Meet our Students

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1. What is your full name?
Anne Michelle C. Gungon.

2. What country do you come from?
Manila, Philippines.

3. How long have you lived in the United States?
I've been here for one and a half years.

4. What is your favorite place in Seattle?
My favorite places in Seattle are The Space Needle and most of the local areas downtown like the shopping district and the International District. I went to the space needle once and the feelings that I felt when I was there still linger in my memory. You'll definitely be astonished how beautiful and big the city of Seattle is from the view up there. The gentle breeze and overwhelming scenery always remind me that this is the most romantic place in Seattle, especially at night.

Whenever I have the chance to stroll around or just hang out with my friends, downtown Seattle is my favorite place. You'll see many different faces and if lucky, meet unique people. It is the busiest place I have ever seen. Theaters, shopping malls, restaurants, business offices and beautiful urban parks combine harmoniously all in one place. Walking is the only thing you need to do to experience and appreciate these places all in the same day!

5. What do you enjoy most about SCCC?
What I enjoy the most about SCCC is its diversity. Where else can you be in a place where in one corner are two Spaniards talking, on another side are Japanese students studying for their exam, in the back are Americans discussing their project, and me in the middle adding my own culture to a crowded area? I love meeting different people and getting to know different personalities. I think diversity is the best thing a student could ever experience here at SCCC.

6. What are your plans for the future?
My ultimate goal was to be a pediatrician someday. However, when I came here to the US I was able to try different things and take different types of classes. I also had an opportunity to volunteer in a hospital near SCCC. After discovering the things I really want to do in the future, I finally decided to major in Nursing. After I set my AA degree in spring of 2005, I want to be admitted in to a Nursing school so that I can earn my BS degree and finally become a registered nurse. Hopefully, I want to also gain some job training and experience here in the U.S. after I get my Nursing license. Pursuing a Master's Degree in nursing is also one of my plans but it would still depend on wherever fate would lead me to.

7. What are the biggest differences between life in your country and life in Seattle?
Academically there is not much difference between the Philippines and Seattle. In the Philippines we also use English as the language of instruction and students are always encouraged to express themselves in English. The classroom setting is similar as well. However, students here in the US are encouraged to work independently and to express themselves fully even though their ideas might be completely against what the instructors are teaching the students. American instructors advocate students to share their own ideas and beliefs during classroom discussions. The good thing is that even though you share a totally weird or out-of-this-world thought, you'll never get a bad grade for it. In Manila, every single statement that you share in the classroom corresponds to a grade based on the instructor's discretion, in which I think makes it more difficult and stressful to participate in a classroom setting. I believe that a student can learn the best things in life when there are no pressures and when it's hassle-free. Instructors often touch their student's hearts to carry out the best learning experience for them. A high quality American education, like what's offered here in SCCC, will always be the best option for me. Likewise, even though a few things are different between the US and the Philippines, I never get homesick since many things from my home country are in here too.

8. What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishments? Why?
My biggest accomplishment so far is to be awarded with three scholarships during my short stay here at Seattle Central. I must admit that being an international student was difficult in many ways, especially related to financial matters. I need to somehow support myself by working part-time on-campus while still studying. Because I was awarded the Campus Work Experience, I got the opportunity to work at the International Student Center for almost two years, have gained a lot of experience regarding office work and I have improved my self-confidence and personality. Aside from that, I really had a good time meeting wonderful people and doing new and exciting things at the office. During my second year I applied for scholarships and thankfully, I received the Academic Excellence Foundation Scholarship and the International Student Academic Scholarship. Without my own determination, my loved ones' affections and God's guidance, I would never have gotten this far.