Ana Mihajlovska

Why did you choose to study at Bard College Berlin?
Changing my environment after 18 years of living in the same place. That is exactly the challenge I wanted when I pressed the “apply” button for Bard College Berlin. I decided on this big step to come and study at BCB because I knew that the college would give me a chance. A chance to be able to express my opinions without being afraid. BCB gave me the chance to freely walk the streets of Berlin, knowing that I have an intellectual home that will house my thinking and my body—as out of-the-ordinary as they both might be. BCB and I, we are right for each other because we share the same dream: an education that empowers young people like me to cross gendered, cultural, and sociopolitical boundaries as we face today's challenges.

How would you describe our community in a nutshell?
If I were to describe the BCB community I would definitely say that it is a very warm, united, and diverse community. We always support each other in good times, and in times of trouble. The beauty of this diversity is that you can always, ALWAYS learn something new from each person, you simply have the whole world in your hands! While being in this small community, I got to learn bits of languages I never thought I'd stumble upon, I got to try and taste food from different cultures, as well as share some pieces of what I call my home, which is Macedonia. 

Where was your favorite place to study on campus?
My favorite place to study was definitely the W15 cafe, because when you are surrounded by people who also work it is very respectful and quiet. Having a support system during your studies is quite important. On sunny days I loved doing the readings outside, especially on the hammock behind K24, or on the huge grass field that we have— it is the most beautiful landscape to have in front of you while working!

Were you involved in any student clubs or organizations? If so, which ones?
As a person who loves sports, I was part of the BCB Volleyball Club, and on warm Sundays we usually played beach volleyball at our local gym SPOK.

Favorite book you read in a class, and why?
In my class on Existentialism, which I took with Prof. Tracy Colony, we read a lot about the general concept of existence, about the belief that we are each responsible for creating purpose or meaning in our own lives. My favorite book in this class was the play "No Exit" by Jean Paul Sartre. It sounds very scary to think about, but the main concept that the play proposes is that “hell is other people” rather than a state created by God. It left an impression on me because it explains the fact that true misery comes from the human inability to control the nature of one's own existence. 

Write briefly about one of your courses that left a lasting impression on you.
As a student in the EPST program, I would say that my Microeconomics class, taught by Prof. Israel Waichman, has left a lasting impression on me. The way he teaches always motivated me to do well, to learn and to think critically about different economic issues in the world. My favorite thing is to work with numbers, and this class helped me use my interest for math to learn about the creation of individual and market demands and how that works in practice. We touched upon issues of market efficiency and the workings of welfare economics. The most interesting part for me was being able to learn more about concepts of monopoly and perfect competition.
In addition to Microeconomics, the beauty of being at BCB and at a liberal arts university is the opportunity to take classes in the core curriculum. My favorite class was on Renaissance Florence. It enabled me to visit different museums throughout the semester and analyze paintings in depth. This was a class where I could have my mind be at peace and give opinions without needing to worry if it is correct or not, because when analyzing art, there is never a correct answer, it is open to interpretation always.

What surprised you the most about BCB?
What surprised me most about BCB is the close connection people have among each other; staff members, professors and students as well! I can easily have a good conversation with any professor—whether it is on a topic connected to a class or anything in general. My favorite thing about BCB is the events we have, where everyone is invited and we are able to interact with all students, as well as eat good food and feel safe within the community. When I started school in 2020, even with the difficult circumstances concerning the pandemic, everyone was so accepting, understanding and respectful. We have a lot of resources available on campus, and even without knowing who I was supposed to live with at first, I was immediately welcomed, which is why I could easily call BCB my home.

What does a liberal arts education mean to you?
To me, a liberal arts education means that after I have completed my BA degree, I want to have a basis of knowledge in many fields of life—humanities, the arts, as well as the natural and social sciences. I do not want this liberal arts education to just prepare me for a single career path, but to also equip me with skills that would prepare me to go out in the world without fear. I want to be able to understand the world without having any prejudices towards it, and most importantly to share my thoughts and knowledge with people I meet along the way.