Amy Zink loves everything Spanish. Not only does she teach many classes at IU Southeast, but she is actively involved with the local Hispanics in New Albany.

Zink teaches beginning and intermediate levels of Spanish, advanced grammar, conversation and composition.

As one of three advisers in the Department of Spanish, she helps students pick and prepare for classes in the next semester, and encourages them to study abroad.

“Studying abroad is an experience everyone should have,” Zink said. “I would highly recommend it.”

Alicia Allan, psychology senior, said as an adviser Zink was very helpful in getting her through her required Spanish classes.

“When the times for classes didn’t go with my schedule, she did an independent study with me,” Allan said. “We met everyday for an hour during the summer so I could pass. I absolutely love her, she is a wonderful person.”

Zink says her favorite Spanish class to teach is S-200, because, as a more advanced class, students are already familiar with the language when they take it.

“It’s a fun class because students are speaking the language well, and we get to get into the culture,” Zink said. “We do a lot of readings, as well as just communicating well in Spanish.”

Along with her duties here on campus, Zink also volunteers as the head of a language group that meets at the New Albany-Floyd County Library. It is a free program designed to bring Spanish students and local Hispanics together so they can learn from each other.

“It’s a great program because everyone who attends is both student and teacher,” Zink said. “The local Hispanics are struggling with their English, so students can help them while also learning Spanish from the Hispanics. It’s great conversation practice.”

Zink said the idea started with former IUS faculty member Marie Cogswell.

Cogswell knew there were similar programs in Mexico and said she thought it would be a neat idea to implement one locally.

The program, Intercambio, started in 2002 and has been off and on ever since. Each session lasts 6 to 8 weeks.

Zink, who has been teaching at IU Southeast since 1995, said although she had taken Spanish classes in high school, her love of Spanish really started during a summer trip to Argentina while she was in college.

“My sister was living in Argentina, so I went down there and stayed with her for the whole summer,” Zink said. “I was lucky in the fact that I had someone to show me around and tell me what to do and not do there. It is a beautiful place and culture.”

She also said there are some cultural differences between the United States and Argentina. One is their priorities.

“The people there are very community and family oriented,” Zink said.

“They make family a priority. Businesses and schools close around 1 p.m. and everyone goes home to eat a big lunch and spend time together. After a few hours, they go back.”

Another difference is that the people in the Spanish culture love the arts.

Most know poetry and literature, and like to discuss it.

Also, Zink says life is simpler in Argentina because most people don’t have many material things.

“I came back learning I was a little spoiled here in the States,” Zink said. ”We have so much here that many countries don’t have.”

Zink is hoping the Intercambio will help bring these two cultures together, as well as create a positive learning atmosphere.

For those thinking about making Spanish their major, Zink said there is great need for bilingual people in a lot of fields.

By LINDSAY VEITZ
Staff Writer
lkveitz@ius.edu