Welcome back SPPO Club!

 

This semester has brought with it the wonderful return on the SPPO Club. This club, geared towards students who have a passion for Spanish and Portuguese and want to get involved in their community. The members of the club have been very busy so far this semester creating events to get students practicing and becoming more comfortable with their Spanish and Portuguese conversational skills (using events such as a movie night, a game night, and weekly conversation tables) as well as becoming involved in outreach events in the greater Columbus area.

 

On September 29th, the SPPO Club held the first of their weekly conversation tables where students are encouraged to discuss a variety of topics in Spanish and Portuguese. The conversation tables are student-led (with some assistance from a moderator or faculty/staff member if needed to keep in conversations flowing) and designed to further the student’s confidence and fluency in the Spanish and Portuguese languages. The SPPO Club also implemented its first game night this past month in the Ohio Union where students relaxed, had fun, and practiced their Spanish and Portuguese skills by playing Catchphrase and Scrabble. On November 3rd, they celebrated el Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) with traditional Mexican snacks, crafts, and Spanish music.

 

In October, the  SPPO Club hosted a study abroad panel, where students had the chance to hear about the experiences and ask advice from fellow students who had previously studied abroad. That same month, the club also hosted a talk with Evan Davis before he presented to a larger audience. During this private chat, the members had the opportunity to gain some valuable insight about his path to becoming a Foreign Service Officer. 

 

The club has been coordinating with Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Columbus Public Library for outreach opportunities. The SPPO Club will have the chance to participate in the Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Reach Out To Read program where volunteers will read Spanish language books to children in the hospital as they wait for their medical appointments. They also have the opportunity to work in the Homework Help Center with the Columbus Public Library where the volunteers will act as positive role models and inspiration for young children to aspire to attend college.

 

The SPPO Club is currently solidifying their already impressive events schedule and hosting weekly conversation tables in Hagerty Hall. We look forward to the Club’s continued growth and success. If you have any questions about joining, please contact Lizzie Pilsner, Club President.