Idaho State University Languages Program

📖 Looking for your next great read? 📚
We highly recommend "La península de las casas vacías" (2024) by David Uclés, one of the most celebrated Spanish novels of recent years and recipient of numerous literary awards, including the Premio Cálamo Libro del Año and the Premio Andalucía de la Crítica. Blending historical fiction with magical realism, Uclés offers an ambitious and deeply moving reimagining of the Spanish Civil War through the story of a family whose fate intertwines with some of the most influential figures of twentieth-century Spain. Poetic, inventive, and unforgettable, this novel invites readers to reflect on memory, violence, loss, and resilience while showcasing the extraordinary possibilities of contemporary Spanish literature.

☀️ Student Spotlight: Making an Impact This Summer! ☀️
Experiential learning is a cornerstone of our M.A. in Spanish program. Since Spring 2026 and continuing through the summer, graduate student Grant Harrison has been completing an internship in collaboration with the Department of World Languages and Cultures at the University of Southern Indiana. As part of this experience, he has contributed to the organization and promotion of a Fall 2026 conference dedicated to Granada-born playwright José Moreno Arenas, developed bilingual promotional materials, conducted an interview with the playwright, and helped select works from Teatro mínimo (Pulgas dramáticas) for a staged reading. Grant has also supported programming related to Federico, en carne viva (2022), a play that explores the life and legacy of Federico García Lorca by seeking to reveal the human being behind the myth. Through these activities, he has gained valuable professional experience in academic communication, translation, event planning, and cultural programming while applying the knowledge and skills developed in the M.A. in Spanish program to real-world humanities initiatives.
Join us in celebrating his hard work and wishing him continued success!

Professor of theatre and director Kris Peterson of Brigham Young University visited the course Spanish 6676: Latin American Short Theatre on Wednesday, May 27, to talk with the Spanish MA students about her experience in directing and acting in an entirely virtual production of Cuban-American María Irene Fornés’ play Manual for a Desperate Crossing.
Full store here: https://www.isu.edu/news/2026-spring/byu-theatre-director-kris-peterson-visits-online-spanish-ma-class.html

Program Coordinator Candelaria Serrano and Professor Carmen Febles at the BYU-I Grad Fair! Talking to students about our Languages program and Spanish MA program and handing out some cool swag of course.

A few graduation memories to celebrate this milestone 🎓
Congratulations to all the graduates — you are now proud Bengal alumni!

Congrats to the Class of 2026 👏🎉 Here’s to the journey, the growth, and everything still ahead! We're proud to spotlight graduate 🌟 Jadel Acevedo. ¡Felicitaciones Jadel! We’re confident you’ll do great things wherever you go.

Meet Gregory Schwab, another Class of 2026 MA Graduate 🎓👏
Each of our grads has grown in knowledge, strength, and character, and we’re excited to see the paths they'll carve moving forward.
¡Felicidades Greg! All the best as you move on to new opportunities.

March Through the Arch reminder for those students who are coming to our ISU campus!

Each fall, new students pass through Swanson Arch, starting their ISU journey. Tomrorrow, graduates march back through, leaving as Bengal alumni. Cap and gown is encouraged but not required! Families and friends are welcome!

🎓 Let's celebrate today's featured graduate, José Moreno 🎓
¡Felicidades José! We wish you great things in your future adventures.
We are so proud of all of our graduates, they have worked hard, overcome many challenges and grown into someone truly inspiring.

Today, we celebrate our graduate, Monica Van Houten 🎉🎓 ¡Felicitaciones, Monica! Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this moment, and we couldn’t be prouder. We wish you success ahead.