Perhaps the fields of science and education share a common denominator of service to others, but one might expect students studying economics and business to focus solely on the bottom line.  According to recent graduate Lindsay Rosenquist ’06, “There are more leadership opportunities on a smaller campus, which helps prepare you for something more purposeful — community leadership instills a greater sense of responsibility.”

Originally from Santa Ana, California, Lindsay graduated summa cum laude with a major in international relations and minors in business and economics. As an honors program graduate, she presented a thesis entitled “Why the States Should Join the International Criminal Court,” exemplifying how she intends to influence change nationally by looking internationally.

Her perspective was broadened in 2005 when she received the prestigious and newly established Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Scholarship to study in Berlin during summer semester. After four weeks at an intensive language school, she interned for six weeks in the law department of a German lobbying firm translating legal documents for the European parliament.

As the recipient of a Wesleyan honors program research fellowship, she was also awarded honors credit for her independent research while abroad. “I studied the economic impact of Hartz IV on the profession of prostitution in Germany since it’s legal there. I talked to prostitutes on the street and also in brothels. It was a very interesting experience,” said Lindsay.

“After the study abroad experience I knew I wanted to pursue a master’s degree in economics, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to focus on American politics or international politics,” she continued.“Researching prostitution, I realized issues are global. I studied only women in Germany, although most of the women I spoke with weren't even German. They often crossed the border from other eastern European countries to escape poverty or violence. It’s just an example of how everything is so integrated. You have to look at the big scale to solve national problems.”

Finishing her Wesleyan coursework a year earlier than expected, Lindsay begins graduate study under the Masters International Program this fall. “I'll be at Illinois State University as a graduate research assistant for the first year. Then, the Peace Corps will place me in an area where I'll be working with non-government organizations on economic and political related community development projects,” she said.

At the end of the three-year experience, Lindsay will have earned a master of arts in political science with concentration in community development plus a master of science in economics with concentration in international trade.