#IAmUCI: Kayte Long

Kayte Long is a freshman majoring in dance. 

Why did you choose UCI?

Ever since 8th grade, UCI has been my dream school. This is because of its prestigious dance program. The dance professors are absolutely amazing, and I knew I would thrive as a dancer at UCI. I am also very close to the L.A. area, which offers numerous dance career opportunities. Also, the beautiful location is a plus! 

What are your favorite things about UCI?

My favorite things about UCI are definitely the people I’ve met. I never realized how fast people can impact your life until I went to college. 

What’s your advice for new/incoming Anteaters?

My best advice to new Anteaters would be to manage your time wisely. Focus on your studies, but enjoy the college experience as well! Also don’t take all 8 a.m.s… It’s killer!

Photo by @kaytedancer1 via Instagram.

**Share your UCI story and photos with #IAmUCI on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

#IAmUCI - Persis William-Mensah

Persis William-Mensah is a UC Irvine biological sciences/public health junior and track and field student-athlete. She’s also an Olympian who traveled to Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games.  1. Why did you choose UCI?

On my initial recruiting visit, I was informed of the outstanding science programs that would be available to me as my goal is to enter either a medical or pharmaceutical school after graduation. All of my coaches and teammates greeted me with open arms and I just remember going back home and thinking that everyone was extremely welcoming. I couldn’t see myself anywhere else and ended up verbally committing to being an Anteater for the next 4 years!

2. What is your favorite thing(s) about UCI?

My favorite thing about UCI is the diverse amount of people I have had the chance to meet since being on campus. One of my best friends is in a sorority and the other works in a research lab on campus. I have met people that are from Italy, Ghana, China, and even just down the street. 

By being a student-athlete, I’ve been able to experience the best of both worlds in the sense that in the classroom I am held to the same standards as all of my peers and challenged to succeed just the same. On the track, I am able to forget about school for a while and focus on my athletic goals. 

I think UCI provides me the opportunity to excel as both a student and an athlete without ever compromising for one or the other and that has shaped me into the person that I am today as I can now call myself a 2016 Olympian, the owner of four school records, and a future college graduate.

3. What’s your advice for current and new Anteaters?

My main advice for any new Anteaters would be to explore the things you like to do and capitalize on them because college is all about finding yourself. Once you find the things you like to do it’s really easy to build relationships that will last a lifetime around those connections. 

One piece of advice I would give to incoming student-athletes is that the four years go by really fast, so enjoy it while it lasts!

Photo courtesy of UC Irvine Athletics. 

**Share your UCI story and photos with #IAmUCI on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

#IAmUCI: Rafael Carrazco-Sanchez

Rafael Carrazco-Sanchez is a senior majoring in criminology, law & society and is the current vice-president of ASUCI. He is one of the student organizers behind Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week at UCI. 

Why did you choose UCI?

I chose UCI because of the world-renowned education that I knew I would be receiving at this institution. When I first set foot on this campus, it was immediately apparent to me that UCI was a one-of-a-kind university, with how it strives to constantly push the status quo through critical thinking and engaging in enriching conversations. What I find even more admirable in this campus as I look back on my four years here is how the community collectively embraces the mission of leadership, and intertwines it into all areas of the student life. UCI continues to be the single best decision of my life, and I am proud to be a part of the Anteater family!

What are your favorite things about UCI? 

My all-time favorite thing about UCI is the lively student experience here. Between its perfect location and the endless opportunities for involvement available on campus, UCI empowers students with the ability to be anything they want to be! UCI has something for everyone, and it is just a matter of exploring all that this campus has to offer. 

What’s your advice for new/incoming Anteaters? 

My advice to any new/incoming Anteaters would be to step out of their comfort zone and embrace all the amazing opportunities and experiences that are easily accessible to them. From athletic events, community service opportunities, attending academic lectures, and everything in between - UCI has it all, and UCI does it all well! Students, staff, and faculty all play a pivotal role in building Anteater Nation to what it is today. By going out and building relationships and connections through what interests us, we are able to enrich the community and are able to continue to make our mark on the magic that truly makes UCI special! 

Photo courtesy of Rafael Carrazco-Sanchez.

**Share your UCI story and photos with #IAmUCI on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

#IAmUCI: Tracy La

Tracy La is a senior majoring in political science and is the current ASUCI president. 

Why did you choose UCI?

I chose UCI out of 11 schools that I got accepted into. I visited the campus back when I was in the 9th grade, and immediately fell in love with the campus’ physical beauty, the fact that there was a park in the middle of campus, how much simpler it was to get from one side of campus to the other, and I liked the challenge of attending a school that was relatively new and therefore had the opportunity to grow, expand, and challenge itself in its endeavors. Ultimately, I chose UCI because it gave me the opportunity to be far enough from home to be able to live in and explore a new county, while also giving me the opportunity to travel back home whenever I needed to.

What are your favorite things about UCI?

Because of how relatively new it is, students have access to a vast amount of opportunities to challenge and push UCI to continue being an even better place for all students here on campus. Because of this, I’ve had the opportunity to learn what makes something a best practice, expand my perspectives and skills, and feel important and empowered because of all the things we can do to help UCI grow. I also love Aldrich Park and the ability to relax or nap there in between classes, the cool sustainable features we have, and I love seeing the critically acclaimed “Swag Man” around campus, especially on my rough days because he’s become a sign of luck and hope for a better day for me.

What’s your advice for new/incoming Anteaters?

Do not be afraid to ask for help or clarity, and don’t feel excruciatingly pressured to get involved in everything you can during your first year. I didn’t get fully involved or become fully comfortable with being a college student until my second and third year, and this never hindered my ability to get passionately involved with what I cared about and ultimately elected to serve as the ASUCI President. In addition, try to explore all the things you may be interested in and then when you’re ready, narrow it down to a few things you want to dedicate your energy to.

Photo courtesy of Tracy La.

**Share your UCI story and photos with #IAmUCI on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

#IAmUCI: Andrew Hallak

Andrew Hallak, a senior majoring in international studies, has made the most of his time at UC Irvine by participating in the Olive Tree Initiative and promoting environmental sustainability as a Dalai Lama Scholar.

Why did you choose UCI?

I chose UCI because of its location (just a few miles from the beach and midpoint between Los Angeles and San Diego), and it offered interdisciplinary programs that blended my passions in life, that being travel, international relations and environmental sciences.

What are your favorite things about UCI?

UC Irvine provides a platform for students to find themselves, both academically and personally. There are so many ways to get involved and opportunities that aren’t available just anywhere. Apply for funding through UROP to conduct research, relax in Aldrich Park in a hammock, study and travel to conflict zones with the Olive Tree Initiative, and of course, walk across the bridge to get In-N-Out.

What’s your advice for new/incoming Anteaters?

Four years will fly by so join clubs, conduct research, teach a class, and study abroad! Use your time at UCI to test all your interests and passions. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. It’s great to have goals, but don’t feel constrained by them and take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you. College, like life, is a learning process so have fun, reflect often and do everything you can! Most importantly, build a network of friends that support your endeavors and inspire your dreams! Never be discouraged by a ‘No’ and keep pursuing your goals.

Read more about Andrew at: https://news.uci.edu/feature/joining-forces/

**Share your story and photos with #IAmUCI!

Photo by Steve Zylius, UCI Communications.

'Eater love feeds the world: Poonam Kaushal & Nishkaam Mehta - Anteater Love Stories

Poonam Kaushal and Nishkaam Mehta’s love story started at UC Irvine but the impact of their relationship is truly global. The couple decided to forgo a traditional wedding party in favor of something a little more charitable. In the spirit of giving back, they launched #MillionMealsForLove, a 30-day campaign on the United Nations World Food Programme’s “ShareTheMeal” app. Their goal is to provide a million meals to children affected by Boko Haram violence in Cameroon by Feb. 14, the day they plan to wed in a civil ceremony at L.A. City Hall. Here, Poonam (a pediatrician) and Nishkaam (a tech professional) discuss what brought them together and what motivates them to give back. 

What brought you to UC Irvine? In other words: Why UCI?

Great location and reputation. Somehow UC Irvine felt like a university that we could call home and our intuition was right. 

What was your major? What year did you attend and/or graduate?

We both attended from 2003-2007 and Poonam majored in neurobiology and Nishkaam majored in electrical engineering. 

How did you meet your sweetheart?  

We became good friends in 2003 when we both got involved in the Hindu Students Council club. That’s how we met with our good friends that we still are close with. Our friendship since UCI deepened over time and with our chemistry we knew that it wasn’t going to just be an ordinary friendship when we both came back to Southern California in 2011. We started spending more time together and started dating in 2012.

What attracted you to each other? 

Poonam: Nishkaam is an energetic guy and always thinking of ways to bring people together. As we became friends, this is what I found most attractive about him because he was so social/bubbly and always had a knack for finding great music. He started his own radio station at UCI–Chutney Radio. 

Nishkaam: I found Poonam to be really caring and loving from the start. I remembered she was always a good listener and someone that most everyone could rely on. As we became good friends, I really felt that she was special and had a soft spot for her.

How long have you been together? 

4.5 years! We got engaged in September 2016 and we will marry on February 14, 2017. 

Favorite love song/story/poem/book/movie?

Nishkaam proposed to ColdPlay’s “Yellow” as the sun was setting off the coast of Laguna Beach. It’s been a special song for us. 

Best Valentine’s Day present? 

Food! Our best present to each other has been cooking for each other! 

What are you planning for Valentine’s Day this year? 

We gave up a big wedding and donated our wedding money to fund 40,000 school meals to children in Cameroon via the United Nation’s World Food Programme mobile app ShareTheMeal. We have requested all our friends and family to donate to our team #MillionMealsforLove in lieu of wedding gifts. We are hoping this cause and our effort reaches the online community as well. Our goal is an ambitious one at 1 million meals. At the conclusion of this 30 day effort, we will marry in a civil ceremony on Valentine’s day.

What’s the secret to keeping a good love story going? 

Friendship and kindness :) 

How did UC Irvine play a part in your love story? 

We are from different parts of the world–Nishkaam from Mumbai, India and Poonam from Orange County, California. Without both of us deciding to attend UC Irvine, we don’t know how our paths would have crossed. UC Irvine was an integral landscape for setting up our foundation of friendship that would later blossom into our lifetime love story. 

What is the most romantic spot on campus? 

We will have to come back and find out! :) 

Any advice for Anteaters seeking love? 

Keep an open mind and meet lots of people. Sometimes the person you have been looking for all along is much closer than you think! 

 Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you for the opportunity to share our share and our cause! We are honored and proud to be Anteaters :) 

Poonam and Nishkaam’s #MillionMealsForLove project in the news:  

World Food Program USA: http://bit.ly/2koPXEi

New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/fashion/weddings/the-pay-it-forward-wedding-when-i-do-becomes-i-do-more.html?_r=0

CNN: http://www.snappytv.com/tc/3759111/2236406

Happy Valentine’s Day!

See the full Anteater Love Stories project at: http://bit.ly/UCILove2017

Anteater Love Stories Submissions - 2017

We’re collecting Anteater Love Stories for Valentine’s Day!

Did you meet your sweetheart at UC Irvine? Share your Anteater Love Story by 5 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, and we’ll share our favorites. Submit via:

See the full Anteater Love Stories project: http://anteaterlovestories.tumblr.com/