Students and professors ate lunch, mingled with peers and discussed languages of the world Monday at Around the World with AE as part of the University’s efforts to familiarize students with different languages and cultures.

Presented by the UT Senate of College Councils, the event served as a platform for students to meet with past, present and future language professors and learn what they can do in their career with the different languages the University offers. The Academic Enrichment Committee hosted the event at the William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity Center in the North Ballroom to accommodate the dozens of students that attended. 

“This is a way to inform students about different programs here at the University, especially for students who may not be part of the College of Liberal Arts,” said Leland Murphy, committee member and government freshman. “(Students) may not be required to take a language course, but this is just a good way to learn about the language and the culture and eat free food.” 

Around the World with AE had students talk to any professor from almost any language department in short, 30-minute sessions. After a session was over, students were able to talk to another department to get an idea of what specific language they wanted to add to their degree. 

“Though you can take language classes through tutoring outside of UT, we are mainly focusing on learning in the classroom here on campus,” said Midori Tanaka, lecturer in the Department of Asian Studies. “Whenever you are deciding what language to do here, you just choose the area or region (of the world) that you care about.”

Tanaka said wherever students work in the future, it is helpful to learn a language. Several Academic Enrichment committee members said Around the World with AE

helps students who may be indecisive about what language they would like to start learning.

“(Around the World with AE) is designed to be engaging with students from all majors on campus even if students are not in liberal arts,” said Hannah Hoang, committee member and international relations and global studies freshman. “Even if you are not looking to major or learn a language at the University, this is a good place to talk and introduce yourself to new people on campus.”