In Quebec, she was met with a heavy snowstorm and the complexities of the Québécois dialect. In Costa Rica, she began her journey while sick and disoriented. Yet, both experiences gave her something irreplaceable: perspective. “It was really hard, but it was awesome,” she reflects. “I realized how isolating it can be to not speak the dominant language and how much it matters when someone meets you halfway.”

 

Lauren skiing in Quebec  

Lauren’s connection to the Honors College has also played a defining role in her academic journey, pushing her to take her learning beyond the classroom. Her very first honors contract, completed in a creative writing class, marked a turning point: she translated a short story from French to English, sparking what would become a deep interest in translation. “It was the first time I had ever done something like that,” she recalls.

 

Lauren water rafting in Costa Rica  

The Honors College made these experiences accessible. It pushed me to think outside the box and connect my passions in meaningful ways.  

Lauren Burger

That realization became even more powerful when Lauren brought her skills into the real world as a Spanish-English interpreter at the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. What began as an internship for honors credits turned into one of the most meaningful roles of her college career. In this position, Lauren helps non-English speakers as they navigate complex and often intimidating legal systems.

“My roommate, who is in law school and worked in the Prosecutor’s Office, kept telling me how badly they needed interpreters,” Lauren recalls. “And I thought—if I can help, I should.” Her work involves high-pressure moments, rapid translation, and intense emotional focus. But Lauren sees the job as more than a technical challenge. It is a human one.

 

You have to be humble and empathetic. You are a neutral party, but you are still the bridge. You are advocating for someone’s rights making sure they are heard and understood.  

Lauren Burger