I came into UW with some aspirations and some flexibility. What I thought were my non-negotiables included four years of college, double majors in Political Science and Psychology, law school immediately after college, and becoming a lawyer. But I quickly realized that I had other priorities!
I first started by taking LSJ 200: Introduction to Law, Societies, and Justice. I found the class fascinating, challenging, and horrifying - I wanted more. I continued taking LSJ classes and applied to the major in the spring, getting in on my first try.
I also took Psych 250: Racism and Minority Groups. This was a formative class because it centered critical race theory (and personal experience) as important topics in academia that had real effects on real people. I loved the class so much that I participated in six months of Pipeline Project volunteering at Leschi Elementary School, learning about race and equity in elementary education. Interestingly, Leschi was one of the feeder schools for the Seattle high school that I attended (Garfield). It was rewarding to go back to a place where I had a connection, and engage more deeply in Seattle and its racial and educational history. Every week I’d go to Leschi and volunteer in a classroom. I’d also work in an after-school program for East African children, which was my favorite part of the experience because I got to know each student very closely and could witness their progress in math and reading comprehension. I had a great time doing Pipeline Project, but ultimately decided that I wasn’t interested in pursuing education in my time at UW.
During Winter Quarter, my friends were applying to internships and already making summer plans. Feeling overwhelmed, I decided to apply for two study abroad programs through the Honors program in Berlin, Germany and Quito, Ecuador. I was accepted to both programs but chose Berlin. There I worked at an elementary school assisting children in praticing English. I loved travelling internationally! I even solo traveled after the program finished, Couchsurfing all over Dublin and Amsterdam. I thought I wanted to come back to Berlin after I graduated from UW.
A final risk that I took during my first year was applying to two writing centers on campus. I didn’t think I’d get hired at either place (LSJ/POL S writing center or OWRC), but I applied anyways and got hired at both!
Freshman year was full of fun and new experiences, many of which defined the rest of my college experience.
I first started by taking LSJ 200: Introduction to Law, Societies, and Justice. I found the class fascinating, challenging, and horrifying - I wanted more. I continued taking LSJ classes and applied to the major in the spring, getting in on my first try.
I also took Psych 250: Racism and Minority Groups. This was a formative class because it centered critical race theory (and personal experience) as important topics in academia that had real effects on real people. I loved the class so much that I participated in six months of Pipeline Project volunteering at Leschi Elementary School, learning about race and equity in elementary education. Interestingly, Leschi was one of the feeder schools for the Seattle high school that I attended (Garfield). It was rewarding to go back to a place where I had a connection, and engage more deeply in Seattle and its racial and educational history. Every week I’d go to Leschi and volunteer in a classroom. I’d also work in an after-school program for East African children, which was my favorite part of the experience because I got to know each student very closely and could witness their progress in math and reading comprehension. I had a great time doing Pipeline Project, but ultimately decided that I wasn’t interested in pursuing education in my time at UW.
During Winter Quarter, my friends were applying to internships and already making summer plans. Feeling overwhelmed, I decided to apply for two study abroad programs through the Honors program in Berlin, Germany and Quito, Ecuador. I was accepted to both programs but chose Berlin. There I worked at an elementary school assisting children in praticing English. I loved travelling internationally! I even solo traveled after the program finished, Couchsurfing all over Dublin and Amsterdam. I thought I wanted to come back to Berlin after I graduated from UW.
A final risk that I took during my first year was applying to two writing centers on campus. I didn’t think I’d get hired at either place (LSJ/POL S writing center or OWRC), but I applied anyways and got hired at both!
Freshman year was full of fun and new experiences, many of which defined the rest of my college experience.