Reimy Liou ’24
Smithie Snapshots
Other clubs, sports, and activities:
Varsity cross country and track and field.
Describe your major completely incorrectly.
We drink beer and have conversations in an excessively harsh tone.
What’s one piece of advice you’d like to share about your time at Smith?
Definitely branch out, and not just in the classroom. As much as I love taking classes outside my major, there are so many activities and clubs to experience where I have made some wonderful friends. It's important to have balance in both your academic and social life.
What is one German word or phrase that you love and wish more people knew about?
My favorite German phrase would have to be "doch." It means "yes" or more like "but yeah." It's a German phrase that I picked up after many conversations. Being able to understand the phrase was quite rewarding because it made me feel like I was finally progressing in a level of fluency.
I don't think I would have been able to converse with so many people in Germany if it weren't for the fish.
What was one experience that was particularly memorable?
After my semester abroad, I was on a fellowship to spend an extra month in Germany where I traveled to various cities and learned about fish. I was curious about where the future lies for fish and fisheries, and how the economic and environmental roles play in. The most memorable part of the trip, I would have to say, was catching my first fish. I had scavenged for a fishing pond because it only felt right to do so. Looking back, it sometimes felt like a lonely trip, but it was also such a rewarding and joyful experience. I don't think I would have been able to converse with so many people in Germany if it weren't for the fish.
What’s your all-time favorite Smith memory?
Floating down the Mill River on an inflatable mat eating lime tortilla chips—only then to paddle back up every five minutes.
Who was your favorite professor and what did you most like about their style of teaching?
I don't think I can pick just one, but I would have to first give credit to Professor Vis Taraz in the economics department. Professor Vis was the one who really sparked my interest in environmental economics. The field of environmental economics was completely new to me until I took a class with her, and she created such a welcoming environment where I didn't feel afraid to come in not knowing anything about the topic. I learned that economics is such a broad field, and being able to incorporate other subfields into economic research excites me.
I also have to mention Professor Marie Anderson who I took my first history class with. I could tell how passionate and knowledgeable she is. When you're able to teach such a broad topic that doesn't narrowly fit your research, but still make the class engaging, says a lot.
What do you think has been the most “Smithie” thing you’ve done in life so far?
My German professor, Professor Judith Keyler-Mayer, invited our class to her house to bake and decorate cookies. It was very wholesome and felt like the "Smithie" thing to do.
