Maeve Margaret Whelan-Wuest '09.5
2006-07
Montreal, Canada and Tijuana, Mexico: the only two places outside the United States I have traveled to. This may seem a bit astonishing, given that we live in such a globally connected world, or even more so, because I decided to be an International Studies major. I believe, however, it is the unknown that drives curiosity, so I chose to focus on a region that is unlike any I have ever experienced. To my western mind, East Asia conjures images of an exotic place bustling with people, markets and beautiful landscapes. While I’m still a bit unsure as to why I chose to study Chinese, I couldn’t have been happier with my decision. The complexities of the language not only inspire me, but instill a sense of excitement within me to immerse myself in the equally complex culture as well. While some might find the prospect of being among, literally, billions of people overwhelming, I cannot wait to interact with people who have different experiences and viewpoints to offer. It was the idea of majoring on one subject that I found overwhelming, until I discovered the IS program and the versatility it offers. Now, I will be able to immerse myself in a language and culture in the context of geography, and to study how physical and human patterns of China interact on local, regional and global scales. So I guess the only thing left for me to do now is get my first passport!
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