Hi everyone! My name is Janae Lam, and I am a first year Arts student. I plan on majoring in Anthropology, specializing in archaeology. Ever since I was small, I have always wanted to become an archaeologist and live in either Egypt or Scotland. Seeing the fascinating artifacts, I feel that they are more than just lifeless objects, but powerful portrayals and indications of the past waiting for people to unveil their secrets. Not only do they tell us about their origins, but they also reveal their respective social structures, which are closely related to how modern society is formed.

Apart from my studies, I am also a passionate badminton player. Having played competitively throughout my high school years, I am volunteering as a badminton coach at my former high school since I genuinely wanted to give back to the community. To me, it is meaningful to support children with the skills that I have once acquired.

My expectations for the course are that I would eventually discover novels/books that appeal to me, and connect their themes to my life, as well as our society. I view the habit of reading as a way to mould my personal values. Oftentimes, we may resonate with the text, which allows us to foster connections with the novels. Applying these connections to our lives, I believe that they can help shape our original thoughts.

The introductory lecture was interesting! I really appreciated the flexibility of the course structure. Also, the lecture introduced some new perspectives, which changed my interpretation of the phrase “Romance Studies”. Before, I would associate the phrase with European culture and well-known literature. Now, I understand that “Romance Studies” knows no limits. It is the interconnectedness of languages and cultures across countries that matters.

I am looking forward to this semester, and I am excited to know what everyone’s thoughts are regarding the texts!