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These current students and recent graduates have volunteered to share information about
their experience in the Global Cultures major. Feel free to contact
them.
| Judith Vazquez | |  I am a 4th year student Global Cultures major with a minor in Education. My primary emphasis is locating Europe with a secondary emphasis on Hispanic/Latino studies. I have enjoyed Global cultures as a major because a variety of classes within my emphasis are offered every quarter.
A transfer student from Santa Ana College, I will soon join UCI’s credential program to become a teacher (multiple subjects). In preparation for that next step, I am currently an officer of the Teachers of Tomorrow club on campus.
Last summer I studied abroad in Cambridge, England at Pembroke College. I have been able to travel and put the knowledge that I have acquired from global cultures into my own personal life. To be an effective teacher, one needs to not only know about the world we live in and understand the cultures within it, but also be able to see the world and explore it for ourselves. Global Cultures has given me that opportunity, and I am so happy I chose this major.
If you have any questions on Global Cultures, the Education minor or any aspects of my undergraduate experience in general, please feel free to contact me at jsvazque@uci.edu |
| | Nicholas Baitoo | |  I am a 4th-year student, and have recently completed my degree in Cognitive Psychology. I originally planned on adding Global Cultures as a minor, but after examining the program, I found it very easy to add as a 2nd major. My focus in Global Cultures is Inter-Area studies, with a secondary emphasis in Asia and the Pacific Rim.
I plan to graduate in the Spring with my Psychology Degree, and return as a 2nd B.A. with the school of Humanities to complete my last classes with Global Cultures. I recently had the opportunity to participate in EAP's joint program in International Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. The experience has been one of my favorites to date, and truly has changed me. As a Global Cultures student, I was fascinated by the opportunity to not only study a culture and society in a classroom setting, but to also experience it and walk among it in day-to-day life. Furthermore, having studied both Chinese and East-Asian culture and history in Global Cultures classes granted to me an understanding of the development and structure of this society, which allowed me to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of my surroundings as I traveled the country.
I’ve found the Global Cultures faculty to be extremely helpful, and the courses to be both challenging and interesting. I have gained a deeper knowledge and understanding of the world around me, how it has come to its current status, and where the future may lead.
If you have any questions, please contact me at nbaitoo@uci.edu. |
| | Sobia Saleem | | 
I am a fifth-year double major in English and Global Cultures, with a primary emphasis in Locating Asias (the Atlantic Rim is my secondary emphasis). I transferred from Orange Coast College after interning at a bi-partisan political group, CAIR. By interweaving my interests in culture theory, post-colonial literature, and diverse as well as attention-grabbing voices on campus, I launched The UC FOB, an alternative media publication. Its goal is to provide an open-forum for discourses of all sorts.
I am also involved with Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), Tau Sigma, Al-Kalima, and other on-campus organizations. I expect to graduate in Spring '08. I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. in English Literature and/or Culture Theory. My long-term goal is become an English (or even Global Cultures) professor.
I would be very happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have regarding my experiences with Global Cultures or my Undergraduate career in general. Feel free to contact me at ssaleem@uci.edu. |
| | Benjamin Bohr | | 
I am a second-year double major in Political Science and Global Cultures, with a minor in Conflict Resolution. Within the Global Cultures major, my primary emphasis is Locating Europe with a secondary focus on Inter-area studies.
I plan to graduate in Spring 2009 and pursue a doctorate degree in international affairs. I am a Regents Scholar, and a member of the Campus-wide Honors Program and UCI Model United Nations. Last summer, I studied abroad in Sweden through the Joint UC-Lund Program, and I currently work at the Center for International Education as an International Peer Advisor. I intend to spend an additional semester abroad in Germany next year.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions about my experience within Global Cultures major at bbohr@uci.edu. |
| | Tracy Wu | | 
I am a fourth year double major in Spanish and Global Cultures (primary emphasis: Hispanic/Latino Studies; secondary emphasis: Pacific Rim). I chose these majors because of the flexibility they offer me to pursue a variety of personal and professional interests, especially traveling. I studied abroad in Madrid (Fall 2005), and plan to obtain additional on-site Spanish language training in Costa Rica during Spring 2008.
Currently, I am the RA at the “Explore Study Abroad” hall in Middle Earth. This student hall brings together “globally minded” first year students, and facilitates their going abroad.
After graduation in Summer 2008, I plan to attend nursing school. My humanities background will serve me well provide quality healthcare to patients. My dream for the long-term future is to travel the world through and continue doing work and research.
If you have questions about the Global Cultures program, or other aspects of my undergraduate experience in general, I would be happy to talk to you! Feel free to contact me at wutj@uci.edu. |
| | Khasaundra Delgado | | 
I am a first-year Literary Journalism and Global Cultures double major. My emphases are Hispanic/Latino Cultures and Locating Europe. Once in graduate school, I will pursue my career goal of becoming an international journalist.
At UCI, I have participated in the Cross Cultural Center’s first Summer Multicultural Leadership Institute (summer of 2006). I plan on going on UC’s Education Abroad Program prior to graduating in 2010 (I considering a stay in Spain and Costa Rica for 6 months each).
Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding the Global Cultures major at delgadok@uci.edu. I will be happy to share my experience with prospective Global Cultures majors. |
| | Jacqueline Kauffman | |  I am a third-year Global Cultures major with an emphasis in Locating Asias. My minor is in Business Management. I am interested in pursuing a career in International Marketing. Global Cultures gives me an excellent platform to attain my career goals.
Global Cultures has been the perfect choice for at least two reasons: first because I have so many interests in the humanities in general; and second, because it was difficult for me to choose a major.
So far the major has meet all my expectations, and I am particularly happy that I can choose from such a broad range of classes, many of which are interdisciplinary.
If you have any questions, please contact me at jkauffma@uci.edu |
| | Vaughn Aitchison | |  I am majoring in Global Cultures, and intend to add Sociology as a second major. My current focus at UCI is to expand my intellectual base in order to prepare for a MBA. In doing so, I will spend this summer in Argentina as a student and intern.
My career goal is to work in new global ventures/start-ups.
Global Cultures has been invaluable to me, as it has expanded my social perspective on the world. Feel free to e-mail me at vaitchis@uci.edu. |
| | Sumaiya Zaman | |  I am a fourth year double major in Global Cultures and Spanish. My Global Cultures major at UCI has been both enjoyable and very rewarding, as it has given me the opportunity to explore a variety of captivating fields of study (History, Sociology, International Studies, Humanities, etc.). My main emphasis is Latin America, which combines and complements well with my Spanish major.
I expect to begin law school in the Fall of 2008, and pursue a JD in International Law. The combination of my two majors has served me very well to obtain a solid and competitive foundation for entering law school. |
| | Sachiko Kido | |  I am a fourth year Global Cultures major. My fellow students in this major are very open minded, which I appreciate a great deal because it allows for cultural exchange. I am an international student from Japan, and I have traveled to many countries throughout my life. I would love to work in the U.S. after completing the degree.
I decided to major in Global Cultures because of its unusual flexibility (at my previous university in Virginia, I was a Communication major). Since UCI does not have Mass Communication studies, I was thinking about other majors related to it when I came here. Right now is a perfect time to deepen my knowledge about the peoples and cultures of the world, and Global Cultures allows me to do just that in a most efficient and edifying manner: I can easily combine courses in journalism and media with others that have the regional focus — Pacific Rim and Locating Asias — that interests me the most. The Global Cultures major is thus a perfect fit. Besides preparing me for my future career in communication, I am enjoying my studies more than I could ever have imagined! |
| | Claudia Mendoza | |  I am a 5th year Global Cultures and Psychology double major. My primary emphasis is Inter-Area Studies, and my secondary emphasis is in Hispanic, U.S Latino & Luzo-Brazilian Cultures. I love learning new languages, exploring history, cultural traditions and local customs in depth. I will soon enter graduate school either in Anthropology (with an emphasis on linguistics, critical theory, and food practices) or History (with an emphasis on music and culture in Europe). Having said this, I aspire to bring together my interests in teaching, journalism, music, cultures and love for languages (I am multilingual — English, Spanish, Greek and currently learning French).
The Global Cultures major has been a vital component in several of my life decisions. Its faculty and student body are truly unique in that they help you in thinking through your decisions and choices for future academic and professional planning. Globl Culture has made me a more competitive candidate in the pool for graduate admissions. While obtaining the Global Cultures Major, I have participated in research that studies how ethnicity and identity shape the academic attitudes of college students. I am currently in my second quarter of H.O.T (Humanities Out There), a program that helps students connect with the community and give back to underprivileged schools.
It will be my pleasure to help guide you once you consider joining the Global Cultures program. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at cbmendoz@uci.edu. |
| | Gianna Linnert | |  I transferred to UCI in Fall 2006 from Orange Coast College, and I am a 4th year Global Cultures major with an inter-area emphasis and a history minor.
I appreciate the opportunity to take courses from various departments in the university, which allows for a well rounded education as well as the chance to meet a variety of knowledgeable and engaging professors. I have undoubtedly chosen the right major, and I find that its areas of focus are highly relevant to present-day global happenings.
After completing my foreign language requirement, I took a self-directed study trip through Italy last summer with my 13 year old daughter, in lieu of studying abroad. It was an eye opening experience, both challenging and enlightening.
If you have questions or interest in my UCI experience you may contact me at glinnert@uci.edu. |
| | Alison Cresap | |  I am currently a second year Global Cultures Major at UCI. I LOVE taking so many classes that actually interest me and that I all count towards my major.
I plan to study abroad in Barcelona during Fall 2008 (through the Education Abroad Program). After I graduate I hope to travel the globe and apply the lessons I’ve learned in the classroom to the world outside.
In addition to my studies, I participate in HOT (Humanities Out There), where I get to tutor high school students in the Santa Ana school district each week. I’m also an active participant in Colleges Against Cancer and work throughout the year to put on Relay for Life at UCI. As the Layout Designer for the UC FOB publication on campus, I take great pride in my work and help to add even more to an already diverse campus.
I’d be happy to talk with you about the Global Cultures major or anything else. Email me at acresap@uci.edu. |
| | Stella Sybille Jungmann | | 
I am a first-year Global Cultures major. My emphasis is Locating Europe.
I am planning to pursue a second major, but I am still not quite sure what
it will be.
This summer I will be going to Madrid for a Language and Culture Program. I will most likely complement this experience with a long(er)-term Education Abroad Program in my Junior or Senior year (my current favorite sites are Spain or France). After graduation I will definitely pursue a career that will enable me to travel, in as well as outside of the United States. |
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| Stephanie Bognuda | |  Hi Global Cultures Students!
I finished taking classes at UCI in December 2006 with a double major in Sociology and International Studies. I am now an International Operations Assistant at the UC Education Abroad Program Universitywide office in Santa Barbara, specializing in Southeast Asia. My passion is travel, which led me to studying abroad in both Italy and England during college.
For my current position at UCSB, the Global Cultures major was a perfect fit, as made clear by the Global Cultures courses (e.g., 103B “Language and Globalization” with Professor Schwegler) I took at UCI.
I encourage all of you to take advantage of the exciting Global Cultures program, as I know that it provides extraordinary career opportunities! If you would like unbiased input from someone who has been at UCI and loves working in an international arena, feel free to contact me at any time. I’ll be happy to explain how a B.A. in UCI’s Global Cultures can “get you from here to there”! |
| | Rahel Schwarz | |  I am a senior in the Global Cultures major, and plan on entering UCI’s Teacher Credentialing Program in the Fall of 2007. My emphasis is “Inter Area” and “Atlantic Rim”. I was a transfer student from Orange Coast College, and grew up in Switzerland (I speak French, German, Spanish, and English).
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about my experience in the Global Cultures major at rschwarz@uci.edu. |
| | Jamie Rimphanli | |  I am a fifth year with an Art History degree, and I will be finishing my Global Cultures major by Spring 2007. My main emphasis is in “Inter-Area Studies” and my second is in “Locating Europes and European Colonies.”
I am a management intern at Orange County Sanitation District. My next pursuit is volunteering in Peace Corps. Essentially, I’m working my way to a career in public policies and governmental relations.
If you have any questions regarding my experience with Global Cultures, please e-mail me at jamierimphanli@gmail.com and/or nrimphan@alumni.uci.edu
POSTSCRIPT (June 2007): Jamie has now graduated. She recently obtained a coveted position at the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) at Long Beach City College/Long Beach Trade Office. There she will assist in evaluating products, select high potential foreign markets, perform extensive market research, develop Business and Marketing Plans, present cost and profitability analysis and work closely with business executives from multiple companies and CITD consulting staff to deliver valuable information. |
| | Julie Schechter | |  My experience with the Global Cultures program was a highlight of my academic career at UC Irvine. Originally unable to choose just one major (Dance), I settled on Global Cultures because of its interdisciplinary nature.
The ability to take classes in Art History, English, Classics (the list goes on) was the kind of mind-broadening experience I had hoped college would provide. The Senior Capstone course with Professor Schwegler was particularly empowering, providing an immersion in the kinds of worldwide economic / cultural / linguistic trends that will be key for future leaders and active citizens to understand. In addition, the academic counselors and the Director of Global Cultures were very supportive of the struggles involved in being a student. With their help, I was able to complete all the requirements and graduate on time in four years!
Regardless of the career you are contemplating, consider becoming a Global Cultures major. You will enjoy your time in the program, but more importantly, you will leave UCI feeling aware of and able to participate in today's globally oriented world. |
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