Julia Cheng

Name:  Julia Cheng

College: Crown

Department: Sociology 

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive? Fanny Carruthers Award in Sociology

What year do you expect to graduate? Spring 2022

Where do you call home?  San Jose, California

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out?  I’d have to say the campus. Living in a forest had always been a dream of mine and I loved the idea of going to school in the woods. The liberal arts aspect of the different colleges within UCSC also peaked my interest. It offered a perfect middle ground between a research university and a liberal arts college.

What is your field of focus?  My main interest within sociology is the use of media and how knowledge/truths are constructed in global society.

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz?  Right now, I’m leaving my options open, but I hope to engage in research that opposes the disinformation. One goal is to travel and experience living in different countries outside the US.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here?  A memorable moment as a student is late nights out downtown. Studying
or just hanging out Santa Cruz at night feels very liberating. Especially because Santa Cruz is so small, getting off campus and enjoying the many coffee shops with friends is refreshing. Also its a great place to run into professors or classmates you wouldn’t expect.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz?  I’d definitely say don’t give in to social pressure. Transitioning into college is jarring and there is a loss of belonging and intimacy that everyone faces. However, engaging in activities or thought patterns that are not true to yourself only leads to disillusionment of what college should be like. Being different is okay, and it’s really important to have your own reasons for doing what you do.

How will this scholarship impact your academic life /research?  This scholarship provides a financial buffer as the COVID19 pandemic changed my family’s financial situation. Furthermore, it’s a positive affirmation to the learning I’ve done during my at UCSC. I’ve very grateful to have the school’s support.