Name: Lain
Hometown: Ankara, Turkey
Major: Computer Science
Status: Sophomore
What is your favorite thing about being a student at UIS? I really like how small the campus is. This helps me focus on my studies and avoid distractions. I also really like how personal the classroom setting is because I can easily ask for help from my professors when I need it.
What are your goals for the semester? My main goal for the semester is to be more well-rounded. I want to participate in more extracurricular activities while maintaining everything. I also want to start taking advantage of TRAC this semester.
If there were a reality TV show of your life, what would it be called? Why? I think it would be called Lain’s Double Life. I spent two thirds of the year in the US and one third in Turkey so I feel like I lead completely different lives in each country. Dividing my time between two countries with different norms and cultures is really interesting.
Are you involved in any clubs/activities/sports on campus? Or what are your hobbies? I love learning new languages and I speak Turkish, French, German and Japanese in varying fluency levels and I have just started studying Russian. Reading is another hobby of mine and I am an avid fan of Ayn Rand’s works. I really enjoy reading about and researching aviation and spend a lot of time listening to Air Traffic Control conversations.
What have you learned since working at the library? I learned how to manage my time better and be more efficient. My social skills improved since I get to interact with so many patrons and co-workers everyday. Plus, thanks to my fantastic supervisors and coworkers, I improved my teamwork skills and learned how to combine my skills with my coworkers’ to be as efficient as possible.
What are your post-graduation plans? I have so many plans after graduation. I would like to intern at Tesla but I am also considering doing an MS in physics, nuclear engineering or computer science. I also want to move to Silicon Valley and start my own company.
What is your favorite item from the library collection? The Blue Yeti microphone. I think it is really cool that we can check out such high quality recording equipment.
