Name

Rosario Hall

School

University of Arizona

Degree Program

Fifth year PhD student in Spanish with a specialization in Hispanic Literature and Culture

Previous Degrees

Master of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature from Portland State University, 2005; Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications from the University of Veracruz

Dissertation Title

Fronteras de la Modernidad y la Posmodernidad en La ‘Flor de Lis’ y ‘Hasta no verte Jes?s m?o’

Research Interests

Latin American literature; teaching Spanish

Hobbies

Reading, playing soccer

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I chose to attend the University of Arizona for my PhD program because they were the most personal. I applied to 6 different schools and was accepted by 3 of them. The major factor in my decision was that the head of the department at the University of Arizona made an incredible effort to get to know me as a person and a scholar. He called to speak with me about my goals, and so I felt comfortable attending school there.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

The best preparation I had for graduate school was my upbringing. I grew up in Mexico, so Hispanic literature and culture has always been important to me.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in Spanish?

My first piece of advice for students is to take advantage of your education in its early stages. Your undergraduate education forms the foundation for grad school, so you should apply yourself to your studies so that you don’t have to relearn everything later. That message is very hard to convey to 18- or 20-year-olds, but it is important.

Second, a student needs to consider his or her particular reason for starting a graduate program in Spanish. If their goal is to master the language, then they should enter a study-abroad program. That will allow them to experience the culture behind the language and to hear it spoken by native speakers. It is among the best ways to learn a new culture. However, if a student’s goal is to understand Spanish literature, I recommend that they enroll in writing classes and take them seriously. You need to understand writing to truly understand literature, no matter what the culture.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

There is no specified length for a PhD program at the University of Arizona. Some people take 2 years of classes and begin to write their dissertation, while others take longer. It depends on each individual and on the availability of the required classes and professors.

I have taken a variety of classes aimed at helping me to understand the literature of many different Latin American and European cultures throughout my PhD in Spanish program. For example, we learn about Spanish literature and the variations of the language as it relates to countries like Mexico, Spain, and Portugal, and Central and South America.

What is the focus of your dissertation research?

The focus of my dissertation, which I will defend in Spring 2012, is an exploration of 2 novels written by a Hispanic writer named Elena Poniatowska. I am exploring the novels for examples of postmodernism within her writing. I examine issues such as the relationship between the common people and the elite as well as what it means to be a national subject of late 20th-century Mexico.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your dissertation?

The process of putting together my dissertation has been arduous. In fact, the dissertation process has been the most challenging part of my PhD program. That is because of both the enormity of my task and the pressure that I feel to complete it within a given time frame. I am only funded for a few years, and I need to find a way to use all of the knowledge that I have acquired before the money runs out.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor mentors me throughout my program. I greatly respect my advisor, and I believe that mentorship is among the most important aspects of higher education. The idea that I can serve as a mentor to my own students motivates me to be a good teacher because I know the importance of having a professor who believes in you. Close, personal interaction is critical to getting a good education.

How does a doctoral program differ from graduate study at the masters level?

It seems to me that the major difference between a masters program and a doctoral program is in the way that I need to balance my time. As a masters student, I was able to focus on writing exclusively. But as a doctoral student, there is much more to do. For example, I am so close to finishing my dissertation, but it seems like there are so many other obligations that I have to attend to as well. For instance, now that I am at the end of my education, I have to attend a job conference, teach my classes, and find time to write and research. It can be very stressful.

In addition, there are major differences between the educational approaches of different countries. I got my undergraduate education from the University of Veracruz in Mexico, where encyclopedic memorization was emphasized. But when I entered my masters program at Portland State University, I found out that analytical thinking skills were considered far more valuable. At both the master and doctorate level, critical thinking skills are very important.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your PhD program cost?

My PhD program would cost me more than $10,000 a year if I were paying for it myself.

How are you funding your education?

I consider myself very fortunate because I am funding my PhD education through a departmental scholarship. In return for my funding, I am expected to teach undergraduate classes. Doctoral students are expected to work, but we are paid to study.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a PhD in Spanish?

At this point in my PhD in Spanish program, I am finishing up my dissertation, so most of my time is dedicated to writing and searching for a job. Since I am defending my dissertation later this year, I have been spending about 10 hours per day on reading, writing and reviewing. I also make time for departmental meetings or for lunch with a colleague. The demands placed upon me by students and professors sometimes feel overwhelming, and the lifestyle of a doctoral student is not very glamorous. But I still love this lifestyle.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

The major way that graduate school has affected my personal life is that I now require a lot of moral support in order to keep my priorities balanced. You need to have a support system made up of a spouse, friends or professors to get through a doctoral program. It is important to keep academics in perspective and remember that there are other things in life than studying. When it comes down to it, a graduate program is just another form of work.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In the next 5 years, I see myself teaching and continuing to study. I don’t think that I could stop studying even if I wanted to. Although I want to teach, the academic path isn’t for everyone. I know a lot of PhD graduates who have gone into the private sector and become advisors, editors or translators.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in Spanish?

My best insight for students who are considering a doctorate degree in Spanish is not to go through with it unless they are positive that this is what they want to do. So many young people think that the only reason to go to graduate school is to increase your income, but that isn’t always the reality. It certainly isn’t the reality in literature. You should only go to graduate school if you truly love what you study.