I like to tell people that I’ve based my entire college experience on Pitch Perfect, just replacing acapella with Ultimate Frisbee.
While I’m (mostly) joking when I say this, what is definitely true is that I applied to the Daily Bruin because of Gilmore Girls.

Being an international student in the United States means receiving a lot of noes.
No, I can’t work off campus without receiving academic credit or filing a petition with the government.

I was seventeen when I attended a talk with Clarissa Ward. Only two minutes into hearing about her experience working as a war zone reporter in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places, I knew I wanted to be a journalist in some capacity.

Starting new adventures at the end of UCLA, to many, is ironic.
You are on the verge of graduating – moving into the big, wide world.

The Daily Bruin changed me – but not in the way you would think.
Attending UCLA was a dream of mine. When it came true, I knew I was up for a challenge.

When I first walked into Kerckhoff Hall, I carried 37 years of uncertainty with me.
I carried community college nights that felt endless. I carried imposter syndrome.

A little over four years ago, I received my acceptance to UCLA.
I felt a multitude of emotions: happiness, validation, disbelief, gratitude and fear. I viewed UCLA as the final destination after years of hard work.