Leah Smyle

2022 Graduate

Majors: Law & Society, Cybersecurity
Minors: English, Spanish

My Name is Leah Smyle and I'm graduating with majors in Law & Society and Cybersecurity and my minors are English and Spanish. My Hometown is Kingston, Jamaica.

The best thing about being a College of Liberal Arts student at Purdue is how much of a close-knit community we are. I have made some of my closest friends through repeated interactions in a multitude of classes and I always know that I have someone to relate to. I also love how nice everyone is. I remember in one of my classes, I tend to sit in the same area, and one of my classmates noticed I had not been there for a bit as I was sick. When I came back, she turned to me and asked if I wanted to see her notes. I had never interacted with her before this period, so it was amazing for her to offer to do that.

I am involved in College Mentors for Kids, the Caribbean Students Association, Law and Society Club, the Purdue Student Union Board, and Club Tennis. I think it is important to join clubs as it encourages balance within activities and also in your daily life.

In the summer of 2019, I interned at the National Centre for State Courts and it was an incredible experience, especially since I was the only intern who was not a law student. I had taken a law class before this internship, which helped me more than I could ever have imagined. I wasn’t particularly worried going into the internship because I wholeheartedly trusted the foundation I had been given at Purdue.

I think Purdue has successfully created a community in which there is great emphasis placed on the importance of a balance between education and extracurriculars. At Purdue, you can tell how important a quality education is, but there is so much encouragement to join clubs, sports, and other activities. There is legitimately something for everyone to do, and there is equal importance placed on all activities. This may be my favorite part about Purdue, as it is nice to feel like you belong somewhere.

My advice for prospective students would have to be stay true to yourself, as corny and stereotypical as it sounds. In a new environment, it is easy to do what everyone else is doing. It is imperative that, before you do anything, you make sure it is what you want to do and not what anyone else wants you to do. I truly believe this is the best way to make the most of your college experience and develop and grow as a person.