I’m a student at UW Bothell, majoring in elementary education and studying sign language. I transferred here last winter after earning my associate’s degree at Edmonds College, where I started through Running Start in high school. I really enjoyed Edmonds — the environment, the people, and the chance to take college-level classes early. Now, I love UW too. One great thing about the UW system is that if you’re enrolled at one campus, you can take classes at the others, so I split some of my time between Bothell and Seattle.
I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher. I love the idea of helping kids learn and grow, and I think education is one of the best ways to make a difference in the world. Higher education matters to me not just because it’s required for teaching, but because it teaches discipline, perseverance, and how to see the world from new perspectives. Even if I eventually take a different path, I know a degree will open doors and show employers that I can commit and follow through.
Running Start made a huge difference for me. My first two years of college were free, which allowed me to finish about half my degree without debt. Community college was a much more affordable option compared to university — and honestly, the quality of education was just as good. Still, I’ve seen how expensive higher education can be, especially for international students. Some of my friends pay several times what I do, which made me realize how lucky I am to be an in-state student. Even now, paying about $4,000 a quarter at UW is a lot, but it could be much worse.
That’s why I think guaranteeing the first two years of community or technical college would be life-changing. It would open the door for so many students who might otherwise think college isn’t possible. Even if someone doesn’t plan to earn a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree alone can lead to better jobs and more financial stability. Of course, making college free requires funding, but if the state could invest in that, it would be an incredible step forward.
At Edmonds College, there were so many great resources for students — food pantries, free hygiene products, and community events that provided meals and essentials. Those things really help. The one area that I think could use improvement is housing. Dorms are much more expensive than nearby apartments, and many international students end up locked into yearlong contracts because they don’t know the area yet. Once you sign, you’re stuck paying thousands of dollars more than you need to, and that can make college even harder to afford.
Data privacy is another big issue. In education, we talk about how every child has the right to a free education, regardless of their immigration status. That should apply to college too. A student’s personal or family information should always be kept confidential. Schools don’t need to know your status to help you learn, and if they do, they have a responsibility to protect it.
Education is one of the most powerful tools we have. It gives people confidence, skills, and the ability to shape their own future. From what I’ve seen, Washington is doing a lot right — we just need to keep improving access, affordability, and support for all kinds of students. Whether it’s through cost-free college, better advising, or stronger protections for undocumented and disabled students, those investments build not just individual success stories, but a stronger community for everyone.