Rachel Wilson
| Degrees: | Bachelor of Arts Honours Major in History, Minor in Geography (June 2020) |
| Email: | rachelwilson3@cmail.carleton.ca |
What is your favourite thing about the program?
I love how broad you can make your own learning so I always make the joke that “I know a little bit about a lot of things.” There is such a diverse amount of courses that you could specialize in, or just dip your toe in to see if it was for you. History is so much more than just studying wars (although this is still very important to know) it is the essence to our being today, every single thing has a past and we are all actively shaping that.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss actively learning and the constant need to keep pushing yourself. I believe a lot of the time it is easy to stick with what you know or your favourite subjects but it is so important to push yourself and learn outside of your comfort zones. A lot of classes I took I did so that I could pick up some of the pieces from what I missed through early education so I could not only educate myself but hopefully others as well.
I will also miss the Carleton Pool where I spent majority of my time playing on the Water Polo team, working as a guard, napping in the stands, and spending all of my money at Timmies. Since I’m not there anymore I can reveal it is the best study/nap spot on campus!
What is your favourite reading/book/text from the program?
Ironically (or not) I never had that much education beyond elementary school on Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people. I felt like it was imperative that I learn about this and found that the book Travellers Through Empire: Indigenous Voyages from Early Canada by Cecilia Morgan did a fantastic job at opening my eyes.
I absolutely loved the course Social and Cultural History of Canada and felt the text “Home, Work, and Play” by James Opp and John Walsh read like a story. As someone who has worked at a summer camp for 6 years I loved learning the history behind them!
Finally in my last year here I has the pleasure of taking a class with Professor Bellamy and absolutely loved the reading “Brewed in the North: A History of Labatt’s” not only because it was a fun class but it shows that other side of history that amplifies the message that everything has history. Plus it was awesome telling people I had a seminar on beer.
What’s next for you?
In the fall I will be attending Teachers College up at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay! Using my History and Geography education I will be perusing my dream of becoming a High School Teacher.