Cara Murray is an adventurer. When she’s not in class, Cara has been to the foothills of the Andes, the city and plains of Argentina and the tropics of Costa Rica thanks to various UGA international education and public service programs.
Hometown:
Lithia Springs
High School:
Lithia Springs High School
Degree objective:
A.B. in International Affairs, Spanish
Expected graduation:
Summer 2012
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
One of my highlights was serving as the chair of the annual benefit concert for the International Events Association. I learned how to organize an event and work with the people participating in it—making it a fun time and a successful fundraiser. Despite the stress and consumption of time, it was so rewarding when both concerts pulled off without any major hitches, and we were able to help tsunami victims in Japan and drought victims in Ethiopia.
I also will never forget my study abroad to Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was something completely different, and I was immersed in a different language, culture and environment. I was able to see the variety of people who live in the country from the city dwellers to the people in the countryside and the children with whom I worked in my internship at Fundación Corazón in San Isidro.
Most recently, a highlight has been my acceptance and participation in the Public Service and Outreach Student Scholars Program. I had never known very much about how PSO worked within UGA, but through the program and as an intern in the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, I was able to learn the role each of the institutions has to play in serving UGA and the state of Georgia. I am so excited to continue my journey in PSO by interning with the Fanning Institute and the Office of Service-Learning this coming summer. I will be working through them to enhance the service-learning experience of the UGA Costa Rica program.
Current Employment:
I have been a desk assistant at the Tate Student Center, and I am participating in an internship with UGA Costa Rica this summer.
Family Ties to UGA:
I am the first of my family to go to college in Georgia. Hopefully, I can start a tradition!
I chose to attend UGA because…
First, it was affordable with the HOPE scholarship, but more importantly, it was a great institution with a wide array of opportunities for me to discover my passions and interests.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…ride my bicycle, lounge around on North Campus, see a movie in Tate or check out an event or speaker on campus.
When I have free time, I like…
…to listen to music and discover new artists. I like to play pickup frisbee and also lay in my hammock with a good book. It is very relaxing to get tea or ice cream with friends and chat about our day.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
…go zip-lining across the foothills of the Andes and over the river in Mendoza, Argentina. It was absolutely exhilarating.
My favorite place to study is…
…the science library. It is the epitome of the silent study room, but beware of the air conditioning.
My favorite professor is…
…Dr. Berejikian. I was so engrossed in his decision-making in foreign policy class—not only for the material but because of the energy he brings to the classroom. He really cares about the value of teaching not just about his research.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…I would spend it with my best friends and some amazingly good food we just made.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
…run a 10k, go skydiving and open a restaurant in a foreign country. I also would apply for positions at the State Department, major research institutions and prestigious grad schools; and, since I cannot fail, I would get them all and have to make some tough decisions.
If money was not a consideration, I would love to…
…go to Chile and explore the whole country, Patagonia, the desert and the beaches. Then, I would make my way around the rest of South America, seeing Machu Piccu and the salt flats in Bolivia.
After graduation, I plan to…
…intern in Costa Rica and hopefully stay after my program ends and work another internship somewhere in the country. I want to pursue grad school in the future.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
…the day my parents dropped me off at my freshman dorm and the deep fear I felt as they said good-bye. Since then, I have learned that I will always be afraid of the next step but that it is always worth it to charge forward and get the most you can out of what is put in front of you. UGA has had a powerful impact on my drive to always be learning and pursuing new experiences.