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Eirene O'Connor found her favorite part of Professor Durmelat's Ignatius Seminar was the final research project. (Photo: Roland Dimaya)

Eirene O'Connor, a first-year student and native of New York City, found her favorite part of her Ignatius Seminar "Food for Thought" to be one most professors probably would not expect: writing the final paper for the class.

"Professor Durmelat gave us the opportunity to delve into any topic that interested us, so long as it was related to food. I really enjoyed hearing my classmates, who were by this time my friends, present their research concerning the history of family cookbooks, picky eating, take-out food, et cetera," she said. "In writing my own final paper I had the chance to research a topic that has always fascinated me: the history of Muslims in Spain. I ended up writing a fifteen-page paper entitled 'Muslims in Spain, Past and Present: Cuisine and (in)Tolerance' that looked at how the experience of Muslims throughout Spanish history has been reflected in eating habits, recipes, and food culture."

O'Connor also found the seminar to be a useful way to learn about Georgetown facilities. During the seminar she because familiar with Lauinger Library and the various research resources it has to provide. She thinks future research projects will be better, and easier, now that she is familiar with the process.  

When she is not studying, O'Connor is involved with Hoyas for Choice,
Young Leaders in Education about Diversity, the Student Commission for Unity, and Reventón Latino. She also dances Flamenco and is involved in the Flamenco community in DC.

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