My Life at UW

Like every other college student working hard for their degree, I am exhausted by the end of the day. However, I have never been more fulfilled and happier in my life. UW provides numerous opportunities for students to take advantage of. Clearly, I am not afraid of taking opportunities when they are presented to me.

Through the Education Abroad Office, I have traveled to eight different countries in Europe and the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, France, Germany, and Poland. I have walked through countless museums, cathedrals, and historic sites, and have experienced cultures different from my own. Some memories I have made stand out to me more than others.

My first study abroad course, Castles, Crowns, and Enlightenment, took place in Scotland and England, where I stayed in Abbotsford Manor in Melrose, Scotland, the over 200-year-old home of Sir Walter Scott. My second faculty-led program was to Germany and Poland to study Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. Walking through concentration camps, the Nazi party rally grounds, and discovering what Nazi Germany was is an unforgettable experience. Traveling from Munich to Nuremberg, Berlin, and finishing in Krakow, Poland, while walking through the history of the Third Reich, is something I will never forget. The last study abroad I participated in was the thirteen-week London Semester faculty-led trip. During my time in London, I was able to visit six different countries. One of my favorite places I visited was France, where I walked eight miles at the Palace of Versailles. Some of the best memories and life lessons I have learned came from studying abroad. Despite being tired at the end of each day, it was so worth it.

My curiosity about the world and meeting people carries over into my life on campus. Helping people is something I aspire to do, which is one of the reasons I chose to become a Poke Pack Leader and Student Ambassador Tour Guide. Being a freshman in college can be terrifying; you are leaving home for the first time and learning how to be an adult. I am a 22-year-old senior, and I am still learning how to be an adult. As a Poke Pack Leader, I have been able to guide freshmen on what life as a college student is like and teach them lessons I have learned throughout my journey. Walking prospective students around the university and sharing what it is like to be a UW Cowboy is an exceptional experience. I get to meet people from all around the country and help students decide whether UW is the right school for them.

Outside the classroom and leadership roles, my school spirit runs deep. “C.O.W.B.O.Y.S. Cowboys, cowboys, cowboys!” I am a loyal fan of brown and gold. I may have missed only two home football games and a few basketball games throughout my four years here. Games are always fun, and even when I am tired from a day's work, I can relax and enjoy any sporting event, especially if there’s popcorn.

During my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to work with Athletics as an intern. I assisted in managing the social media accounts of various teams during games, photographed the athletes, and captured the excitement of the crowd. That experience helped me see how communication and storytelling can bring a community together.

Talking is a superpower of mine. It is one of the reasons I chose to study Journalism. My degree has led me down many paths of different projects. In my Mass Media and Society course, I wrote a paper about the different portrayals of violence in the children’s TV shows Bluey and Spidey and his Amazing Friends. It has led me to my current Marketing and Communications Internship with the College of Arts and Sciences. My internship has allowed my creativity to flourish. I have written press releases and created social media content, such as filming “day in a life” videos with students, which share their daily experiences. Being an intern is one of the most significant opportunities I have had during my college career, and it is the reason I was able to write this blog.

I have accomplished so much in my college career thanks to the opportunities presented to me. Looking back on my college career, I have written essays, presented research, taken thousands of pictures at events, talked nonstop during tours, sent email after email, explored the world, made friends, and endeavored to achieve the opportunities I wanted during my time in college. At the end of the day, I may be tired, but even more so, I am accomplished. Everything I have mentioned above, I am proud of. I have created a life for myself that I genuinely want.

If you are a student looking to expand your knowledge and skill set, consider reaching out to people and engaging in conversations. By walking up to strangers and introducing myself, I was able to do so much. You never know if a simple “Hello” can change your life.