A YEAR AFTER GRADUATION.
A YEAR AFTER GRADUATION.
Meet Dasha Shirokova ‘23!
“I am from Moscow, Russia, graduated May 2023, majored in Business Management, and double-minored in German Studies and Communication and Media Studies.
During my time at the college, I was a part of many groups and organizations. My freshman year, I was mainly a part of our swimming team, but then I started getting more involved. By senior year, I was in leadership positions for SGA and SEB. I was the president of the German Club, a performer at dance club, an International Student Guide for two years (best job ever!), and I worked for GEO and the Theater Department.”
Any undergraduate study abroad/travel experiences?
“I did not necessarily study abroad through any of the GEO programs, but being a 4-year international student was exactly my study abroad experience. I had never visited the United States before coming to study here at Washington College. It was a totally new environment for me culturally, socially, and academically, so I have experienced many things that study abroad students face as well. It was a difficult transition at first, but GEO and Washington College made it much easier and their immense support meant a lot! The international students at Washington College truly became my second family away from home, and it was wonderful to have that support and shared experiences with them.”
How has WAC prepared you for life after graduation?
“WAC has been detrimental in shaping me into the person I am today and in reaching my developmental, career, and personal goals. I have learned an immense amount of valuable knowledge, both inside and outside of the classroom. Learning the American culture has also been crucial to me then being able to work and live in this society. The experience from my leadership roles and team work in various organizations on campus have led me to become more proactive in problem solving and being able to find an approach to everyone around me. Moreover, Washington College provided me with connections all over U.S. and the world, expanding my network of successful and wonderful people, to whom I know I can reach out to at any point. And, of course, the invaluable knowledge that I received academically cannot be left unmentioned. I am very grateful to my professors, who have contributed so much to my learning process, and who have shown me that it does not stop after you graduate, but learning is rather a continuous, life-long process.”
What is life like after graduation?
“I am currently in my second rotation of the Financial Management Development Program for early talent at GE HealthCare. It is a 2-year rotational leadership program, where you get to work in different areas of finance for 6 months. I am enjoying it a lot, and I am learning an immense amount about corporate finance and accounting.
Any advice for current students?
My biggest advice to current students is to go beyond what your think your limit is. There are absolutely no limits in what you can do at WAC, and you should use it to your advantage as much as you can. Get involved on campus, participate in various activities, advocate for causes you’re passionate about, find jobs that will give you experience. I cannot emphasize enough how crucial involvement on campus has been for me to learn to adapt and thrive in any environment. A smaller campus offers unique opportunities that you might not find elsewhere - use them while you can! And my second advice would be, as usual, broaden your horizons and learn to think globally. That could entail going to study abroad, attending GEO events, talking to international students on campus, taking global-focused classes, learning another language, or simply taking the time in your day to read global news or learn about another culture. As a society, we are more globalized than ever, and it is crucial to have that mindset and understanding of the world outside of your hometown or home country. There are many perspectives out there to learn about, and I encourage everyone to go out and do that. It is incredibly fulfilling, and contributes to you being a well-rounded and educated person.
