Dora Tarani is a first-year master’s student in the Social Psychology program.

1. Where is your hometown?

My hometown is Gjakova, a small city in the country of Kosovo, Europe.

2. Where did you obtain your bachelor’s, and what were your major(s)?
   I majored in Psychology at the “University of Prishtina” in Pristina, Kosovo.
3. What first interested you in psychology?
   I have a deep passion for stories and storytelling thanks to the movies and books I grew up consuming. I wanted to study why those stories move and help people and how I can move and help others with my own stories someday. I want to make stories that don’t just help people acknowledge the joy of living, but to also recognize the beautiful things about life and why they’re worth fighting for.
4. Why did you choose Ball State?
   Ball State did me the honor of choosing me in a sea of applicants and I knew that the vast lush psychology program was a perfect environment for me to explore the science of humanity with many brilliant individuals.
5. What do you think of your experience at Ball State as an MA student so far?
   Thus far it has been unreal how harmonious everything is; the students and staff are the sweetest (even for Midwesterners) and sharpest and push me to be my best and somehow make me feel like I am enough at the same time. The campus is gorgeous, the classes are free brain massage that completely elevate the way you think and process the science of humanity.
6. What are your future plans and career goals?
   I want to pursue a doctorate in Social Psychology with a focus on media, activism and prosocial behavior, and implement some civic engagement and informative projects in Kosovo. I also plan to finish my debut novel before graduating while upkeeping YouTube video uploads.
7. What are a few of your favorite hobbies?
   I am actually an aspiring creative fiction writer, and I make YouTube videos as well. My favorite activities are writing, singing, drawing, reading and watching TV.
8. What food could you not live without?
   Pizza and lasagna. I don’t want to live in a world without those cheesy Italian culinary masterpieces.
9. What fictional family would you most like to join?
   Either the Crystal Gems from Steven Universe or the friend group from Rent the musical.
10. What’s something about you that people would be surprised to know? (just as a reminder, this will be shared with faculty and staff, students, and alumni J )
    A surprising fact about me is that I’m a brown belt in Karate and can perform “Into the Woods” the musical by myself from start to finish.
11. How do you practice self-care?
    My self-care routine involves either watching my favorite TV shows while eating my comfort food (pizza, of course) or karaoke with exclusively Taylor Swift songs.