For Lauren Burger, language is not just a tool—it is a calling. As a senior set to graduate in May with a double major in French and Spanish, Lauren has spent her college years proving that multilingualism is not a niche talent but a vital, humanizing force—one capable of bridging communities, amplifying unheard voices, and reshaping what it means to serve others. Her story is one of courage, persistence, and wholehearted belief in the world-changing power of words—not just the ones we understand but especially the ones we strive to learn.
To Lauren, language is more than vocabulary and grammar—it is a means of connection, empathy, and belonging. Her passion for celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity has not only shaped her academic path, but also fueled her leadership, service, and career ambitions.
At the heart of her campus involvement is the Francophone Student Association (FSA), where she currently serves as President. Under her leadership, the group has become more than just a student organization—it is a vibrant, welcoming space where students from all backgrounds and fluency levels come together to share in the beauty of the French language and culture. She leads with warmth and a clear sense of purpose: “I want people to feel like language belongs to everyone, regardless of where they are starting from,” Lauren says.
As for the initiatives Burger has marched, Weekly Pause Café events give students a chance to speak French in a relaxed, friendly environment. From vocabulary-building sessions to cultural activities like handing out tulips for International Women’s Day, FSA thrives on community and joy. “It is not about being fluent,” Lauren explains. “It is about finding a connection. That is where the motivation to learn really comes from.”
She brings that same philosophy to her work as a National Student Exchange Ambassador, where she helps fellow students access immersive international experiences. She speaks from personal understanding: Lauren studied abroad in both Quebec and Costa Rica, where she encountered language barriers, culture shock, and moments of profound growth.
In Quebec, she was met with a heavy snowstorm and the complexities of the Québécois dialect. In Costa Rica, she began her journey while sick and disoriented. Yet, both experiences gave her something irreplaceable: perspective. “It was really hard, but it was awesome,” she reflects. “I realized how isolating it can be to not speak the dominant language and how much it matters when someone meets you halfway.”
Lauren’s connection to the Honors College has also played a defining role in her academic journey, pushing her to take her learning beyond the classroom. Her very first honors contract, completed in a creative writing class, marked a turning point: she translated a short story from French to English, sparking what would become a deep interest in translation. “It was the first time I had ever done something like that,” she recalls.
That realization became even more powerful when Lauren brought her skills into the real world as a Spanish-English interpreter at the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. What began as an internship for honors credits turned into one of the most meaningful roles of her college career. In this position, Lauren helps non-English speakers as they navigate complex and often intimidating legal systems.
“My roommate, who is in law school and worked in the Prosecutor’s Office, kept telling me how badly they needed interpreters,” Lauren recalls. “And I thought—if I can help, I should.” Her work involves high-pressure moments, rapid translation, and intense emotional focus. But Lauren sees the job as more than a technical challenge. It is a human one.
These moments, she says, remind her why she chose to follow her passion for languages—even when others warned her against it. “People told me not to major in languages because it would not be practical,” she laughs. “But I could not give it up. I love languages. And now I see every day just how much they matter.”
Lauren’s passion for advocacy and service runs deep. She is a current member of the Undocumented Youth Alliance and has conducted outreach to local high schools to talk about world languages—especially for students who might not otherwise consider them. Her goal is always to make language feel less intimidating and more empowering. “Even if you only know a few words, it means something to the person you are speaking to. It tells them: you matter.”
After graduation, Lauren plans to take a gap year that she will use to apply for law school. Her long-term goal is to continue working at the intersection of language and justice, whether through legal interpreting or as a trilingual lawyer advocating for underrepresented communities. Despite her global interests, she is determined to stay rooted in the United States. “I want to learn more about my community here,” she says. “There are so many people who need help navigating systems, who need someone who speaks their language. I want to be that person.”
Lauren also dreams of expanding her linguistic repertoire beyond French and Spanish. On her list are Brazilian Portuguese, Arabic, and Haitian Creole languages—further proof of her lifelong commitment to cultural connection.
To anyone hesitant about learning a new language, Lauren offers gentle but powerful advice: “Whatever hesitations or fears you have—do not worry at all. Learning a new language is such an amazing opportunity, and you do not have to be an expert from day one. Even if it is learning one little word, that is okay. The fact that you are interested and that you care is what is important.”
That is Lauren’s legacy. Through every role she has held, every person she has supported, and every bridge she has built, she has shown that language is not just a skill—it is a force for empathy, justice, and human connection. Her story reminds us that every word we learn brings us closer to understanding one another—and that sometimes, just trying to speak someone else’s language can be the most powerful act of all.
