I’m Dan Roeder, a rising senior double-majoring in English Literature and Theatre Studies (Directing emphasis). At UMBC, I’ve learned what it means to be a scholar and an artist through action. I’ve presented research at URCAD, studied performance art under Tim Miller in New York City (thanks to a Theatre Department scholarship), and opened for Andrea Gibson with original poetry. Additionally, I’ve worked for Undergraduate Admissions, Residential Life, and The Retriever Weekly.
My experience with the HSP has been amazing. Living on the Hum Floor (for two years!) made me feel immediately at home, and my freshman seminars yielded rewarding creative products through the lens of each mentor’s discipline (two original plays). Also, the Humanities Forums have been amazing– introducing me to thinkers that have changed and strengthened my views and insights (particularly Michael Berube and Thulani Davis).
Currently (April 2014), I’m working on my proposal for my English Honors Thesis (studying literary representations of masculinity by post-WWII gay male authors) and readying script ideas for new projects this summer. Next year, I expect to be working on a variety of theatre and literature projects while applying to grad schools and jobs (and graduating in four years!)
Hi my name is Yoo-Jin Kang and I just finished up my third year as a Humanities Scholar. I am majoring in Modern Language and linguistics on the Language and cultural studies track in addition to Interdisciplinary studies. I’m currently using both my Language and Cultural studies major and my INDS major to aid in my research and understanding of the culture of violence in America so that in the future I can work and help inspire the kinds of changes necessary to encourage healthier and safer communities and relationships.
I chose the humanities scholars program because the concept of both study abroad and seminar classes discussing unique subjects both interested me.What I like about the humanities scholars program is close friendship I have developed with most of those in my scholars class as well as the various opportunities this program has given me.
Hi! I’m Alexander Szabo. I’m a junior History and Anthropology major. I chose the Humanities Scholars Program because it offers fantastic opportunities to study the humanities not only in the classroom, but in the world around us as well. I absolutely love the sense of community that builds among the scholars as well. After all, it’s always nice to have nerdy humanities conversations with your peers!
I’m Jen Wachtel. I graduated in May 2015 majoring in History and minoring in Modern Languages and Linguistics (German), Judaic Studies, and Art History with an Honors College Certificate. One of the most important lessons I have learned at UMBC is that college truly is what one makes of it. I am made the most of my time at UMBC by pursuing individual undergraduate research, getting involved in campus leadership, and gaining practical experience through internships.
As a Humanities Scholar, I was extremely grateful for the access to cultural programming, meeting visiting lecturers, and especially to find my niche among similarly dedicated students. One of the best parts of the program was the dedicated academic advising; since I have so many academic programs associated with my degree, the Humanities advisors always rounded out my academic experience.
I studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria for the spring 2014 semester. I chose the program because it met my degree requirements and allowed me to practice the German language. Salzburg is also conveniently situated between Munich and Vienna, providing the perfect opportunity to travel around Western and Eastern Europe. My courses in Salzburg counted for much more than my undergraduate degree, and the experience itself reminded me that there is so much of the world left to explore.
I plan to pursue an Accelerated M.A. in Historical Studies with a concentration in Public History through the UMBC History Department. After I earn my masters, I am interested in a career in archives or museum collections management.
My name is Jess Martin and I am a History Major with a Secondary Education focus. UMBC has been a great place for me to finish my education. Everyone is very focused and the classes for the most part are elatively small. I was able to find my niche within the Greek system, but was still able to make tons of friends outside of it. All the teachers are very helpful and want to see you succeed.
I like the sense of community that the Humanities Scholars program promotes and the support system that it engenders. Of my year group most of us were floor mates in our freshman year on the Humanities Floor. After moving in during a hurricane and dealing with a blackout two days into our UMBC experiences we really got to know each other well. The way the program is designed makes it very easy to connect with all the other year groups and form great friendships.
I studied abroad in the United Kingdom because British History is my focus within my major. I was able to explore things that until going I had only read about. I was also able to do research that helped me when I returned to class at UMBC. In the future I hope to do government analysis work or to teach high school history. I plan to go onto graduate school and get my masters. One day I hope to marry a like-minded man and have genius bookworm children.
My name is Jennifer Mrosky and I am a Spanish major and a Russian minor. I am currently going into my senior and final year at UMBC and over the past three years I have met many amazing and driven people both in the Humanities program and outside of it. Since I grew up in a small town, living in a college environment helps me meet more people from different walks of life and many times I have stayed up late into the night talking with a group of friends about culture, the world and our plans for the future. I have also been inspired by a number of professors, like Vira Zhdanovych (Russian), Thomas Field (Linguistics) and Elena Pérez (Spanish), whose passion for their subject instilled in me a desire to learn more.
In the Humanities Scholars program in particular I enjoy the frequent opportunities to go on excursions to watch plays and visit museums and enjoy intellectual conversations with my peers. It was also extremely helpful to come into UMBC already knowing the small group of 2011 Hum Scholars. Being part of such an organization gave me a sense of pride in what I study and a sense of belonging in the University as well.
During the spring semester of my junior year I had the amazing opportunity of studying abroad in Granada, Spain. Granada is in Andalucía, the southern region of Spain, and it is filled with Arabic influence and old, intricate cathedrals. I chose Spain because of my Spanish major, and Granada because of its small-city-surrounded-by-nature feel. Now that I have returned from Spain, I feel that my Spanish is at a level where I could get an interpreting or translating job. However, my Russian skills still need a little polishing and therefore I will start applying to some government positions, like at NSA, in the fall in hopes that they will train me further in Russian. That’s my plan A, and if it fails I will apply to interpreting agencies and even some temp-agencies in the spring. Once I get a job, I might enroll in some night courses at CCBC to hone my American Sign Language skills and get my interpreting certificate as well.