High School/Hometown: Randolph High School/Randolph NJ
Education: Pursuing a B.A. at Rutgers University (Communication, with a minor in Modern Greek Studies)
Year of RU Graduation: May 2020
Why did you decide to take courses in Modern Greek? If you pursued the minor in Modern Greek Studies, why did you decide to do this?
I decided to take courses in Modern Greek because I am a heritage speaker and had been wanting to take a Modern Greek class to be able to read, write, and speak it better. The Modern Greek program was actually one of the reasons I chose to go to Rutgers in the first place. I decided to pursue the minor after my first semester because I really liked how the class was taught and wanted to continue with it.
What did you like the most about your Greek classes? If you took the minor, what did you like most in the other approved courses for the minor that you took?
The thing that I like most about my Greek classes is how small and personalized they are. As a student at a massive state university, it is so nice to be able to take a small class where the relationships between myself and my classmates and professor are easier to build than in my larger lecture classes.
Considering your current position and successes, was there anything in the classes or experiences you had, in pursuing Modern Greek and/or Modern Greek Studies that contributed to your perspectives and accomplishments?
I am still a student at Rutgers, but, as someone who wants to go into nursing, I believe knowing a second language at the level that this program has helped me to reach will help me in my future career.
Were you able to participate in any of the Modern Greek Studies Program’s approved locations overseas – i.e., the summer program in Thessaloniki, or the semester/AY programs at CYA in Athens and ACT in Thessaloniki? How did such experiences impact you?
I participated in the summer program in Thessaloniki this last summer and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was able to build relationships with people that continue to grow even after the program has ended. I was also so amazed by Thessaloniki that I am hoping to be able to live there at some point in my life.
What advice would you give students thinking about studying Modern Greek, or taking the MGSP minor, but haven’t made up their minds?
I would advise students to study Modern Greek if they are even slightly interested in it. I found that my Greek has improved immensely in a very short period of time and the small scale of this program has allowed me to build strong relationships with fellow students and faculty.