In Their Own Words: Yiyi ’26

KUA boasts a vibrant and inclusive community where individuals are empowered to discover and embrace their true selves. This environment plays a pivotal role in nurturing the aspirations of students and student-athletes alike. Personally, having come from China, I found that KUA's ethos liberated me from the pressures of conforming to societal expectations or parental demands, allowing me to chart my path and pursue my authentic dreams.

 

What truly amazed me during my first year at the Hilltop was the depth of connections forged between people. The people here exude kindness, empathy, and warmth. One vivid memory stands out: my first baseball practice with the team. Being not fluent in English at the time, I struggled to understand the phrases used during the practice. However, the coaches gave me remarkable patience, taking the time to explain each term to me. Meanwhile, my teammates consistently offered encouragement, regardless of whether I made errors or excelled.

What is one piece of advice you'd like to share with incoming students?Embrace confidence and showcase your best self, for just like diamonds, your brilliance will shine brightly in every corner, particularly here at KUA. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised by the abundance of love and support you'll receive, far beyond what you might anticipate.

My favorite place on campus would be the baseball locker room in the rink. It is a place where we leave the pride from victory or the upset from defeat behind. The team shares the same glory, which is the wildcat in front of our jerseys.

What's your favorite meal from the dining hall?

The waffle fries.