For Lauren Laubach, the value of a University of Toronto education extends well beyond the classroom. 

Two seasons into her Varsity Blues women's rugby career, the scrum half has found that the same university challenging her to think critically about the world is also preparing her to navigate it. A Trinity College student pursuing a double major in International Relations and Political Science, with a focus on International Law and Human Rights, Laubach has embraced an academic path built around understanding people, nations and the forces that shape them. 

What appeals to Laubach most is that her degree doesn't lock her into one particular future.  

"This degree will set me up well to work in either the public or private sphere," she said. "I also really enjoy research, and this degree offers many opportunities to improve my skills and investigate topics I am interested in." 

Her interest in understanding the world is deeply personal. As an immigrant from a family of immigrants, Laubach has always viewed the world through a global lens.  

"I chose International Relations and Political Science because I wanted to better understand how the world works. I wanted to understand the social movements and changes that lead nations to act the way they do." 

Her parents also played an important role in shaping that outlook. 

"My parents have always told me that I could go anywhere in the world and study anything I wanted, so International Relations feels like a kind of poetic justice." 

At U of T, that curiosity has grown into a passion for research. One of the courses that made the biggest impact was TRN250: History of International Relations, where conversations with her teaching assistant helped Laubach discover how much she enjoyed digging deeper into historical events and the forces behind them. 

Her favourite academic memory comes from that same course, not just because of the final grade, but because of the process that led to it. 

"I spent a lot of time discussing the class with my TA and put a lot of effort into the class," Laubach said. "It was so rewarding to see the final grade reflect all the energy I put into the class." 

More importantly, the experience changed the way she approached her education. 

"She inspired me to pursue my own research outside of the class." 

That sense of curiosity is one of the qualities Laubach believes will continue to benefit her long after she leaves U of T.  

"My degree is giving me a deeper appreciation for the world around me, and an understanding of the long-standing grievances that shaped our world into what it is." 

While her academic interests are global in scope, Laubach has also found an important community much closer to home through Varsity Blues rugby. 

Now entering her third season with the team, she has balanced the demands of a rigorous academic program with practices, games and the commitment required to compete as a varsity athlete. That balance has been built through routine and planning. 

"I set myself a schedule and break bigger deadlines into smaller deadlines," she said. "For example, if I know how long each of my readings will take, I will block off that time each week." 

That approach has allowed the U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian to stay ahead of larger assignments and projects while maintaining the consistency required during rugby season. 

"I also like routine. Once I settle into the season, I like to have little routines that keep me feeling like I have things under control."

Her time with the Blues has already produced memories that stand alongside her favourite academic experiences. 

One of the most meaningful came during her rookie season, when Laubach scored her first try. 

"It was our last in-season game, and we beat York," she recalled. "I scored the first try of the game, and I feel like it set the tone for our team for the rest of the game. On the way home, the team was in such high spirits. Winning that game put us into the quarter-finals, and the energy on the bus ride back was so memorable. I truly felt like the team was all on the same page." 

That sense of belonging has complemented an academic experience that can sometimes feel intimidating. 

Laubach recognizes that U of T's size, reputation and academic intensity can be daunting, but she believes those same qualities create opportunities for students willing to seek them out. 

"I chose U of T because it's the best school in Canada," she said. "U of T's reputation and resources will set me up well as I move forward in my career. But U of T is what you make of it. There are so many opportunities to meet and interact with like-minded people, and although it is easy to feel intimidated in this school, there are many people who feel the same." 

For Laubach, the combination of academic opportunity, athletic community and a city full of possibilities is helping prepare her for whatever comes next. 

She has already demonstrated that she can excel in the classroom while competing at the varsity level. But her ambitions extend well beyond academic recognition. Whether her future leads to graduate studies, consulting, government or diplomacy, Laubach believes the skills she is developing at U of T will give her the foundation to succeed. 

At U of T, she's not simply preparing for her next step. She's learning how to make the most of every opportunity along the way.