I grew up in a community that was really secluded, so coming into college was a very overwhelming experience. It took me longer than expected to adapt to such a fast-pace environment while also continuing to grow as a person myself. I found my community through clubs while also furthering my professional career in organizations that allowed me to work closer with professors and professionals. Throughout the years at UCLA, I found of passion of intersecting my holistic goals with my professional goals through the pre-health track and focusing on giving back to lower-income communities and passing down my knowledge to the next generation.

Hometown

Garden Grove, California

Major(s)

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics

Minor(s)

Asian American Studies

Clubs, organizations & involvement

SEA CLEAR (Southeast Asian Campus Learning Education and Retention) - Assistant Project Coordinator VSU (Vietnamese Student Union) Project Hope Pre-Physician Assistant Club Pre-Medical Community

Describe your college experience

I was the only person from my high school that decided to commit to UCLA, so coming into the school year I knew absolutely no one. My roommates were selected by random and I tried my best to be as extroverted as possible. Everybody tells you that the first couple of weeks are critical to making friends because it's when everyone is the most social and open to anybody. However, I had this expectation that I would find my forever group of friends, so there was this constant pressure to say hi to everyone or talk to everyone even if their personalities didn't match with mine. As a result, I found myself really struggling to find a safe group of people in college, and it wasn't until I started putting myself out there with clubs where I would find my community and safety net. It was through SEA CLEAR specifically where I was given a mentor on how to navigate life as a Southeast Asian student at UCLA that I was given support and acknowledgment that I didn't know I needed. From then on, I committed myself to SEA CLEAR alongside clubs that would further my professional dreams to the point where I would lead the retention project and teach a cohort of 14 students about the community conditions Southeast Asians face. I came into college being pre-med; however, I have changed my career path on multiple occasions because I didn't really know what I wanted to do. Everyone seemed to know exactly what they wanted and went head-first for it. I considered every option even though I knew I wanted to stay in the healthcare universe. I felt the pressure from external factors like family and friends to figure out my career path before it was "too late." Despite that, I leaned on my mentors and community to help me realize what I truly wanted to do in life in my third year at UCLA. I decided to commit to pre-physician assistant where I could help people and also have the upward mobility if I choose so. From there, I joined as many clubs as possible involving pre-pa and had conversations with students who were already on that career path to learn more and see if this was the final decision. Now, I am volunteering at hospitals while also participating in a lab at UCLA where I get to work very closely with my PI and graduate student.

Tip for future students

Some things that I wish I had known before starting school here is that everybody is on their on path and does not care. UCLA is known for its hustle culture where everyone around you is constantly doing something or part of something. Because of that, there is this pressure that you should also be doing more work and more things. However, everyone is on their own path and may seem like they know what they are doing, but I guarantee they do not. Everyone is also as lost as you. Instead of comparing or stressing about falling behind, enjoy the moments at UCLA. This is such a unique opportunity that is granted to you and you shouldn't waste it focusing on somebody else besides yourself. College is the time where you learn more about yourself everyday. I came into college thinking I knew the world; however, I am coming into my fourth year still being as lost as ever but with having a better understanding of myself. That was through many hardships and challenges that were not only academic but also personal.

Favorite class

One of my favorite classes has been my Genetics class (Life Science 107) because it was the very few biology classes where I was able to find my community and have a support system throughout the whole quarter. This class is notorious for being similar to other life science courses that many STEM students have to take at UCLA; however, this was the first class where I found many of my friends also in and was able to truly take advantage of all of the resources that UCLA has to offer. At UCLA, there are many different programs and clubs that offer help with academics, but it can be very overwhelming even as a 3rd year to know which resource would be the most beneficial. It wasn't until when I took this class that I was able to understand myself better as a student and what would be the most useful for me. As a result, I utilized my TA and discussion section a lot because I was able to build that trust between me and the TA. I would go to office hours and used study groups as my main source of studying and truly had fun doing so.

Career goals

After I graduate college, I plan on taking a gap year to work as a Medical Assistant and to further my professional skills before applying to PA school.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal way to spend a free night would be to take a sunset walk, eat dinner with friends or family, and then end the night watching a movie or show.

High school or secondary school

Garden Grove High School: Garden Grove, California, USA