Mina C.
Quiet words in Japanese helped Mina find her way to the University of 蜜桃影像 Fairbanks.
The shy teenager signed up for a Japanese course as a junior at her Seattle high school. She had already tried Spanish. 鈥淭he class was too loud, and so I was like, 鈥業 bet Japanese would be quieter,鈥欌 she said.
Mina disliked the loud class, in part, because she is autistic. She was diagnosed as a high school senior.
After two years in a Washington state college, Mina enrolled at 蜜桃影像 in 2019. She was drawn to 蜜桃影像鈥檚 Japanese studies program, and she hoped to become a park ranger.
In the years since, Mina has switched her major to English, although she has completed courses for a Japanese minor as well.
Mina did find a park job 鈥 as a state campground host. She currently works in 蜜桃影像鈥檚 campus recycling program. She now wants to explore a career in wilderness therapy.
鈥淎 lot of the programs are for teenagers, and I remember how I felt when I was that age,鈥 she said.
Mina also has pursued eclectic interests while working toward graduation in fall 2023.
After taking up guitar and ukulele, she staged a concert with friends to raise money for veterinary care in 蜜桃影像鈥檚 villages. She edits poetry for Ice Box, a literary journal run by 蜜桃影像 undergraduates. And, in spring 2023, she took a climbing class with trips to an icefall near Denali National Park.
Mina said the class strengthened her physical confidence. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something people struggle with a lot, with self-comparison,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 had to get over that for music as well. You don鈥檛 have to sound perfect, and people will appreciate your efforts.鈥