Mathilde Magga

MATHILDE MAGGA (2020)

English Literature PhD Candidate at University of Washington, Seattle

• Majors: English & Holocaust, Genocide and Indigenous Studies

What did you major in?

I double majored in English and Holocaust, Genocide and Indigenous Studies (Individualized major) and chose to do so because I have always understood the world through literature and thus it made sense to study through that lens as well. I decided to create my own major as well because I knew that whatever I chose to do with my life and career, human rights, especially Indigenous rights, will somehow be in the forefront. I wanted my degree to reflect that.

What is your favorite thing about the PLU English Department?

I adored PLU and the English department in general. There were many reasons but a couple stand out. Firstly, I loved the professors, both because they created interesting assignments and challenged me through discussions, but also because they saw their students. I felt seen, challenged and safe all at the same time, something I had not experienced in my schooling before. They helped me feel smart and competent, and I am positive that I would not be writing a PhD now if they had not pushed me to be better and trust myself. Additionally, the range of topics covered and the size of the classes really helped foster interesting and productive conversations.

What was your favorite thing about studying English?

I loved talking to other students and comparing annotations and interpretations of various texts. One of my favorite things about PLU was that because it’s a smaller school, I knew my peers and we usually had multiple classes together over the years, which meant we could really dig into each other’s thoughts and ideas.

How do you feel your English degree has contributed to your current job/life?

When I started at PLU I barely thought I would finish my undergraduate degree, and I am now a PhD candidate in English Literature at University of Washington. Additionally, my capstone “The Places We Exist” has been turned into an exhibition that still travels around Norway. I am also working on a novel with a publisher here in Norway. Not only does my degree from PLU directly affect what I do today, it changed my life.

Do you have any tips for current/future students?

If I were to give PLU students any advice, it would be to ask for help and dare to talk to your professors. They not only helped me when I desperately needed it, but they also helped highlight the things I was good at. The first person who ever called me a writer was an English professor at PLU, and I would never have dared to go down that path if I had not been guided that way.

Do you feel the connections you made at PLU made a positive impact on your life?

I will forever cherish my connections from PLU. Like I said earlier and cannot empathize enough, they changed my life and pushed me to create things I never would have even dared to dream about.