Middle school is rough, but for me it was especially hard. Back in elementary school, all the kids got along and I could laugh and play with everyone, even though I had a language barrier. I was only seven when my family moved to the US from Taiwan (for the education system and fresh air) and I’ve never felt like a full American. I never felt fully Taiwanese, either. In middle school, I started to notice different cultural ideas and practices and began to struggle to find who I should hang out with and where I belonged. High school was easier because I stopped caring so much about what other people thought. I’ve started to realize that my multicultural perspective is a positive thing since it allows me to be more open-minded and adaptable. I found some true friends who were inclusive and laid-back like me. However, when I got to UW, I decided to explore beyond my high school clique. On a campus with 40,000 undergraduates, I didn’t want to share a room with a friend, I told myself it was time to get out of my comfort zone. One day, a friend invited me to a fraternity social and I ended up rushing. Today, my fraternity brothers are some of the most genuine and supportive people that I’ve ever met. There are certain stereotypes about fraternities, I try to represent the Greek community in a positive light in my other friend circles to beat those stereotypes. Having multiple friend groups and building an understanding about different communities is such an enriching experience. I’ve connected with a faith group and Unite UW—and stood by my fraternity brothers. UW is such a great place to learn about other people’s perspectives. I’ve come a long way since the uncertainty of middle school, and look forward to the rollercoaster that lies ahead!