MLL Senior Helps Raise Heart Health Awareness in Argentina

Cal Poly Modern Languages and Literatures (MLL) senior Daniel Brosnahan has already been to Argentina and back, helping to raise awareness for heart health in connection with Corazonada, an international branch of the British-based organization Arrhythmia Alliance. 

Brosnahan spent six weeks this summer in Buenos Aires, Argentina, working to not only build awareness of the nonprofit but also to teach locals how to help themselves and others suffering from cardiac arrest or related diseases.

“The organization is run by a cardiologist (and) it’s all about educating the public on what they can do to improve their heart health,” Brosnahan said.

His interest in the medical aspects of the position contributed to his decision to participate in the internship. As an EMT with ambitions to become a firefighter or paramedic, his time in Latin America could only prove beneficial. Brosnahan also wanted to improve his Spanish-speaking skills. 

“I’ve always wanted to travel abroad; but I didn’t know if I wanted to study abroad so much as just be abroad. So I thought an internship would be a good medium,” Brosnahan said.

Brosnahan notes that his time as an MLL major fueled and informed the decisions he made upon arriving in Argentina. The MLL program at Cal Poly requires that students emerge from their undergraduate careers proficient in two languages besides English, with the choice of a third language as an elective. Not only do students develop beneficial linguistic skills but also awareness of issues permeating the international and cultural landscapes. 

“I like the versatility of the program,” Brosnahan said. “I feel like MLL allows you to have life skills in three languages.” 

Brosnahan’s time in Argentina not only allowed him to develop his Spanish-speaking abilities but also enabled him to develop proficiency in navigating difficult situations using Spanish as a tool.

Brosnahan and fellow internship participants in Argentina.

“The internship made me more confident in my language abilities, but also my abilities in general. I always felt pretty comfortable speaking Spanish but going to Argentina and having to speak the language every day — at first it was really tough.” 

Brosnahan added that he believes his informal and formal Spanish conversational skills eventually improved because he was confronted with different settings in which to speak the language, each setting requiring a different tone and vocabulary. 

For example, while on internship duties, he spent his time translating various publicity materials that used medical jargon, which made translation a taxing experience. Additionally, as he adjusted to formal Spanish in the classroom and the informal vocabulary used frequently in casual settings, Brosnahan had to find a way to transition between these various environments. 

Throughout his six weeks in Buenos Aires, Brosnahan not only worked to further Corazonada’s presence at the forefront of heart health awareness but also to teach strategies to people from all age groups. 

Among his campaign projects was helping college-age students become more aware of heart health issues.

“For a couple of days we went to classes at a local college to tell people about our program and encourage them to sign up for the course,” Brosnahan said. “We also showed them how to take their pulse and explained why this was important.”

Currently, Brosnahan is learning Chinese in addition to French and Spanish. He is planning to continue working with Corazonada if possible.

MLL has given Brosnahan the luxury of versatility and the competence to communicate with different cultures in their own terms. Through his education in the department he has also developed awareness of global issues. 

“Languages prepare you for different things in different fields,” Brosnahan said.

Putting these assets to good use, Brosnahan is considering several options for his future after graduating in June, including work as firefighter/paramedic or a career in business.

Regardless of the route Brosnahan chooses to take, though, he is confident that the MLL program prepared him to interact with the world in a sensitive, responsible manner.