Name: Kashfi Ahmed
Major: Sociology
Class Year: 2016
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Why did you choose Mount Holyoke?
I transferred to MHC because I wanted to be a part of an institution that focuses on female empowerment through education.
What are your hobbies and extracurricular activities?
My hobbies are creative writing, traveling, badminton, and hiking.
Why did you choose your major?
I have always been interested in understanding social structures that reinforce certain values, preserve ideologies, and keep people boxed up. For example, social structures are more powerful than religious influences because people are more susceptible to society’s interpretations of religious ideas versus the literal elements of religions themselves.
What would you say is your best quality?
My best quality would be my passion for teaching and developing educational policies to nurture critical thinkers of tomorrow.
Who or what has influenced you the most in your life?
Having the opportunity to travel from a very young age has given me a unique insight into other cultures and ways of life, which continues to inform and challenge my identity and values.
If you could go back in time, which historical figure would you want to speak to, and why?
Lakshimibai, the Queen of Jhansi became a powerful symbol of resistance against British Imperialism in India. She inspires me to continue the fight for justice.
What are your main aspirations or after-college plans?
After graduating, I will be teaching at an international school in South Korea. I hope to continue the trend of teaching and traveling all over the globe.
What was your proudest moment?
After studying relentlessly, I earned a scholarship to study at a prestigious international school. There, I discovered the fantastic world of international teachers who travel all over the world which launched my desire to teach a diverse student body.
Pictures: Badminton, Lakshmbai
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