Marija Tesla
Harriet Newhall Fellow
Why MHC: "I chose Mount Holyoke because I believe in the importance of a woman's education, because I wanted to be a part of a diverse community. I chose Mount Holyoke because I strongly agree with its long standing philosophy that is filled with tradition, yet at the same time embraces new innovative ideas that depict this college's willingness to learn, to change, and move toward what one hopes is better. I wanted to be a Mount Holyoke woman because I understood the conviction and the audacity with which its students take charge of their education while here at Mount Holyoke, and later as professionals who break ground every day in the hope of making this world a better place. I chose MHC because it is an elite institution without elitist propositions, in other words, a rare gem a few discover, and a select few get to experience."
Class year: 2011Major(s): English and Russian Literature and Culture
Hometown: Karlovac, Croatia and Akron, Ohio
Current Residence Hall: Mead Hall
Postgraduate Plans: I am applying for a Fulbright Research Grant to the Czech Republic. I am thinking about Graduate School: Slavic Languages and Literatures or Comparative Literature, and or Law School.
Study Abroad/Internships: I interned in a law firm, Hill Hardman Oldfield. I also studied abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia, and was a Global Studies Fellow, and worked on a research project in Croatia and Serbia for what may potentially become my thesis.
Favorite Professors: Simone Weil Davis, Jenny Pyke, and Joan Cocks
Favorite Class: Confessions, Novels, and Notebooks: The Self and Political Thought
Favorite Extracurricular Activity: Being a part of the MHC Student Government Association, and serving the MHC community in any way I possibly can.
Favorite Place on Campus: Atrium of the Library
Favorite Tradition: Convocation
Favorite Dining Hall Food: Zucchini Fritters
Favorite Local Restaurant: Judie's in Amherst. Their popovers are outrageously delicious!
What did you do last weekend? On Friday I left Zagreb, Croatia's capital and spent most of the weekend in Croatia's beautiful countryside doing interviews for my research project. I also visited my hometown, Karlovac, as well as my grandparents; farm on the outskirts of Karlovac. On Sunday night I returned to Zagreb and left for Krapina to do research in another beautiful part of Croatia.