Brooke Armstrong
Graduation year: 2011
Majors: Anthropology and Asian studies
Minors: Music
Activities: Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Choir, Asian Student Organization, Sigma Kappa Tau
Post-grad plans: Teach abroad for a year and then graduate school
Are you where you thought you¡¯d be four years ago?
Definitely not! As a first-year, I thought I was going to be a music major. I also would not have ever seen myself in a sorority or as the president of an organization.
Besides your family, who helped you get to where you are now?
I would have to say my teachers and advisors. They really supported me when my projects got tough and encouraged me to think outside of the box. I would also say my friends. They always encourage me to do my best and help me when I¡¯m feeling troubled.
What was a peak experience while you were here?
It¡¯s hard to choose, but I would say my experiences on East Asia term. I¡¯ve been studying Asia since I was a first-year but actually going to the place is a much different experience! I learned what Asia is really like, but I also learned about myself as well.
What did you learn about yourself in these past four years that surprised you?
I can do more than I think I can. Even though doing something might be scary, I learned that by following through with your ideas and actually doing it, you will be amazed by the results.
Advice for this fall¡¯s incoming class (Class of 2015)?
Try doing something that you¡¯re scared of and dream big¡ªthe results will be more than worth it.
"When I worked with Brooke in ANTH 419, our ethnographic research methods course, she drew on experiences she had while visiting family members in Bermuda to develop a fascinating and original study of Gombey dancers, traditional performance groups that have undergone some interesting changes lately. She was granted a Summer Student Research Fellowship in 2010 and used these funds to do a month of fieldwork in Bermuda. She will present her findings at the annual meeting of the Central States Anthropological Society in April. Brooke took a great idea and, through hard work and dedication, cultivated it into a successful Senior Inquiry project."