out of her comfort zone, a future in teaching

Tara Kester of Montclair, N.J. is a 26-year-old graduate student pursuing a master's degree in history.

I have three older brothers.

I am a graduate research assistant in the Office of Marketing and Communications, and I am currently applying to be a CASA volunteer and member of Phi Alpha Theta.

My future professional goal is to teach American history and American history from an African American perspective at a collegiate level.

I enjoy the picturesque grounds of ULM, especially the Bayou— something that I never have seen before living in the northeast or while living in NYC. I also enjoy the library.

All of the professors in the history department are excellent; one of my favorites is Dr. Carpenter. He is funny and exceptionally knowledgeable about American history. He truly prepares his graduate students for a career in academia.

One of my favorite memories is tailgating! I have tailgated before, but never the way ULM tailgates.

Higher education is very expensive in New York and although it is highly competitive, the graduate programs are usually very large. ULM offers an excellent history program that is small and personalized with an experienced, knowledgeable, and welcoming faculty. ULM also offers financial support in the form of a graduate assistantship.

The graduate assistantship position allows me not to have to work a full-time job to pay tuition and living expenses. Each semester I create a physical schedule consisting of work, class, study and free time to help manage my time.

ULM forced me out of my comfort zone; I have lived on the east coast for the majority of my life and within a four-hour drive from my family. Now I live a time zone and a 24-hour-drive away from my family and most of my friends. Now I am forced to be truly independent as opposed to just claiming it.