To George Symeonides, there was no better training ground for a career overseas than the melting pot that was the Foreign Language Building.
"I spent a large amount of my undergraduate career there, and I always marveled at the building’s distinct architecture," says the U.S. State Department vice-consul. "Not to mention all of the urban legends about housing a Cold War supercomputer, which only further added to its mystique.
“Wandering through the hallways of the FLB, I took pleasure in hearing a smorgasbord of languages and engaging with colleagues from such a vast array of countries. I knew from early on in my academic career that a fusion of public service with foreign languages would inevitably become part of my professional life.
"Now, I have the honor of fulfilling that role while representing the United States abroad.
“Needless to say, any list of favorite campus spots would be incomplete without an honorable mention for second place. For study breaks, I loved swinging over to Moonstruck Chocolate Café on Wright Street just south of Green. Even though I believe they’ve been closed for nearly a decade, I still look fondly on the decadent chocolate desserts and unique coffee creations that they used to whip up.”
