Melaina Kuhl cherishes her experiences and growth abroad.
Having studied abroad in both Ireland and Spain during her time as a student at George Mason University, Melina Kuhl appreciates the people, experiences, and growth she has gained through her travels. Kuhl's desire to aid and understand others led her to George Mason's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. As an Honors College student, Kuhl was selected as among the most motivated applicants to George Mason University to receive enhanced academic and social opportunities to shape her into a leader in her career and community.
Jeffrey Zitomer: What are you passionate about?
Melaina Kuhl: I do Mantra Yoga at George Mason. I first started out just learning and now I teach the classes weekly. It’s all about mindful meditation and it’s a nice break from - everything!
On the opposite side, I play a lot of cards, including Pinochle, Oh Hell, and Euchre, especially with my family and we get really competitive. I like the strategy and the fun.
I’m also interested in travelling; I studied abroad twice! During the 2nd semester of my freshman year, I studied in Ireland, and I studied in Spain this past semester. I learned different things from different places. Ireland taught me a lot about myself and took me out of my comfort zone, whereas I travelled a lot more when I was in Spain, and it taught me a lot about different cultures. Seeing different people living their daily lives was very interesting.
Jeffrey: What’s your favorite kind of music?
Melaina: Honestly, I like devastating, sad-girl music! But I sprinkle in a bit of Ariana Grande and Frank Ocean for fun.
Jeffrey: What are some of your favorite experiences from college, so far?
Melaina: Probably travelling, which I’m super-grateful for. I also met one of my closest friends here. I was very lucky to find a few, good people at George Mason that I can call close friends.
Jeffrey: Have you done an internship?
Melaina: I’ve been working at the Carter School doing social media, but I haven’t done an internship yet. I work with a few others on the team to promote events and important days of observances. Whether it’s a lecture hosted by one of the faculty or a post about Rosalynn Carter’s birthday, we make sure that people know about it.
Jeffrey: Why did you choose the Carter School?
Melaina: Fun fact, I didn’t know the Carter School existed when I came to George Mason! I was undecided, but I found out about the school from my broad advisor. We were talking about my interests and that I wanted to help people, but I wasn’t interested in medicine. Something like social or political activism. He recommended me to the Carter School.
Jeffrey: Ideally, where would you like to work/what would you like to do, post-graduation?
Melaina: I feel like, right now, I want to do graduate school. Ideally, a non-profit or grassroots organization somewhere around the Mediterranean. But it depends on how graduate school goes!