Brianna Smith
It’s been almost three years since I graduated from Trent University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Development and Sociology. In the four years I spent at Trent University, I learned about global inequality, differences between and within societies; lived and for eight months in another country; and developed an understanding for the need of positive change in today’s world.
Though Trent University is a relatively small school, no matter where I go I am proud to open up about my degree and my experiences at Trent. My time at Trent provided me with the tools I need to look at the world in a different light, often with a more critical perspective. My choice to double-major in International Development and Sociology has equipped me skills that I will be able to use in any career, in any future job I might have. Through my two majors at Trent, I was able to take a variety of courses including “Human Inequality in a Global Perspective” and “Development Analysis” in International Development; as well as “Ethnicity, Identity and Community,” and “Gender, Race and Class” in Sociology. Apart from the wide range of interdisciplinary courses that I enjoyed while at Trent, I was also extremely satisfied with the availability of staff members and professors throughout my four years. I found that professors made it a point to always be available, and if you wanted to succeed, they would be there to help you along the way.
One of the main reasons I chose the International Development program at Trent University was for the incredible opportunity offered in the third year of study. After developing an understanding of development theory and what development means in the first two years of the program, I had a chance to apply for a year-abroad program in either Ghana or Ecuador. This possibility attracted me to Trent while choosing universities in Grade 12, and I am extremely gratified that I followed through with it. While learning in a classroom was a valuable aspect of my education; being able to travel to another country and see the impact of Western society and real-life development projects added a whole different dimension to my degree. The practical aspect of development is a vital one, and in Ghana I was able to observe and contribute to programs as they were being carried out. My third year in Ghana was an experience that I will keep with me forever. My closest friends from Trent are the ones that I shared my year in Ghana with, and I think often about the adventures we had and what we learned, both in and outside of the classroom. Experiencing another country and culture for eight months is something that was very important in contributing to the person I am today, and the person I continue to grow towards being.
