Anthropology and Languages in Action
Student Snapshot: Naomi Mathewson ’26
Naomi Mathewson ’26 (anthropology, German) is involved with Amnesty International, WDCV, Farm Works, two Dickinson centers, Human Cultures House and the Anthropology Society. She also studied abroad in Germany for a year. Through a Dana Research Grant, Naomi worked on a green-space project in Harrisburg, Pa. Internships supported through Dickinson internship grants opened her eyes to the importance of building trust when sparking change within a community. She’s now researching care networks and food insecurity in Maine.
Hometown:
The Bronx, N.Y.
High school:
Special Music School High School, New York, N.Y.
Majors:
Anthropology and German.
On choosing Dickinson:
I was always pretty sure that I wanted to attend a liberal-arts college. I visited Dickinson as an accepted senior. Learning about the expansive study-abroad opportunities made a strong impression on me, and it informed my final decision to attend.
Best thing about my Dickinson experience:
I studied abroad with the Dickinson-in-Germany program for a full academic year, and it was the best decision I’ve made. I attended university classes taught in German, improved my language skills and traveled around Europe.
Best thing about my major:
For German: It’s a very close-knit department. The overseas assistants (OSAs) from Bremen are also a huge part of what makes the major so special. For anthropology: I knew that I was going to declare an anthropology major from my first intro class as a first-year student. I love how interdisciplinary anthropology is, and I’m very passionate about building community through the Anthropology Society.
Favorite class:
James Baldwin: Reflections of a Radical, taught by Assistant Professor of Africana Studies Nadia Alahmed.
Favorite professor:
I’ve had so many excellent professors! Most recently, Professor of German Sarah McGaughey has pushed me to improve my writing abilities and think deeply about German literature.
Best part about studying abroad:
Studying abroad for a full year in Bremen, Germany, was a huge challenge, but the feeling of triumph from becoming comfortable expressing myself in German made it very satisfying.
About my internships:
I interned with two different sustainability/food-focused nonprofits: Green Ellsworth and the Healthy Island Project. Both are in Hancock County, Maine. I learned the importance of building trust within the communities where you want to make a change.
About my research:
During my sophomore year, I was a research assistant for a project called Anthropocene Infrastructures and Green Space in Harrisburg, Pa. For my thesis, I am researching care networks and food insecurity in Maine.
Clubs and organizations:
Anthropology Society (president), Amnesty International (parliamentarian), Center for the Future of Native Peoples (advisory board fellow), Center for Global Study & Engagement (ambassador), College Farm (Farm Works student-employee), Anthropology Majors Committee, Human Cultures House and WDCV (DJ).
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Dean’s List; Internship Program Grant; Certificate of Excellence, Department of German; and Dana Research Assistant grant (anthropology).
Post-Dickinson plans:
I hope to return to Germany and eventually complete my master’s degree there.
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Published April 17, 2026