For many students, the college experience is about more than earning a degree, it’s about finding a space that allows multiple interests to thrive. For Ananya Andrade, an international student from India double majoring in Economics and Media Studies and Production with a concentration in Film and Television, Marist’s emphasis on both academic excellence and interdisciplinary exploration made it the ideal fit.

“I’ve been in classrooms with twenty people and classrooms with a hundred and twenty people, and quickly realized the merit of smaller group sizes,” Ananya said. “At Marist, there’s this hands-on, experiential learning environment and a culture that encourages an ‘and,’ not ‘or’ mentality—I’m not limited to just one thing.” With passions ranging from scriptwriting and production design to agricultural policy and development economics, Ananya sees every class as an opportunity to connect ideas across disciplines. She shared how her coursework often overlaps in unexpected ways, like Environmental Issues influencing her thinking in Economics, or concepts from Philosophical Perspectives shaping her storytelling in film. “There’s not a single class I have taken that doesn’t enrich my learning or broaden my understanding of the world.”

That sense of connection deepened further during an Introduction to Communications course with Dr. Gladys Antonio, a professor whose global perspective and cross-disciplinary insight struck a lasting chord. “Dr. Antonio changed the way I feel about Marist,” Ananya said. “She recommended challenging readings and sparked discussions about everything from economics to spices to our shared life experiences.” She especially appreciates seeing faculty involved beyond the classroom. “It’s reassuring to see that faculty don’t just disappear once they are done with classes. They add to the campus culture and set the standard for us.“

Looking ahead, Ananya hopes to study abroad through one of Marist’s semester programs and pursue a future in either of her fields of study. “If I could do either one of these as a career, I would be satisfied,” she said.

Her advice to future students? Be open-minded and let knowledge flow across subject areas. “Try everything once,” she said. “You never truly know when you’ll encounter your calling. Your trajectory has only begun.”