Olivia Varga ’26, history and secondary education, is passionate about storytelling, travel, and inspiring the next generation of students. Her love for history began with exploring the world and discovering how every place has its own story that connects the past to the present. After graduation, Olivia plans to become a history teacher in New Jersey while also cultivating her creativity in wedding social media marketing.

What made you choose history as your major?
I am a double major in both history and secondary education, so I had to choose a second major in a content area I was passionate about and felt I could teach every day. Without hesitation, I chose history! Going through school, history has always been the subject that interested me the most. History always felt like I was hearing an interesting story, and I love how, even though events took place thousands of years ago, they still somehow connect to today.

Was there a specific moment, person, or class that interested you in history?
A specific moment that sparked my interest in history was my love for traveling. Being able to walk on the same streets or visit the same places where major as well as minor historical events happened made history come to life for me. It all felt so real. Traveling allowed me to see that every place has a unique story, and it led me to research deeper than what was initially apparent. That’s when I knew that history was something I wanted not only to study but also to teach.

Where are you from, and what made you choose URI?
I am from Lavallette, New Jersey! It is a small town on the Jersey Shore and honestly reminds me a lot of Narragansett, RI. When I toured URI, I immediately fell in love with it, considering it was right next to the ocean and not too far from home. It felt like a place where I could see myself and prepare for the future I want.

What’s been your favorite class or topic you’ve studied so far?
One of my favorite classes so far has been HIS341: US History from 1941-1974. In this class, we studied a transformative period in American history, and learning how different events reshaped everyday life in the U.S. was fascinating. It allowed me to see how quickly society can change and how decisions made in those years still affect the world we live in today.

What’s one thing you’ve learned that changed how you think about history or the world?
One thing I have learned that has changed how I think about history is that history is not neutral; it is always shaped by the one telling the story. When you examine this closely, every source is written by someone with a certain perspective, which changes how the reader understands these events. This influences the way I read news and politics today.

What are your career goals or plans after graduation?
My career goals after graduation are to become a middle or high school history teacher in New Jersey, as well as work for a wedding social media marketing company. In my classroom, I aim to create a space where students feel safe asking questions and exploring endless possibilities. I want to help them build confidence in their own understanding of history. 

If you could time-travel to any historical period, where would you go and why?
If I could, I would want to travel back in time to Regency Era England. One of my favorite shows is Bridgerton, which takes place during this time period and is obviously fictionalized, but it definitely sparks my interest in the actual history. I loved the characters’ outfits, glamorous balls, and the way communication is structured. I would love to see how life really unfolds beyond the glamour. 

By Sonie Zilian of the Harrington School Social Media Agency.