Kyara Rosas-Alejandre
“Enjoy your student life and your life outside school. Try to balance your time between those two and do not feel bad about not going at the same pace as others. Everyone has different lives, so everyone walks at their own rhythm.“
Pronouns
She/Her/Ella
Degree/Certificate & Class Year
Academic Transfer DTA, class of 2022
Hometown
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Major
Healthcare
What three words would you use to describe YVC?
Kind, Attentive, Inclusive.
What’s your favorite class? Why? How has it expanded your knowledge?
I have liked all the classes that I have taken. One that I really liked was Intercultural Communication because it gave me the space to express my viewpoints about issues such as violence toward women and racism, among others. I also got the opportunity to hear my classmates’ opinions on issues of concern to them. This class helped me to realize how all the structures of power are involved in my everyday life and how they rule the world in general.
Who is your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor?
[Basic Skills Instructor] Carrie Dyk helped me a lot since I was in English Language Acquisition (ELA). She was one of my instructors when I was in ELA and College and Career Readiness (CCR) and she helped me with my transition to college. She was really kind, understanding and helpful to me. Even though she is not my instructor or advisor anymore, she’s still checking on me to see how I am doing [which is] something that I really appreciate.
What made you want to come to YVC?
I moved from Mexico two years ago when I couldn’t get into the university that I wanted there. When I came here, I had little knowledge about English, so in order to continue with my education I started at YVC with ELA classes. I spent two quarters with ELA, then I finished and took two quarters in CCR classes just to prepare myself for college-level classes. At that point, I knew that I wanted to continue with my education at YVC because in that year that I spent between ELA and CCR I got to know the school and all that it had to offer me. Also, I really liked the assistance and help from all the school staff and my instructors. Whenever I had questions, they were there to help me.
How did you decide on a major?
I decided on my major in high school. I took two years of training as a dental technician at my high school in Mexico. I always liked to work with other people and help them, so while I was in those two years I fell in love with teeth and helping others with their oral health. That’s why I’m working on finishing my prerequisites to then enter the Dental Hygiene program.
Are there any barriers that you’ve overcome to be successful at YVC? Please describe.
There are some barriers that I have overcome such as language, being away from my family and some mental struggles. Since English is my second language it’s been a little bit hard to learn new things in my second language but not impossible. Being away from my family has been really difficult for me, but I managed to make time on my breaks from school to go to Mexico and visit them. Last year, I had some struggles with my mental health that were affecting my work and school, but I made time to go to therapy and work on them to not let them interfere with my everyday life.
What do you like or find most interesting about your major?
Being around other people and helping my community with their oral health.
Where do you find your community on campus?
I haven’t spent a lot of time on campus, but I feel really comfortable with the online space that we have in our classes. I have had a very respectful and friendly experience with my classmates online.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Enjoy your student life and your life outside school. Try to balance your time between those two, not give all your time to either of those and do not feel bad about not going at the same pace that others do. Everyone has different lives, so everyone walks at their own rhythm.
How has Yakima Valley College changed you?
After I couldn’t get into a university in Mexico, I was starting to give up on my dreams, but coming here and starting school at YVC motivated me to continue working hard toward them.
How do you manage stress?
I manage my stress by doing activities that I enjoy such as reading, listening to music, exercising, journaling and by spending time with my loved ones.
Do you have a job? How do you work that into your schedule?
Yes, I have a part-time job. Since I am taking all my classes online it makes it easier for me. I work on my schoolwork in the mornings, and I go to my job in the afternoons. After work, at night, I continue to work on any assignments or projects that I have for school.
What do you view is your biggest achievement at YVC?
Learning English in a short time was my biggest achievement so far. I am still working to improve on it, but in the short time that I have been talking and writing in English, it seems really good. That’s something that not only helps in my education at YVC but also in my everyday life and at my job.
Did you receive any financial aid or scholarship funding to attend YVC? If so, please describe how this helped you on your journey.
For ELA and CCR I didn’t need help to pay them because they had accessible prices that I could pay with my own resources. But, in this first year of college-level courses I received financial aid in order to be able to pay my tuition and books. Since I am funding my education by myself this extra help has been really beneficial for me.
What is your ultimate goal? Where would you like to end up?
My ultimate goal is to get my bachelor’s in dental hygiene and learn all the needed to succeed in this career.
Interested in getting started at YVC? Visit our admissions page or request information.