Undergraduate Alumni

The Comparative Literature Department at UC Irvine has been a home for me. Its curriculum not only grounded me in foundational texts but also inspired the composition of my undergraduate thesis. In seminars, I engaged deeply with histories, philosophy, and literature, while grappling with urgent societal issues. Beyond the classroom, the department encouraged me to participate in events and conferences that expanded my academic horizons. The professors are caring, guiding me along my academic path and providing resources tailored to my interests. Their genuine care was evident in their constant availability and the value they placed on my pursuits and well-being.

Now, as a PhD candidate in German philosophy and literature at Johns Hopkins University, I continue to explore my interests in modern technology and its societal impact. Yet, the faculty at UC Irvine remain in touch and continue to generously support my projects. I feel fortunate to have been part of such a remarkable department.

I found my home in academia through the Comparative Literature program at UCI. As a student that had felt constricted by the expectations of more traditional majors, I felt free to experiment and traverse disciplinary lines under Comparative Literature. In scholarship, nothing excites me more than weaving together cultural studies, critical theory, literary and film studies, and the courses and faculty under Comparative Literature at UCI encouraged and inspired this kind of interdisciplinary research. After graduating from UCI in 2020, I went on to receive a masters in Comparative Literature from the University of Amsterdam in The Netherlands, then a year of university lecturing in The Hague, and most recently a year of classroom English teaching in Tokyo. Whilst in Japan, I have capitalized on the Japanese language skills I acquired as part of the cultural studies emphasis of my undergraduate degree. I hope to pursue a career in academia in the future, and my background in Comparative Literature has gifted me with endless possibilities for success in the humanities.