Experience of the Peer Mentor
Race Before Race — Difference and Diversity in the Ancient Mediterranean
Introduction
During the Fall 2022 semester here at Johns Hopkins University, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know and grow with an amazing group of first years as their peer mentor for the FYS: Race Before Race — Difference and Diversity in the Ancient Mediterranean taught by Dr. Nandini Pandey. We explored everything from works of Homer including the Iliad and Odyssey to the ancient Persians and Orientalism.
As one of the first peer mentors of the program, I wanted to document my experience and offer some advice to the First-Year Seminar Department at the University as well.
My Experience
Being able to experience this course first as a student and then as a peer mentor has been phenomenal; I am so grateful for the opportunity.
I remember seeing this course a couple days before registration last year and how it automatically piqued my interest. I never would have thought it would lead me to where I am today. Though my class was a little different as it was students from all years, I do think having this class as a First-Year Seminar is something special.
A good amount of the first-years had never experienced the Classics before and this was their first introduction to the field. In my opinion this course is one of the best ways to be introduced to the study. It has given both the inexperienced and experienced students tools that will be so important as they continue their journey in Classics and beyond.
Working with first years has allowed me to be someone I would have wanted my freshman self to have had as a mentor. Someone who can talk to you about registration or to give you guidance on becoming accustomed to life at Johns Hopkins as the transition can be hard.
I found myself looking forward to coming to class to see what the students thought of the topic of the week every Tuesday and Thursday. We had such a diverse and open group of students this semester that I found myself learning something new each day. It was a much welcomed break between two intense science classes.
It wasn’t difficult to transition from student to peer mentor as the students were so engaged and ready to discuss each day. I can’t think of one dull moment! I found it important to leave the floor open to them and remain neutral so that they could form their own opinions. Often we did polling on the board and it was so interesting to see how their opinions differed from those when I was a student in the course.
Overall my experience was extremely positive. I have no complaints except for the fact that it is over.
Advice to the FYS Department
My advice to the First-Year Seminar Department at Johns Hopkins would be to establish peer mentors. I feel as though the role is both important for the first-years but also to those who would potentially fill it.
Installing peer mentors into the different FYS courses would give the students someone they can relate to, as we have been in their position before. It also gives them access to someone who can provide guidance within the classroom and beyond.
I also feel that assigning former students as peer mentors of the class will be beneficial since they are already familiar with the material. Further, it would be an excellent experience for the former students to gain experience to add to their resumes. I can imagine a lot of the current students in our FYS excelling in this kind of role. Doing so would allow them to become more connected to the Johns Hopkins’ community as well as to the new class of students. That is exactly what it has done for me. This valuable experience in a leadership role has made me feel more confident in my ability to lead discussions and communicate effectively.
Further, I want to encourage more group discussions and field trips as I’ve seen how well they can build a community. The different trips were definitely a win and seeing the students apply topics from class to the real world was great to see. There were a myriad of options to explore beyond the classroom, some being a trip to the Homewood Museum, a trip to the Walters Museum, appearing on the “The Ozymandias Project” (TOP) podcast, and different departmental lectures. Being able to see the topics this way leads to a better overall understanding. It is also important for the students to get off campus and explore Baltimore as it is the place they call home while attending University. It is also really good for one’s mental health and general well-being.
When discussing what we wanted the class to be like, Dr. Pandey and I knew we wanted it to be a welcoming environment for all and wanted the students to get to know each other better as it would improve their overall experience not only with the course but with university as a whole.
I’d like to think we succeeded because as the semester continued I saw genuine friendships form between the students. And I too have made great friends from the course. This was achieved by encouraging the students to meet and go over their assigned reading together, smaller group discussions, and student-led discussions which had 2–3 students meet and find a couple passages which they then led us through and analyzed.
Building this kind of community will stay with the students through their years at Johns Hopkins University and help them better adapt during this first year away from home. It will also give them skills that they can apply throughout their lives.
Conclusion
The classics are enriched with all kinds of history and can be used as a way to understand one’s self.
Everyone should have a chance to interact and study the discipline of Classics if they desire to do so. That’s why I am so happy that courses like our FYS exist. They allow students from all different backgrounds to be introduced or even reintroduced to the Classics. I do wish classes with content like this would be available to all students at the University, as it is important in developing a more inclusive field.
Furthermore, allowing different FYS courses to have peer mentors can lead to a more impactful experience for the first-years but also for the peer mentors. I know it was for me; I would love to do it again.
To Dr. Pandey
I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience your class a second time through a different lens. It has been an absolute pleasure. I have found my time exploring the ancient Mediterranean meaningful and I know that I won’t forget these lessons as I continue on.
Your guidance and class have revived my passion for Classics as well as pushed me to explore more. I am extremely grateful to have been able to open my eyes to the voices lost in translation and am excited to continue learning through this new lens.
Courses like yours are exactly what this field needs in order to become more inclusive and open. I love what you stand for and am so glad to have been able to help. I wish you all the best and am ready to see what you do next!
Thank you for everything.
Note to the Students
I want to take the time to shout you guys out as you have all been so amazing and have really made my time as your peer mentor unforgettable. You all brought so much to the table and it was a pleasure hearing all of your ideas and personal experiences. I hope you’ve been able to take as much as I have from this class and I know you will continue to do great things in the years to come. Keep your passion, curiosity, and willingness to explore the unfamiliar as it will make your time at Johns Hopkins a million times more enjoyable.
Final thoughts: try not to get to bogged down when things get tough. Remember to take some ‘you’ time, do something that genuinely brings you joy, go to a museum or Washington or watch a movie or just take a nap. Keep in touch with each other and enjoy the rest of your college years! Never be afraid to reach out and ask me any questions whether about classes or life in general. I am always here for you guys and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you.
Don’t be a stranger,
Malaika
Resources
Here are some recommendations if you are curious about the content explored in Race Before Race:
Eidolon is a great online publication to find a multitude of essays and posts from all levels of the discipline.
Eos is a scholarly society that focuses on the Africana reception of Greece and Rome.
Pharos: Doing Justice to the Classics is a website where scholars, students, and the public can learn about the misappropriation of Classics by hate groups.
Notes from the Apotheke is a blog about being a BIPOC in Classics along with many posts varying from general advice to racism in the discipline.
The Ozymandias Project is a podcast that connects modern societies to the ancient worlds.
New York Times piece on Dan-el Padilla Peralta
Sarah Bond’s “Why we need to start seeing the classical world in color”
My name is Malaika Voyou and I am currently a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University (Class of 2025). I am majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology and minoring in the Classics. My interest in the Classics started in high school and I took Latin for all four years as well as competed in FJCL competitions for Greeks Derivatives and Dramatic Interpretation. My interest grew and I wanted to pursue it in college. Please use the link to leave feedback or ask any questions.
