Bronx, N.Y. (December 18, 2014) -
"Joining the Peace Corps was always something that was in the back of my mind," said Cox. "I started the application process last February when I knew I was on track to graduate in December. I am excited to be able to travel to a part of the world where I haven't been before and to help those in need."
With AP class credit under her belt when she arrived at Fordham, the South Hadley, Massachusetts native decided to take extra classes in order to graduate in three-and-a-half years. That industriousness paid off when she was invited last July to join the program.
The July invite was the culmination of an almost year-long application process for Cox that included a written application and interviews, taking up much of her "free" time during the spring.
Despite going through the Peace Corps application process, Cox also found tie for athletics. After being a long and triple jumper with the track and field team her first two years at Fordham, she joined the swimming and diving squad as a junior and quickly proved to be proficient in the sport, recording the Rams' best score on the one-meter board in 2013-14. This winter, she has Fordham's second best score on both the one and tree meter boards.
Cox will have time to adjust to her new surroundings once she arrives in Tanzania as the Peace Corp sets her up with a host family for the first three months while she is immersed in language training, learning to speak Kiswahili.
Following the first three months, Cox will then begin work on a special project which can include working with HIV patents, assisting with maternal health issues or helping at the local schools.
The time in Tanzania won't be Cox's first time abroad as you could say she is a true world traveler, having to been to Honduras, South Africa, Spain, Ghana and Columbia, among other countries. Some of the travel has been with the Fordham Global Outreach program and some with the school's study abroad program.
Though she will be over 7,000 miles from home, Cox is expecting some familiar visitors while in Tanzania as her parents have applied for passports to make the trip.
"It's kind of odd that I have done all this traveling and my father is applying for his first ever passport," said Cox. "I really look forward to showing my parents around when they come to visit."
Upon her return to the United States, Cox is looking to go back to graduate school to pursue a career in public health.
