Name: Sarah Parkin
Major: Global Studies and Journalism double major Minor in Political Science
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Year at UNL: Junior, but I’ll be graduating early in December
Favorite book and why:
Life of Pi for sure! During the time I first read it, I was struggling with my identity and preparing to transition to college life and being an adult. The story is centralized on the basis of humanity and the irony of fighting other cultures and religions when we are essentially all humans looking for the same fulfillments of life. Basically, it taught me not to care what others think and do what makes me happy!
Favorite movie and why:
My favorite movie is The Lion King. I spend all day reading news and academic pieces, so my TV and movie choices tend to align with elementary schoolers.
Why Global Studies?
I started out as just a journalism major, but quickly realized I love world news, not local. I wanted to understand why things happened and to do that, I needed a major that introduced me to world history and philosophy I never would have learned in high school. For example, I knew from the news that there is a huge conflict in Syria, but studying Global Studies taught me why there is a conflict and how it affects not only Syrians, but everyone on the globe.
Through this major, I was able to easily take classes in Spain and learn about interesting things such as the view of the European Union from a member state and the Islamic influence on Spanish history. These are experiences I would not have gotten through other majors that don’t offer flexible learning paths. For new Global Studies majors, I recommend you study abroad as long as you can. I know a year or even a semester seems scary, but everyone I met who did a short program over the summer wished they could’ve stayed longer. Who else gets to say they casually LIVED in another country. Don’t just visit, make a life while you’re there!
Education Abroad:
In the spring of 2018, I spent the semester in Granada, Spain. I studied the Spanish language, Spanish history and European politics. I was able to visit ten countries during my time abroad and still managed to come home with at least $14 in my bank account. I made not only Spanish friends and a family within my host mother, but I also became extremely close to other students who studied abroad with me. I now have friendships all across the U.S. and Europe!
I would highly recommend Granada to anyone who wants to study in Spain. Everything (including the program) is much cheaper in southern Spain and you are exposed to a more unique Spanish culture. As they’ll tell you in Granada, you could go to the beach and the mountains in one day. How much more could you ask for? I also loved that people in Granada don’t try to speak English to you if you look American, because they typically don’t know it or don’t care. They expected me to understand Spanish, which is exactly what I wanted in order to develop my language skills and adaptability.
Post-Graduation Plans:
After graduation, I plan on taking a gap year to travel and gain life/work experience before applying for graduate schools. I hope to study human rights and one day work abroad or within the United States and report on human rights abuses.