What made you choose UNH?
I transferred to UNH in the Fall of 2021 after spending my first year at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Initially, I had planned to do my full bachelor's degree at the VU, but I was not satisfied with the curriculum. I was born and raised in NH and I had applied to UNH my senior year of high school, so when I was looking to transfer, UNH was the perfect fit.
Did you come in as undeclared or change to undeclared at any point? How did you decide on your major(s)?
I came to UNH as a history major. I was studying politics, philosophy, and economics previously at the VU and knew I wanted to try something different at UNH. I didn’t want to go in undeclared, so I chose my favorite subject from high school (history). Spring 2022, I added anthropology as a second major because I was interested in archeology, but quickly found a passion for socio-cultural anthropology. It is around this time that I also decided to return to political science and pursue a minor in the subject. In the of fall 2022, I added two additional minors, international affairs and Middle Eastern studies, and decided to focus my studies in the Middle East.
If you had to explain to someone in one or two sentences why you love your major/major department, what would you say? (if you have more than one major, please explain for both)
I love history for a simple reason: If you do not learn from the past, you are doomed to repeat it. I am passionate about helping people and I think having a strong grasp on history is the first step in changing the structural inequalities of global political systems. I love anthropology because it teaches you how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Anthropology is all about making the familiar strange and the strange familiar and that has become a very important part of my personal and academic life.
Who has been your most impactful professor and why?
The most impactful professor I’ve had was Prof. Sowers. I took her course on comparative politics of the Middle East and her knowledge of and experience living in the region is inspiring. I really learned a lot in the course and it was what ultimately inspired me to look at studying abroad in Egypt for the summer. Prof. Sowers was also incredibly helpful and encouraging throughout the application process.
What has been your favorite experience at UNH so far? Please describe why.
My favorite experience at UNH so far is probably the little moments with my roommates. I’m very close with two of my roommates, and we all met each other sophomore year as transfer students. I’m grateful that we all decided to transfer to UNH our sophomore year, otherwise I may have never met my best friends.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at UNH so far? Please explain.
It never hurts to ask. During my two years at UNH, I’ve asked a lot of questions both regarding the course curriculum and about things I was interested in learning more about (internships, traveling abroad, in major honors, etc.). Because of this I’ve come across some amazing opportunities that I would not have otherwise!
Have you participated in experiential learning, such as internships, study abroad, independent research, etc.? If so, which ones and what value did you find in those experiences? (please list all, but you can elaborate on just your favorite/most valuable one or two)
I volunteered for a German organization Aktion Sühnezeichen Friedensdienste (AcFon ReconciliaFon for Peace) in Berlin for two weeks in July 2022. Volunteers worked at a NS forced labor documentation center in Schönneweide. I interned at the Durham Historic Association for six months, doing data entry with PastPerfect software. I was a Judge William Treat Fellow in spring 2023. Under the supervision of Prof. Meiton, I undertook an independent study focusing on Palestinian nationalism. The purpose of this course was to provide me with additional background knowledge for my senior thesis. This was one of my favorite experiences at UNH because I was able to create my own course (with the help of Prof. Meiton) around a subject I was passionate about and turn that into a thesis. I studied abroad at the American University in Cairo in the Summer 2023 where I took a course in Sociology and participated in an internship with the Children of Female Prisoners Association. The internship was acquired through AUC, but was carried out independently between myself and the members of the organization. This was an amazing experience. I applied because I wanted to learn from scholars who were experts in a region I was passionate about. With study abroad (at least in my experience) you learn far more from experiences and interactions with people than you can in a classroom, and that was my main motivation for going: I wanted to live in Cairo.
Have you received scholarships or funding from COLA or UNH that has made a big difference for you; for example, enabled you to do something you wouldn’t have been able to do? Could you explain in one or two sentences that impact?
I have never received scholarships or funding from COLA or UNH!
Are you involved in any groups, clubs, or organizations? If so, which ones?
I am not apart of any groups or clubs or organizations. Unfortunately, I have a very busy schedule between school and work and I have not had the time to explore the extracurricular activities on campus (I also prefer to spend my semesters focusing on school and work). I was planning to join the Anthropology club, but unfortunately I couldn't because of my work schedule. Have you won any awards while at UNH? Please explain. I have not won any awards at UNH, but I have made the Dean's List every semester and I was included on the Dean’s Internship List for Summer 2023.
Is there anything particularly awesome about being in the College of Liberal Arts?
I like how flexible the curriculums are. I found, especially in comparison to the program I was in at the VU, that it is really easy to tailor your major to your specific interests. After taking my history capstone with Professor Meiton, I wanted to learn more about Palestinian nationalism and write my senior thesis on the subject. Because there are no courses available at UNH on the subject, Prof. Meiton agreed to do an independent study with me to support my research interests. I ran into a similar issue last semester: I wanted to take an anthropology in the Middle East course but the only available course was full. I emailed Prof. Peshkova and together we designed a reading and research course with a focus on anthropology in Israel and Palestine to help support my senior thesis. The Professors in COLA are very kind and clearly have a passion for teaching, which comes through in their support of their students.
In what ways do you think (or hope) your liberal arts education has prepared you for career and professional success?
I have always been interested in working in academia. My education in liberal arts has equipped me with the skills necessary to pursue further schooling and, hopefully, conduct research. Most importantly, my time in COLA has honed my writing skills, taught me new research methods, and demonstrated that the library is a wonderful place to spend your Sunday evening reading.
What are your plans for after graduation?
Graduating in December 2023, and I am currently applying to Master's programs in the U.K. for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies with the tentative goal of pursing a Ph.D. in Anthropology. I’m always on the lookout for new experiences, so I am searching for exciting ways fill my 'gap semester,’ including working as an Au Pair in Germany to work on my German language skills.
What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
It might surprise people when they find out that I am vegetarian! I have been vegetarian for four years now.
