Name: DJ Bergo
Instagram handle: @djbergo
Major: Global Studies, Minors: Business Administration, Economics
Hometown: Lincoln
Year at UNL: Senior
Favorite book and why:
Probably The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, it’s a classic story that’s always a good read and provides some valuable life lessons.
Favorite movie and why:
This is a tough one, but pretty much any movie directed by Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, or Denis Villeneuve.
Why Global Studies?
I came into college as an international business major and stayed in that program until the end of my sophomore year. After returning an internship abroad in the summer following that year, I changed my major to Global Studies as I wanted something more interdisciplinary that would allow me to focus on learning about what I was truly interested in. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Global Studies major and I think it is the perfect fit for my interests. Some of my favorite courses over the past two years have been Conflict and Development in Africa, with Dr. Kang, Environmental Sociology, with Dr. Shrestha, and of course, POLS 160 (International Relations) with Dr. McMahon. I strongly recommend taking any of those courses if they spark your interest. Another reason that I chose Global Studies, was because of the ability to specialize in specific themes and regions and ‘customize’ your education to fit yourself. I chose to specialize in global development and natural resources/environmental studies, with a regional focus on Africa and the Middle East, and my knowledge of these topics has increased exponentially. I think this major is a good fit for anyone that is curious to study or learn more about international relations, humanitarian/environmental issues, international organizations and NGOs, or how politics and decision-making processes take place on a global scale.
Extracurricular Experiences:
Outside of my studies, I have been involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities throughout my undergraduate career. In the summer after my freshman year, I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, through a program in the college of business. During my sophomore year, I was able to join volunteers from MEDLIFE on a service trip to Lima, Peru, where we spent 10 days providing healthcare services, setting up mobile clinics, and working on development projects in the slums of the city. This was an incredible experience, and after completing work in Lima, I set off on the Salkantay Trek, a 5-day hike through the Peruvian Andes that ends at Machu Picchu. Then, in the summer following my sophomore year, I secured an internship in Switzerland at the 2019 Caux Forum, a global summit that focuses on creating solutions to pressing global issues. This internship was probably my most life-changing experience to date, and it was a time where I learned firsthand about important humanitarian and environmental issues and met individuals actively working on solving them from all around the world. As for my senior year, I’ve been working on my undergraduate thesis regarding the effects of environmental changes on migration and urbanization in Bangladesh. I’m also involved in the Yeutter Student Fellows program, a cohort of students focused on addressing international trade topics, and I teach English to foreign members of the Lincoln community through Lincoln Literacy.
Post-Graduation Plans:
Regarding my post-graduation plans, I am applying for a Fulbright ETA in Indonesia, and a fellowship with the American-India Foundation. Depending on my acceptance to either of these programs, I will spend a year working in Indonesia or India, and then pursue a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development or International Relations to prepare myself for a career in the field of international development.