Document Actions
Childhood inspirations lead to A&M and beyond
Lauren Rozanski ‘07, a double major in economics and international
studies from San Antonio, has excelled as an honor student, an
international traveler, and an Aggie. And she’s graduating with some of
the same qualities that drew her to Texas A&M University in the
first place.As a young child, Lauren knew that she preferred maroon over burnt orange, but her favorite summer camp counselors at Laity Lodge Youth Camp left an impression on her that would solidify her decision to attend Texas A&M.
“They had a large impact on my choice to attend A&M, mainly because of their passion for the university and the camaraderie they shared with fellow Aggies,” Lauren recalls. “As I became more serious about college decision-making, A&M’s strong traditions, the loyalty of its students to the university, and the lifelong unity between current and former students really drew me to the school.”
The beginning of an international love
Lauren developed an interest in international cultures at an early age
when she had the opportunity to travel globally thanks to her father's
military career.
“I have always been interested in other cultures, languages and politics” she said. “I also wanted to study abroad during college, so international studies seemed to be a great fit.”
Luckily, she found many opportunities to explore those interests at Texas A&M.
In the summer of 2005, Lauren spent 10 weeks in Spain with an A&M-affiliated study abroad organization. She studied advanced Spanish, global business and Spanish culture at Universidad Pablo de Olavide. She also participated in a reciprocal language tutoring program with University faculty and students.
Lauren’s experience in Spain led her to become even more involved with international organizations at Texas A&M.
Welcoming international students to Aggieland
When she arrived back to the United States, Lauren volunteered with
Texas A&M's English Learning Institute and served as a conversation
partner to two graduate students from China and Thailand.
“I felt that I could relate well to their emotions and experiences as new international students here in the United States,” Lauren said. “I enjoyed watching them build their network of friends on campus and helping them adjust to America’s very different lifestyle and culture. “
Giving back as Muster host
In 2005 and 2006, Lauren served as a Muster host and accompanied the
families of two deceased Aggies during the memorial
weekends.
“I felt that I was able to give back to my school in an incredibly significant way,” Lauren said. “I strived to create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for them during such a difficult moment in their lives. It brought me great joy to connect them with the school their relatives held in such high regard.”
In 2007 Lauren found herself attending Muster in Washington, D.C. where she spent the spring semester as a participant in Texas A&M’s Public Policy Internship Program.
“It was a great experience to gather with Aggies living in our nation’s capital and carry on A&M traditions far from home,” she said.
Undergrad experiences influence Lauren’s career goals
Lauren’s internship in D.C. is an example of how majoring in both
economics and international studies has opened doors. She added an
economics major to her degree plan during her sophomore year. She
realized that double majoring created a well-balanced education and
widened her career options.
“My international studies degree has opened my eyes to the rest of the world and the role of the U.S. in global affairs,” Lauren said. “Economics has taught me how to become a rational and logical thinker, and it has challenged me to approach issues from an analytical perspective.”
Her love for international studies and economics has led to an interest in global business. After graduating on December 15, Lauren plans to pursue a career as an economic analyst.
-30-
Erin Wood
erinwood@libarts.tamu.edu
979.862.4879
