When Camila Dominguez talks about language, her eyes light up.
For as long as she can remember, language has been the center of her identity and culture. But now, it’s an opportunity to connect with others.
That’s why Dominguez left her home in Mexico City for Indiana State University as a Language Studies major with minors in international studies and English as a Second Language. She saw her educational journey as an opportunity to learn different languages (five and counting!) but also to make a difference.
Now in her senior year, Dominguez has turned her lifelong passion into a clear purpose. “I like languages so much that I don’t feel like I’m studying a degree,” she says. “I’m doing my hobby every day.”
Dominguez’s journey to Indiana State began when her older sister, Victoria, came to Terre Haute as a psychology major. Following in her sister’s footsteps made the transition easier – but she still had to adjust to life in a new country. This meant navigating unfamiliar places and learning everyday American slang. “My sister kind of paved the way for me,” she says. “Every time I had a question, I would ask her, ‘So, what do I do?’”
In the classroom, Dominguez has immersed herself in linguistic coursework while studying French, Spanish, and Korean. She’s fascinated by how language works in the brain. Small class sizes help her build close relationships with professors in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, and they have become mentors. They guide her academically and introduce her to new career possibilities.
“Some of my classes have 10 students. You really get to connect with your professors, and they get to know you better,” she says. “My professors have changed my life in ways they may not realize. I have a big place in my heart for all of my professors.”
One of those transformative opportunities took her far beyond the classroom. Last summer, Dominguez deepened her language skills during a study-abroad experience in South Korea. While there, she took Korean-language courses, explored Korean culture, and enrolled in a fan dance class. The experience broadened her worldview, reaffirming her love of learning.
“The experience made me see how much I love school and education,” she shares. “It made me see how much I like and appreciate the Korean language. Everybody should study abroad because it’s a life-changing experience.”
Back on campus, a semester teaching English to a young multicultural learner reshaped Dominguez’s future. Initially drawn to international relations, she soon discovered a passion for education. “I really like teaching. It made me rethink what I want to do,” she says. Seeing the need for ESL educators has pointed her in a new career direction. “I could be a translator or an ESL teacher. I’m still figuring it out, but I feel how needed I could be in that field.”
She is already pursuing more ways to inspire today’s youth.
This summer, Dominguez is in Vicenza, Italy, with the Rocket Kids program, an internship supported by the U.S. Army. Stationed on a military base, she’s working with toddlers and young children from military families, leading fun activities in a camp-like environment.
The experience further reflects Dominguez’s passion for education and cultural connection. “I’m so excited! It’s going to be fun to travel to another country and experience the culture there while also working with these young kids,” she comments.
Outside the classroom, Dominguez makes the most of every opportunity Indiana State offers. She works in the Center for Education Abroad, Residential Life, and the Student Recreation Center as a swim instructor while also serving as a College of Arts and Sciences student ambassador and staying active in the Honors College. She’s also involved in student organizations, including the Hispanic Latino Alliance and Chi Omega Fraternity.
A lifelong dancer, Dominguez has expanded that passion with a dance minor and performances in the Department of Theater’s annual dance show—including a self-choreographed salsa piece this year that highlighted her creativity and cultural roots.
“Indiana State puts the opportunities on the table for you, and you have to go get them,” she says. “That’s why I’m so involved and why I’ve had such an amazing experience, because I’ve put myself out there to get those opportunities. The organizations are great. There are spaces for everyone. It’s just a matter of whether you take it or not, and I’ve taken all of it.”
From Mexico City to Terre Haute to nations far from North America, Dominguez has built a college experience defined by curiosity and connection. She has learned what it means to go ALL IN on a college journey elevated by her willingness to say yes to new opportunities. Wherever her path leads—to a classroom, a global organization, or somewhere else—she is ready for that adventure.