91´«Ã½

Sofia ‘26 embraces multiple leadership roles on campus as a member of the Executive-Board of Mawrters for Immigrant Justice; the Self-Government Association (SGA) Social Justice and Equity Taskforce; and the affinity group Mujeres*. She is also a tour guide for admissions, and supervisor in Erdman Dining Hall.  Now a political science and sociology double major, Sofia tells us about her academic journey and how our flexible liberal arts curriculum led to a surprise second major.  

Entering 91´«Ã½, which departments interested you?  

I knew I wanted to major in political science, but I did not expect to add sociology to the mix. I remember taking my first class because I was interested in the methods and uniqueness of sociology, and I was deeply surprised by how many areas you can explore within the field. I went to a major information session with the faculty, and they were all extremely funny, passionate and committed people. I now look up to them, not only as scholars, but also as human beings with strong convictions and beliefs that they then translate into their research, work and actions.   

Which courses helped shape your academic path?  

After taking a few sociology courses here, I confirmed that I was not only interested in it as a major, but I was passionate about it! Most of my classes gave me the opportunity to take my learning beyond the boundaries of a classroom setting, which has only confirmed my interest in it. With an experiential learning approach, you’re not only reading abstract concepts and definitions but you’re also applying all that knowledge with hands-on experience. With sociology courses, I learned how to do ethnographic research, engaged with migrant communities in South Philadelphia, and even learned how to syntax code with statistical software, a useful skill for either research or other industry sectors.  

Tell us about a favorite course that sparked your curiosity.   

Sociology for Migration with Professor Veronica Montes—I took it spring semester of my sophomore year and learned so much from it. My favorite memory was our final creative project, where my classmates and I analyzed our own families’ experiences of migration and applied theoretical concepts to our own personal experiences. This class has also made me interested in exploring migration deeper and even made me consider becoming either a scholar on migration or doing migration law.  

Tell us about a time you were able to put learning into action.  

I’ve had many opportunities to take my knowledge outside of the classroom, but one of the most valuable experiences was my internship at the Chamber of Deputies of the National Congress of Paraguay this summer. I was able to get funding for this opportunity through 91´«Ã½â€™s Pollak Grant. This was a transformative experience, offering me insights into the legislative process and enhancing my professional skills. I strengthened my leadership, communication, and political communication skills by engaging in policy analysis, and collaborating with others. Working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment like Congress allowed me to adapt quickly and think on my feet. It was also an experience that connected me to my values, beliefs, and convictions about the future that I would like to see in my home country.  

What advice would you give a student at the start of their academic journey at 91´«Ã½? 

Explore as much as you can, get out of your comfort zone and follow your intellectual curiosity. Take classes that genuinely interest you, even if they’re outside your current plans or you feel that you don’t know anything about that major. Often, the most unexpected courses inspire you to find new passions. 91´«Ã½ offers such a diverse set of opportunities, so I would recommend staying open-minded to paths you may not have considered yet. Choosing a major does not limit you, rather it gives you skills that you can apply across many fields—so choose what excites and motivates you to learn more!