Min Kim

Biography

I am a first-generation, undocumented, transfer student at UCSB. I am currently in my fourth year of undergrad, majoring in Economics. I was born in Seoul, South Korea but raised in the United States for most of my life. I was originally a Business Administration major prior to transferring to UCSB. I realized I had a passion for research and statistics along with business, so I decided to major in Economics. Other than coursework, I like to play video games, indulge in K-pop videos, and go hiking!

Advice

Getting adjusted to a new environment is scary for everyone, especially if you don't have the same amount of resources as the other students. My advice is that you should immediately look into different kinds of programs that are available at school. There are so many resources provided here at UCSB. If you are worried about your career path, go to Career Services. If you want advice on mental health, go to CAPS. If you want to connect with other first-generation students and hear advice from your fellow peers, come to the ONDAS center!

What makes you proud to be a First-Gen college student?

Being a first-generation student means that you carry more burden and pressure while having fewer resources than the rest. Since I couldn't receive much help from my parents as a first-generation student, I had a tough time when I started college. Some of my difficulties were, getting adjusted to a new educational environment and learning how to manage college courses. However, as I began to teach myself new things, I realized that I had matured and grown a lot through these experiences. I am proud of my journey, knowledge, and friendships I've gained through my experience as a first-generation college student.