What brought you to UNI?

I was recruited to come to play soccer for UNI, and since the Political Science department looked good, I decided that I was going to commit.

What did you enjoy most about attending UNI?

I enjoyed my major's academic opportunities, such as participating in research conferences, attending workshops or presentations, and how willing the professors were to help me get an internship and write my research papers outside of the classroom.

How did you become interested in your major? 

I was initially a Biology major, but after taking a few social science classes simultaneously as I was going through a culture shock, my interest in political science grew. When I learned about the potential careers in social sciences, I immediately switched majors.

What were some of your favorite classes? 

This is a hard question, I have had so many good classes, but my favorite ones have been: North-South relations, Nationalism, International Law, Politics of the Global Economy, Human Rights, Power: Political Theories and Applications, and Politics and Statistics. I have so many because UNI has many quality professors who always make the classes enjoyable.

How have you been involved outside of the classroom?

I have played soccer for UNI, and I had a research internship position for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of Western Asia. I worked on projects related to women's access to technology and entrepreneurship. I have written a couple of undergraduate research articles that I presented at the Jepson Undergraduate Research Conference, the Iowa Human Rights Research Conference, and the Midwest Political Science Undergraduate Research Conference. I have also been a volunteer working for Riverview Center, working as a sexual assault advocate, and helped to assist a few events on campus that have spread awareness.

Post-graduation plans?

I am going to grad school at Stockholm University, where I will study in the International Masters Program in Political Science. After that, I hope to get into the PhD program in Political Science.

How did UNI prepare you for your post-graduation plans?

I have gotten a broad knowledge base here at UNI that will help my future academics. There are opportunities for the students who look for them; every week, we get emails about internship opportunities, research conferences, presentations, etc. Additionally, many student organizations are working with politics/debates/political issues, etc. Hence, there are multiple possibilities if one wants to fill the day with political science events.

What advice would you give to high school seniors (and/or transfer students)?

My advice is to be as engaged as possible. There are so many opportunities to be involved on campus, and it is a great way to find your passion and interests at the same time as you will be making friends.