Pariya Sabti

What was the most impactful class you took in your major? 

Recent American Poetry with Professor Eric Pankey. I think that class was the first time I was reading full books of poetry, and also really my introduction to contemporary poetry in English. The book selection was excellent, and Professor Pankey cultivated a comfortable and welcoming space for discussion. His guidance and the way that he'd set up the class was instrumental for me in learning how to read collections of poetry for discussion both as a reader and a writer.

What activities were you involved in during your time at Mason that impacted you? 

The IndigenoUs Northern Virginia project and the Native American and Indigenous Alliance club (NAIA). I was a part of the first IndigenoUs Northern Virginia summer institute this past summer, and will be involved with the second one this upcoming summer as well. It was really an experience unlike any other; I learned so much, both from the sites and people that we connected with as well as from my peers. It was also a different mode of learning. I feel we can often get trapped in the classroom in some ways, tending only to books and written knowledge. But there's certainly knowledge that is experiential and oral and can't really be fully accessed in a classroom. I'm so grateful to Dr. Gabi Tayac for having me as a part of the project. It's how I learned about NAIA as well, which has been the most welcoming community anyone could ask for, and such an important part of Mason's community at large as well

What is your most memorable “Mason moment?” 

It's difficult to choose just one, but a good contender is the Eco poetry open mic I attended with my Poetry Writing classmates. Professor Vivek Narayanan, who taught that course, had us all sign up for it and attend as our last class of the semester, and it was such a lovely experience. I'm pretty sure most if not all of us in the class hadn't ever really done a poetry reading or open mic, so we were all kind of nervous and excited. I think a combination of that having been my first real reading as well as how much everyone in the class cheered and encouraged each other is what makes it stick with me so much. And the poems were great too!

As you are reflecting on your time at Mason, what is one piece of advice you would give a student who is just starting off on their Mason journey?

Explore and ask around! The Mason community is huge and there's so many opportunities for engagement, whether that's clubs, readings, gatherings, etc. What you get involved with outside of the classroom is just as important as the classes themselves.

What is your next step after graduation? What are your future plans?

I'm continuing here at Mason as a Graduate student in the MFA program! Following my own advice, I want to get even more involved in the Mason community and try to give back as well.