Merin Joshy, a senior in human development and family science, plans to become a researcher/professor in the field of marriage and family therapy.
Hometown:
Lilburn, Georgia
High School:
Parkview High School
Degree objective:
B.S.F.C.S. in human development and family science
Expected graduation:
Fall 2014
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
Scholarships and awards:
—Pearce L. and Mary Wells Elkins Scholarship
—College of Family and Consumer Science dean’s list
—Comcast Foundation Leaders and Achievers Scholarship
—HOPE Scholarship recipient
UGA highlights:
—Alternative Spring Break trip to Camden, New Jersey
—Co-chaired India Night 2013: Ek Naya Andaaz
—Intern at Family Connections-Communities in Schools of Athens
—Alternative Spring Break trip to San Salvador, El Salvador
Current Employment:
UGA Food Services
Family Ties to UGA:
None. I am the first-generation college student in my family and the first to attend UGA.
I chose to attend UGA because…
Honestly speaking, UGA was not in my top three choices of college. I expected to attend a small private college or a local community college that would give me a degree fast enough to enter the workforce. But my family, especially my mother, encouraged me to apply to UGA.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
I enjoy walking around the Trial Gardens on campus and volunteering with UGArden.
When I have free time, I like…
… to make sure I do not have free time. As sad as this might sound, not having anything to do makes me feel lazy, tired and depressed. I need my days and weeks to be packed with things to do. That’s just what I am used to.
My favorite place to study is…
… my room on Saturday mornings. Waking up and having the entire day to just work at my own pace without interruption is as close as it gets to my favorite place to study.
My favorite professor is…
Melissa Landers-Potts, because (I think) she thinks I am smart.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
… Pope Francis. As Time magazine’s Person of the Year 2013, Pope Francis has gained the respect and love of millions around the world. I believe that he has offered the world a new definition of brotherhood and oneness through his love. For me, it would be an honor and privilege to spend an afternoon with him simply to be in his presence and listen to him speak (whatever the topic may be). I am sure in listening to Pope Francis speak I would be challenged to rediscover the world in a new light.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
… be a superhero.
If money was not a consideration, I would love to…
… go about my life exactly the way I am going about it right now.
After graduation, I plan to…
… spend the first six months forgetting everything I ever learned from textbooks. Afterward, I plan on applying to a master’s program in marriage and family therapy, preferably at a college in the Southeast. My long-term goal is to become a researcher/professor in the field of marriage and family therapy.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
… my Alternative Spring Break trip to San Salvador, El Salvador.