High School/Hometown: Middletown South High School in Middletown, New Jersey
Year of RU Graduation: 2015
Current Position: Law student at Albany Law School and intern at New York Office of the Attorney General
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 signed up to take my first Modern Greek language course at Rutgers because, although I am of Greek heritage, I never actually received formal training in the Greek language. I was pleasantly surprised to be in class with individuals from a diverse background: some students had some knowledge of the Greek language, while others barely knew the Greek alphabet. Everyone was eager to learn and practice, and it was a very comfortable environment in which to do so. The professor, Ms. Katerina Kourti-Gavalas, fostered this positive learning environment through encouraging participation and providing feedback. Professor Kourti-Gavalas was really very pleasant, extremely knowledgeable, and an eloquent instructor – she is truly a great role model and made class something to look forward to. After completing my first semester, I knew that the Modern Greek Studies minor was something that I would be pursuing. Altogether, I took six semesters of the language courses and other electives, like the film class in which we studied Greek cinema over the decades.
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)?
I genuinely loved the learning-through-doing approach in the Greek classes. We would learn something and then practice it. The classes were a culmination of reading excerpts aloud, answering questions, completing exercises, class discussions, and so much more. This approach kept students engaged and gave us an opportunity to not only solidify what we were learning but also to provide our input. Also, the benefits of being in smaller classes, at such a large school, are extremely valuable.
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?
Through these classes, I grew culturally competent and curious about the world and its history. Learning the history of how civilizations came to be is imperative to being an informed citizen. In these classes we discussed current events and history, which motivated further research and inquiry while helping me to develop my critical-thinking and analytical skills. Even in a subject in which I thought I knew quite a lot, I was able to learn so much. This showed me that learning truly never ends and this principle has carried over with me in everything that I do.
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?
These classes absolutely helped to prepare me for my graduate work and professional life. From the very first class you have to open yourself up to speaking, in another language, in front of others. This is an experience that isn’t always available to students in other lecture classes. Not only can you learn another language but you can also develop communication and interpersonal skills – these skills are vital for whatever field that one may choose to continue on into.
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 was fortunately able to participate in the study abroad program in Thessaloniki and was so happy that I did. I had visited Greece previously to studying abroad there, but never visited the city of Thessaloniki. It was such a unique experience to be a student in Greece and I really enjoyed learning in a new city, as well as, learning about a new city. I appreciated studying under the direction of Professor Kourti-Gavalas while I was there because Europe had been (and continues to undergo) a shift economically and socially. In being present at that time and from the US, we were able to observe the political landscape firsthand and the impact that it was having on the country. I also worked with other professors and students, interacted with a diverse pool of individuals, and interned at a hospital.
What advice would you give students thinking about studying Modern Greek, or taking the MGSP minor, but haven’t made up their minds?
I can honestly say that my undergraduate education was taken to the next level through participating in this area of study. I would advise those students that they should certainly start by taking one class. Of course, like any other class or degree, it will take hard work and dedication but the amount of knowledge, experience, and connections that you will gain through this program are truly unparalleled.