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Volunteering Rugby Stud: Cody McHargue ’12

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Rebeca Velasco
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Rachel Miller
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCSB chapter.
From playing rugby for UCSB to being a part of the Global Medical Brigades, Cody McHargue is always finding something to keep him active on campus.  He shows extreme commitment by juggling his long, 5 day-a-week rugby practices with traveling to underserved countries to volunteer and make a difference. Cody tells us all about his experiences as a rugby player, the countries he has visited, where he will be traveling to this summer, and how UCSB has helped shaped his future goals. 
 
HerCampus: What is your involvement in the UCSB campus?
Cody: Well, I spend a good amount of time on campus practicing on Rob field 5 days a week, getting treatment from our awesome recreation sport student-trainers, attending Global Medical Brigades meetings/fundraisers, and making a good old fashioned side-salad at the Faculty Club where I work. 

HC: How long have you been playing rugby for UCSB?
C: This will be my second year playing. 

HC: What has been your favorite memory while playing rugby?
C: There are multiple memories that have made rugby worthwhile. A few of my favorites would be Suitcase Saturday, Jack Maxwell’s spin-move, the Argentina Tour, 891 Fortuna Lane, being National Champion Runner-ups,(the list goes on and on) but I would have to say my ultimate favorite memory occurred my first year at SB Rugby Day. It was my first match as a Gaucho and I was still getting to know everyone on the team. In our final game of the day, a Ventura rugby player decided to get a little rowdy and get all up in my face. To my surprise, out of nowhere, appeared the legendary Patrick Kealy III. He got in between us and yelled, “Don’t you ever touch him. Don’t ever touch him again or I will punch you in the face.” Needless to say it was “bromance” at first sight.

HC: Could you please tell us about the health trip that your take every summer? 
C: I am a member of the Global Medical Brigades. We are basically a student-led, non-profit organization that sends a group of medical professionals and student volunteers to underserved countries. This year we will be traveling to Ghana . In Ghana , we will establish a medical clinic in the community and we will provide health care, medication, and health-related information for community members who are in extreme need. Last year we saw over 1,774 patients in Honduras in just 4 days. It was an amazing experience.

HC: When did you decide to start participating in the Global Medical Brigades? 
C: Last year I heard about it through one of those mass emails we always get from the advisors. It seemed interesting so I went to a meeting to check it out and the rest is history.

HC: Do you go to the same place every year? How did you pick this place/ these places?
C: No GMB basically sends us to the countries that need the most help. Last year we traveled to Honduras , and this is the first year the brigade is going to Ghana . I’m pretty excited.

HC: What are your goals for the future?
C: I would love to work in the healthcare field some day. Maybe be a doctor or a Physicians Assistant, but that’s a butt-load of school. My dad is a firefighter back home in Chico so that has always been one of my dream jobs, as well. I also want to continue to play rugby as I get older and maybe one day travel to New Zealand or Australia and play with the big boys over there.

HC: How has UCSB helped shape these goals?
C: UCSB has provided me with the opportunity to join both the GMB and rugby team. It’s a great school filled with great people and I’m just lucky to be a part of it.

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Rachel is a senior at UC Santa Barbara and studies Communication and Global Peace and Security. Rachel is from a small, beautiful town in southern California called Palos Verdes. However, Palos Verdes is just one of the many places Rachel has lived. Rachel spent her childhood moving and traveling all over the world, living in places such as Indianapolis, Indiana; Santiago, Chile; Vienna, Austria; and Orlando, Florida. Rachel has found her heart and her home in California, choosing to spend her college years in sunny Santa Barbara. However, Rachel continued her wanderlust when she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain in Fall 2012. At UCSB, Rachel is an immensely dedicated and involved member of her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she held the positions of Panhellenic Delegate, Inter-Greek Counselor, Rho Gam, and a member of the Nominating Slate. Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is a passion of Rachel's, as she is their Social Media Coordinator as well as an active and proud member. As a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society, Rachel is able to implement her prowess and affinity for communication and communication-related issues. When Rachel is not writing, participating in Kappa events, or volunteering, you can find her in the gym, on the soccer field, watching Modern Family, or cooking. Rachel's love for sports, food, and writing often times go hand-in-hand, as one may see in her weekly blogs. For the past two summers, Rachel has been freelance writing for the Los Angeles Times, and hopes to continue her career pursuit of journalism after she graduates. Rachel is elated to be a part of Her Campus's fabulous team and loves every moment of it!