Hello everyone! My name is Anna Kaul and I am from snowy Stillwater, Minnesota. I am majoring in Public Policy and will minor in History. I love to see the intersection of politics and history, finding that these two studies constantly overlap and impact each other. I will travel to Cape Town, South Africa in 2016 as part of DukeEngage to see how these two areas intersect post-apartheid. I also participate in research with a professor to study and conduct oral histories, capturing narratives in order to preserve voices that can speak to various times in history. I am also an editor for Duke Political Review, a publication that seeks to inform Duke students about politics. In Baldwin Scholars I have found a home, a hub of interesting ideas, diverse viewpoints, and passionate people. I hope to use my education to empower other women and use mentorship to help women reach their goals.
I am an avid Duke basketball fan, and during the winter you can find me tenting in K-Ville. I am so grateful for the amazing friends I have made here, with whom I have shared spontaneous roadtrips, movie nights, and a trip to the national championship. I love music, often indulging in the local concert scene at Cat’s Cradle. I also enjoy exploring Durham and trying new restaurants. In my spare time I like to read, watch John Oliver, golf, and explore the outdoors. One of my favorite places is my cabin in Ontario, Canada, where I spend the days out on the lake fishing.
At Duke I have learned to try new things and to be unafraid. These risks have ranged from finding my love of tea, jumping into a trip to South Africa, tenting in freezing temperatures, and exploring new areas of study. Duke and Baldwin Scholars have often pushed me outside of my comfort zone into new, exhilarating, rewarding territories. If you have any questions, comments, or just want to chat please reach out to me at anna.kaul@duke.edu.