Caroline Beadles has studied internationally, volunteered in the community, conducted research and much more during her undergraduate years. The next step is to become a physician assistant so she can engage with a wide range of individuals to provide comprehensive health care.
Hometown:
Atlanta
High School:
The Westminster Schools
Degree objective:
International Affairs, B.A.
Expected graduation:
May 2018
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
The University of Georgia has afforded me a phenomenal education and engaging opportunities that I believe are unique to such an institution deserving of the utmost respect.
Most recently, the Honors International Scholars Program and the Freeman-Asia Scholarship allowed me to live in Thailand for three months this past summer. The Freeman-Asia Scholarship supported my work as a medical intern in Bangkok, Thailand, for six weeks. During this time, I interned and observed in orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine and general surgery. I witnessed surgeries that I never would have been able to observe in the U.S. (such as a craniotomy), and was able to engage with doctors and nurses who opened my eyes to what it means to truly serve. The Honors International Scholars Program, a merit-based scholarship awarded to Honors students at UGA, allowed me to study abroad in Chiang Mai for six weeks. In my time spent in this city nestled in the northern Thailand mountains, I studied Diplomacy in Southeast Asia, and World Economic Issues. While there, I also fed elephants at the elephant sanctuary, went jungle trekking, visited countless temples, floated down rivers on bamboo rafts, climbed waterfalls, and took Thai cooking and Muay Thai (Thai boxing) classes.
I was inspired to pursue such an experience after spending the summer after my sophomore year in Prague, Czech Republic. While there, I studied American Politics in Film, and Prague Art and Architecture. This city taught me a true appreciation for architecture, culture, food and travel. I had the time of my life touring the Prague Castle, visiting the Jewish Quarter, eating Trdelník in Old Town Square, walking Charles Bridge at sunrise, and musing at the stained glass windows of St. Vitus Cathedral. Beyond this, I learned to be independent, resourceful and appreciative of other cultures.
Beyond these international studies, I have benefited greatly from various organizations at UGA. Early in my undergraduate, I began working with HEROs, an organization dedicated to providing support to children infected with or affected by HIV/AIDs. Various committee members and I helped put on events to support this cause. At this time, I realized my love for collaborating with others to bring about positive change.
Due to this passion for connecting with others, I joined the Honors Program Student Council as a freshman. I currently serve as president of HPSC as we aim to provide social experiences and stimulate academic curiosity within the community. My personal favorite events include the Professor Roundtable, Open Mic Night, Trivia Night and Flipping Out Over Finals. This organization has not only taught me how to work with and lead others, but it has also helped me to construct strong friendships with inspiring individuals that are members of the club. Also as result of this organization, I began working as a mentor in the Peer Assisted Learning program. Through this program, I advise freshman students in academic and professional development.
In recent years, I began volunteering at St. Mary’s hospital in the neuroscience department. After the first few times I volunteered, I noticed that patients often remained hospitalized for extended periods of time and lacked company or a source of entertainment. Seeing this, I went to the library, checked out a few books, and began to offer to read to patients. I relish in opportunities such as this that allow me to deeply engage with the Athens community.
Currently, I am carrying out an individual research project through the Center of Undergraduate Research with Dr. Amanda Murdie. I am looking at the intersection of global health and international affairs. In particular, I am focusing on issues such as the nature of war and disease, HIV/AIDS and violent conflict, the economics of smallpox eradication, and the long-term effects of civil war on population health.
These opportunities afforded to me by UGA have been nothing I could have ever imagined. I am deeply thankful to my family, friends, professors and mentors that have helped to construct such an experience for me here at UGA.
Family ties to UGA:
My family ties to UGA go back to the early ’50s when my grandfather joined the faculty at UGA as a professor of economics. My father grew up in Athens, and has been a proud Bulldawg fan his entire life. My two older sisters graduated from UGA, and two of my cousins are currently in their junior year here. Loyalty to the red and black is and always will be an honored tradition within my family.
I chose to attend UGA because…
… of my expectations that UGA would provide an exceptional education, vast array of opportunities and deep sense of community.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
On a daily basis, I love walking to class with friends, snagging a coffee at Jit Joe’s and relaxing on the North Campus quad. I’ve also had many memorable experiences with campus events such as ISL’s weekly International Coffee Hour, and Lunchbox Lectures through the Honors Program on topics ranging from printmaking to weather and policy regarding bouncy houses.
When I have free time, I like…
… to trail run, listen to podcasts and eat delicious food with friends. Some of my favorite routes are behind the intramural fields (around Lake Herrick), or at the Botanical Garden. You can catch me there a few times a week, getting in a run after a long day of classes. I also love listening to podcasts, particularly BBC’s Global News Podcast, and Radiolab, NPR’s science and technology podcast. I can always find time to grab Siri Thai or Agua Linda with a friend.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
… live in Thailand for three months. While there, I took classes and interned at hospitals in Bangkok and in Chiang Mai. One weekend, I jungle trekked to the hill-tribe villages a few hours north of Chiang Mai with a few friends. The journey ended up in hours of uphill trudging, picking countless leeches off our legs, and taking many water breaks. The trip down consisted of three hours of bamboo rafting in a muddy brown river. Our raft almost capsized on a rock, but we made it back in one piece!
My favorite place to study is…
… the whiteboard room on the fourth floor of the main library (or the “Vortex Room” as my friends and I like to call it). You just can’t beat assembling your own nook with a comfortable rolling chair, ottoman and desk in front of a window. If I need to write an essay rather than study for an exam, I like to settle in at Hendershot’s for the afternoon and furiously type away.
My favorite professor is…
Dr. Karl Espelie has made the most profound impact on my undergraduate career in terms of academic, professional and personal growth. His commitment to the university and its students is made clear each day as he spends hours in advising sessions, teaching and bringing guest speakers from various health fields to speak to students. Dr. Espelie has stuck with me from freshman year to now as I’ve changed majors from journalism, to environmental health science, and finally to international affairs with pre-physician assistant intent—a true testament to his patience and care for students! I will be forever grateful for Dr. Espelie’s guidance and support.
Dr. Sylvia Hutchinson has also served as a most sincere and encouraging mentor in my time here at UGA. Dr. Hutchinson first recognized my last name on the first day of freshman year when students introduced themselves in her seminar. It turns out that she had been a student at UGA when my grandfather taught here! Since that time, Dr. Hutchinson has served as a constant source of encouragement.
A few other exceptional professors are Dr. Maryann Gallagher for informing my understanding of women’s agency in world politics in her eye opening Women in World Politics course, Dr. Andy Owsiak for teaching me to understand how political leaders approach international crises in Crisis Diplomacy, Dr. Meghan Skira for sitting with me in countless one-on-one office hour sessions in Microeconomics, Dr. Charles Kutal for making every day in freshman chemistry bearable with a smile and a fun tie, and Dr. Leah Carmichael for introducing me to the field of international affairs.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
… Abraham Verghese, author of “Cutting for Stone.” I have always loved both the humanities and sciences, as evidenced by my combination of international affairs major and pre-physician assistant intent. I believe that as a physician, author and university professor, Dr. Verghese exemplifies the intersection of these fields. I would love to speak with Dr. Verghese about his thoughts on this, and also about the personal experiences and individuals that helped him to construct “Cutting for Stone.”
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
… implement a program to redistribute all wasted medical supplies from developed countries to communities in developing countries in need of such supplies. Estimates say that about $765 billion worth of perfectly usable medical equipment is thrown away by hospitals each year. Right now, only about 10 percent of hospitals in the country have arrangements to donate such unused supplies. The alternative could be to dispense these supplies to developing nations where even the most basic supplies are lacking. Having seen the benefit that updated equipment could provide as I interned in hospitals in Thailand, I believe such a program would bring profoundly positive change.
If money was not a consideration, I would love to…
… pay for every individual in the world to travel to their dream destination for one week.
What is your passion and how are you committed to pursuing it?
My passion is to connect and learn from all kinds of individuals. In my daily life, I consistently reach out to strangers, hoping to construct some sort of friendship. This may mean saying hello to Ms. Helen as I pass by her sweeping at the Ramsey Center, or befriending a classmate during a tense lab. In my undergraduate career, I have been committed to pursuing this goal by working as a mentor, volunteer and president. Looking ahead, I am excited to pursue this goal by becoming a physician assistant. I believe that working as a PA will allow me to engage with individuals maintaining different genders, professions, ages, socioeconomic statuses and ethnicities, and that I will be able to provide comprehensive health care due to this passion of mine.
After graduation, I plan to…
… attend physician assistant school! I’m excited to be joining Augusta University’s PA Program starting May 2018.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
… eating red velvet pancakes in Bolton, hours spent in the science library, trying to squeeze on North-South, struggling up AG hill before 10:10s, jumping in the fountain, ringing the Chapel bell, cheering on the Dawgs … all these memories come together to make up the UGA experience that I will always remember.
