Freshman foodie looks forward to learning about language, culture and business at ASU

Editor's note: This is part of a series of profiles of fall 2017 incoming ASU students.

Growing up in Yuma, Arizona, Lourdes Barraza sometimes yearned for a bit more excitement than the small border town had to offer. Now, as a freshman at ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management, she has more than she can handle.

“I like to tell friends about all the fun events constantly going on,” Barraza said.

Now that she has settled in her dorm at Casa de Oro on Arizona State University's West campus, the self-proclaimed foodie is looking forward to trying out new dishes and learning about the cultures behind them. It’s part of the reason she chose global management as a major.

“[I]t encompasses everything that I love,” Barraza said, “culture, language and international business.”

Though she hasn’t made a firm decision on the career path she’ll be pursuing, she’s considering supply chain management, marketing management or even working in the field of translation.

ASU Now caught up with Barraza as the reality of becoming a bona fide Sun Devil — something she has wanted since middle school — sinks in to get her take on why she loves ASU, what she’s watching and listening to, and her predictions for this year’s Territorial Cup game.

Question: Why did you choose ASU?

Answer: I participated in the summer engineering program a couple of years ago and fell in love with the school. I saw there were vast opportunities and resources available for students here at ASU.

Q: What drew you to global management?

A: I was drawn to my major because it encompasses everything that I love: culture, language and international business.

Q: What are you most excited to experience at ASU?

A: I'm excited to experience everything that is university life. Since I'm a freshman, everything seems new and intriguing.

Q: What do you like to brag about to friends about ASU?

A: There's lots to brag about when you attend a school like ASU, but I like to tell friends about all the fun events constantly going on.

Q: What talents and skills are you bringing to the ASU community?

A: I don’t have any particular talents or skills yet. I’m hoping to develop some during my four years here at ASU as a Sun Devil!

Q: What’s your favorite TV show right now?

A: Two anime series I’m enjoying at the moment are “Attack on Titan” and “One Punch Man.”

Q: What do you hope to accomplish during your time at ASU?

A: Within my four years here at ASU, I hope I can accomplish my goal of learning both Mandarin and Korean.

Q: What’s one interesting fact about yourself that only your friends know?

A: You wouldn't be able to tell by looking at me, but I really enjoy listening to Korean music. Lately it's been R&B and hip-hop.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem in our world, what would you choose?

A: With $40 million, I would like to fund a project to provide clean water to necessitous people around the world.

Q: Predictions on the final score for this year’s Territorial Cup game?

A: There's no need to predict. Every Sun Devil knows the cup is ours to take!