Third-year student Jensen Scheuer is pursuing a unique and global education, choosing to major in medieval studies and minor in German. His academic studies have led him to Berlin and a work term with Go Global while also staying active with the UBC Fencing Club.
Medieval studies is an interdisciplinary degree where students can study the world in the first fifteen hundred years of the common era through as many disciplines as they choose. The opportunity to study different areas made Jensen decide that the medieval studies major was right for him.
“I get to broaden my horizons,” Jensen said. “I love history, but I also enjoy literature and I am talented with languages. It’s important for me to have the flexibility to build my major the way that I want to, and it really shows that Arts skills, such as reading, writing, and critical thought, are transferable.”
Since high school, Jensen has been interested in connecting with his German-speaking heritage. Determined to improve his language skills, Jensen decided to minor in German. Last year he spent nine weeks in Berlin with Go Global’s Global Seminars (Group Study Abroad) program.
“I wanted to experience German culture and I liked that I could study abroad with other UBC students,” said Jensen. “The program helped me improve my speaking skills, as well as my writing skills. I had to write an essay in German, and it was a completely different experience in Germany.”
Upon his return from Berlin, Jensen worked with Go Global to help promote the Global Seminars. In addition to the opportunity to glimpse what working for a university could be like, he also gained experience in public speaking, which will be valuable in his future career.
Like many Arts students, Jensen often faces the question “what will you do with your degree?” An academic at heart, Jensen would like to continue his education and become a professor but is keeping his options open to working as a historical consultant for films and video games or with library and museum archives.
“I discovered that I enjoy speaking in front of a class, which is great since I would like to become a professor,” Jensen commented. “I am also interested in film and the interaction between the history of medieval studies and popular culture. While not exactly endless, the possibilities are intriguing.”
Outside of academics, Jensen is a member of the UBC Fencing Club, which was recently approved for competitive club status. Having fenced as a child, Jensen was thrilled to discover a sport at UBC that is relevant to his degree in medieval studies.
Regardless of their intended majors, Jensen encourages all Arts students to branch out and try everything that they are interested in.
“I came to experiment at UBC, and I found medieval studies. I didn’t even know that was a major,” said Jensen. “There are a lot of opportunities to grow at UBC that you may not even know about until you explore, but it is important to find out and take advantage of them.”
