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| 1. What is your specific area of research (include the name of your faculty and/or laboratory)? |
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| I am currently doing research
under Professor Folkenflik in the English department, and am pursuing
a second project with Professor Kim in the Political Science Department.
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| 2. When and how did you first get involved in research? |
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I was very fortunate to be contacted by Professor
Folkenflik in the fall of my junior year to participate in faculty-mentored
undergraduate research.Working under him, I began my own work on
Charlotte Charke. |
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| 3. How has research enhanced you education? |
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Research has proved to be immensely enriching and helpful. It has allowed me to develop a new kind of thinking, one in which I question what I am given and begin to ask new questions, integrating all various forms of learning. It has been helpful in showing me what may lay ahead for me in graduate school, and has enhanced my confidence and public speaking skills. |
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| 4. What has been you favorite experience with research (include any interesting stories or specific events)? |
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My favorite experience would have to be preparing to present at the UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium last year. I was able to take the material that I was passionate about and apply it to a medium that I am passionate about, art. Developing the visual presentation of my project was a fun experience and presenting it was truly exciting. |
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| 5. What are your future plans and how has being involved in research helped to prepare you to meet your goals? |
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I plan to go on to graduate school, pursuing a Ph.D. in English. As I said, research has given me the skills I need to go to graduate school,where research will be taking up most of my time. In addition, by the end of this year, I will have two projects that show my commitment and excitement about the fields of English and Postcolonial Studies. |
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| 6. What advice would you give to a student interested in pursuing a faculty-mentored undergraduate research project or creative activity? |
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My advice would be this: At first, research, especially in the Humanities seemed some what of an enigma, and in that sense it was a scary idea. Throwing myself head first into research helped me get over that fear, and as I worked with my mentor I began gaining a deeper realization of what research in the field means. At this point I was able to take what I had learned and make a meaning for myself, through my own project. So, go for it. The best way to know what research is all about is to get into it. |
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