Alexa Rollow became an International Studies major because of its flexibility to study other concepts connected to the major. She has an interest in history, economics, business, languages, and ultimately religion. At first, she was unsure how all of these interests would lead her to her next steps after undergraduate school, but she found that the more classes she took the more a common thread began to show: her passion in connecting with others. The freedom that the variety of these academic studies gave while centering on an interdisciplinary approach offered her insight on cultural, linguistic, and historical exchanges among people. Rather than learning just one subject, the International Studies major focuses on a wholistic approach to learning about the world around us and the people within it.

Through much self-evaluation and reflection on what steps she wanted to take after undergraduate school, Rollow decided to apply to Yale Divinity School to pursue her Masters in Divinity (MDiv). This is a three-year program and the foundational professional degree for ministry. The MDiv degree allows students to pursue careers ranging from chaplaincy to church ministry to higher education.

From advice by her mentors, including Dr. Eric Holleyman and Dr. Elise Edwards, and her time spent as a Supplemental Instructor (SI) for the class Christian Scriptures over the last three years, she knew that this was an opportunity she could not ignore. At the beginning of spring semester, she was accepted into the program. Rollow will begin classes this August where she will study a variety of topics including Old and New Testament exegesis, biblical languages, church history and theology, and intercultural communication.

As advice for current students pursuing a degree in International Studies, Rollow encourages students to think outside the normal paths for political science students. She says, “what matters most is what makes you excited to learn.” If it were not for expanding her interests in other classes at Baylor, she would not have explored ways to connect with others on multiple social and academic levels.

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