Bridget Koza
Studio Art and Art History and SASAH Double Major, Spanish Language Minor
Third Year
Hometown: London, Ontario
What was your favourite first-year course in Arts and Humanities?
Definity Studio Art 1601 with Tricia Johnston. Tricia has taught this course 39 times and she sure knows the most effective way of turning each one of her students into lifelong artists. This introductory course is often huge since it welcomes every student at western, but its smaller sections and group projects allow cross-faculty students to connect. Creating a bamboo skewer sculpture of my head and stomping on lino blocks for 3 hours with my classmates are some of my greatest memories of my first year. Even in the duration of the pandemic Tricia fosters an art community with her online version of the course and manages to provide some of the most creative and therapeutic projects for students learning at home.
How did you decide on your Major or Honors Specialization?
I’m currently pursuing a major in the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities (SASAH), a major in Studio Art and Art History, and a minor in Spanish. The sole reason why I joined SASAH is because I came into university with no clue of what I wanted to study in university. I knew I wanted to do a major or minor in Fine Arts, but to be honest the judgment that came with being an arts major scared me. Luckily the flexibility of SASAH allowed me to try out a variety of subjects such as sociology, philosophy, computer science, social justice, and Spanish. Once I poked my nose at a couple of different first-year courses the studio art and art history courses were always my strongest, most enjoyable, and most comfortable courses. I also have always wanted to speak Spanish so I decided to squeeze a Spanish minor into my mouthful of a degree. First-year has taught me not to think critically of the future or reputation of the degree, rather invest in a particular subject because I love it.
What is one thing you wish you knew before you started first-year?
USE THE RESOURCES AROUND YOU! My biggest mistake was leaving things to the last minute, keeping my projects to myself, and never searching for help. Like many first years, I struggled big time in school and thought it was because I wasn’t smart. Once I discovered resources such as the Writing Support Center, Wellness Education Centre, Western Entrepreneurship Center, Western Health Services, and AHSC I finally was able to achieve the impossible. There is also this funny thing called “office hours” that every prof and TA has, which I wish I should have gone to sooner. Office hours have the ability to lift the weight of stress off your shoulders and give clarity towards your studies. I can’t speak for other faculties but the TAs and Profs in the Arts and Humanities are some of the most helpful and genuine people that have made my student experience less stressful.
Have you had a chance to travel for school or are you planning to?
Unfortunately, the pandemic spoiled my plans to study Italian in Rondine (Arezzo), Italy last May, but I do plan to revisit this trip once it's safe to do so. I’m currently in the process of receiving my Polish-Candain dual citizenship, so I plan to study overseas for my post-undergrad studies. Traveling and studying is super important to me as it develops strong connections with people and helps me become a better global citizen. I've traveled to 22 countries so far and I plan to get back to my wanderlusting post-pandemic.
