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Name: Katia Youssef
Specialty/Program: Bachelor of Arts (Honors), double major in Modern Language and Cultural Studies, and History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture

If you were a superhero, who would it be?
If I could have superpowers, I would love to have those similar to Superman. That way I would be able to explore the world from various angles, like from high above in outer space or deep in the ocean.

What inspired you to become an Honors student in MLCS?
I was inspired to be an Honors student in MLCS through sheer curiosity and a desire to connect with people from around the world. I think that delving deep into such topics can give you a more empathetic perspective of the world, and can foster stronger communities.

What is the best thing about being an Honors student in MLCS?
The best thing about being an Honors student in MLCS is being able to dig deep into topics that you may not have even considered before. It helps you evolve your critical thinking and historical understanding of the world so that you can become a less ignorant person.

Cause(s) you care about.
I am strongly passionate about Palestine. As a Palestinian myself—one who unfortunately has never visited Palestine—I can only imagine the kind of trauma that will permeate for generations.

Tell us about a topic you are excited to do research about (e.g., your current Honors thesis).
My honors thesis “Aura and Agency: The Lienzo de Tlaxcala and its Reproductions,” is a study of how the differences in materiality and formatting across various reproductions and copies of an archival document can change our understanding of the history that it depicts.

Any (survival) tip(s) you would like to share with new or prospective MLCS Honors students?
I recommend that you choose something that you’re genuinely interested in. Although the university environment makes it really easy to chase after a certain grade, I think that genuine curiosity will get you through. Also, never underestimate the power of community! At the end of the day, what truly matters is the human connections that you make with those around you.

The first thing you plan to do after graduating or, if you have already graduated, tell us what you are doing now.
I graduated this summer and am currently studying Engineering at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ. I hope to take the knowledge from both degrees to not only help us understand the world, but also to create solutions for various problems.