Hi, my name is Karoline, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Recreational Fear Lab as an intern this fall. I’m currently pursuing my MA in English with a minor in History.

My love for horror started at a young age, thanks to my older brothers, who were always immersed in the genre. Since then, horror has been a constant in my life, whether through movies, books, or video games. I’ve always enjoyed blending my nerdy interests with elements of horror, particularly in my Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, which give me the creative freedom to design eerie settings and encounters. My BA project deepened my understanding of horror, and I continue to apply that knowledge when crafting stories and characters, always aiming to add a creepy twist.

To this day, I still engage with horror on a weekly basis. I often watch horror movies with my husband, play horror games with my friends, and recently, we've been playing a lot of Phasmophobia. One of the best things about playing horror games, though, is my brother. He used to torment me with jump scares when we were kids, so hearing him scream at the ghosts now is incredibly satisfying. However, it makes me wonder: why do we enjoy being scared, and why do we find it fun to scare others? I love diving into research on these questions and delving deeper into the science behind horror.

In 2021, I began assisting with RFL’s research on dystopia, and I’ve participated every year since, enjoying those chilly nights. This experience further fueled my passion for horror, leading me to apply for this internship. I’m really looking forward to expanding my knowledge in a fun and supportive environment, all while nurturing my own interests. As someone who loves world-building and storytelling, my ultimate dream is to create lore and narratives for video games or tabletop games—especially in the horror genre.

I’m super excited to be part of the team this fall and can’t wait for the adventures ahead!