Clara Franklin
Graduation year: 2012
Majors: Anthropology and sociology-social welfare
Minor: Africana studies
Activities: Sigma Pi Delta sorority, Jewish Student Organization
Post-grad plans: International volunteering
Are you where you thought you’d be four years ago?
No way. I thought I would have an exact plan for the future and a path I wanted to take. While I do have a clearer view of who I am, I still do not know what to do with my life.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
My professors, parents and friends helped me get where I am today. They always encouraged me to do things that I thought were beyond my reach and ability. The fact that they never lost faith in me helped me keep faith in myself.
A peak experience?
My study abroad term in West Africa was my peak experience. Augustana has amazing study abroad opportunities and professors that make the experience unforgettable. West Africa allowed me to immerse myself in a culture that I would not have otherwise gotten the opportunity to experience. Also, this term gave me the chance to meet amazing Augustana students that otherwise would have been strangers.
What did you learn about yourself in these past four years that surprised you?
I learned that I do have the ability and confidence to be a leader. While I can be very quiet and do not like public speaking or talking amongst a lot of people, Augustana gave me the skills and resources to find my voice and speak my opinions.
What would you like to add?
I am very interested in Jewish studies and hope to return to Israel to do research on the Middle East.
Advice for this fall’s incoming class (Class of 2016)?
Don’t take your four years at Augustana for granted. It will fly by. Have an amazing time living with friends, and take advantage of every opportunity Augustana offers, especially the study abroad programs.
“Clara is not only a top-notch anthropology student with a stellar work ethic, but she has also traveled as far and wide as India, West Africa, Israel and Latin America. This extensive international and intercultural exposure has given Clara a uniquely cosmopolitan, global perspective that simply cannot be taught. It must be lived. Furthermore, these experiences have honed her maturity and her ability to adapt to new cultural milieus where she must negotiate new cultural patterns. Clara also is very focused on issues of social justice and alleviating inequalities. Even when I first met her several years ago, she had already developed a passion for serving others less fortunate than herself.”