Elmira Louie
University of Oregon

Degree: B.A. in Comparative Literature and English

How did the Stamps Scholarship help shape your undergraduate experience?
Thanks to the Stamps Scholarship, I had a smoother transition into college due to the community Stamps builds among cohorts. The Stamps Scholarship allowed me to pursue opportunities during my undergraduate years that I otherwise would not have had, such as studying abroad in Ireland, England, France, and Spain. Being relieved of the financial burden of undergrad, I was able to focus my time and energy into research, field-specific internships, and community volunteer efforts.

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman self?
Take classes in as many different fields as possible. This will give you a wider range of knowledge, which will allow you to always consider the “big picture” even in highly specialized research, and help you pinpoint your interests.

Who has had the greatest impact on you throughout your college career and how so?
I have been fortunate to have numerous professors and advisors at UO who have guided me on my path. In particular, my thesis advisor, Dr. Leah Middlebrook, has been instrumental in preparing me for my career in academia as a scholar and translator.

What comes next?
I will begin my PhD program in Comparative Literature at the University of California, Davis starting this Fall.