Year: Junior, rising Senior
Major: German
Minor: Cultural Anthropology and International & Global Studies double minor
How did you decide on your major?
My mom was a German major at Rutgers as well and I saw the joy and fulfillment she got out of it. So when I found that I also had a love for the language in high school, I continued my German studies in college and fell in love even more! I considered other majors during Freshman year, but I always kept coming back to German. Being a German major just seemed like the right fit for me.
What is it about your chosen field (and the department) that appeals to you?
I really enjoy the closeness of the German department. Since we are not one of the larger departments at Rutgers, I have gotten to know most of the professors, been able to have classes with some of the same students repeatedly (who I would consider friends as a result!), and can always find someone within the department to reach out to if I need help with anything. I like how it feels so personal, like a home-base within the mass of Rutgers.
Do you have a favorite class/professor within your major?
I have enjoyed all of my German professors, but I’ve taken the most classes with Professor Behrmann so we work quite well together, and I really like to crack jokes with Professor Levine. My favorite classes I’ve taken within the German program have been Fairytales with Professor Helfer and Avant-Garde with Professor Behrmann.
What are your favorite academic experiences outside of your major?
I really enjoy being a part of the Douglass Residential College! I have made so many friends within Douglass and have gotten to experience events like plenaries, the Yule Log, self-improvement programs, and crafting sessions. It’s nice being in a group of women with such a diverse range of interests from STEM to the arts and everything in between.
What are your other Rutgers activities?
My other Rutgers activities include being the president of the Rutgers German Club which I have a lot of fun doing, and being a DJ and the world music director for the Rutgers radio station 90.3 the Core. I like being able to combine my passions for language and music into one! I also am Vice President of the Douglass Book Nook, a book club that I co-founded with a friend which focuses on modern feminist YA fiction.
What are your plans following graduation?
Using what I have learned in studying the German language, I would like to go to Ireland to study the Irish language and work with language revitalization efforts there!
