ALUMNI PROFILES

by Antara Jaitly, Current and Alumni Parent

It was a little over six months back that I found myself seated amidst fellow Village parents as we proudly cheered on the 6th grade class of 2022 as they each delivered their graduation speeches. The school’s La Cruz gym was brimming with parents, teachers and school administrators. Through many a stubborn tear, I tried taking in each of the bright faces of the 42 freshly minted graduates before us. I couldn’t help but wonder about the promising paths that lay before each of our talented graduates. You can only imagine my excitement when I was asked to interview Village alum Ryan Singsank ’12. I jumped at the chance to speak with someone who I figured may be in the process of exploring educational opportunities. As we discussed Ryan’s experiences, I often found myself questioning if it was indeed only a little over ten years since he was a sixth grader at Village.

What have you been up to since you graduated from Village in 2012?

After completing my 6th grade year at Village, I attended the Viewpoint School in Calabasas from 7th to 12th grade. Thereafter I attended George Washington University in Washington D.C. for my undergraduate degree in History and International Affairs. Since graduating last summer, I have been enrolled in a two-year Master’s program in International and World History. It’s a unique program wherein the first year is at Columbia University in New York City followed by a second year at the London School of Economics (LSE). At the end of the program, I shall receive two master’s degrees—one from Columbia University and another from LSE. Upon graduation I plan to pursue graduate studies in History and apply to PhD programs.

What is the area of focus for your Master’s studies?

Most of my research work focuses on the history of US Foreign Policy after 1945. For my Dual Master’s degree dissertation, I am examining U.S. policy towards German Reunification from 1989 to 1990. Over the coming summer I’ll have the chance to spend some time at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas reviewing archives. I also plan to visit Germany to research archives there.

Is there anything that you remember from your time at Village that you believe has helped with your graduate studies?

Coincidently when I was a 6th grader at Village—I chose Germany as my country for the World’s Fair project. Our teacher encouraged us all to write to Consulates requesting information about our country. I was one of the few children who received a huge package with detailed information and maps from the German Consulate. That was my first exposure to Germany. I’ve come a long way from writing a report and giving a speech to my Village classmates to now being almost fluent in German, being able interpret German archives and write about US/German relations. It’s funny how things have come full circle!

With regards to your future, in what direction do you see yourself heading?

I would like to continue with academia and am very committed to pursuing a PhD. I would love to teach at a university. I am also open to the possibility of working in the Foreign Services or for a Think Tank in Washington D.C. or London. And last but not least—the dream is to publish a best selling book and live off of that.

When you look back at your time at Village, was there anything in particular that you believe contributed to your passion for History?

One distinct aspect of my time at Village was my teachers and them recognizing that I had such an interest in History. I’ve always had the most profound respect for teachers, and that is why I would love to see myself in the field of academia. My experience as a History tutor for three years during my undergraduate days has made me understand what people mean when they say, “Teaching is rewarding.” I think part of me back then wanted to be a teacher in some sense because I looked up to my teachers, respected them and experienced the thrill of teaching my peers even as a 6th grader. When I was younger, learning and teaching history was a fad and obsession of mine, but as I get deeper and deeper into my field—it is slowly but surely becoming my life’s calling.