Hi, I'm Keira! I've grown up in the Athens area all my life, so despite only being a freshman, I have a long history with this university. I grew up with a mom who is a professor at UGA, so I have spent a lot of time wandering around and exploring every nook and cranny of UGA's campus, finding all the secret study spots and hidden gems. As part of a big football family, spending Saturdays at Sanford Stadium was also a favorite past time of mine. Then, I was accepted by UGA's dual enrollment program in high school and began immersing myself in the campus's culture as well as learning the ins and outs of taking classes at UGA. Having loved my experience with dual enrollment, I decided to attend the university as an active member of the Morehead Honors College and a recipient of the Charter scholarship. This past semester, I have loved becoming more involved on campus, and I would love to share my experience with others!

Hometown

Athens, Georgia

Major(s)

History & Asian Language and Literature (Japanese)

Minor(s)

International Affairs

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Franklin Residential College (Service Chair), Honors History and Global Affairs Book Club (Leader), Asian Pacific Islander Desi Political Alliance (Canvasser), Japanese Conversation Club, & Ocean Initiative - Connect Abroad Program (Lima, Peru): For selected 1st year students to travel abroad over Spring Break and earn experimental learning credit

Describe your college experience

At first, I struggled with adjusting to dorm living and its integral communal aspect, but I learned how to establish a routine that better balanced my social life and alone time. Other than that, I feel like my college experience has been a whirlwind of new academic opportunities, an expanding community, balancing different interests, and finding an even greater sense of belonging.

Tip for future students

Don't be afraid to milk your tuition for all its worth-take advantage of everything the university has to offer you! From extracurriculars, to community service, to academic tutoring, to jobs, to even study abroad, the university has a vast range of networks and programs that truly help students excel and gain invaluable experience. I would recommend for students interested in UGA to check out UGA's Involvement Network website or attend an Engagement Fair to get a better picture of the university's diverse range of possibilities. And to not get overwhelmed with the possibilities like I did, create a ranked list of what you're interested, and if one of the first few is not a great fit-go down the list and try another!

Favorite class

History of Modern Japan (HIST 3602) with Dr. Yang! Smaller, upper level classes of around 35 students provide more of a sense of a community then large lecture halls, offer the opportunity to better connect with a faculty member, and provide the change to discover specific areas of interests.

Career goals

I plan on applying to PhD programs in history after graduating college, with the goal of becoming a history professor and pursuing my dream of inspiring a future generation of students in post-secondary education!

Ideal way to spend a free night

I grab a Vietnamese coffee at Paris Banh Mi or go out for Korean BBQ at D92 whenever I can, and I also love to spend time exploring nature with my friends or family! Some of my favorite places to spend a free afternoon at around UGA are the Founder's Memorial Garden, the Trial Gardens, or the turtle pond by the Odum School of Ecology. Around Athens some of my favorite places are Bear Hollow Zoo (there's otters!) or Sandy Creek Nature Center.

High school or secondary school

Oconee County High School, Watkinsville, GA