Outstanding International Studies Students of 2020

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Each year, every academic program chooses students to honor at the Academic Honors Week Convocation. The 2020 Academic Honors Week Convocation honors two outstanding students from the International Studies major: Audrey Crites and Estelle McKinney. Congratulations, Audrey and Estelle!

Q&A with Audrey Crites

Audrey Crites

1. Why did you choose the IST major? I chose to major in International Studies because I’ve always been interested in learning about other cultures and languages. I loved the flexibility of the program at Baylor and being able to choose classes that interested me from several different departments.

2. What is a valuable learning experience you had at Baylor?  Some of my most valuable learning experiences at Baylor were during my study abroad trips to Spain and Morocco. Studying abroad allowed me to learn so much about the history and culture of each country while enhancing my language skills.

3. What are your plans after you graduate?  I just accepted a position as a core team member for In My Shoes, a non-profit in Dallas. It is a year long service opportunity to live with and serve pregnant women who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. After my year with In My Shoes I plan on attending law school.

4. Do you have any advice to the freshmen thinking about majoring in International Studies?  I would recommend that they get involved in student organizations that align with their international interests. My time in Model Arab League greatly enhanced my knowledge of Middle Eastern Politics and connected me with students who shared my passion about the region.

Q&A with Estelle McKinney

Estelle McKinney

1. Why did you choose the IST major?
I chose IST as my major because I wanted to learn and explore how history, culture, and political science interact on the global stage. The major allowed me to blend my interests of different disciplines into one major.
2. What is a valuable learning experience you had at Baylor?
One of my most valuable learning experiences was participating in the Baylor in Washington DC Program. Through this program, students get the opportunity to intern full-time in the nation’s capital while attending regular site visits and work on an independent research study. I interned at an anti-human trafficking nonprofit, and that in of itself was a huge learning and professional experience as I got to dive into a cause I’m passionate about and learn more about the complexity of human trafficking. Additionally, the program allowed me to hear from experts in various policy areas. I gained exposure that challenged my personal beliefs and saw policy in practice.
3. What are your plans after you graduate? 
In the summer I plan to intern in DC at the Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP). In the upcoming fall, I plan to attend graduate school for public policy with a specialization in security, law, and diplomacy at UT Austin or the University of Virginia.

4. Do you have any advice to the freshmen thinking about majoring in International Studies? 

I would encourage freshmen to highly consider it if they are fond of languages and crises that transcend national boundaries. An IST major allows a lot of flexibility in one’s interests that sets it apart from other majors. Furthermore, the IST faculty are encouraging and eager to help whether it be with class questions or life in general.

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