Meet Marianne

Who are you?
I’m Marianne, a fourth year soon-to-be graduated Governance student at UCF.

Why did you choose LAS at UCF?
The flexibility of the program – the fact that you can choose your major after the first year, so you don’t have to choose what you want to do directly; the fact that it’s interdisciplinary, so you can focus on different topics at the same time and find interesting links and connections between them, and the fact that it is four years long, so I had time to go abroad for a whole year instead of only one semester.

Why did you choose your Major?
I chose Governance because I liked the introduction the most. First, I was not sure between Governance and EES (now ESS), but I felt better in the Introduction to Governance class – It felt more in line with what I wanted to do, although this class was definitely different than the major itself.

Did you study abroad?
Yes, I studied at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (United States), for one year. I went through the International Office exchanges.

When you started LAS, what did you find challenging and/or unexpected?
I struggled with the format of the courses, which are very much based on discussion and not as input-based as I was used to in France. This new format was challenging, but it turned out to be one of the biggest advantages of LAS to me. It really encourages critical thinking, and it shapes your perspective on different topics thanks to engaging discussions with classmates. Now, I wouldn’t go back to frontal teaching if given the choice.

What is the strongest point of the LAS program?
As I previously mentioned, the discussion-based format is one of the strongest points of LAS. Moreover, it is a program that helps you find out what you are interested in through the courses, but also makes you evolve tremendously on a personal level. A lot of us can’t explain what it is or how it happened, but at the end of the fourth year we all know that we have developed in ways that we couldn’t foresee. I also feel very prepared for my academic and professional future.

What are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th years like?
1st Year: Not what you expect. This year is about building up the foundation for studying LAS – which can be annoying at times, but turns out to be crucial eventually.
2nd Year: This year is about establishing a foundation for your major.
3rd Year: You can really start exploring LAS. This is when you start understanding what interdisciplinarity is about and when you start to really find out what you are interested in. Usually, people start taking electives in the third year, and most people spend one or two semesters abroad. For me, it was a very exciting year in terms of classes.
4th Year: This year is about putting together everything that you have learned in the past three years, to make something meaningful out of your study project. The fourth year is where it all makes sense, and where you are able to have a personal project (bachelor’s thesis) aligned with your own study experience.

What is the most fun course you’ve taken?
Critical Gender Perspectives: Masculinities and Femininities, with Dr. Amya Agarwal. I took this course in my last semester, and I probably wouldn’t have liked it as much if I had taken it earlier. Indeed, the format was heavily discussion-based, but it made a lot of sense in relation to the topic of the course. It was an amazing class.

What advice would you give to future LAS students?
You should go for LAS if you are not afraid of not knowing what you want. And you also need to be open to change your mind about what you want. Enjoy the process – it is worth it.

Can you explain LAS in one sentence?
A study program that teaches you an interdisciplinary and valuable approach not only to studies but also to life. It is hard to explain when you haven’t been through it, but I would say that the main thing about LAS is that it teaches you an approach.

What’s next?
I’m taking a gap year now, doing internships, traineeships and travels while looking for a master’s degree that interests me.

(July 2023)