...So,
for my junior year, through Running Start, I signed up to attend
Highline Community College, the closest community college to my
house.
During orientation I first heard of the Honors Program and I
signed up to take the first class, Honors 100, fall quarter. I am
so glad I did! While taking Honors 100 I’d mentioned in one of my
personal statements that I wanted to become fluent in Spanish (it
had been a goal of mine now for a few years) and the Honors
Program director, Dr. Barbara Clinton, suggested I set up a
meeting with her to talk about travel opportunities. With her
help, I found a program that would aid me with more than just my
language skills—the International Partnership for Service Learning
(IPSL). This program offers me the opportunity to live with an
Ecuadorian host family, attend a local university (and receive
university credit in the US), volunteer at a local organization,
as well as travel to other parts of Ecuador. The prospect of this
trip has awakened a desire in me to learn about other
cultures—language, history, customs, etc.—and I am now pursuing a
career in International Relations.
In Spring 2005, I graduated from Highline with my AA as a Highline
Honors Scholar. In fall I begin classes at the University of
Washington—a school that houses the Jackson School of
International Studies as well as the Honors Program (to which I
have been accepted). Through the UW Honors Program, I was awarded
the Mary Gates Honors Scholarship which will pay for next year’s
books and tuition. In addition, due to the connections that
Highline’s Honors Program has with UW Honors , I am right on track
with other UW juniors in the Program. Had I not been part of the
Highline Honors Program, I would not have even been able to
consider joining the UW Honors with junior credits.
Since becoming part of the Highline Honors program I have
discovered my passions. I have searched for programs and
opportunities that interest me, and I have pursued them. The
Highline Honors Program has shown me that there are numerous
exciting opportunities out there, and that many are within my
reach.
