Initially having only heard of Swarthmore College, Rachel Grunden '16 was introduced to Haverford College when field hockey Coach Jackie Cox contacted her following a College Field Hockey Show Case. After visiting Haverford’s campus Rachel applied early decision.

She thoroughly enjoyed her high school AP microeconomics class, and Rachel entered college with plans of majoring in economics or political science.  As she took more economic electives she settled on majoring in economics.  Favorite courses have been Saleha Jilani’s Jr. Research Seminar on Advanced International Trade, and Bryn Mawr College’s Economic Inequality and Government Policy with Thomas Vartanian.

She spent the spring semester of her junior year at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS) where she focused on international business and behavioral economics. First rate core courses, traveling with class mates, and visiting up-and-running companies and learning about their marketing strategies were highlights.

Internships have enriched Rachel’s education. The summer after her sophomore year she worked with Emma Lapsansky-Werner, a professor who specializes in special collections. Rachel researched the history of a family rooted in the Haverford College community and Quakerism.

The following summer she worked on campus in the study abroad office compiling and organizing packets, literature and information relevant to students planning on studying abroad.

Rachel’s thesis analyzes educational attainment of 2nd generation immigrant (descendant) children in Denmark. More specifically, what factors may explain the difference in outcomes between Danish born children of immigrants and native peers? She will explore whether there is a convergence or divergence in outcomes over cohorts, and whether recent policy changes have had an impact.

Rachel keeps busy with extracurricular activities and committees. She has played defense on the hockey team since freshman year, has been active in the Customs Program. During her sophomore year she was a Customs Person (CP), living in a freshman dorm as a residential advisor, and was also on the CP Committee. She is currently an Honor Code Orienteer and works in both the GIAC Fitness Center and the Study Abroad Office.

After graduation she will be enrolling in Northeastern University’s Master of Science in Accounting/ Master of Business Administration program.