How many adventures can four years hold? Central College senior Cody Bock of Ankeny can compete for the record. She graduates in May and will have completed two majors, one minor and three internships — even while spending two semesters abroad.
Bock chose economics and French majors at Central, plus a minor in environmental studies and political classes on the side. Between semesters, she also completed an urban farm internship in Wisconsin, volunteered for Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and taught organic gardening principles to middle-school students in Des Moines.
Brian Peterson, professor of economics, says it’s been fascinating to see how Bock’s many passions converge on service opportunities. “She has an abiding interest in helping other people,” Peterson says. “She embraces economics as a way to ask, how can she make people’s lives better? I have no doubt she’s going to work on significant projects in her future, centered on helping others.”
Next Stop: Peace Corps
Her next adventure? Bock has accepted a Peace Corps position teaching math in West Africa. She leaves Iowa for Guinea in July. Meanwhile, she’s completing an honors thesis on the impact of international aid in Mozambique. Take a look at some of her favorite experiences so far:
As she completes her Department of State internship in Burkina Faso, Bock celebrates with the American ambassador. Bock led a sustainability team at the embassy, reported on political and economic trends, and supported American diplomacy in the French-speaking African country.
Bock joins new friends in Burkina Faso as they serve at a local orphanage. Bock says she hopes to continue working internationally and pursue a career in development. While in Burkina Faso, Bock passed the Foreign Service Officer Test, which opened up more options for her to serve abroad.
Bock visits a hat-maker and his family in their village. Outside the embassy, few people in Burkina Faso speak English. “I could not have survived here without my French,” Bock says. “I’ve learned some of the local slang and colloquial habits, which helps. Also, I’ve gotten much better at talking on the phone in French, which is the bane of most people who are learning a second language.”
Bock’s passion for French also took her to Paris for a semester. ”I didn’t know what I would study when I went to college,” she says, “but I sat in a few different classes my freshmen year and quickly figured it out. If you aren’t sure what to study, don’t be worried — your passions will lead you.”
