Kate Riga

COL ’17
Age: 19
Hometown: Narberth, Penn.
Major: American Studies and Government

Where are you from? Compare and contrast it to Georgetown.
I’m from a suburb of Philadelphia, and I went to an all-girls school. So that’s an obvious contrast. But socioeconomically they’re pretty much the same.

Where are you more comfortable?
Here because at my high school popularity was determined by wealth, and here it’s more by what you’re interested in and passionate about.

What do you hope Georgetown will help you accomplish?
Well, I want to work at the White House someday and be press secretary. But more personally, I want to learn about things I never got the chance to before and about different kinds of people. 

What’s your favorite class you’ve taken at Georgetown?
Probably “History of the Roman Empire” with professor Osgood. He makes the classics interesting and relatable.

What do you do to relax?
I like to play Frisbee. A lot. And, I don’t know, watch Netflix like everybody else.

If you could lead a protest on one thing what would it be?
Against bad driving protocol. As a bad driver, I’ve only been on the road for about three days before I came to college and no one uses their turn signals.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
The hardest thing I’ve ever done is learn to forgive people who really hurt me. To move on.

Which television or movie character do you see yourself in the most and why?
Elizabeth Bennet from “Pride and Prejudice.” She’s very outspoken and opinionated, and she loves to read, and she cares a lot about her family.

Would you change anything about yourself? Have you consciously changed anything about yourself in your life and why?
I would make myself more empathetic to other people. I can tend toward selfishness. I have become more outgoing and friendly. I used to be really shy in high school, but I don’t know, I kind of got confidence and started being more open to people.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned at Georgetown?
Probably it’s how you treat people, not what clubs you do or what successes you have that defines you.

Interview by Danny Smith