cultural connection at the university.
Visionary Māori visual arts programme celebrates 30 years
Toioho ki Āpiti – Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts, a pioneering programme that has shaped generations of Māori artists and advanced Indigenous-led arts education, celebrated its 30th anniversary last week at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University.
High school and university students receive Massey’s Spanish literary awards
Two high school students and one university student have received awards in the 2024 Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University National Spanish Literary Contest, in the categories of short fiction and poetry.
