With graduation approaching, we wanted to take the time to highlight a few of the Kennedy Center’s top students—we interviewed five students to learn more about how their experiences at BYU have shaped them.
A major in International Relations and minor in Spanish, Charlotte Rolfs is one of the Kennedy Center’s seven valedictorians of 2024. Following graduation, she will begin BYU Law School in the fall, with the goal of working in public defense or family law.
What drew you to your program?
I chose International Relations because I’ve always been interested in the social issues that political science addresses, but I also wanted the hard/quantitative skills that economics offers. International Relations was perfect for me as it combines both!
What were your favorite classes?
My favorite classes were Comparative Politics (POLI 250) and Intermediate Micro Theory 1 (ECON 380). I loved comparative politics because it was the first time I really felt like a class changed my whole world view. It is an introductory-level class in the IR major and going in, I honestly did not understand even the basics about politics or government. POLI 250 taught me to read and understand scholarly articles, to think more deeply about the effects of policy decisions, and to realize that government and politics have far-reaching effects on individuals’ lives. I loved ECON 380 because it was the first time I began to feel confident in my ability to use math and numbers to help people.
Were there any professors that made an impact on you?
Professor Darin Self is probably my favorite professor at BYU! I started the IR major with incredible imposter syndrome. Everyone in my classes sounded so smart and knowledgeable and for a long time I had a really difficult time even following class discussions. While I felt totally out of my league, Professor Self reached out to me and became a big mentor. He helped me to feel like I belonged in the major (and honestly just at BYU generally) and helped me to feel more confident in myself and my abilities. Professor Self helped me to understand the value of effort over natural ability, and he called out strengths that I struggled to see in myself. I loved his class, and his leadership profoundly changed my BYU experience. TA-ing for him for the last three semesters, it’s been inspiring to watch as he offers this same guidance and encouragement to students every semester.
Professor Emily Leslie was my first (and only) female economics professor. Most of my economics classes had no more than three or four girls in them and I often felt out of place. Professor Leslie also helped me to understand that I belonged at BYU and in economics courses. I was also incredibly inspired by her academic achievements while she is also a mom of four kids. When I got married I wasn’t sure how to combine my academic goals with my familial goals. Professor Leslie met with me and helped me feel like it was possible to pursue both academic/career goals and motherhood. If it weren’t for her, I probably would have given up on many of my ambitions.
Did you participate in any studies abroad?
I studied abroad in Nepal and Argentina! In Nepal I studied art and culture while trekking to the base camp of Mount Everest! At the time of the study abroad I had been having second thoughts about my major and really struggling to feel like I had direction with my studies and my life generally. Studying abroad totally changed my life! We spent two weeks trekking several miles a day through the Himalayas to get to base camp. Our sherpa guides taught us principles of meditation and focus and it was honestly a spiritual experience to have so much time to think and ponder in what is arguably the most beautiful place on earth. That experience helped confirm to me that I wanted to study International Relations because it confirmed to me my great love of culture, and my passion for learning to address issues that underprivileged groups face around the world.
In Argentina I was able to study abroad with my husband! We worked as interns for the church in their humanitarian and self-reliance programs. Moving to Argentina, I had never spoken with a native Spanish speaker in my life and I was really nervous. Working with a fully Spanish team, leading meetings, conducting interviews, and just generally living in Spanish in Argentina was so empowering! I gained a much deeper appreciation and love for other cultures as I was forced to embrace a foreign culture more fully than I had before, considering my husband and I were the only BYU students on our study abroad! I also became much more confident in myself and my ability to do hard things! While we were there we also had the opportunity to go on weekend trips to Brazil and Uruguay. I was called on my mission to Uruguay but reassigned to Alaska due to COVID, so it was such a special opportunity to finally make it to my original assignment.
To those who are considering your major/minor, what would you say? Do you have any tips for students on getting the most out of their program?
Everyone says that the IR major is super hard. I won’t lie—it’s not easy, but it is definitely doable. I have often felt intimidated by the way that people talk about the major/specific classes. My biggest piece of advice would just be to take the major, and classes, step by step. We are often a lot more capable than we feel like we are and stressing out about things prematurely doesn’t benefit anyone.
I would also say to take advantage of experiential learning funds! I paid for school myself and was initially unsure if I could ever afford to study abroad. To my surprise, I ended up getting both of my studies abroad fully funded. There are lots of opportunities for funding if you reach out, so I would never say no to a study abroad just because of the price. (Similarly, when I got married I thought my study abroad days were over. I was surprised and excited to learn that lots of study abroad programs can also accommodate spouses. Reach out and ask questions before you decide a study abroad won’t work for you, regardless of the reason!)