The Impact of Faculty, a Senior Reflection
When further reflecting on my time at the University of Arkansas, many things have shaped my experience, but perhaps the most impactful has been the faculty and staff at Fulbright College.
One of the best aspects of the college for me has been its educational diversity and promotion of interdisciplinary studies. The college’s faculty deeply understand the value of this approach and why it matters for both students and educators.
“I think in this very globalized and ever-changing world, it is very important for us, as faculty, to think outside of our traditional disciplines and outside ourselves, and in our own research to see how different fields are intertwined and how interconnected we are,” said Ryan Calabretta-Sajder, director of the International and Global Studies program and section head of the Italian Program.
As Dr. Calabretta-Sajder’s former student, I’ve experienced this philosophy firsthand.
During my freshman year, I knew I wanted to take a language and work toward fluency. I enrolled in Italian, and after the first week of class with Dr. Calabretta-Sajder, I briefly wondered whether it might be too challenging.
However, by sticking with the course, I began to find a community.
“I love teaching Elementary Italian because it’s always an eye-opening experience for the students,” Calabretta-Sajder said. “Often there are freshmen, and it’s nice to work with students who are excited and experiencing college for the first time.”
I distinctly remember a day in his class when we explored Italian culture, specifically, coffee culture. It became one of my favorite lessons, offering a new way to connect with the language. After my first year, I declared an Italian minor.
Each year in college brings new changes and faces. Sophomore year is often when students begin to define their major and explore new opportunities.
For me, that meant pursuing a major in English, though I wasn’t fully convinced until I took a class with Dr. Sidney Burris.
When he begins a lecture, he simply sits down and addresses the class. He doesn’t rely on elaborate presentations, just the students, the assigned reading and the wealth of knowledge he brings.
In my junior year, I decided to study abroad to deepen my understanding of the Italian language and culture. The university’s study abroad office offers excellent support and numerous programs tailored to students’ needs.
My experience abroad wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Chelsea Hodge, director of grants in the Honors College. She assisted me in applying for an Honors College grant, which funded my trip.
“It’s an intellectual risk to study abroad,” Hodge told me.
She also shared that one of the best parts of her job is helping students achieve their goals and making even a small impact in their lives.
Although studying abroad involves risk, it’s an incredibly impactful experience, and one that significantly shaped my college journey.
That fall, before leaving the U of A, I enrolled in Conversational Italian to prepare for the trip and advance my Italian minor. I had the pleasure of taking the course with Dr. Daniela D’Eugenio.
Dr. D’Eugenio not only taught me Italian but also fostered a love for the culture, infusing the classroom with passion and insight.
“[The] Italian language gives you a way to think and reflect over something in a critical way,” she said. “It’s logical and critical skills that you achieve when studying a language.”
Studying abroad allowed me to sharpen my language skills and learn how to communicate across language barriers. It gave me a deeper connection to the material I had studied for years and even led to me being awarded a U.S. Fulbright Grant.
I’ve also taken a course with the aforementioned Dr. Burris every year.
This last semester, I finished my studies with his class, “The Literature of Non-Violence,” co-taught with Geshe Thupten Dorjee. It has been one of the most meaningful courses I’ve taken.
“There are a couple of fundamental seeds that I hope are getting planted that you’ll carry with you for a very long time,” Burris said. “It gives you a way to look at your own development as a human being, part of a community, trying to resist violence and establish peaceful conditions in which everyone can prosper according to their own lives.”
As I reach the end of my collegiate career, reflecting on the past reminds me how far I’ve come. Staying open to the future keeps me hopeful. I asked Dr. Burris, Dr. Calabretta-Sajder, Dr. D’Eugenio and Dr. Hodge what advice they would offer to graduating seniors.
“It’s never too late to change direction in ways big or small,” Hodge said. “You can change careers. You can change your plan.”
“Part of the process of being successful is failing, and as long as you’re open to failing and learning from your failures, you will be successful,” reminded Calabretta-Sajder.
“Nurture your passions and interests,” advised D’Eugenio.
And finally, “You don’t have to get it done all at once,” shared Burris.