Where do you call home?
I am originally from Iran and currently live in Haverhill, MA
Why did you choose Suffolk?
I liked that the city was our campus, the epicenter of everything!
What experiences were the most significant for you?
Reinstating the Suffolk Philosophical Society was incredible. It was the result of feeling so free and accepted by the philosophy department and students. There were plenty of students who were ravenous for a philosophy club, where we could discuss ideas and read primary philosophy texts, and to become better philosophers. It was an invigorating experience to have weekly meetings with other students who were just as passionate and curious as I was.
Were there any faculty members who significantly affected your experience?
I felt a special kinship with Professor Cherkasova. Our philosophical opinions and interests often aligned especially when we were studying existentialism or Dostoevsky. I think we also understood one another since we are both first-generation immigrants. Professor McKinney is also a wonderful mentor! We don’t necessarily share the same philosophical interests, but her guidance is extremely helpful. She is someone who truly wants her students to succeed and is always there to provide resources, support, and knowledge.
Being Professor Giancola’s teaching assistant changed my academic path. Up until that point, I was considering going down the psychology route and eventually becoming a therapist. The hands-on experience with teaching made me realize that I wanted to eventually research and teach philosophy instead. Professor Giancola gave me the opportunity to help students and gain insight into what it is like to continue studying philosophy.
What are your future plans?
Suffolk University and the wonderful faculty of the philosophy department helped solidify the right path for my future. While I came to college knowing generally what I wanted to do, Suffolk provided the resources to fine tune and exact the way forward. Although I am only starting out, I know that I want to continue studying philosophy and eventually get my PhD. Even after graduating, I have kept in touch with professors, read new philosophical works in the areas of my interest, and participated in philosophy events around Boston.