Numbers. Ethical tigers. Southern hospitality, Singapore, and Spain. What do these have to do with summer intern Narisa S.? Read on to find out.
You’re currently pursuing your financial management degree with an accounting minor at Clemson University. What inspired you to pursue a finance degree and what’s your favorite part of being a Clemson tiger?
I’ve always been comfortable with numbers and in high school, math was easily my favorite subject. So, when deciding what major to pursue finance felt like the right fit since I knew I wanted to stay in the business world and work with numbers in some way. The more I studied finance in school, I realized it was about solving real problems for people. I remember someone telling me about their work in real estate and how rewarding it was helping families find a home that made them happy. That stuck with me, because I knew I wanted that same feeling in my own career, being able to help someone through their finances and knowing I played a part in their happiness.
As for being a Clemson Tiger, the school spirit is honestly unmatched. There’s nothing better than a game day on campus. The energy and pride throughout the whole town is really something everyone must experience firsthand.
In addition to pursuing your bachelor’s degree, you’re also an Ethics Scholar at Clemson. What is the Ethics Scholar pathway, why did you pursue this program, and what has it taught you?
The Ethics Scholars Program at Clemson is for students who engage in co-curricular education that focuses on ethics, ethical leadership, and ethical decision-making. My time as an ethics scholar consisted of taking Business Ethics classes and attending lectures, panels, workshops, and seminars focused on ethical leadership and professional ethics. Being a part of the program has helped me see that ethics isn’t just something you learn in class, it’s something you live out in real world decisions. I’ve been able to stay connected to both what’s going on with ethics at my own school and what fellow students are doing as future ethical leaders.
What is your favorite thing about growing up in the DC area and what was the most surprising or unexpected aspect of attending a large southern university?
My favorite part about growing up in the DC area is that I got the best of both worlds. I could experience city life but also suburban life at the same time. When I wanted a city feel, I could drive 30 minutes to Georgetown or DC, and when I wanted to go on a hike and connect with nature, I could drive less than 30 minutes to the Billy Goat Trail.
I think the best part about DC area is the diversity of things you’re able to do—there’s always something going on.
The most surprising part of attending a large southern university was definitely the culture shock. I quickly learned that southern hospitality is a real thing. People are a lot more friendly and go out of their way to talk to strangers. Attending Clemson has actually made me a lot more extroverted. I find myself talking to strangers more and embracing that southern hospitality in my own everyday habits now.
If you could have dinner with an historical figure who would it be and why would you pick them?
If I could have dinner with any historical figure, it’d be my mom’s parents. They’re not historical figures in the famous sense, but they’re historical to me since I never got to meet them. They were born and raised in Singapore and only ever came to America twice in their lives.
I’d love to hear about how they grew up, what Singapore culture was like for them, and just get their honest take on what they thought of America the first time they saw it. I’d probably need a translator in the room to make it work, but even with that, this dinner would mean more to me than almost any other answer I could give, there’s no question in my mind they’d be who I’d pick.
What’s the best vacation you ever took and why was it so special?
Honestly, the best vacation I’ve taken was this summer in June, when I went to Mallorca, Spain for about a week.
What made it so special was that it wasn’t just a normal vacation. My sister’s getting married next September, and this trip was basically built around that. I got to meet her fiancé’s family and spend time with them, and I got to see the venue and the spots where she’s actually getting married.
It felt a lot more meaningful about seeing places like that in person versus the usual tourist routine of checking out historic landmarks. And Spain isn’t new to me either, I grew up there, so it wasn’t this big “discovering a new country” thing, it was more like going back somewhere I already love but this time with an actual reason to be there.
I love the food, I love the culture, so combine all that with the wedding stuff and this trip was easily one of the best vacations I’ve taken.
