Name: Peter Oster
Majors: Global Studies; Political Science; History
Minors: National Security Studies; Russian
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Year at UNL: Senior
Why Global Studies?
I chose Global Studies because of my desire to learn about and understand cultures different than my own, as well as my interest in foreign affairs and international politics. I hope to combine these interests in a future career. My favorite classes at UNL have been those on national security - "Writing and Briefing for the National Security Enterprise" (NSST 375), for example, is by far the most useful course I have taken in college. As a suggestion for new Global Studies majors, I encourage you to not only pursue and study what interests you, but also things that you are unfamiliar with or would not otherwise study. It is important to gain new perspectives.
Tell us about your study abroad/internship experience:
I studied abroad twice in Russia on Russian language programs, the first time in Kazan and the second time in Nizhny Novgorod. Both trips were amazing and did much to improve my Russian language skills. I also interned this spring at the National Security Archive in Washington, DC, where I assisted in research on WMD counter-proliferation efforts in Kazakhstan after the fall of the Soviet Union. This reinforced my interest in National Security Studies and proved to be one of the most important experiences of my academic career.
What are your post-graduation plans?:
After graduation I want to work or intern abroad and later apply for graduate school in or around Washington, DC. Ultimately I want to work in the government on foreign policy issues.