Katherine Reller and Morgan Wanamaker, dance management seniors, will be studying in a new country during the next academic year.
Reller and Wanamaker plan to obtain master’s degrees in cultural policy and arts management at University College Dublin.
“It’s basically an extension of our degree right now,” Wanamaker said. “Except rather than theater, we are studying how to manage different types of art.”
Reller said the degree allows students to learn how to manage visual art venues, such as museums, or even literary endeavors.
“Its broadening the definition of arts from what we’ve experienced here at OCU,” Reller said.
Their degree plan will begin in September 2020 and last until to August 2021. They will study for three semesters.
Reller said the application process was fairly simple, with an essay expressing their strengths, a resume, professional references, and a Skype interview. Reller also said there was one slight difficulty with the interview portion of the submission.
“It was a challenge because there is a six-hour time difference, and, on top of that, Ireland springs forward a week earlier than we do, so there was actually a seven-hour time difference that we were unaware of until we tried to do the interview,” Reller said.
Wanamaker said the program allows students to work together to forge future networking opportunities.
“I want to work internationally, so this program is a great way to start,” Wanamaker said. “This college is known for being internationally based, so most of its students are from different places. It allows us to start making connections.”
Reller said she is excited to leave the country for the first time.
“I’m looking forward to understanding what this program is about and what it can do for my future, but also experiencing what it means to live abroad and how our culture impacts our arts,” Reller said. “The program involves understanding American culture, because that’s where we come from, immersing ourselves in Irish culture, because that’s where we will geographically be, but then also learning from the other cultures that have come from around the world.”
Wanamaker said the learning style is conversationally based, allowing students to engage with the professor and each other in a more casual way. Wanamaker also said the program allows students to travel a lot.
Wanamaker said she is excited to learn about different business opportunities.
“I think our major gives us lots of opportunities to understand the professional world in America, but also acknowledge what’s out there,” Wanamaker said.
Reller said she is fortunate to have studied at OCU.
“OCU is really unique because it gives us this focus on dance but also on arts management, and without it I don’t think as students we would be prepared to go into this master’s program,” Reller said. “I feel lucky that I stumbled across OCU as a freshman, and now as a senior going to Ireland. I don’t think that path would have happened anywhere else.”
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