Meet the M30s: Shelby Kliewer on Art, Empathy, and an Evolving World

Describe yourself in three words.

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Empathetic, creative, passionate.

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When you began exploring colleges, what kind of learning environment and community were you looking for, and what made Minerva stand out from more traditional U.S. universities?

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Young adulthood is a transformative time of independence and exploration. Because of this, I wanted a college environment that would challenge the way I think, interact, and engage with the world. It became clear to me that studying abroad is the best way to do this, for exposure to different lifestyles and worldviews deepens open-mindedness and empathy.

Many colleges offer study abroad opportunities, but Minerva stood out because of the student population. Being surrounded by brilliant young people from across the world will shape me in ways I have yet to fully understand. I’m excited to grow from the relationships I build with fellow students in addition to cultural immersion in the host countries. 

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Having been a choir president and assistant musical director in high school, how do you hope to continue exploring creativity and self-expression while living and learning in cities around the world?

The art I create is deeply influenced by my environment. In high school I was inspired by the performers I had the privilege of conducting, my relationships, and the US political climate. As my understanding of the world and my place in it evolves, I’m looking forward to my art evolving with it. While I can’t travel with all my instruments/art supplies, I’ll continue to write music and poetry, and will hopefully pick up new mediums as I travel!

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What academic interest or real-world issue would you like to explore through both a creative and interdisciplinary lens at Minerva?

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I would love to explore the intersections between sustainability, ethics, and the public understanding of progress. In capitalist societies we often see sustainability and ethics disregarded in the name of progress. I’m curious to understand where the three can coexist and explore the social shifts needed to prioritize that intersection. 

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What would you say to another U.S. student who is excited by Minerva but hesitant to choose a college experience that looks different from the traditional path?

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It can be scary to jump headfirst into the unknown, to leave behind the life you know. But what is scarier is to stop evolving out of fear, to remain cautiously unchanging as time slips away. 

When making your college decision, I encourage you to visualize the person you’ll emerge as after graduating from each of your college choices. Which one aligns the closest with the person you want to become? If it’s deepened in critical thinking and cultural knowledge, and with friends across the world, Minerva may be the school for you!!

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Inspired by Shelby’s story? Apply to join Minerva and discover a college experience designed to expand how you think, create, and engage with the world

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