Kate Augustyn

What’ve you enjoyed most about your area of study? Was there a particular discovery, new skill or way of thinking, or insight that you found especially valuable? Please share an example from your favorite class or experience.

Studying German at MIT has been a great experience for me! One of the aspects I’ve enjoyed the most is discovering the nuances of languages and how language shapes thinking. For example, the German language has words that have no direct translation to English, such as the word Weltschmerz, which describes a feeling of melancholy or the sadness one feels due to the imperfections of the world. Learning words like these that encapsulate unique feelings or concepts give insight into the perspectives of a different culture and can even provide new ways to describe experiences in your native language.

How does the knowledge from this field, or your interest in it, combine with your other major or minor studies at MIT?

My language skills have provided me opportunities for working abroad in German-speaking countries, where I can gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge biological engineering research labs. I spent a summer in Germany and a summer in Switzerland working in cancer research labs where I was able to both practice my German and gain valuable research experiences.

An MIT education includes study in the scientific, technical, social science, arts, and humanities fields. How do you think that wide range of knowledge and perspectives will be valuable to you – for your career success and for your enjoyment of life?

Study in the scientific, technical, social science, arts, and humanities fields provides a wide range of knowledge and perspectives. Studying humanities encourages me to think creatively and approach problems from different angles, which can be helpful in engineering fields as well.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m not sure yet!