A Hero Lies in You
Brandon Foster
Staff Writer
Young man merges his multicultural connections to conduct American affairs.
What is your name, major and year?
My name is Andres Garcia. I am a sophomore double majoring in global studies and political science and minoring in economics.
Where are you from (city, county, state)?
I am originally from Baldwin of Nassau County, New York. That is on Long Island.
Who do you admire and why?
I admire a lot of people, but one in particular is my grandfather. He is incredible in dealing with people. He always seems to be able to put a smile on your face, no matter how badly you may be feeling. He is also really into being there for his family and friends, no matter the occasion.
What is your career goal?
My career goal is to work in the field of international business, possibly serving as a liaison between American and foreign businesses. I am willing to work in a variety of different parts of the world including Europe, East Asia and parts of Latin America.
If you could change one thing around the world, what would it be?
If I could change one thing around the world, it would be corruption of government officials. I feel that if politicians worked in the best interests of their people rather than themselves, many countries would be able to lift themselves out of poverty. The same goes for holding private sector corporations accountable for preying on corrupt politicians.
What do you like most about UMBC?
I like its location; it is right next to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. In accordance with that, UMBC has a lot of resources that allow you to explore career opportunities in those cities.
What activities do you participate in on campus?
I work in the UMBC Office of Undergraduate Admissions, I am part of the Student Fee Advisory Board, I play intramural football and basketball, I am a member of the UMBC Honors College and I am also part of the UMBC Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program.
Who is the celebrity you would like to meet; what would you do with him/her?
It is a tough choice as to which celebrity I would like to meet. As much as I would like to meet a comedian like Will Ferrell (the man is a comedic genius), I really want to meet one of my favorite musicians, J Cole; he is not super well-known and he is not the greatest artist, but he is just someone who is really passionate about what he does and focuses less on the wealth and fame and more on the content of his music. If I could do anything with him, it would probably be just to hang out, talk, play some basketball and go into the studio with him.
What is/are your favorite thing(s) to do outside of UMBC?
I like to explore new parts of Baltimore and New York City with my friends. I love to find little cafes and restaurants that I have never heard of before and attend different cultural events. Just walking around honestly is enough for me.
Where do you want to spend your next vacation?
I would love to go to Athens or really anywhere in the Mediterranean, but I choose Greece because my maternal family is from there, and I love the food, the beaches and the history.
What is your favorite genre of television (comedy, competition, reality, etc.) and why?
My favorite genre of television I would say is action-drama. I am a really big Game of Thrones fan, as well as House of Cards and The Walking Dead. As much as I love comedy shows, nothing can beat those action-packed dramas that keep you on the edge of your seat!
What kind of music do you like?
My favorite kind of music is rap and hip-hop. I am really into lyrics and how artists can put together a great story with a great beat. As much as I enjoy the songs that may not have the best lyrics, I enjoy rap most when an artist is rapping about real problems he has seen or experienced firsthand, sort of like my man J Cole.
If you met Dr. Hrabowski (UMBC President), what would you say to him?
I would simply tell Dr. Hrabowski one of the many quotes I live by: “You cannot separate politics from administration.” He will know what it means.
