Name: Sasha Gilmore
Pronouns: she/her/hers
What is your hometown? Los Angeles, CA
Program at BU? Ph.D. Earth & Environment, GRS
Please briefly introduce yourself, what’s your background, where are you from, why are you studying at BU GRS?
Hi! I’m Sasha, a Ph.D. student in the Earth & Environment department at GRS. I’m from Los Angeles, CA, but have lived in the Northeast since 2017 when I began my undergraduate career at Dartmouth College! I’m a first generation and low-income college student in both respects, so I know how challenging the higher academic sphere can be to navigate. Studying at GRS has provided me with the support and people that I needed to make it possible for me to be here.
Why did you choose to come to BU for your graduate degree?
When selecting a program for my graduate degree, I knew finding an advisor that I could comfortably work with and who shared similar research interests was my primary goal. In addition, the success and achievements of the specific department, in this case Earth & Environment at BU, was on my list. I wanted to ensure that I would be well supported, both academically and financially when it came to pursuing a higher degree. Lastly, the overall environment of the college, both in terms of student to student relations and student to professor relations, was very important to me. Working in a conducive environment to my needs was vital, especially when attending an institution for 5+ years, which is the case with my Ph.D. program.
What are your favorite spots on the BU Campus?
My favorite spots on BU campus are the BU Fitness and Recreation Center, as well as BU Grounds South (Com Lawn). Working in such an intense environment can have its perks, but also its cons. It’s important for me to keep my work-life balance in check, and going to the gym everyday helps me relieve any unnecessary stress that has accumulated throughout the day. My office is located in CAS, so whenever Boston has beautiful weather, you can find me at the Grounds/Com Lawn, soaking in the sun, eating meals with friends, and catching up on some work!
What is your favorite part about attending BU and studying in the US?
My favorite parts about attending BU are primarily the location and the people. For undergrad, I lived in a small college town, literally surrounded by expansive forests and cut off by the Connecticut River. Although I enjoyed my time there, I knew I wanted a change, and BU being located in the heart of Boston sounded perfect. I grew up in a city larger than Boston, so I knew it was something I could handle, and even feel more comfortable in. One of the other perks of living in a city is the diversity of people that you come across everyday, even if just on campus. You can never have a boring day, as there are events that happen all the time that are put on by numerous groups and organizations, either student or college-led. There is a place for everyone, and it’s not hard to find those who share backgrounds, experiences, and values similar to yours!
How is life in Boston?
Life in Boston so far has been better than I imagined! Previously living in the Northeast, I had friends who stayed and moved to Boston as well. However, I have made so many new friends through BU, as well as just venturing out into the city. There is always a new restaurant, event, museum, or park to visit, and one can never run out of ideas. In fact, a goal of mine is to visit and try as much as I can before my five years are up, and I still don’t think I’ll be able to hit them all! Other than that, the weather, coming from Southern California, isn’t my favorite but it is manageable. I also can’t deny that being able to see the seasons change has been amazing. Boston has definitely grown on me over the past two years, and living life in a city full of other young college students is the perfect stop before moving on post-graduation.
What do you hope to do after you graduate?
After graduating from BU, a lot of things are up in the air. Seeing as I still have three years to figure it all out, I don’t feel too much pressure, as so much can change within that time frame. However, I do not plan to stay in academia, and can envision myself working either in policy or industry, whichever way my path takes me. I know that my first career out of college is not the end all be all, and I can have the freedom to change at any time if I desire. So if you want to know more about life outside of academia, I can definitely help with that!