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Student Profiles

Emilie Clark – LIU Global - Sophomore

Email Address:  emilie.k.clark@gmail.com & emilie.clark@my.liu.edu

Hometown:  Cincinnati, Ohio

How You Learned About LIU Global:  LIU Global was recommended to me by a friend who had heard about the college through her high school's dean.

Center/Program of Study Currently:  India

Course/Field trips you are taking this semester/year:  Elementary Hindi Language, Global Issues: Indian Perspective, Peace and reconciliation, Theory Culture and Representation, Writing Course, Independent Study.

Area of Concentration or Interest: My focus is in human rights, specifically women's and children's rights on both a local and international level.

Favorite Center/Program thus far:  I am just beginning my sophomore year, so Costa Rica is the only center I've really experienced. I absolutely loved the Costa Rica center. The program, the professors, and the country were all far beyond what I had hoped. I had a very fulfilling and enriching year that I will never forget.

Most Powerful Experience thus far: I am sure that by the end of this program I will no longer be able to answer this question, as every experience I've had thus far has been extremely powerful and it is already quite hard to choose. Last year I was lucky to engage in two long-term projects in La Carpio, one of the most impoverished communities in Costa Rica, comprised predominantly of Nicaraguan immigrants.  For the first project, two fellow LIU Global students and I helped La Carpio start a scout's troupe that provided a healthy and safe non-formal education opportunity for the youth. For the second project three LIU Global Students and I worked with a group of artesian women toward gaining more financial independence.  These were my most powerful experiences because of the bonds I made both with the people of La Carpio and my fellow students, the developments I saw, and the impact I was able to predict for the lives of all those involved.

Why You Chose LIU Global:  I applied to many colleges, and visited most of them. I was torn with feeling pressured to take a more traditional route, and wanting to truly explore my passions. When it came down to decision time there was honestly no question in my mind. Somehow I had known I would end up at Global all along. I saw it as a place where I could delve deeply into my interests, expand my knowledge and horizons across cultures, be intellectually stimulated, and have the support and encouragement of a tightly knit community of motivated and inspiring individuals. So far, LIU Global has not let me down on any of these expectations and has even proven to be more wonderful than I could have ever imagined.

Paloma Criollo – LIU Global - Sophomore

Email Address:  paloma.criollo@my.liu.edu

Hometown:  New Preston, Connecticut

How You Learned About LIU Global:  Through my best friend, who power searched for a school that she thought would fit me.

Center/Program of Study Currently:  Comparative Religion & Culture

Course/Field trips you are taking this semester/year:  This year I will be traveling for two months in Taiwan, two months in Thailand, two months in India and two months in Turkey.

Area of Concentration or Interest:  Health, Medicine

Favorite Center/Program thus far:  Costa Rica center, specifically our two week Field trip to Nicaragua where we traveled to Granada and Managua  It was a very hands on field trip where we conducted many interviews and traveled to see many different speakers.  My favorite part of the trip was working with Casa Alianza.

Most Powerful Experience thus far:  Working with street children alongside Casa Alianza in Nicaragua, unforgettable memories, those children all have a place in my heart.

Why You Chose LIU Global:  WHY didn't I choose Global? It's simple, I followed my heart and wanted to take a road less traveled and I feel that traditional college is a highway with constant traffic and detours.  I know that I'm very hands on and learn best when in the field and I LOVE to see the world through different eyes and with LIU Global's four year study abroad program it was a 100% Yes!

Caitlin Kawaguchi – LIU Global - Sophomore

Email Address:  ckawaguchi92@gmail.com & caitlin.kawaguchi@my.liu.edu

Hometown:  San Ramon, California

How You Learned About LIU Global:  I first learned about LIU Global through the college guidebook "Making a Difference Colleges: Distinctive Colleges to Make a Better World". I was looking for a school where I could pursue my interest in International Affairs and be actively engaged in my learning. With its numerous centers around the world and emphasis on experiential learning, LIU Global seemed like the perfect fit. Speaking with a current student about his experience in the program convinced me that this was the right school for me, and today I am so glad I made this choice.

Center/Program of Study Currently:  I am currently studying in the Comparative Religion and Culture studies program. This program takes a comparative approach to four countries, Taiwan, Thailand, India, and Turkey.

Course/Field trips you are taking this semester/year:  This semester I will be taking "Religions, Cultures, and Modernity in Taiwan", "Methods in Research and Experiential Learning I", "Comparison: Theory and Reflection I", and "Religions, Culture, and Modernity in Thailand".

Area of Concentration or Interest:  My current planned areas of concentration are international relations, international development, and human rights

Favorite Center/Program thus far:  I have only been to the Costa Rica center so far, but it was a truly transformative learning experience. Studying and living abroad presented new challenges for me that helped me to grow personally and academically. One of my favorite parts about the Costa Rica center was the supportive staff members and individualized attention students receive, which helped me take advantage of all the opportunities the center had to offer.

Most Powerful Experience thus far:  The most powerful experience I've had so far was volunteering in La Carpio, a marginalized, low-income community of Nicaraguan immigrants near San Jose. I worked with the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation on a number of projects in the community throughout my freshman year, but my favorite was assisting with starting a Guides and Scouts troop for 7-11 year olds. Two other LIU Global students and I helped the 8 leaders plan meetings and activities, such as hiking and camping, for 18 kids. We also helped with connecting the group to the wider Guides and Scouts community, so the troop can become an official member of the organization.  This was a part of an independent study on the role of youth in community development, which combined my love for working with youth with my academic interest in community development and peace building.

Why You Chose LIU Global:  I chose LIU Global for a number of reasons- the small class sizes, individualized attention, abroad experience, and approach of experiential learning. I knew I wanted my time in college to prepare me for a career in international affairs, and I felt this preparation needed to include more international experience than just a year of study abroad. I strongly believe in experiential learning for global studies, as being immersed in different cultures and regions creates a much deeper understanding than books alone can provide.

Rachel Magruder – LIU Global - Sophomore

Email Address:  rachelcmagruder@gmail.com & rachel.magruder@my.liu.edu

Hometown:  Dallas, Texas

How You Learned About LIU Global:  After hearing the first time about LIU Global from a friend, I was drawn in immediately by the chance to start my life dream as early as freshman year of university!

Center/Program of Study Currently:  India Center

Course/Field trips you are taking this semester/year: The classes I'm most looking forward to are Indian pop culture, global studies, Hindi language intensives, and peace and reconciliation.

Area of Concentration or Interest:  Women's Studies and Human Rights.

Favorite Center/Program thus far:  Having spent the last year in Costa Rica, I realized that my favorite part of LIU Global is the opportunity it provides us to meet new people. I still keep in touch with my friends from salsa dance class in Costa Rica on a regular basis! It has been a powerful experience to find something that I love as much as dance and that keeps my extra-curricular time filled

Most Powerful Experience thus far:  My most powerful experience thus far has been both long field trips to Panama and Nicaragua, because of the field work we got to do with local workers in those countries.

Why You Chose LIU Global:  Nothing beats the experiential learning found at LIU Global, and it's made me open to learning from the world both inside AND outside of the classroom.

Olivea M. Martin – LIU Global - Junior

Email Address:  olivea.martin@gmail.com & olivea.mmartin@my.liu.edu

Hometown:  Cranston, Rhode Island

How You Learned About LIU Global:  I learned about GC from my college counselor.  I then did research online, found the website & fell in love with GC!

Center/Program of Study Currently:  About to go to the China Center for Fall 2012/Spring 2013

Course/Field trips you are taking this semester/year:  This year I will be traveling Hangzhou, China and I will be taking Mandarin, Martial Arts, Modern Chinese History, and Chinese Thought and Religions

Area of Concentration or Interest:  Indigenous Studies, Environmental Justice, Human Ecology

Favorite Center/Program thus far:  Australia Program

Most Powerful Experience thus far:  In one year I feel I have had so many powerful experiences. In the Comparative Religion and Culture Program I had the opportunity to go to the Elephant Nature Park. I got to volunteer with Elephants who have been rescued from abuse in the Elephant tourism businesses and put through the centuries old practice called the phajan or "the crush"where they are beaten until submission. It was a very intense experience and I will never forget those Elephants and I hope to one day go back to continue helping as much as I can. Also, during my stay in Australia, I discovered my passion for Indigenous studies, which I will continue through-out my life.

Why You Chose LIU Global:  I chose GC because I knew it was a unique & no other program existed like it.  I wanted to experience the world but not only that, try & understand & immerse myself into different cultures as well.  I want to become a more aware individual & learn as much as I can.

More About Olivea:  I am 20 years old and I love photography, dance and travelling and so much more. During my time at LIU Global I have been to, Costa Rica, Taiwan, Thailand (half of the CRC program), and the Australia program. I am getting ready to spend a year in China where I will continue my studies from high school of Mandarin. I love seeing outside my own culture especially since Rhode Island is a small place where you really aren't exposed to a lot. My perspective has shifted so much, more than I expected and each place I have gone to has changed me. I love seeing and doing as much as I can and Global College has helped me do that.

Kylor Forrest Melton – LIU Global - Sophomore

Email Address:  kylomelton@gmail.com & forrest.melton@my.liu.edu

Hometown:  Boise, Idaho

How You Learned About LIU Global:  LIU Global was recommended to me by a friend.

Center/Program of Study Currently:  Comparative Religion & Culture

Course/Field trips you are taking this semester/year:  I will be taking all of the required CRC Coursework and participating in various trips to religious sites throughout Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and India.

Area of Concentration or Interest:   My exact interest is still being defined however I am interested in performance and a plethora of other things.

Favorite Center/Program thus far:  Last year I was at the Costa Rica Center and traveled all over Central America on my own.

Most Powerful Experience thus far: My most powerful experience so far was my two week intensive study of the spirituality and religion behind surfing and the surfing culture.

Why You Chose LIU Global:  I chose LIU Global because of the experience I am getting through my education, and for me this is the best way to learn.  The reason LIU Global really works for me is that we are hands on and in the field.  It's not education solely based on theory, but rather a balance of theory AND application.  I am studying things that actually interest me, and I am doing it while traveling the world.

Johanna Nilsson – LIU Global - Junior

Email Address:  johanna.smith.nilsson@gmail.com & johanna.nilsson@my.liu.edu

Hometown:  Mountain View, California

How You Learned About LIU Global:  I literally googled, "four years study abroad".

Center/Program of Study Currently:  China Center

Course/Field trips you are taking this semester/year:  Intensive Mandarin, Modern Chinese History, Mao Zedong & the Cultural Revolution, Chinese Though and Religions 1, Independent Study in Music (piano, violin, vocals). 

Area of Concentration or Interest: Music for Social Change (e.g. El Sistema, Venezuela

Favorite Center/Program thus far:  Costa Rica.  I was able to do a life-changing independent study with their national music education program, Sistema National de Education Musical (SiNEM).

Most Powerful Experience thus far:  It's a three-way tie between my independent study in Costa Rica, volunteering at a Thai orphanage in Mae Sot, and meeting the Tibetan Prime Minister AND the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India.

Why You Chose LIU Global:  I initially chose LIU Global because I thought it increased my odds of getting into the Peace Corps. However, I've stayed with it because I agree with the values behind the program-pluralism, self-reflexivity, understanding, service, and experiential learning. I am able to guide my study to suit my passions while remaining within the existing framework of the program. Every single value I have has been challenged, and that will ultimately help me no matter where I go in life.