Stories from the American Studies Class of 2022

Nicholas Bethlenfalvy graduated with a Major in American Studies along with a Double Minor in Economics and French. We asked him about his undergraduate experience and where he is headed to next!

Please share your fondest memory from being an American Studies student.

I came across American Studies during my second year of undergrad and never looked back. My fondest memories from the program involve the countless interactions with professors that deepened my appreciation for the field and helped foster relationships on a personal level. Being able to unpack pressing issues in American politics as they transpire is something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Whether these took place in class settings or office hours, the professors in the American Studies Program were incredibly receptive, thoughtful, and supportive. My time in the program has been extremely rewarding, and I am very grateful to all those that made it such an enjoyable experience.

What are some of the courses that you really enjoyed, and why?

AMS200: Introduction to American Studies gave me a firm grounding in the theories and source materials employed in the field, and equipped me with the tools to succeed in academia. I was also fortunate enough to take AMS311: Monumental Controversies: America’s Public Memorials with Professor Rahr in my final year of studies; never before had I felt like we were tackling such a relevant yet polarizing issue affecting the US political climate.

What are some ways that you were involved with the program?

I had the pleasure of serving as an Assistant Editor for the CSUS Undergraduate Journal. As well, the department hosts events and workshops that bring together students, professors, and professionals on a regular basis. Even through the challenges of online school, these presented incredible opportunities to engage and connect with peers and panelists offering insights into captivating American topics.

Do you have any words of wisdom for current or future American Studies students?

Approach the program with an open mind and don’t be afraid to lean on your professors for support. I cannot emphasize enough that the academic path you choose is entirely up to you, as the program affords a flexibility in course selection that motivates students to pursue courses that pique their interests. Encompassing Political Science, History, and English among a variety of others disciplines, the program encouraged me to take electives that I never would have otherwise encountered.

What are next steps for you after graduating from U of T?

Next year, I will be attending the London School of Economics for a one-year MSc in International Social and Public Policy.

What are some insights from the American Studies program that you think you will be able to apply in your future activities?

The critical thinking skills instilled by the American Studies Program are fundamental to any profession. With small class sizes, the program facilitates a level of engagement and collaboration that is truly unmatched, which has improved my ability to draw on scholarly research and articulate ideas in intimate group settings. The balanced and interdisciplinary approach offered by American Studies has been invaluable to my undergraduate experience, and I look forward to drawing on this diverse foundation to tackle contemporary and international issues from a range of perspectives in future academic and professional endeavours.

Sam Parker graduated with a Major in Health Studies along with a Double Minor in American Studies and History. We asked her about her undergraduate experience and where she is headed to next!

Please share your fondest memory from being an American Studies student.

I think my fondest memories are the friends I made in the program. Being such a small program means that the same people are in many of your classes. It is so nice to always start the semester surrounded by familiar faces. I was even bold enough to reach out to a few of them outside of class and feel lucky to count them as my friends. I also fondly remember when Professor Rahr brought chocolates to AMS200: Introduction to American Studies class before winter break. I think that was the moment I knew the program was for me. Chocolate in class! What more do you need?

What are some of the courses that you really enjoyed, and why?

I loved USA311, Epidemic: The History and Culture of American Contagion. It took this course in the Fall of 2020 and it remains the best class I took at U of T! The idea of the epidemic was the perfect plane of inquiry for a multidisciplinary approach; the class brought together history, politics, social theory and media. Every class seemed to be more interesting than the one before. A true 10/10!

What are some ways that you were involved with the program?

I worked on the American Studies Journal as an editor. I also participated in some program exploration days, sharing my experience with students who were trying to decide their path at U of T.

Do you have any words of wisdom for current or future American Studies students?

Don’t be afraid to reach out to the other students in your classes. Everyone in this program is awesome and you never know, you could make a new friend. Also, brag about the program! I really think it’s the best kept secret at U of T. Tell people how awesome we are so more students want to join us.

What are next steps for you after graduating from U of T?

I’ll be starting a Master of Public Health at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island in the Fall. I’ll be there as a Dean’s Scholar and just found out that the program has some education enrichment opportunities with Brown’s American Studies department. I can’t wait.

Emma Lowenberger was an American Studies Major for the three years she was at U of T. She graduated in November 2022! We asked her about her experience of being in the program.

What is your fondest memory from being an American Studies student?

I think my fondest memory from being an American Studies student was when I was President of the Undergraduate Student Society of American Studies. We had a trivia night and it was a huge turnout that we were not expecting, and I think that it was just really great to spend more time with people who were in the program and also people who just wanted to come and have a nice time. So I think that event, post COVID, [showed me that] American Studies was an actual thing, not just people that I knew on Zoom. 

What were your favorite American Studies courses?

Which ones did I take... I took them all! I mean, all of Professor Rahr's classes were incredible, she did a monuments one that was particularly interesting. And then, the last one that I ever took with her was "Climates in Crisis". It was definitely the most freeform one that I ever took, which sometimes [meant that] the more abstract ideas were a little bit harder to grasp, but, you know, at the end of the day it was really incredible. 

How were you involved with the American Studies program?

I took all of the classes offered while I was there. I was the President of the Undergraduate Society of American Studies and I was the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Undergraduate Journal of American Studies. 

What are some insights from the American Studies program that you think you will be able to apply in your future activities? 

American Studies is such a broad program, so I think the main thing you learn in the program is analytical skills. I think that it made me a better communicator,  it made me think better on my feet, [and] it made me a better arguer. It's just skills that transfer to any career. Right now I work in a restaurant, and I use those skills everyday just talking to people and stuff. 

Do you have any words of wisdom for current or future American Studies students?

I would say, participate. I think that you get the most out of the classes when you voice your own opinions and you actually engage in discussion. There were definitely some classes where if you're in a class with six people and two of them aren't talking -- I know that for everyone else it just lessens the dialogue. Also, I can't really imagine that you're getting anything out of the course if you aren't participating. Also, there are no stupid comments, you know?

What are the next steps for you after graduating from U of T?

Right now I am working in a restaurant. I am looking for sort of an office job, [and] I do think in the next few years I will be getting a Masters in Public Policy.