One wouldn’t expect a film studies major from Massachusetts to be a relatively quiet person, but that’s exactly who Logan Heath is. However, beneath his reserved exterior, Heath lights up, especially when discussing his experiences abroad.
Those experiences, which most will only ever see on their screens, come alive as he describes the locations and personal connections that made them so meaningful to him. But what stood out the most was that those who don’t take the time to learn and listen will seldom uncover these incredible stories.
After attending Quinnipiac University, Heath transferred to Arizona State University, where he would finish out his undergraduate degree. Little did he know that moving from a place that is only 3,043 miles from Ireland to a place that is almost 5,000 miles away would lead to a once-in-a-lifetime trip that would finally see him experience the Emerald Isle in all its glory.
“It was towards the end of my undergrad, and I had been interested in traveling and going to see a new country, and Ireland was one I had always wanted to visit,” Heath said.
“I went with about 15 other ASU students, and we all became really close while we were there. We went all around the country together in our free time and saw some really scenic places like the Cliffs of Moher and Blarney Castle. It was a really great experience, and I would love to go back again one day.”
Just observing Heath at a surface level, few, if any, would know that, while he is an avid baseball fan, he has a special interest in medieval history, which only further fueled his interest in going to Ireland.
With some castles dating back to the 12th century still standing, Heath saw his special interest take shape right before his eyes, and locations he had previously only seen through family photos were now tangible places that would forever live in his memories.
As a film and media studies major, the study abroad program was also bound to have some relevance to the field, but for Heath in particular, the trip allowed him to witness one of his favorite TV shows as if he had been transported through the screen.
“I’ve always loved Game of Thrones, and I actually got to see some of the locations where they filmed the show.”
Perception can be dangerous. At first glance, Heath’s reserved nature would lead some to believe there aren’t many interesting things about him or that he’s closed off. However, that perception couldn’t be further from the truth, and in having such a pre-conceived notion, one would miss out on experiencing a multi-layered firsthand account that is rich in detail of a place many dream of visiting.
In today’s society, we often mistake the loudest voice as the one with the most important things to say, and we view people with flamboyant personalities as the most interesting ones in the room.
However, Logan Heath is the perfect example of why that isn’t true. While film studies and medieval history are a far cry from baseball and sports journalism, Heath’s wide-ranging interests and invaluable experiences make him a multi-faceted person who can connect with a multitude of people and ideas.
He doesn’t need to advertise or sell himself. Heath knows who he is and rewards those who take the time to dig a little deeper. Only paying attention to people and ideas that do everything in their power to take up the spotlight allows real stories with unique substance to go by the wayside, allowing them to remain in reserved silence… until someone starts digging.
