Written by Reya Islam ’25
Hallo, Ich heiße Reya! I am currently a senior at Denison. I’m originally from Dublin, Ohio, though I was born in Bangladesh. When I was five, my family moved to New York City, and we eventually settled in Ohio when I was 14. Currently, I’m double majoring in Environmental and International Studies with a minor in Politics and Public Affairs.
On campus, I’m involved with DCGA, MSA, serve as a Senior Fellow in the International Studies department, and work at the Global Programs office. One unique thing about me is that I speak six languages: Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, Arabic, and English. I’m also learning German and Turkish. I have a passion for travel and cultural exploration, having visited places from Canada to Malaysia to Guatemala.
During my Junior year, I studied abroad in Germany which was a transformative experience. My program, called “The European Union,” truly made Europe our classroom. We traveled to various EU countries to study the EU’s structure, policies, and the June elections. One of my favorite moments was traveling to the UK with a friend—not just to London, but also to places like Seaford, Oxford, and Bristol. Another unforgettable experience was seeing the Berlin Wall and taking in the view of the city from atop the German Parliament building. In all, these experiences have deepened my understanding of global issues and fueled my passion for learning about diverse cultures and perspectives. I’m excited to continue exploring these interests, both in my studies and through future travels!
