Rhianna Lowe

This weeks Campus Celebrity is Rhianne Lowe, a sophomore at Pitt who balances school, work, sports, and a social life every semester.  She’s part of the women’s rugby team, the water polo team, and can even speak Chinese.  If you don’t think that’s enough, she also works a part-time job on campus and studies hard to maintain her grades as an Architecture Studies major with a Chinese minor.  All around, Rhianne is definitely a Campus Celebrity as she takes on college from so many different directions.  Read on for more information on her fascinating life!
 
So before we get into everything you’re involved with at Pitt, tell us a little bit about what brought you here in the first place!
I chose Pitt mainly because it’s architecture program allows students to explore a lot of other courses while fulfilling requirements for the architecture major.  Now, I can major in Architecture Studies and still take photography and Chinese classes.
 
I know you’ve lived in some really interesting places around the world, including Taiwan, where you went to high school.  What was that experience like?
I lived in the city when I lived in Taiwan and it was a different experience from living in the states because I was the minority.  It was fun to live in the city because it was really easy to get around and explore.  I also met a lot of cool people with so many interesting stories, because everyone was from different places. I went to an American school there for high school, so my classes were in English.  I don’t really have much to compare it to, because it’s all I’ve ever known!
 
Tell us about taking Chinese classes at Pitt.  Do you like it? What’s the hardest part?
The hardest part is that the class is everyday, so it’s a big workload to accomplish for just my minor.  But it’s a really cool class at Pitt, because I get to meet people that have the same interests as me.
 
What’s the hardest part about majoring in Architecture Studies?
I chose architecture because it’s a combination of math and the arts, but taking Physics is still really challenging.  When you take the studio art classes, it takes a lot of your time to complete design projects.
 
Chinese, architecture, and now throw in your job.  Where do you work, and what do you do?
I work at the front desk of the BaierlRec Center at the Peterson Events Center.  I oversee the safety of the students at the gym and I manage rentals.  It’s like I’m the lifeguard of the gym.
 
Do you enjoy it?
I do! I enjoy it because even though it takes a lot of time, my boss is super nice and allows us to bring our homework so I can get things done.
 
Last but certainly not least, you play for Pitt women’s rugby and water polo teams. Tell us about being a part of them.
I joined both rugby and water polo because I couldn’t find the soccer table at the activities fair.  I tried them out, and immediately fell in love with both teams and all the girls.  It’s a big time commitment, but the experience is so rewarding.  The rugby team won our regional game this year and we’re going to nationals at the end of April!
 
I’m dying to know how you balance such a crazy schedule.  How do you keep up with such a hectic routine, plus a social life? Any tips?
I guess my tip would be to just know what you have to do and take it day by day.  I love to be busy but I need to stay organized to do it.  Overall, if you like what you’re doing, you’re going to keep doing it.