Majors: Finance, International Studies & Diplomacy (ISD), and Spanish
Hometown: Eliot, Maine
Isabelle appears in a video about our ISD program here.
Q. What makes the College of Arts and Sciences at URI unique?
A. Since my first day, I always felt that the faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences were truly here to help me grow both academically and as a person. The relationships and connections I have been able to establish with my professors and advisors have been unmatched, and it has always been evident to me how much they care about the subjects they teach and their dedication to their students. To me, the uniqueness of the College of Arts and Sciences is also in its ability to allow students to expand their learnings to things that are sincerely important and relevant to them and includes a significant opportunity for research and projects in areas that students find personally fulfilling.
What accomplishments and/or activities at URI are you most proud of now?
Having been able to complete three majors, four internships, and be a Resident Assistant the past 3 years has been a busy, challenging, and rewarding experience. I came to college intending to be an accounting major and never anticipated majoring in any sort of international program or a language. In high school, I had always struggled with Spanish, and so it was with great trepidation that I began the process to major in it. But, after 4 years, countless mistakes, and some amazingly supportive teachers I can say now that I am not only proud to use my Spanish skills, but eager to learn and utilize the language even more. Four years ago I would have never considered the thought of living abroad on my own, but since having lived abroad, I’ve come back with a renewed passion for my studies and greater insight into the importance of languages.
What research projects, internships, experiential learning, and/or study abroad programs did you participate in at URI? How did they enhance your education?
I am currently interning during my last semester at a technology company called Pegasystems in a global mobility role. This has overlapped very well with my international studies major and has expanded my knowledge on immigration processing and the legal world of corporate talent acquisition on a global scale. Additionally, I also studied abroad in Bilbao, Spain during the Spring 2020 semester and had an amazing experience integrating myself in local classes, traveling to other countries on the weekends with newly made friends, and further exploring the culture that Bilbao had to offer. Living with a host family and attending a local university in Spain made me truly have to utilize my language skills, and gave me the chance to apply the knowledge I learned in different political science and language classes to gain a better understanding of the local culture and social structure.
What do you value about your liberal arts education?
Meeting new people, especially those with very different backgrounds than myself was a very important part of my liberal arts education. I often felt growing up that many of the people around me all had similar ideas and beliefs so it was very refreshing to hear articulate discussions, debate, and new perspectives from other people in many of my classes. Many of my classes also challenged traditional narratives that I was taught regarding the economy and much of what I learned in history and allowed me to develop critical thinking skills so that I could better understand and evaluate the world around me through a thoughtful lens.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I would like to say a HUGE “Thank You” to all of my amazing professors and advisors! The ISD program has been an absolutely incredible experience, and I feel so lucky to have been able to be a member of it. To my Spanish language professors: Thank you for your patience (especially when I refuse to conjugate words) and to my advisors: Thank you for always answering my (many) emails and support while I was abroad!!