Rosa Garcia - Drama

“As someone who has lived and breathed arts and culture all my life, a Bachelor of Arts felt like the most natural path for me. Studying Drama has led me to some amazing adventures, and I have been able to work on multiple projects in and outside of the University. I love the fact that we dive right into multiple different scripts and dramatic conventions.

“I felt that studying Sociology was the perfect fit for my Drama degree. It has given me such a wide understanding of the ways in which our society works, like how a country’s political philosophies can drastically affect the lives of those subject to it. It has also helped me a lot with my other classes, especially Drama, as I can analyse a play and its characters with the tools and perspectives I learn in Sociology.

“By far the highlight for me is the staged production in DRAMA 202. It is an extremely intense course, as you have two weeks to learn, produce, and stage a full production! And, while it does take a lot of time and energy, you spend so much time learning and growing with your peers in the class that you feel like a family.

“It was the community and the amazing student culture that led me to the University of Auckland. Having grown up in West Auckland, I was in love with the hustle and bustle of the campus and its proximity to the city. From the clubs to the range of classes, to the food and recreation opportunities, I felt this was the right place for me.

“There are heaps of recreational activities to take part in. Just take a scroll through the University clubs' website to find clubs to join or head over to Hiwa, the new gym, and ask what upcoming student games or classes there are. Like reading or the smell of books? The General Library is your home away from home. Want the coldest water on campus? Try the fountains in the Humanities building. If you're looking for places to get away from the hustle and bustle of main common areas, there is never a lack for quiet study spaces around the campus.

“I am currently the Vice President for Stray Theatre Company, one of the University’s resident theatre companies. We hold four productions a year: two in the first semester, and two in the second. I absolutely love Stray, and it has brought me so much joy over the years. After being on the Stray Exec for two years and going through a production management class in my third year, I have fallen in love with the managerial side of the performing arts - from producing and stage managing, to event organising and venue hiring.

“My outlook on life and how I navigate the world has been hugely shaped by my Sociology major. It has opened my eyes to the injustices in our world and how oppressive systems can be, it has also shown me how to approach this more critically. I can trust in myself to recognise when something around me in my community is wrong, and I can address it with a clear mind. With my studies, I feel I can not only navigate our world but also partake in conversations about how we can make it better.

“The work you can do within a Bachelor of Arts is so vast, it's hard to sum it up in one sentence. You can mix and match so many different fields of study to suit your own special interests. And there is a huge range of career paths you can follow.

“My degree has already made a huge impact on my life, and it will continue to do so. I hope to one day pass on all that I have learned to the future generations. I want to teach at a university and at workshops so I can continue to make sure that there will always be a future in the arts.”