Jan. 29, 2021
UCalgary Political Science Congratulates: Safiya El Ferro!
2019–20 winner of the Weyland Scholarship
Up to $1,500, Offered annually to a continuing undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts, majoring in Political Science who has interest and ability in the area of constitutional studies. This Scholarship was established in memory of Chilton Mewburn Weyland, Maurice Chilton Weyland and Richard Walter Weyland, and was made possible by Mrs. Henrietta Weyland.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am currently in my fifth year of the Concurrent Education Program at the University of Calgary. I completed my undergrad in Political Science in the first three years of my program and will be graduating this spring with my Political Science degree as well as a Bachelor of Education with a focus in Secondary Social Studies. I am passionate about teaching because I get to share my love of Political Science with young people, and get them thinking about the critical issues and topics that Political Science focuses on. Outside of my professional interests, I enjoy being active, working on creative projects, and spending time with family and friends.
What have your favourite courses or areas of study been so far?
During the Political Science portion of my degree, I fell in love with political philosophy. This began in POLI 310 History of Political Thought. I loved reading the foundational works of thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Hobbes and attempting to uncover the meaning and apply it to our world today. What is amazing about political philosophy is that these works are the foundation upon which current society is built, making me contemplate our current existence on a deeper level. I also took a significant interest in International Relations, specifically the role of the private sector in the global realm, which is becoming more and more relevant. My curiosity was sparked in my POLI 581 Selected Topics in International Law and Organizations seminar in my final semester.
What are your next steps?
Upon graduating this year (2021), I am hoping to find work as a social studies teacher, and begin to get my bearings in the profession. As a long term goal, I would like to return to the UCalgary Department of Political Science to pursue a Master’s Degree. I am nostalgic for my time in the Political Science department, and I look forward to further exploring the interests and questions that I developed during my undergrad.
Congratulations to Safiya El Ferro on your 2019–20 Weyland Scholarship!