Meet Our Students: Celebrating Success Stories | Adeline Arthur

Arthur's journey into the Faculty of Social Science did not begin where she expected. After spending her first two years in the Faculty of Science, she made the difficult decision to transfer into Social Science—a choice that initially filled her with uncertainty.

"Making the switch was scary and had me highly doubtful that I was making the right decision," she recalls. Those doubts quickly disappeared after her first International Relations class. Encouraged by faculty members who welcomed new ideas and fostered open discussion, Arthur found an academic home where she could explore questions freely and challenge herself intellectually. "No idea was too crazy for me to explore, and International Relations gave me the space to breathe and question openly."

The interdisciplinary nature of the program became one of the defining aspects of her experience. By studying both Political Science and History, Arthur developed a broader perspective on global issues, learning to examine historical events through political lenses and political questions through historical contexts. Rather than viewing disciplines in isolation, she discovered how they complement one another, enriching her understanding of international affairs.

That same interdisciplinary mindset extended into her research opportunities. Working with Dr. David Sills on the Northern Tornadoes Project, Arthur analyzed tornado intensity trends across Canada before joining Dr. Zachary Taylor and Shanaya Vanhooren to analyze and clean provincial party leader data. Both projects pushed her well beyond her comfort zone, requiring her to develop technical skills in R and Python while learning advanced methods of data processing and analysis.

Looking back, Arthur sees those experiences as pivotal. "The research taught me the importance of building interdisciplinary skills, as well as simply saying yes to opportunities as they arise—you never know where the skills you pick up might take you."

Those unexpected skills opened doors beyond academia, helping her secure Co-op positions in the technology industry as a product manager and demonstrating how research experience can translate into diverse professional pathways.

Outside the classroom, Arthur immersed herself in campus life, believing that university should be about more than academics alone. She joined Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM), where discussions around medical inequality and accessibility inspired her growing interest in law. At the same time, Hip Hop Western offered something entirely different—a creative outlet and a close-knit community that quickly became like family.

"Clubs like HHW cultivated a community across years and disciplines in a truly family-like way," she says. For Arthur, these experiences reinforced the importance of pursuing personal passions alongside professional ambitions.

Her leadership extended into student employment as well. For three years, Arthur worked at Western's Student Recreation Centre, first as a fitness centre attendant and later as a supervisor. The role taught her how to balance work and academics while creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for fellow students.

"I know the gym is a beloved space at Western, so working there to create such a positive space felt extra special," she says. The friendships she built with colleagues have lasted well beyond graduation, reflecting the strong sense of community she found throughout her time at Western.

Arthur also embraced the opportunity to become a student Orientation Leader, giving back to the community that had welcomed her during her own first year. Experiencing Western's supportive culture as a new student and later helping create that experience for others was, as she describes it, "a truly full-circle experience."

Arthur credits the Faculty of Social Science with encouraging her to explore possibilities rather than follow a single predetermined path. Throughout her undergraduate years, she considered multiple career directions before discovering the one that felt right.

"There are a million things you can do with your degree, and the department helps you explore every single one of them," she says. "I think I tried at least five different career options during my undergraduate degree."

For prospective students, her advice is simple: "Do it! I love the community and the people within. The support is immense, and the opportunities are vast."

For Arthur, perhaps the greatest achievement is not simply earning admission to law school—it is gaining the confidence to embrace uncertainty, pursue opportunities wherever they lead, and recognize the value of an interdisciplinary education. Her story is a testament to the power of curiosity, community, and saying yes to experiences that can shape an unexpected and rewarding future.