Hello! I'm Tiana, and I'm an incoming senior at UCLA, studying biology. Adjusting to life as a Bruin has not always been easy, but in my final year, I can easily say I wouldn't trade it for the world. You can catch me connecting with my cultural roots, dancing traditional Vietnamese dance in Royce Hall, or flyering on BruinWalk to promote my healthcare club MEMO. Or maybe I'm grabbing ice-cream sandwiches or boba in Westwood Village with my friends. Wherever I go, UCLA's campus and culture has so much to offer for it's students! From UCLA's silly traditions, to #1 rated dining halls, I am excited to show you around and introduce you to a day in the life at UCLA. I'll be sure to share with you the premium study spots, best places on campus for matcha and coffee, and so much more. Come with questions!

Hometown

Rosemead, California

Major(s)

Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Medical Educational Missions and Outreach; Vietnamese Student Union; Vietnamese Traditional Dance Team; Student Experience Weekend; Student Transfer Experience Weekend; High School Conference; Intramural Sports

Describe your college experience

The transition into college has been a huge learning curve. From balancing sleep, social life, and academic success, finding a middle ground proves to be an ongoing challenge. I would say my approach to college was finding a sense of community through different interests. I gained my best friends and incoming roommates through joining a dance club. I gained leadership skills through my curiosity in healthcare. And by being ambitious enough to join many extracurriculars, I have learned to pace myself academically and study around my social joys.

Tip for future students

My advice for incoming college students would be to escape your comfort zone and try everything that has ever itched your mind with curiosity. That new hobby, a new club, talking to the group of friends in the lounge, hitting the gym. Do things for yourself simply because you have the opportunity to! And watch how your community grows and your life changes for the better.

Favorite class

The Beatles class has been my favorite class at UCLA because it allowed me to view music, a daily part of our lives, from a different perspective. I learned more about how the Beatles created such addicting beats, generated their inspiration from movements and social discoveries of their time, and how their experimentation with sound made them a global sensation. Through the dissection of their music to understanding the evolution of how music is experienced now compared to the past, this course has given me the gift of listening to the Beatles and music in general with different ears.

Career goals

I am pursuing dentistry! I aim to take one or two gap years and apply to dental schools.

Ideal way to spend a free night

An ideal free night for me would look like grabbing dinner with close friends and having a campfire at the beach, making s'mores and playing spikeball until the sun sets. By night, I'd like to finish off with calming recreational hobbies such as crocheting, watching a movie, and conversing or playing card games.

High school or secondary school

Schurr High School

Favorite spot on campus

I love the Tongva Steps because it is an open area with beautiful scenery, perfect for a picnic or studying around nature. Whether I want to take a nap or lock in and study, this park-like area allows me to relax and complete my goals.