Like both her parents, History Prof. Maya Jasanoff chose a career of teaching and traveling around the world.
"I was raised in an environment where there was a lot of freedom so I never thought that a job that involved sitting at a desk from nine to five would be for me," Jasanoff said.
Jasanoff is in her second year working at the University and teaches a general history of Britain and the history of the British Empire. She said she has traveled to Britain on a regular basis since she was five.
"I'm only half American, so I think there was some way in which Britain seemed a little different, but also familiar," Jasanoff said. "It seemed like a natural home away from home."
Jasanoff said her interest in history was fostered by her time spent going to other places. She said she has been to about 40 countries.
"I definitely seek out reasons to go places," Jasanoff said. "But mostly I've traveled to weird places because I'm interested in doing it and I was raised that way."
Jasanoff's mother is Indian and her native language is Bengali, but she is bilingual. Jasanoff said while she is familiar with Bengali, she does not speak the language.
She said growing up in the environment her parents created helped her to feel comfortable "in places where I don't understand what's being said around me."
Jasanoff said she does know French very well, as well as some Arabic, German and a little Spanish.
"I am unfortunately a bit of a dilettante with languages," she said.
In her visits to Asia growing up, to Europe in college, and to the Middle East during graduate school, Jasanoff said she has enjoyed learning about the different cultures and histories from each different place.
"I just feel that you learn so much just by going there -- things that you would never pick up by reading the newspaper or taking a class," she said.
Britain specifically grabbed Jasanoff's interest because of its history and global influence.
"British history really relates to so many other countries' histories," Jasanoff said. "I can't think of a better place to study if you are interested in how different nations, countries and continents interact."
Nevertheless, Jasanoff said India was her favorite country of the ones she has visited.
"I do think India is the best place to go," Jasanoff said. "I mean, I'm biased, but there's so much diversity there."
Jasanoff said she had been to India about eight times, and every time she visited, she had seen something new.
Jasanoff is currently working on a book about the Loyalists during the American Revolution and what happened to them after the war. She is taking leave this summer and next year to continue her travels as she researches for the book.
"We're very privileged in America -- we have great resources," Jasanoff said. "Also, given America's role in the world today, I think we can benefit in [learning] perspectives from others and also benefit from sharing ours."
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