A&S student finds opportunity in her own back yard

Kirsten Arill grew up immersed in a world of language.

The University of Cincinnati student speaks German, Spanish and English. Her mother, who is German, was raised in South America. Her father is from Puerto Rico.

“At home, my mom speaks to me in German, my dad to me in Spanish, my parents together in Spanish, and my brother and I mix it all,” Arill says. “It’s a unique way to grow up that I’m very grateful for.”

One might say that Arill was immersed in a fourth language as well: the language of the Earth.

Her double major in environmental studies and geosciences in UC's College of Arts and Sciences reflects a lifelong engagement with the natural world.

“Ever since I was little, I spent most of my time outdoors in our yard or visiting parks across Cincinnati,” Arill says. “My mom would take my brother and me everywhere. We also visited the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden a lot. I think all of that gave me respect and appreciation for the planet and nature. My science teachers, especially in high school, also encouraged learning in this space. Being in their classes convinced me that this is the field I want to continue in.”

Arill had little trouble choosing UC. She wanted to stay close to home and liked the opportunities UC offered.

“Why go further from home if there’s already such a great place to be?” she asks rhetorically. “It was kind of intuitive.”

The awarding of a scholarship reinforced her decision. “It definitely made a difference,” she says. “Obviously, I wanted to come to UC, but the scholarship told me this is something I can take on. It’s an accomplishment, and it’s really nice to have that buffer and be able to do the things I want to do.”

Arill is grateful for the scholarship that is propelling her forward. To donors, she says, “Thank you for supporting the future of the university, the future of the A&S programs, and the futures of students like myself who otherwise might not be able to continue studying here and go on and do great things.”

In UC's College of Arts and Sciences, Arill relishes the gift of a well-rounded education, with a variety of liberal arts courses complementing her science-focused majors and pursuit of a certificate in Geographic Information Systems. She became an ambassador for A&S midway through her first year and enjoys talking to prospective students about the college and all that it offers.

This past summer she returned to the Cincinnati Zoo, not as a visitor but as an intern providing support services for the 12-week children’s summer camps. Arill’s duties included directing parking, creating rosters, making phone calls, watching classes, maintaining craft inventory and handling animals. Working independently, she refined inventory information from camp instructors and developed a name tag tracking sheet for future interns to utilize. In summer camp, she says, “we emphasize creating an uplifting environment for each camper to find a love for animals and nature.”

Arill aspires to a career where she can work for a more sustainable future while helping people understand why such a future is necessary. 

“Whether I end up in research, teaching, environmental consulting, or grad school, I want people to feel inspired by our world,” she says. “Even though I have only just completed my first year, UC has already helped me look ahead and plan out how I can realistically achieve my goals. Collaboration, innovation, and learning beyond the classroom are highly embedded in what it means to be a student here, and that's preparing me for the next stage in my life.”

Featured image at top: Kirsten Arill is a student in UC's College of Arts and Sciences. Photo/UC Alumni Association