2 minute read
Disarming Discourse
Karina Barbesino ’19 —who found the intersection between two seemingly disparate passions at Rollins—says it all starts with language.
ROLLINS READY
Learn more about how more Rollins grads are putting their education to work in the world at rollins.college/ rollins-ready. Conversationally fluent in Mandarin Chinese, German, and Spanish, Karina Barbesino ’19 is passionate about connecting with people through language. While at Rollins, the international relations and Asian studies double major applied and enhanced her communication and people skills by studying abroad in Shanghai and Kunming, near the China-Vietnam border. Turns out it was the perfect preparation for her current role as a research associate at Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs, where she’s focusing on America’s policy with China.
Liberal Arts in Action
“It was through the international experiences I had in China—meeting with local experts, professors, and doctors of traditional Chinese medicine—and the opportunity to write an honors thesis that most prepared me to enter the national security sector. The chance to develop a professional working proficiency in a foreign language has been a sought-after skill in the think-tank space.”
Meaningful Mentors
“I took a Chinese class with [Chinese professor] Li Wei every semester, several of which were independent studies where I could focus on vocabulary and topics I wanted, and he helped me so much with my translations and offered support along the way. It was my relationship with him that led me to an Asian studies major.”
Future-Proof Education
“At Rollins, I was fortunate to learn in various environments— from independent studies and round-table discussions to hands-on learning and seminars. These experiences forced me to tackle questions from different angles, both independently and in collaborative teams. I use the critical-thinking and language skills I gained at Rollins in my work every day.”
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