Meet Lena
Meet Lena!
Who are you?
I am Lena, a 2nd year Governance major.
Why did you choose LAS at UCF?
I chose LAS because I wanted an interdisciplinary, international education. I enjoy the block system in regards to how the semester is set up, and the interaction between the various majors. Also, Freiburg is the sunniest city in Germany; and, while I enjoy rain, I would not have survived North of NRW.
Why did you choose your Major?
I knew in school that I wanted to study a political major. When I found Governance, I saw that the module lay-out seemed well-balanced and interesting, allowing me to study from the theoretical to the practical to the legal to the economic. This sparked my interest the most, and the space for electives will allow me to take more Culture and Life Science oriented seminars.
When you started, what did you find challenging and/or unexpected?
I find the program quite accommodating in that it allows for a very personalized study program. Of course, especially in the Governance major, there is plenty of reading, but the best way of going about the workload is finding one aspect to get passionate about in every piece of reading/writing. One thing I found unexpected was the amount of extra-curricular groups and activities, and you just want to do them all!
What is the strongest point of the LAS program?
The strongest point of the LAS program is the interdisciplinary education. Being a well-rounded student allows for being a well-rounded thinker, which can only help in every aspect of life-- including the workplace.
What are typical misconceptions of LAS?
I'm not sure, to be honest. LAS has lived up to most if not all of my hopes and expectations. I had no real misconceptions about the program or the city.
Are you part of a committee?
I am part of the Global Affairs Dialogue and an LAS Ambassador. I'd also like to get involved in the IMUNity committee once COVID is lifted. I've recently gotten more involved in the LAS community, as I also have a part-time job that I work at most nights.
What's the second year like?
Second year requires the most time and concentration, from what I've heard and experienced thus far. Balancing Principles of Law, International Relations and Organizations, and Comparative Government is not a simple task, and requires a certain amount of dedication. However, I do enjoy the content and advanced discussions!
What is the most fun course you've taken?
I quite enjoyed Privacy and Surveillance in my 3rd semester, as it was a very interactive course with a very personalized final exam assignment. I did my final essay and presentation on how societies surveil sex, and how sexual relations are seen as something inherently private. I then related this the communism and liberalism in a theoretical questioning of how privacy is regarded.
What advice would you give to future LAS students?
Find joy in every course. Of course, not every topic is going to be your passion and not every reading is going to keep your eyes open, but if you can find one thing in every task that interests you in the slightest: hold onto it. That spark and passion makes for great discussion and will make your time at LAS that much better.
Can you explain LAS in one sentence?
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program at UCF is a group of intellectuals who are each looking to learn something new everyday-- in the world and the people around us.
(June 2021)