“What's really inspired me at FSU is knowing that this is a place where it's cool to have a love of learning.”
Ireland, Portugal, Italy — Lara Musser hasn’t exactly confined herself to the learning opportunities available on Florida State’s main campus during her time as an undergrad. Nor has she limited herself to a narrow field of study.
With a double major in anthropology and English literature, Lara, an Honors Program student, also has applied to be a Fulbright scholar in South Korea and for the Council for International Educational Exchange’s Teach Abroad in China program.
“Studying abroad has not just provided me with a global perspective,” said Lara. “It’s also helped shape my perception of humanity and the world at large.”
Among Lara’s international experiences: an anthropology internship in Portugal, native culture and literature studies in Ireland, and grammar and conversation courses in Italy. Collectively those experiences provided Lara with the range of global opportunities FSU makes available to students.
In spite of her extensive travel — or maybe because of it — Lara has qualified for the Honor Roll or Dean’s List every semester, and was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma honor society.
“What’s really inspired me at FSU is knowing that this is a place where it’s cool to have a love of learning. To appreciate the library, read things beyond those assigned in class, search for knowledge in other parts of the world.”
That willingness to explore and learn is likely what led to Lara winning the Department of Modern Languages’ outstanding undergraduate award in Italian two years in a row.
“For me, it’s especially gratifying to interact with so many professors who truly love what they do. Their enthusiasm and encouragement have inspired me to seek out what it is that I really love to do, too.”
That inspiration has motivated Lara to explore a doctoral degree and a career in academia.
Story: Reinhart Lerch; Photo: Melissa Meschler