Janaye Perry '18: Ready for the World

Janaye Perry '18: Ready for the World

Janaye Perry is having a great California summer. There’s sunshine, she’s spending time on the beautiful University of San Diego campus and she's doing what she enjoys most — learning more about the world around her.

 

Perry, entering her third year at USD, has spent the past three weeks as one of 25 participants in the Hansen Summer Institute on Leadership and International Cooperation. The Seattle-area native was one of five Americans among a group of people whose international reach extends to places such as Brazil, Ukraine, Cambodia, Palestinian Authority, Pakistan, Estonia, Egypt, Cameroon and Russia, to name a few.

The 19-year-old sociology major with a minor in international business and a leadership minor that includes a nonprofit leadership and management certificate, has truly enjoyed the chance to learn and grow. 

“Through the leadership minor I’ve taken a few personality tests and assessments and I’ve learned, and I do believe, I’m adaptive. I really like new environments and meeting new people. I enjoy it, I think, because it’s outside my normal — and I’ve never wanted a normal life,” Perry said. “I think the world is the biggest book we can read.”

She describes herself as an adventurer, eager to experience new cultures and learn from others. “One of my strengths, I think, is that I’m open minded. I do have my beliefs and values, but I know there are a thousand more out there and I find it so interesting to compare and contrast. Along with being open minded, I’m a vibrant person and I enjoy living life to the fullest. It might be cliché, but’s it’s part of who I am and I yearn to explore every part of my life as a global citizen.”

Perry has experienced it first through the Hansen Institute, but she’ll take another significant step on a fall Semester at Sea (SAS) voyage. Perry will take classes aboard a cruise ship with students from around the nation and visit a dozen countries, including Germany, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Senegal, Brazil, Costa Rica and Peru.

“I’ve learned so much from the students in the Hansen Institute, but I can’t even imagine the possibilities and what I’ll learn hands-on in the (SAS) countries, travelling, exploring and talking to all of the people.”

Perry believes the SAS experience can solidify her post-graduation pathway, and this opportunity is one more reason why she’s happy she chose to attend USD.

“My first two years have flown by, but in that time I’ve reflected on how I’ve grown intellectually, spiritually and emotionally,” she said. “I believe USD has contributed to all of that. On the academic side I’ve had individual attention in all of my classes, attendance is important and they know my name. They care about my education and it has given me more engagement into my studies.”

Perry is fully engaged in student life, too. She joined Gamma Phi Beta sorority, which has been "a big vessel,” she says, opening her eyes to USD resources and networking opportunities. She’s a twice-a-week volunteer for Cool Club, a program in which USD students spend time with students with intellectual disabilities at San Diego Mesa Community College in the Transition Resources for Adult Community Education (TRACE) program. She’s also participating in and supporting fellow students in recreational sports.

Most of all, though, Perry’s active involvement mirrors what she saw in USD when deciding on her college choice.

“I think it’s the culture of changemaking here at USD,” she said. “That’s kind of what drew me to campus. I’d never heard of a Changemaker campus. I think that, in itself, is very unique because I feel automatically inspired to change something, whether it’s internationally or domestically. That has inspired me and helped me grow.”

— Ryan T. Blystone