Name: Nour Al-janabi
Majors and Minors: Double major in Anthropology and Political Science and minors in Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Global Studies, and Archeology on the Pre-law track
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Year at UNL: 5th Year
Favorite book and why: Katabasis by R.F Kuang. As an ancient classics lover in academia, I found this story very fun and interesting. It follows a Chinese-American student at Cambridge learning magic who attempts to recover her professor from hell with her classmate, with stories of Dante, Orpheus, and other cultures to guide them
Why Anthropology?
I originally started with an Anthropology major and an archeology minor due to my love for the diversity and unique histories of the world, but felt unfulfilled by my interests in global politics that seemed to be relevant in everything I was studying. I grappled with changing my major to political science but realized that I could simply do both, which gave me the valuable skill of perspective that has greatly enhanced my research abilities. This was coupled with later adding a human rights and global studies minor, which has allowed me to explore the past, present, and future of our diverse world with the needed context.
The most interesting class was a ANTH 214: Food and Culture class that went into the anthropology of the universal need to eat. It's sometimes hard to remember that we are all human with the same basic needs at the end of the day, and this class helped me understand the culture that food nurtures and fuels. Another interesting class was Greek literature; they dived into the known literature from the ancient Greeks, such as law cases and monuments. This class was immensely interesting, as it showed how America was founded on Greek ideals of justice and governance and tied in very well with my political classes. A piece of advice when it comes to picking your classes is to be in your advisor’s office often. They have the inside scoop on the credits needed and the classes offered and by whom each semester. As for my major, anthropology is paired almost perfectly with any other major as it offers the valuable insight of perspective that can help in any career. From engineering to teaching, the human experience and diversity learned in anthropology help us understand each other.
Extracurricular Experiences:
This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to excavate in Morocco with Dr. Jered Benton. This trip provided experience for my archaeology minor, and I was able to use my knowledge from my Anthropology and global studies background to explore another culture. I am currently doing Undergraduate Research (UCARE) with Dr. Katrina Jagodinsky in the Digital Legal Research Lab, where we encode 6,000+ unpublished habeas corpus petitions across six western states to enhance accessibility and understanding of marginalized legal histories. I am also a part of a multicultural sorority on campus, Delta Xi Nu Multicultural Sorority Inc and have planned philanthropy events with my sisters. I have also interned in the Water for Food Global Institute, where I helped kickstart and present a comparative analysis on nitrate governance in Nebraska and around the world to find working solutions. All of these experiences and more have been discovered through connections I have made on campus that required me to network with people in my circles. I highly recommend asking professors and advisors for experiences or internships that will enhance your degree.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I plan to pursue a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and eventually get a degree in Environmental Law. I hope to humanize the politics that revolve around something as universal as the Earth we live on, whether through protecting UNESCO World Heritage sites or the resources that are often manipulated by conflict.
August 25, 2026
