Major: Global Studies
Minor: Anthropology
Hometown: Ebeye, Marshall Island
Year: Third Year
Favorite book and why:
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. This book is so beautifully written. Madeline Miller does an excellent job of painting her characters as well as the settings in the book into something so striking (if it were as I imagined it). Her descriptive narration harbored wild but very vivid imagery that I appreciated. Furthermore, it's a far exaggerated story of Achilles (a Greek character in old Greek Mythology). It takes away the over masculine story of Achilles and romanticize his life rather than share the gory, war stories in his life. I'm a sucker for a good love story, and the love story in this novel is far from traditional—it's a story of two little boys who fall in love and end up having to face the issues of the world as well as the wishes of the Gods. It's infuriating but still so captivating. Definitely a 10/10!
Favorite movie and why: Lion King (the very first cartoon)
Lion King is such a nostalgic movie. I always loved watching it growing up. We don't have access to streaming apps at home and I remember when I first saw it, I immediately fell in love with it. I wanted it in on a hard disc so bad, but I couldn't get my hands on it for a very long time. I just remembered being in awe with the animation, characters, and don't even get me started on the music. I love everything about Lion King, there is not really any other explanation besides the fact that I just simply like it.
Why Global Studies and Anthropology?
When I was looking at colleges in high school. I knew that I wanted to study culture, people, societies, and interactions between different communities. I didn't know much about Global Studies until my high school counselor told me about it and to be honest, I just went with whatever she said. As I progressed through my years in college, I found a new love and appreciation for Anthropology, so I declared my minor in it. I love what I do and I'm glad I chose to do them when I did!
I have enjoyed a LOT of the classes I've taken. My favorite has to be the one I took last semester with Dr. Emira and Dr. Marin, ANTH292. This course was a 4-week course. I got the opportunity to work with university students from Japan (specifically from Saitama University). This class allowed me to gain new perspectives on the world of art in textiles and quilting. We learned so much and got the chance to do so in our very own International Quilt Museum over at East Campus! I also am very much grateful I took this course as it allowed me to connect with other students from a different community. It was very cool to learn about their culture and share some of ours. This class has a very special place in my heart will definitely be one that'd be hard to forget.
Extracurricular Experiences:
I'm not from the US so my parents like to joke that UNL is my "study abroad." I would love to study abroad, but I have found a great opportunity to work at the International Quilt Museum with Ms. Lindy Clausen! It's in the works for this summer, hopefully. As I said before, I loved my time at the International Quilt Museum so I was adamant on getting another chance to be over there and a summer internship is very fitting!
What are your post-graduation plans?
I want to get into a master's program. I'm not sure yet where, but I am looking at a few and hoping to start the process of selection and application soon. I want to get a Master's in Applied Sciences or Applied Anthropology. I want to continue my studies in either field, I just haven't made up my mind yet. After that I am planning to go back to the Republic of the Marshall Islands (where I'm from) to work and give back to my community!
