“Why would anyone want to double major in the humanities and in the hard sciences?”

For Aretha Raiwe, this is a question she gets asked a lot. As a double major in both Africana Studies and Veterinary Science, she often gets puzzled looks when she speaks of both her passions: studying other cultures and wanting to help animals. When asked if she can successfully navigate both academic spheres, she responds, “I am combining the two in order to hone my strengths. I want to learn how to better communicate. The best vets are those who can empathize and communicate with clients of all backgrounds.”

After taking an Africana Studies class as a freshman, she realized that she really liked the material and was intrigued to learn more about race relations and issues affecting gender and class. Born in Lagos, Nigeria and raised in the United States, Aretha’s background is as vibrant and complex as her chosen fields of study. At age seven she and her brother immigrated to the States to join their mother who had finished her psychiatry residency in New Jersey. From there they moved to Mississippi where she finished middle and high school before coming to Tucson to begin her studies at the U of A.
Growing up riding horses, Aretha always knew she had a soft spot in her heart for helping animals. Veterinary Science seemed the logical next step. It was her study in the humanities that allowed her to find her own voice.

“In my science classes, you’re not debating – you learn and regurgitate proven facts and information. But with humanities, you get to apply your own voice and perspective to the material. Your voice is in every essay you write.”

Aretha is learning that there is a lot she wants to experience and say about the world. She plans to return to Nigeria in the summer of 2016 to visit family and learn more about her heritage. “I think it’s important to get outside of our borders,” she said. She is also interested in exploring the possibility of working internationally in the veterinarian field and wants to help wherever she can.

In the meantime, Aretha has a full schedule of classes, working, volunteering and completing her internship as a College of Humanities Ambassador.  “It’s very important to me to serve the community,” she said, describing her weekly volunteer shift at the Sister Jose Women’s Homeless shelter.

So what does Aretha hope to gain from both of her majors? Clearly her science background will enable her to pursue her goal of specializing in veterinary medicine for large animals such as horses, cows and pigs. And her humanities background? “It’s hard to teach people skills in a science class. My humanities classes give me a chance to speak, analyze and think critically.”