by Elizabeth Westbrook ’21
Growing up in Singapore, it seemed like the workings of the world revolved around the small but mighty Port of Singapore. As a product of my environment, I dreamed of representing the United States at the negotiating table. When I moved to Texas for high school, I struggled to find like-minded individuals who viewed the United States as a big piece of an even bigger puzzle. This only encouraged me to go to college in an environment that would be conducive to my career goals.
I wasn’t really looking for a minor to add to my major, but then I took Professor Ramos’ International Relations class. She introduced me to a brand new minor, Peace and Justice Studies, which was exactly what I wanted to specialize in. The Peace and Justice Studies minor will teach me about justice and keeping the peace, which is something that I would not be able to focus on through my Political Science major alone. I study Peace and Justice studies to give me an edge in the future through the knowledge I will acquire in the program.
My internship with the World Affairs Council in Houston this Summer combines my attraction to foreign policy and peace. Through this internship, I plan to gain knowledge about non-profits, how they can promote peace, and explore any career interests in non-profits. My ultimate career goal is to become a diplomat, and my Peace and Justice Studies minor is a step in the right direction.
Elizabeth Westbrook is a Political Science major and Peace and Justice Studies minor at Loyola Marymount University.
