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Bachelor of International Security Studies/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics

4th year

What is your cultural/ethic heritage and what do you love about it? How has it shaped you?

My cultural heritage is almost entirely Greek. I have always appreciated the strong connection that being Greek has given me to thousands of years of history, from the Ancient Greek philosophers to the Byzantine Empire. I am always thankful to have such a strong connection to my ancestry as many other cultures (particularly those that are non-European) have not been able to preserve so much of their history. This heritage has undoubtedly shaped me, particularly my life-long interest in ancient and modern history.

What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?

I can speak conversational Greek and a little bit of German. While I would love to speak numerous other languages (French, Arabic, Mandarin, maybe even a Scandinavian language too?), I'm hoping to strengthen my knowledge of Greek and German so that I can eventually become trilingual.

What made you interested in Asia and the Pacific regions? Where would you ideally travel?

The history of states in the Asia-Pacific region has often been overshadowed by the affairs of states elsewhere. Yet, to understand how and why states operate as they do today, history is vital. There is a particular lack of regional literacy in Australia, despite our geographical location, and this problem is what has drawn me to Asia and the Pacific. I would love to visit Singapore as I have only ever transited through on my way somewhere else. Singapore is incredibly diverse and has been relatively successful in integrating its Western, Chinese, Malay and Islamic cultural and linguistic influences. This diversity is extremely interesting to me.

What issue in Asia or the Pacific regions are you most passionate about/intrigued by?

I have a particular interest in non-state actors and security threats such as terrorism and organised crime. While a lot of the focus on these issues has been in other areas of the world, such as the Middle East, they have been persistent in Asia and the Pacific too. I am interested in what factors cause the persistence of crime and terrorism, whether that be economic depravation, ideological factors or something else, as well as state responses to non-state threats. Countries in the Asia-Pacific region have specifically used a range of strategies to mitigate criminal activity, from domestic policy and policing, to employing regional and international cooperative mechanisms. These varying responses make studying non-state threats fascinating.

Do you have any favourite books/movies from Asia or the Pacific regions? Why would you recommend it?

I would recommend pretty much any Studio Ghibli film to somebody interested in watching something from the Asia-Pacific region. There is such a warmth that comes from the films and it is so easy to tell that thought and passion went into their creation. They also appeal to such a wide audience- despite appearing like children's movies in their animated nature, they also explore deeper and more serious themes for those who are also seeking to gain a more profound message from their media consumption.