Hello! Bonjour! My name is Rose Schutzberg and I am an LSE General Course, Anthropology student (2013-2014). I was born in Paris, France to a French mother and American father. We moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to Harvard University, when I was very young. Throughout my childhood I spent time in France and in the U.S., but as life unraveled itself, Cambridge became a permanent home. Nevertheless, I am bilingual and hold dual citizenship. In the States, I am a third-year anthropology student at Columbia University in New York City. There, I am also pursuing pre-med requirements to eventually become a surgeon with a profound knowledge of the human condition.
Many have asked why I’ve chosen to pursue a year of study at LSE, particularly given that I study anthropology. There are several reasons. The first is my intellectual passion for Sociocultural Anthropology. Columbia’s department was founded by one of Anthropology’s fathers, Franz Boas. He left behind a remarkable legacy of anthropologists who continue his tradition by teaching thought-provoking classes. The only place in the world where there is an equally rich tradition of Anthropology is the London School of Economics, where Bronislaw Malinowski founded British Social Anthropology. There is no greater opportunity than to study this fascinating version of the discipline in its founding institution. Secondly, as a multi-cultural being, my French/European roots heavily influence me; living in London offers a version of life in one of my native tongues that satisfies my human identity. Lastly, as a future doctor, I will soon be immersed in a rigid medical curriculum. One of the benefits of attending university in the United States is that in the four years required to earn a bachelor’s degree, we are encouraged to spend a significant portion of our studies abroad. This year I was presented the opportunity to do so at LSE and as you can see, I took a carpe diem approach.
My flight leaves on Saturday evening, putting me in London early Sunday morning. I am flying with my friend, Lucy, who will be joining me this year as a General Course student! I’ve packed my belongings in two suitcases, contacted my roommate, Mayuri, who hails from Bangalore, India, and am now finishing up last-minute tasks (i.e. understanding my SimCard, and trying to keep the butterflies at bay). That is all for now…cheers to my next post, written from London-Town!