Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Woonsocket, RI

Ian Provencal will be the first graduate with our new Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx (LAX) minor.

Q. What makes the College of Arts and Sciences at URI unique?

A. The College of Arts and Science at URI is unique in that it broadens and enriches our intellectual abilities while providing us with knowledge that can be applied to real world issues. Each student is also able to focus on niche topics and issues through their studies, allowing for a wide range of interests. 

What accomplishments and/or activities at URI are you most proud of now?

I am most proud of the time I spent studying abroad in Peru, having the opportunity to immerse myself within another culture. Here I was able to volunteer at an orphanage, a dog shelter and I helped to clean archaeological sites of litter. I am also proud of making the dean’s list in Fall of 2018.

What research projects, internships, experiential learning, and/or study abroad programs did you participate in at URI? How did they enhance your education? 

Studying abroad enhanced my education through allowing me to adapt to unfamiliar cultures, providing me with real world experiences which taught me how to learn from and respect people of a different culture. This experience allowed me to become more open minded and also provided me with the opportunity to develop new skills in communication and networking. 

What do you value about your liberal arts education? 

For my liberal arts education, I value the pursuit of knowledge. As nothing is set in stone, new findings can change previous ideas that were once commonly accepted by academia.