#repsummer

While you escape the heat in the air conditioning this month, what better time to #repSummer?

The summer is often a good time to reflect on the previous academic year and set goals for the upcoming semester – and relax of course!  Join us this month as we celebrate summertime!

July 7/ Time to get outside! Although you may be blogging now, how do you enjoy the weather during the summer?  Let us know your favorite outdoor activities!

July 9/ Time to read! So many books!  So little time!  What is on your reading list this summer?

July 14/ Time to reflect! What are you most proud of from this past academic year?  Post a photo or word post!

July 16/ Time to set goals! Create a list of goals that you for the next academic year.  What are you going to do to achieve these goals?

July 21/ Time to find a hobby!  Post a picture or video of you trying something new – Take a chance!

July 23/ Time to enjoy home! For many of us summer brings travel home.  For some us, school has become home.  Wherever your home is, let us know your favorite thing about it!

We are excited to announce Rumong Yobech as our /present voice of the month for July 2016.  Here is Rumong in his own words!

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Rumong Elison Yobech. I am from the Republic of Palau. I am currently a junior undergraduate student studying Forensic Science at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut. When I am not studying or in class, I love playing the guitar and the ukulele, eating all kinds of food, singing, dancing, meeting new people, playing sports, and participating in events on campus. In a nutshell, I am a social butterfly who likes to make people laugh and my philosophy in life is "work smart and always be kind".

Where are you from? Where are you now?

I am from the Republic of Palau, I attended  Xavier High School in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, and now I am studying forensic science at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut.

Who or what do you re/present? And how?

I humbly re/present the youth and the coming generation of my country, the Republic of Palau. I want to be a living symbol for opportunity and that working hard and smart can help you achieve your goals in life. Achieving higher education and bringing the knowledge I attain back to my country is a first step to help develop my country. I am studying forensic science in hopes that I can use it to aid the justice system back home. I want the the younger people back home to see me as a role model to take every opportunity they can to develop themselves so they can give back to the community that raised them.

What has been the most significant event of your life thus far?

The most significant event that has happened in my life thus far is when I realized that I needed to get out of my bubble and become more involved in my college campus. I struggled my freshmen year to adjust because the lifestyle was very different. I was closed off and feared that I might never make friends or have an amazing college experience. One day, I was invited to attend a club meeting for the International Students Assocation and I ended up falling in love with it. Since then, it felt like home and I began to become passionate to get involved with many organizations on campus. I joined a fraternity that had the same values I have, took up leadership positions for different organizations, and since then, I have learned and grown so much.

What superhero power would you want? And why?  

By: Andy Dinh, APIASF Scholar

By Jessica Ellis, APIASF Scholar

Hey guys, it’s Jessica here! I’m a recent 2015 award winner of an APIASF scholarship! It’s super exciting. I’ll be attending the University of Idaho this year and I actually report there in exactly three weeks! The nerves are definitely starting to kick in.

Senior year was pretty crazy for me. I ran track, played soccer, participated in clubs and church, and still found time to work hard in school and do scholarships. I’m sure all of you know the feeling you get after graduation where you just want to sleep for two weeks straight. Although that would’ve been nice, unfortunately it wasn’t going to happen.

By Tan Vu, APIASF Scholar