High School/Hometown: Franklin High School/ Somerset, NJ
Education: Finishing a B.A., Rutgers University (Communication and Media, with a minor in Modern Greek Studies), and beginning a M.A. in Communication and Media.
Year of RU Graduation: 2019
Why did you decide to take courses in Modern Greek (language)? If you pursued the minor in Modern Greek Studies, why did you decide to do this?
I decided to take courses in Modern Greek Language because I had a fascination with the subject. I have always loved learning languages and the Modern Greek Language has such a rich history I wanted to learn more. One of the reasons I pursued the minor is because the professor was fantastic. She was very helpful and I felt I was really able to learn in her class.
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 (e.g., history, political science, religion)?
One of the things I liked the most about my Greek classes were the small size of the classrooms. It allowed for me to get to know my classmates as well as my professor. It also helped me learn more because the professor was able to focus on us individually more than a standard classroom.
In my other class I took that was approved for the minor, I love learning about the history of the region and the politics that goes into it. When I took this class, I learned about the borders and the conflicts of Greece as well as why some regions have adopted certain ways of living.
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 feel very accomplished that when I do go abroad to Greece, after taking the courses here at Rutgers from knowing near to nothing, I am now able to get around in Greece speaking the language. I also believe that taking the Modern Greek courses reaffirmed many of the perspectives I already held as well as encouraged me to learn my history and keep up with current events to create even more unique and educated views on Greece’s situations regarding both in the past and in the present.
If you pursued a M.A. or Ph.D. after graduating from Rutgers, did the courses you took in Modern Greek, or Modern Greek Studies, help prepare you for graduate work, or your professional life in general?
I have found that employers have been interested in the fact that I can speak some Greek. In addition to this, the work that I received in my Greek classes has helped me learn how to balance my work and social life in a way that I still use now that I am beginning to pursue my Masters in Communication and Media.
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?
When I travelled to Thessaloniki, I learned a lot about the region that I did not know about. I had been familiar with the culture from my classes but little things such as food, lifestyle or even choices in the language surprised me throughout my trip. I was also able to practice using my Greek on this trip which I very much looked forward to. It was a fantastic immersion experience and I feel that I really learned a lot on this trip as well as gained further appreciation for the culture.
What advice would you give students thinking about studying Modern Greek, or taking the MGSP minor, but haven’t made up their minds?
My advice would be that it is up to them if they want to take the minor, but they should know that if they do not take it, they will not find a more caring professor at Rutgers. I would also say that this minor comes with study abroad opportunities and many employers love the uniqueness that Modern Greek Studies Program offers its students. Studying Modern Greek is extremely relevant especially in today’s political climate and if you are still not sure if you would like to pursue the minor, take one class and experience it for a semester before you officially declare.