Global Impact

Transcript

Students from all over the world are drawn to UC Riverside, and now we’re gonna hear from Marvin, a senior English and creative writing major, who came all the way from Berlin, Germany. Let’s learn a bit about Marvin’s journey to UCR and his experiences while here. Take it away, Marvin.

– Thanks, Alex, for the intro and for making all of this happen. As a first generation student born and raised in Berlin, Germany, it’s unbelievable that I have experienced so much of what UC Riverside has to offer. This is not only accredited to my academic advisor, the various resources for transfer students, but also to my mentors in the Honors Program who helped me develop my capstone research project. Since research is such a core value of the UC Riverside education, it’s not only found in STEM majors, but also in the field of humanities and arts. My double major in English and creative writing seamlessly aligned with the outside of the Honors Program to develop a published research project during the final two years at the university. From the options to produce a research paper, lab experiment, experiential learning, or creative work, I decided on the latter. The program has provided unique opportunities for support through the Howard Hayes Junior Scholarships disbursement, research tools, and honors-exclusive classes. Furthermore, one gets to engage with a faculty member over the entire duration of the program. The mentor-mentee relationship enriches the outcome and provides an outstanding foundation for further steps in academia. After all, English is my second language, and without the support system here at UCR, none of this would’ve been possible. Not only has the Transfers F1RST Program provided me with a head start after transferring, but also the logistical skills of my academic advisor have made the ambitious goal of finishing two majors in two years possible. All of this shows you why UCR is internationally-recognized for its research opportunities and the global impact of that research. I can’t wait to show the world the writer I found in myself here at UCR. Let there be light and spotlight back on you, Alex.

– Thank you for sharing your experiences, Marvin, and thank you for reminding us that research is not just a focus in the sciences, but the humanities as well. With a double major and your research as part of the Honors Program, you’re definitely making the most of your time here at UCR, so thank you for making time for us to share your story. Thanks again.