Name: Megan Dailey
Major/Minor: English and Global Studies Majors with a French Minor
Year at UNL: Junior
Favorite book and why: One of my favorite books is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. This book was on the reading list for my Children’s Literature class at UNL my freshman year, and I fell in love with Alexie’s writing style immediately. The book is autobiographical, flips stereotypes on their head, and infuses humor into every page.
Favorite movie and why: My most recent favorite movie is Dare to be Wild. It is a biographical retelling of Mary Reynolds, the youngest (and first Irish) winner of the Chelsea Flower Show. Her views on nature inspire me, and she stayed true to her convictions first laid out in her Chelsea Competition Application: “People travel the world over to visit untouched places of natural beauty, yet modern gardens pay little heed to the simplicity and beauty of these environments… those special places we must preserve and protect, each in his own way, before they are lost forever.”
Why Global Studies?
I came into college as an English major, because I love writing and want to be a published author. I added Global studies, because it expands my writing by showing me multiple angles, perspectives, and flavors of similar yet diverse people all over the world. I love studying French as well, because studying another language helps me better understand my mother tongue while also instilling in me respect for other languages. Before I even declared as a Global Studies major, I took an introductory Global Studies course with Professor Radha Balasubramanian and loved it. My advice to beginning Global Studies majors would be to read through the descriptions of all the classes available, and pick the classes that both excites and terrifies you. Those are the classes that make you grow the most.
Education Abroad Experience:
I am currently studying at University College Cork in Cork City, Ireland. I am having the absolute time of my life taking classes including Introduction to Anglo-Irish Literature; Of Monsters and Men: Old & Early English Literature; Aspects of Irish Folklore; and Exploring Material Culture and Folklore. I love the experience of being in another country whether it’s walking to City Center for groceries every day or listening to Trad music in local pubs. I love speaking with fellow international students, because I am not only learning about Irish culture. My fellow international students teach me daily about their home countries in China, Lithuania, Egypt, Italy, Germany, Holland, France, Spain, and more! I want to see as much of the country as possible while I’m here and have so far visited the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and the Ring of Kerry; I’m going to see Northern Ireland including Belfast, Galway, and Giant’s Causeway this weekend!
Post-Graduation Plans:
After college, I hope to work in editing and publishing, while writing on the side. I have a lot of interest in biographies and hope to help people capture their inspiring life stories on paper someday.