Danny Khanin

SFS ’16
Age: 20
Hometown: Baldwin, NY
Major: International Politics (International Law)

Can you tell me a little bit about where you’re from and compare and contrast it to Georgetown? Where are you more comfortable?
I’m originally from Russia — St. Petersburg — but I’ve lived in the U.S. my entire life. I’ve actually compared this to my high school, which was a boarding school in Florida. They’re actually very similar in the sense that I live away from my home, so the transition is very easy. I feel very comfortable here, just as I did in my school in Florida.

What do you do at Georgetown?
Apart from going to class, I also play tennis here, on the varsity team. It’s a great experience, it takes up a lot of time, but I love it. I did just win the Big East Player of the Week, which is great.

What do you find most frustrating about Georgetown?
For me, I’d say the difficulty to get into the classes you want to take. And the food, obviously.

What do you like most about Georgetown?
My favorite thing is the people. I love the kids here, I think they’re all very friendly, it’s a great atmosphere. I love the relationship between the Jesuits on campus and the students.

Why Georgetown? What do you hope it will help you accomplish?
I mean since I was a little kid I always wanted to get the best education possible and play tennis, and Georgetown provided me with that opportunity. I think it will just be a great segue into any career I would want to pursue.

What are your plans after Georgetown and does this question annoy you or stress you out?
It definitely stresses me out a little. I hope to go to law school, but I know how difficult that is. I just try to focus right now on what I can, my classes, and see how it goes. I’m pretty set on law school, but I don’t necessarily want to be a lawyer; I just want to see what doors that opens up. It would be interesting to work in the intelligence community for a little bit.

What’s your greatest fear?
Failure. Especially now, I’m getting more used to it, especially with sports, but it’s not something I’ve adjusted to easily and be able to rebound from it.

Do you plan on incorporating tennis into your life, post-graduation?
I would definitely like to think so, it’s been such a big part of my life, but I understand that it would definitely be second after I graduate. It would be tough to keep it up. It would probably just be recreational.

What change would you like to see in yourself and what’s the biggest change you’ve already consciously made in your life?
Something I’ve consciously changed about myself is my ability to take advice; it’s always been something I kind of regret, especially in high school, I didn’t take much advice — especially in coaching. I sort of found it more offensive than helpful. But now I understand that it was all helpful and I wish I had taken it more seriously. I would definitely stop procrastinating as much as I do and just work harder.

Would you donate to Georgetown after graduation?
I would definitely like to if I had the possibility. I love it here and I don’t see why I wouldn’t. Anything I accomplish in life, I’d like to attribute some of it to my education here.

Interview by Mallika Sen