Graduate students are part of a long tradition of international studies at the college. As part of International Education Week at Bryn Mawr College, a number of students from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research agreed to answer questions highlighting aspects of their research.
Mengtian Bai | History of Art | Home Country: China
What attracted you to completing your graduate studies at Bryn Mawr?
The strong faculty in History of Art; Byrn Mawr’s connection with other schools; and positive feedbacks from previous students (graduate and undergraduate).
Describe your research interests or current research at the college.
I am most interested in the cross-cultural interaction in the medieval world, especially between medieval China and the West.
How would you say studying at an American university differs from and contributes to your education as an international scholar?
The education at an American institute encourages students to think more critically and independently. Critical thinking is a valuable skill that helps me a lot when I review the existing scholarship related to my research interests. Moreover, as an international student, I feel comfortable to bring the insights from my own cultural background into my research.
What is one of your goals for your time at Bryn Mawr?
I am determined to find the best bagel shop in Phily!