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International Relations Majors Seek Peace and Security through Global Learning

Written by Kriti Varghese, Student Writer, Global Affairs

Myriah Smith ’16 is an advocate for human rights. As an international relations major in UC Davis’ College of Letters and Science, she chose the peace and security track because it resonated most with her passion for securing the rights of people affected by conflicts, political violence, and ethnically/religiously targeted discrimination. But Smith knew what she wanted to study long before she was a student at UC Davis.

 

“I grew up in a multiracial family, and my family's celebration of diversity sparked my interest in other cultures at an early age, which led me to study international relations," Smith said. "My family's experiences with discrimination and hardship also influenced this. One of my great grandmothers was a Holocaust survivor and my paternal grandfather grew up as a mixed Black-Indian in Guyana while it was still a British colony."

The more Smith became aware of her roots, the more she became aware of the discrimination and injustice prevalent in the world.

I felt deeply compelled to help others and made the decision to work toward a career that would allow me to fight for the rights and well-being of those suffering through conflicts, focusing on policy, politics, and international security.”
— Myriah Smith, '16 International Relations

One moment, in particular, affirmed this passion for Myriah. It was in her European History class when they covered World War II and the Holocaust. Learning about the atrocities of the Holocaust hit very close to home for Smith.

“It was especially unsettling to me, as my great grandmother was a Holocaust survivor. She was the only person in her family to survive, and only did so by hiding in the forest for years. Her story, combined with the story of millions of others that I learned about, resonated with me deeply. I saw my family and my heritage in the stories of others. As I continued through high school and into college, and continued taking classes that covered various conflicts with human rights abuses, I saw more connections and parallels between my family and heritage and the experiences of others, and I wanted to do something about it. So I decided to pursue a career in human rights,” Smith said.

Read the full article at What Can I Do With My Major?...


About the Global Learning Hub at UC Davis

Through the Global Learning Hub, each and every UC Davis student can find global learning opportunities available on campus, in the region, and across all seven continents. The hub’s network of local and global academic, experiential, and leadership programs helps develop capacity for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to engage with global issues and make a difference in the world as the next generation of global problem solvers. Search all global learning opportunities available at UC Davis.

As a part of Global Affairs, the Global Learning Hub aims to inspire global curiosity, understanding, and engagement.

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