Owen Burk

Why did you choose to study at Bard College Berlin? 
I wanted to study at global, diverse university while also being able to have the experience of a smaller liberal arts school in Europe.

How would you describe our community in a nutshell?
I think the BCB community is the perfect mixture of politically active, artistic, creative, and enthusiastic people passionate about what they are studying.

Where is your favorite place to study on campus?
I also study in the learning commons. It's quiet, comfortable, and a bit more secluded than other study spaces on campus, which makes it easier to lock in an focus on my work.

Are you involved in any student clubs or organizations? If so, which ones?
I am a member of both the student parliament and student union. I think it's important to work to advocate for student's rights on campus and make changes to help improve the community.

Favorite book you read in a class, and why?
Last year I got to read Beer in the Snooker Club by Waguih Ghali for a class on Postcolonial Politics in the Middle East. The book offered a unique look into the life of an Egyptian man living in a postcolonial society, facing systematic oppression and how colonization can affect the individual on such an extreme level. This book brought to light many injustices in our current society, and was a very insightful read.

Write briefly about one of your courses that left a lasting impression on you.
Europe's Others was one of my favorite classes I've taken at BCB. The class focused on minority and marginalized communities within Europe and their experiences both with challenging and remodeling the modern identity of Europe.

What surprised you the most about BCB?
I was surprised to find a community of so many like minded people like myself, who really value living in an international community and advocating for the causes we believe in.

Your favorite thing to do in Berlin on the weekends?
Berlin is a really big city, and I either spend my weekends enjoying its lakes and parks, if the weather is nice, of course, or my friends and I will go to demonstrations and protests to advocate for the causes we believe in.

What are your plans for after BCB?
After BCB, I hope to continue pursuing my interest in documentary film making, and finding a way to connect that to an organization that works to promote human rights and equality on an international scale.

What does a liberal arts education mean to you?
To me, a liberal arts education means learning how to properly question the systems and structures we live in and use on a daily basis. It means studying the world from multiple angles to gain a diverse understanding of people and politics.