How did you find out about the minor, and what made you pursue it?
I first heard about the minor when a representative came to speak in my Intro to Sociology lecture in the Spring of 2017. I immediately decided to pursue the minor due to both my interest in refugee-related issues and my passion for human rights and social justice.
How did the minor complement your major(s)? Did you feel that you were able to balance both?
I am double majoring in Global Public Health and Sociology, and the PACS coursework fits perfectly into my studies. The minor contributes more internationally focused classes to my academic load, and as someone who wants to work in international health policy, this has been a needed addition. As for balancing the minor classes with those of my majors, I have no issues with workload size thus far.
What were some of the greatest takeaways from the minor?
I think my biggest takeaways from the minor have been seeing how theories translate to real life situations and how various countries and international bodies approach the same peace and conflict issues in dramatically different ways.
How will the minor help you after college in terms of your professional or future academic life?
I intend on pursuing a career in international health policy, focusing on areas of conflict and development. The PACS coursework has been invaluable in developing my understanding of international contexts and issues, and with a lot of schooling still ahead of me, the minor has given me a base for future academic work in related fields.
Any advice for a student that is considering the minor, but still unsure?
Think about how the PACS minor can contribute to your overall coursework and how it can add depth and contrast to your major(s). I have found that PACS classes offer an opportunity to draw unique connections to my other areas of interest and study, and I strongly believe that if you are interested in the minor in any way, that you should go ahead and do it, as the experience is well worth the time and effort.
What work related to peace and conflict studies have you done outside of the classroom?
For the past three years, I have worked as a volunteer soccer trainer for Global FC, an organization that supports refugee youth in the Kansas City area. Serving as both a goalie trainer for twelve and fourteen-year-old boys and an interim coach for a team of thirteen-year-old girls, I have been deeply impacted by the uniquely powerful stories of each player I have worked with. In this context, soccer is used as a tool for personal and community empowerment, and, through this soccer program, refugee youth from over twenty countries have been given the opportunities to pursue their talents and develop skills for their bright futures.