Emily Brookhart

Emily Brookhart | Double major shares her love of writing with fellow students

By Lisa Heer

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

UI Senior Emily Brookhart, an English and International Studies major, explored at least one page of that book during her semester at Leuphana Universität in Lüneburg, Germany.

“Studying abroad was both the best and most difficult thing I have ever done,” said Brookhart. “I gained an appreciation for other cultures and my own. I learned about the sides of history that are never taught in American school, and I learned about the people who before were just the ‘other.’ My perspective on my education and way of life has broadened greatly.”

Brookhart, who has been studying the German language since age fifteen, still found herself struggling to adapt to the culture.

“When I arrived in Germany, I still felt completely lost with the language. It took a few weeks for me to be comfortable holding full conversations in German,” she said.

Brookhart adjusted though, and found a strong connection with her host family.

“Some blustery day in September, I came home home from school, said hello, and went up to my room to work on homework. About a half hour later, my host mom knocked on my door, carrying a bowl of hot, homemade carrot soup. She said she was afraid that I was cold and wanted to make sure I was okay. At that point, Germany felt like home, and I realized that family is family everywhere in the world.”

Brookhart would recommend studying abroad for everyone.

“Studying abroad changed my life. It forced me to open my eyes and think outside the box in which I’d been living. My time in Germany is my coming of age tale; I would not be the person I am today had I not gone.”

Brookhart’s interest in studying abroad in Germany stemmed from the rich history of the country, and her initial desire to pursue an international studies major began in high school.

“I was involved in policy debate, which required me to spend vast amounts of time researching everything from landmines to extraordinary rendition,” she said. “I also took a class in military history and a class in British history from the best history teacher I have ever known. These two classes solidified my interest in international affairs, but particularly international relations.”

When Brookhart came to the University of Idaho, she decided she would be cheating herself if she didn’t also major in English and further develop her passion for writing. One thing led to another, and Brookhart began working in the UI Writing Center as a tutor, where her goal was to spread her love of writing to other students while learning more about her own writing process.

“I highly recommend it to anyone with a flair for the written word,” she said. “The best parts are when students are really engaged, care about what they’re doing, are willing to work to make their writing better, and are receptive to help.”

Mary Ann Judge, of the Writing Center, says that Brookhart’s love for language shows.

“She is one of the few tutors who has been able to help students in English 201, a very challenging grammar course. Emily is [a] great tutor, brilliant student all around,” said Judge.

Still, Brookhart finds the Writing Center a useful tool to increase her abilities. 

“Even though I work as a writing tutor, I have still met with another tutor to discuss ways in which to make my writing better. The Writing Center is for everyone.”

Brookhart, involved with the University Honors Program, loves meeting and talking with students from varying regions and disciplines, and says that the English staff has been notably helpful.

“I’ve been extremely inspired by the faculty at this university. Ever since I arrived on campus, I’ve felt like everyone was working to help me succeed” she said. “I am constantly amazed by how much they have to offer, and I never leave a class or discussion with any of them without new ideas and inspiration.”

After graduating, Brookhart plans to pursue Rhetoric and Composition in graduate school to study language, syntax, and writing pedagogy in hopes of teaching at the university level in the future.