Age: 21
Year: Senior
Major: Family and human services, psychology minor
Dream job: Occupational therapist specializing with amputee veterans.
Natalya has made many lucky future Ducks their first face on campus as a tour guide and always fosters community involvement.
Why are you at the UO?
I came to the UO looking for a highly accredited Psychology program, which I found here, but I also fell in love with the culture – the “Northwest Nice” – the mountains, rivers, biking, kayaking, and 24,000 opportunities that have come with being on a campus with 24,000 students.
How do you want to change the world?
I want to aid people in becoming the best version of themselves they can be. Specifically, I plan to bring affordable, quality prosthetics to low income communities around the world for amputee veterans.
What has been the best part of your college experience?
The opportunity. Coming from South Korea I didn’t know what to expect, but I’ve found myself traveling to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Canada, Montana and beyond through the UO. I’ve had the opportunity to fully engage in local, national and international service. I’ve gained over 500 hours of internship experience at the UO, and much more.
What are you proud to have been a part of at UO?
The UO Rotaract club. It is a club dedicated to service, fellowship, and business networking. I was one of the founding members and have watched it flourish over the past few years. We work with Food For Lane County, Emerald Family Down Syndrome Network, Relief Nursery, Habitat for Humanity, Metameta, End Polio Now, and beyond. We’ve done service projects all over the west coast and currently are close to funding a bio-incinerator in Uganda for a children’s hospital. Being over 5,000 miles away from my family, the Rotaract members have become my family, my largest supporters, and my inspiration for maximizing my opportunities here at the UO.
What are some of your goals after you earn your degree?
Getting my Doctorate In Occupational Therapy, starting my own practice, developing an NGO that manufactures high quality, affordable prosthetics, and then moving my practice internationally, most likely to the Philippines.
What groups are you associated with on campus?
Rotaract, Ambassador, Student Orientation Staff, Black Student Union, Intramural Sports, Outdoor Program, Relay for Life, Duck Corps, The Holden Center, and Dance Marathon.
What positions do you hold in those organizations?
With Rotaract I’ve held an executive position since its start, including that of president. I work as an Ambassador and was a SOSer over the summer. I have captained over four teams of Intramural Sports, captained a Relay team, and am a participant/member of the Black Student Union, the Outdoor Program, Relay for Life, Dance Marathon, Duck Corps and the Holden Center.