Major/Minor: Global Studies Major, Communication Minor, Religious
Studies Minor
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
Year at UNL: Junior
Why Global Studies?
I have always been interested in travel, the global community and experiencing and understanding different cultures, and when I heard about the Global Studies major, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. I love that I can take classes within a number of different departments and focuses, but I still have the ability to personalize my major by choosing a focus in one specific area through the regional and cultural specializations.
What are some of the best/most interesting classes you’ve taken?
For me, the most interesting classes are culture related classes. I especially like anthropology classes because they go in depth into how people participate in cultures, but I also like international relations courses that focus more broadly on how different states interact with each other and how culture can impact the decisions they make. For the same reasons I like my Spanish class, because it is like a completely new take on understanding Spanish speaking cultures and how they interact.
My suggestion for new Global Studies majors is to choose classes based on what you like. Global Studies is a great program because it gives you the opportunity to take a variety of classes and really explore a large number of subjects, and you should definitely take full advantage of that.
Tell us about your study abroad/internship experience.
Last summer I spent five weeks in Cusco, Peru where I took classes through ISA and their Language, Literature and Culture program. I took classes on the history of the Inca civilization, and the peoples and cultures of Peru. I was there during two of the biggest traditional festivals of the year, Corpus Christi and Inti Raymi, and so I was able to really experience some of the cultural aspects that we were talking about in class. Taking classes about the culture while I was living in it was unlike any other classroom experience I have had, and it was very rewarding.
With my program, I also went on a few different excursions. I went to the Sacred Valley, Puno, Lake Titicaca, and Machu Picchu. While at Machu Picchu, I also had the opportunity to hike up to the top of Huaynapicchu, which is the taller mountain in the background of the typical Machu Picchu pictures. The hike was somewhat ridiculous, with steep drop offs of the stairs, and points that were more like literal rock climbing than a hike, but the view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding valley from the top was definitely worth it.
Aside from excursions, my every day schedule consisted of going to classes, going to the mall, exploring traditional markets around the Plaza de Armas, and spending time with some of my Peruvian friends I met through my program. Some of the most interesting things I did were “learning” (I’m still not very good) how to salsa, eating cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca.
What are you post-graduation plans?
For after graduation, I am looking into a number of different international programs, including master’s programs in Spain, the Peace Corps, and the JET program. After that, I am thinking about going to law school. I am interested in international and human rights law and the different ways I could use law to further my international experiences and find ways to help those in communities around the world.