Teacher: Señora Ryen
What college did you go to?
I went to Central Washington University and the University of Washington.
What did you major in?
Spanish and Reading
What degrees do you have?
Bachelor of Arts from Central, and a Masters in Education from UW.
Why did you choose the majors you did?
I went to Mexico as an undergraduate just for fun, and then my dad got really sick. My brother wrote me a letter telling me that I needed to graduate as soon as possible, so the thing I had the most of was Spanish. It was kind of one thing that lead to another. It’s given me a lot more in experiences, I mean, I love to travel and know another language and it really enriched that.
Best memory?
My best memory of college was foreign study and other countries to go to for quarters. I went to Mexico a couple of times, I did a quarter in Chile, and I did a quarter in Ecuador.
What was it like living abroad during your foreign studies?
There were a lot of lectures. So I was never sure if I didn’t understand the class because I didn’t understand the Spanish or if I didn’t understand economics. So it was like being in an extra-processing step.
Worst memory?
I would say probably fear of finals. Because, there are classes where your whole grade is based on two grades: your midterm and your final. Knowing that I’d have to sit in a room for 4 hours and write for 4 hours was daunting.
Did that fear ever lessen as you grew older and had more experiences?
No. [laughter] I would say that if someone told me today that I would have to write about a certain topic for 4 hours I would still be as nervous.
Do you have any advice for someone also in that situation?
Just to be as prepared as possible. I mean, that’s all you can do. Not to put off things to the last minute.
Were you part of any frats or sororities?
No, no. Central didn’t have any and I was already an adult when I went to UW.
What is one thing that you would tell your high-school self after going through college?
I was pretty happy in high school. But, I would say, to be focused on being satisfied with the person you are, because I remember that I always felt–there was always somebody who could do something better. So I always instead of being just like “Oh, well they can do it better” I was feeling like I wasn’t good enough. So, I think if I was more satisfied with myself and accepted who I was that would’ve made life better. But, in general I had a good experience.
What advice do you have for the graduating class of 2018?
Not to pass up opportunities. If there’s a foreign studies program, take it. If you have a desire to do something, do it while you still have the chance. And not to take shortcuts. Because sometimes those shortcuts ex-out experiences that you could’ve had.
Into the Jungle 