6 Questions with a UNH History Major
How can you balance academics and hobbies in college? How can you get real-world experience while in college? Welcome back to our Student Spotlight series, where you can meet real UNH students, see campus through their eyes and learn more about why they love UNH. Meet Maximillian DiGiovanni '25, a history and political science double major.
Maximillian DiGiovanni '25
1. How did you choose your majors?
I initially declared myself as a music education major, but I swapped to history before the school year started. Initially, I had decided I wanted to pursue a career in law, and thus I chose a history undergraduate major due to my previous success in high school. I soon discovered a personal interest in political history, which also led me to declare a double major in political science, as well.
Performing with the Wildcat Marching Band
2. Why do you love your majors?
- History: Every historical “fact” that we understand is the culmination of a multitude of diverse perspectives and experiences. The study of history is all about discovering new perspectives that enhance or contradict our current understanding of events and then synthesizing new conclusions.
- Political science: The ability to analyze current political problems from an institutional perspective is critical to finding productive solutions. I frequently take this institutional approach into consideration as I try to understand the complex state of current world affairs.
UNH Wildcat Marching Band
3. What has been your favorite experience at UNH so far?
My favorite experience at UNH so far has been participating in the Wildcat Marching Band. It has consistently provided me with a supportive, tightly knit community and the opportunity to apply my abilities to something that I continue to be extremely proud of.
With friends from the Wildcat Marching Band
4. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at UNH so far?
Be flexible to new ideas. While I am heavily opinionated, I still try to approach topics from the perspective that I do not know when I face information that contradicts my conclusions. When that information arises, I try to reevaluate my own conclusions to account for it. If necessary, I abandon my conclusions to make room for a more adequate explanation. I think this sort of flexibility is critical to the synthesis of more accurate knowledge.
Maximillian DiGiovanni '25
5. Have you participated in any experiential learning opportunities at UNH?
I did the Washington Center Program during the spring '24 semester. I interned at the Near East South Asia Center, a DOD-affiliated research center that, on top of research, also facilitates Track II diplomacy through national security seminars. In this internship, I had the privilege to interact with a variety of extremely intelligent national security experts, as well as foreign seminar participants, and learn about various topics in foreign affairs. This provided me with a plethora of new perspectives and insights into current events and solidified my interest in foreign affairs.
6. How has your UNH education prepared you for future success?
I think people sometimes dismiss the valuable skills acquired from a liberal arts education. Aside from the historical and political knowledge I have acquired from my studies, I have also honed my writing, critical thinking and argumentative skills, which will be extremely pivotal in shaping my future career success.
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