Maya Smith
Graduate Student, Romance Languages and Literatures

studying RLL with a focus in linguistics, i get the opportunity to explore the depths of the university and all its departments. academically, i have many interests including sociolinguistics. my dissertation topic, which I will start in the fall, will look at how identity influences second language learning for senegalese immigrants in france and italy. outside of the academic sphere i mainly focus on my artwork and hope to establish myself in the bay area as well as continue my work in new york and paris.

at the moment i am taking the semester off to travel around southeast asia and eastern/southern africa. you can keep up with my travels at www.bigbang2009.blogspot.com. you can also read about my former adventures at www.mayainbrazil.com, www.mayainsenegal.com, and www.mayainmexico.com.