Aja'nae Hall-Callaway

Meet Aja'nae

Hailing from Philadelphia, Aja’nae weaves a tapestry of diverse interests and experiences while pursuing her Asian Studies major and minor in International Relations. Discussions and debates in class fuel her curiosity, allowing her to explore different cultures and challenge an American-centric perspective. Aja’nae’s advice to incoming students? Embrace uncertainty. It’s okay not to have all the answers. Craft your path, explore widely, and avoid feeling trapped in a major that doesn’t resonate. 

What clubs/activities are you involved in?

I am a Resident Advisor, Arts & Sciences Ambassador, and on the Cornell Speech & Debate Team.

What is your favorite thing about Cornell?

I really enjoy the language courses here.

Why is the College of Arts & Sciences a great fit for you?

I have a lot of differing and similar interests that didn't fit into one particular major. Being able to explore my interests the first two years was really important, and why I feel secure in my career path.

What is your academic passion?

I enjoy the discussions and debates in my classes, learning more about different cultures, and challenging myself to not look at things with an American-centered perspective.

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Graduation Year

2024

College/School

  • College of Arts & Sciences

Majors

  • Asian Studies

Minors

  • International Relations

I meet with my advising dean weekly and we discuss a range of topics. The weekly meetings help center me and get me on the right track.

What are your go-to campus resources? How did you discover them?

My go-to campus resources are the advising dean and office hours. I meet with my advising dean weekly and we discuss a range of topics. The weekly meetings help center me and get me on the right track. I try going to office hours once a week to get familiar with my professors and to understand the material better.

What is one piece of advice or something you wish you knew when you were applying?

I wish I knew it’s okay to not know exactly what you want to study but to come in with an idea of how you want to craft and explore your path. Remaining open to new things and trying different courses early on is important, so you don’t feel trapped in a major you don’t enjoy for four years.

Tell us about your favorite thing to do in Ithaca?

I love going to the movies and having dinners in Collegetown and on the Ithaca Commons with my friends on the weekends.

What is your favorite class so far and why?

My favorite course was Making Sense of World Politics. I didn't do well in the course, but the professor is amazing and the content was also extremely fascinating.