“I haven’t really seen an education like this before." | Ariana's Student Story

When her Obama Scholarship first-year success coach recommended a  seven-day course on Shakespeare that took place in Northern Arizona, Ariana A. was initially opposed to the idea. 

“I come from a very non-fiction, regurgitation-of-the-text background and this was a very creative liberal education compared to what I was normally learning. I was intimidated,” said Ariana, a sophomore at Arizona State University. But with the recommendation from her trusted advisor and the goal of meeting new people, she got a lot out of the course, especially when it came to getting to know her peers. 

“Everyone there genuinely has the heart to change the world... every student in SCETL that I’ve met has a bigger picture for what they want to do.”

Currently majoring in neurobiology, Ariana decided to add a minor in civic and economic thought and leadership to her academic pursuits. She recommends CEL courses to all of her friends. While they're reading classic texts and studying philosophy, they're also learning how to apply to leadership today, and how to use it effectively. In her STEM-related classes, she doesn't get that.

For Ariana, the contrast of her scientific major and liberal arts minor work very well together. 

“I’m better in my STEM classes because of SCETL, but I’m also better in my SCETL classes because of my STEM major.”

When looking at her civic and economic thought and leadership courses it’s all about creativity and asking “why”. Teachers in the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership employ the Socratic method for teaching where they engage and challenge students in more intimate classroom settings. This method encourages students to be curious and question what they are taught, which is something Ariana believes enables students to be more successful in their fields. 

“I haven’t really seen an education like this before." 

“(In STEM classes), you’re never going to go to any of your classes and ask what this means. No one is going to ask why. In SCETL, that is the purpose,” said Ariana.

Though she has her eyes set on medical school, the mentors she has at the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership have shown her that there are other opportunities out there, whether it’s serving in the peace corp or doing an MD/PhD program in public policy or economics. 

“When you come to college you’re trying to figure out exactly how to find your identity and to fit in and what you want out of life… Can I be a part-time doctor a part-time politician and a part-time lawyer?”

When she’s not in class, Ariana works as a pharmacy technician. She credits the Obama Scholarship as the reason why she has the opportunity to work and be a part of different university programs. “I would have been paying for college on my own and now I work for experience and that’s so different than getting a job that’s going to pay well… I’m doing it because I want to, I want that real-world hands-on experience.”

The Obama Scholars program also allows Ariana to attend the school’s upcoming Global Intensive Experience in India. For Ariana, this is an opportunity to meet with medical professors and look at the health of students in India, versus students back in the states. 

“The Obama Scholarship has just made that all accessible.”