Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Major: Global Development
Minors: Linguistics and Asian Studies
Throughout high school, the whole concept of growing up and going to college kind of scared me. Because of this, I didn’t apply to many schools, and when it came time to make a decision, I had only two options: the large state school in my hometown or Seattle Pacific.
I figured this was the time to take a risk, and although I’d be moving several states away where I didn’t know a soul, I knew I’d be part of a warm, Christian community at SPU. So I packed my bags.
Still, when finally fully committed to SPU, I was nervous about moving to Seattle. However, looking back on it, I can see that God was with me the whole way. He saw to it that I settled in comfortably, and though the new experience was scary, I never felt as if I shouldn’t be here.
The Chinese courses at SPU also influenced my decision to enroll. Asian Studies is a fairly new program here, but it was one of the factors that ultimately encouraged me to attend. I knew this program was something that I wanted to pursue in college.
My pursuit of Chinese has been part of a personal journey to discover more of who I am. When I was younger, I felt slightly disconnected from my racial identity, because I didn’t grow up with Chinese parents. However, learning Chinese has helped me bridge that gap. Today, I continue to learn more Chinese, and, in turn, I learn more about me.
My first year taking Chinese was fun. I enjoyed the time I spent with my classmates, and I feel proud of what we were able to accomplish together. Professor Xu Bian definitely made a lasting impression on me. She is kind, genuine, and definitely wants her students to achieve their best. Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to progress as much as I have today.
I also enjoyed going on a study abroad experience for UCOR 2000. My group went to China for three weeks during the summer, and it was a perfect opportunity to practice my Chinese. Additionally, it was a good experience to learn outside of a traditional classroom, and I developed good relationships with the other students and professors who attended the trip.
Overall, it was absolutely fascinating to observe how people can be so different, and yet the same. Although we might come from different backgrounds, if we are willing to take the time to acknowledge one another, we can still find ways to become the best of friends.
Without even realizing it, I was led by God in the direction I need to go, and I wholeheartedly believe he will continue to do so.