Student Profile | Rachel Kilian

Rachel Kilian prefers a lifestyle full of variety.

A senior majoring in wildlife biology, Kilian serves as a tutor in Student Academic Services, teaches violin lessons, volunteers for Operation Wildlife and takes poetry and ceramics classes.

"Studying abroad and leaving the country opens up everything. There’s a world out there I never knew about.”

“I have to keep myself busy,” said Kilian, who came to Baker from St. Louis. “I hate not being productive. You can expand your horizons at Baker University by staying involved.”

She also has discovered more of the world through unique travel experiences, studying abroad in Australia and spending a month in Costa Rica doing conservation work on a monkey bridge project.

“The Australia experience was wonderful,” she enthusiastically recalled. “We studied the rain forests and all different ecosystems. It pushed my independence a lot as we did a lot of backpacking. Studying abroad and leaving the country opens up everything. There’s a world out there I never knew about.”

She is one of many Baker students on the Baldwin City campus who travels beyond the U.S. borders as part of the study abroad experience. Baker’s study abroad coordinator locates opportunities in virtually every corner of the world to meet the students’ interests.

Kilian discovered Baker after flipping through a book in her high school counselor’s office that listed majors provided at colleges and universities across the country.

She was hooked immediately on what Baker had to offer.

“I saw where Baker was close to my home in St. Louis, thought the Baldwin City campus was beautiful and liked the biology program,” she said.

Staying involved in activities has provided balance for Kilian and enhanced her college life.

“It is up to the student to get involved and make the most of any experience,” she said. “You can make the most of any experience. I am taking a lot of classes I want to take and really getting to know my professors. I am very happy here.”

A musician for more than half her life, Kilian enjoys playing bluegrass and celtic music. She recently met other musicians and formed a band.

“There are outlets to perform the kind of music you like,” she said.

After graduating in December, Kilian plans to pursue a career in environmental education.

“I would love to go to Jane Goodall’s program in Tanzania,” said Kilian, who has lofty ambitions. “I love talking about the environment.”