Student Profiles

Anna Langer

My minor in Environmental Humanities went far beyond course work and academics—it redefined my perspective on life, culture, food, human interaction and so much more. It has informed my work in Psychology and helped me teach others healing practices through a deeper understanding of the anxieties we face in the anthropocene. Through EHU classes I have been able to fuse my passions for writing, art, discussion and the earth and learn about apocalypse, eating, ecosystems, modernity, culture, indigenous knowledge, the subaltern and so many other fascinating topics.

One of my favorite parts of EHU learning is its unconventional style. I have learned from a Turtle Clan Mother, a fermentation workshop, a silent walk along the river, a stop-motion class, a visit to a farm sanctuary, and so many other incredible experiences that have taught me how to think differently and see the world through new lenses. I took my first Environmental Humanities course, “Food, Media, Literature” on a complete whim, and immediately realized that it would be one of the more important learning experiences of my life. I soon knew that I needed to continue learning from professors that made me want to critically consider how I lived and interacted with the world around me. The only times I checked the clock in those classes were to hope we had more time left! I particularly owe my incredible experience to Leila Nadir. Leila took a caring, deeply connected approach to teaching each student, and became a mentor and role model to me. She is someone I talked to each week when I was abroad through group tea chats, and has helped me meet incredible, like-minded people in the department.

I know I will carry the lessons I have learned from EHU with me for the rest of my life, and I hope to particularly use them to inform my work as a future therapist. I particularly hope to use EHU to inform research surrounding the development of children, as children are experiencing the anthropocene in a unique, perceptive way. EHU has opened my eyes to the interconnectedness of racial issues, environmental and developmental issues, and I know I will continue to learn and be informed by the unique perspective it has given me as I move forward.