Just back from her exchange in Australia… Kara Waites is already back in the swing of things here at Western!
Age: 20
Program: Honours Specialization in Media and the Public Interest and a minor in Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Hometown: Aurora, Ontario
Relationship Status: Single…I feel like I’m creating a dating profile…
Tell me about yourself and all the things you do at Western:
I’m a third year student and I love fitness, the outdoors, and meeting new people. I have the best job on campus working at The Purple Store and helping people show off their purple pride. I am a part of Western TV and had so much fun last year as the Student Affairs Reporter. As a Student Ambassador for the Faculty of Information & Media Studies I get to communicate with prospective students about what FIMS has to offer and why they should choose Western! This semester I’m also playing intramural dodgeball and am determined to win the Purple Shirt.
How did you know you wanted to go abroad? Why Australia?
I have always had the desire to travel and I loved the idea of experiencing university in a different part of the world. Honestly, when I began applying for exchange in second year I had no idea where I wanted to go, and Australia kind of terrified me because it has the most deadly snakes in the world (my absolute worst fear). However, I really fell in love with Bond University and its incredible location on the Gold Coast. I realized that Australia would be an amazing place to study and explore.
What was the most memorable part of your trip?
One of the most memorable parts of my exchange was swimming beside a sea turtle on the Great Barrier Reef. It was one of the most incredible, calming, and surreal experiences. I pretty much felt like I was in “Finding Nemo.”
What’s your favorite thing to do off campus?
I love checking out different restaurants and cafes in London; surprisingly there are quite a few gems! Spageddy Eddy’s is definitely a favourite that everyone should check out.
What is your favorite song right now?
It’s been my fave song for a while now, but I’d have to go with “First” by Cold War Kids.
Do you have any mottos that you live by?
I don’t have a motto in particular but I’m a firm believer in karma. What goes around comes around; do good and good will happen!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
My plan right now is to go to grad school and study International Relations or Conflict Studies. Ideally I would love to travel and do conflict research, working for a human rights advocacy organization, like Amnesty International. I hope to have many careers in my life because I have so many interests!
Have you had any classes/ professors at Western that made an impact on you?
So many of the classes and professors I have had at Western have contributed to my opinions and changed the way I see the world. Media, Representation, and Identity is a class I took in second year that really stands out because the prof, Sharon Sliwinski is brilliant. She really challenged my thinking and motivated me to work harder than I ever had before.
What’s your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
I love to cook and bake in my spare time. My friends will attest to this; I’m a grandmother trapped in a 20 year-old body. I’m pretty sure the only reason I have friends is because I bake them cookies.
If you could be any type of dog, what type of dog are you?
I’d say I’m probably a German Shepherd because I’m very independent and would do anything to protect the people close to me.