By BETHANY SHERROW
Features Editor

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) — Kriti Gopal doesn’t believe the Dirty Burg exists.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY KRITI GOPAL
Kriti Gopal visits the Cloud Gate sculpture
at Millennium Park in Chicago in November 2015.

“I think Warrensburg in itself is very beautiful,” Gopal said. “A lot of people don’t realize that, and they always call it Dirty Burg. It’s not dirty. It’s all about how you look at it.”

Gopal believes that perspective is key, not only about Warrensburg, but also when it comes to life circumstances.

“Have an open mind, and always have a positive attitude even in the most difficult situations,” Gopal said. “I think that is what has kept me going this far.”

Gopal moved to Warrensburg from Mumbai, India, when she was 18 in 2009. Now, she’s 25, she’s had nine different jobs on campus, and she’s working on her second master’s degree.

“I finished my master’s in mass communication because when I finished my undergrad, I thought that was what I wanted to continue,” Gopal said. “At some point, I thought I’d do a doctorate in communication. I wanted to be a teacher, and I still think I want to be a teacher or at least be within the university setting. Now I’m working on my second master’s in CSPA, which is college student personnel administration.”

Gopal said by getting involved on campus, she has created a positive college experience for herself and has never stopped learning. That’s why she wants to help college students.

“I really just enjoy being on campus and being around the students,” Gopal said. “I really like watching students grow and develop from the time they enter and experience college by getting involved in organizations.”

She said being an international student gave her a unique opportunity to share her culture and values with many people on campus. She encourages other international students to share their culture with others because we’re more alike than we think.