Why did you choose to attend the College of Charleston?
I chose to attend the College of Charleston for a variety of reasons. First of all, the city is absolutely gorgeous. You simply can’t beat the combination of natural beauty and the beauty and history of the city itself. I also chose to attend CofC because of the strong emphasis on liberal arts education. I knew going into college that I wanted a school that would push me out of my comfort zone and help me become a well-rounded student, which I believe a liberal arts education does well. In addition, both the excellent Honors College and Anthropology Department attracted me.
What made you decide to be an anthropology major?
I decided to be an anthropology major my sophomore year of high school after taking AP World History. I absolutely loved the class and approached my teacher that year about how I could possibly study all of these different cultures in college. He then pointed me towards the anthropology major, and I’ve been smitten ever since.
How does anthropology fit into your life plan?
Ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted to be a medical doctor. And while anthropology may seem a bit out of the ordinary for someone hoping to go to medical school, it actually fits perfectly with the idea of patient-centered care. I truly believe that in order to treat patients, one must understand them first. Anthropology has taught me how to be culturally competent and understand differing perspectives from cultures all across the globe. I believe that this will greatly influence and improve my ability to communicate with patients and understand medicine and healthcare from their perspective.
What have you learned from your professors?
I think the greatest lesson I have learned is the importance of patience and perseverance. Dr. Brad Huber and I have been working on the same research project for the past three years, and while to some that may seem tedious, it has taught me how to see things through to the end and the value in working towards long-term goals.
What was your favorite anthropology class?
That has to be Anthropological Theory with Dr. Hector Qirko. While sometimes the material was a little dry (He’ll be the first to tell you this!) he made the class an absolute blast. He is so funny and really stimulates interesting discussions in his classes. In addition, the class really helps you understand the history of anthropology and the reasoning behind why it was established.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
My favorite anthropology professor is Dr. Huber, though he has recently retired. He has been my mentor these past 3 years and has been such an incredible resource for me. I had the privilege of having him for Anthropology 101 and Cultural Anthropology as well as doing my independent study and Bachelor’s Essay with him. He has definitely given me amazing advice over the years and has been a constant source of support and encouragement to me. My college experience would have been totally different, and less enjoyable, without him in it!
What are you writing your Bachelor’s Essay on?
Dr. Huber and I are studying cross-cultural controls of male and female sexuality by analyzing five categories of sanctions used to control both premarital and extramarital sexual relations. We hypothesize that the severity of sanctions will increase with cultural complexity.
What are you plans for after graduation?
After graduation I will be joining the Teach for America South Carolina Corps teaching secondary science. I’m very excited about the experience, as educational inequity is something I’m very passionate about.
Do you have advice for students deciding on a major?
My advice is to choose something where you actually enjoy doing the homework. Anthropology homework has never seemed like “homework” because I have always enjoyed the readings so much. See if there is a type of article you typically gravitate towards when looking at a newspaper or an online magazine because that is probably what you should be majoring in. Find out what you love, or at least like, and go for it!
What is the most challenging event you faced at the College of Charleston?
I think the most challenging event I have faced has been running the student-run College of Charleston Fire and EMS Program. It has been a very intense leadership role that has taught me a lot about effective communication and how to manage emergency situations.
What is one surprising fact about you?
A surprising fact about me is that I run half marathons!