Janvi Rochlani
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Computer Engineering
Year: 3rd Year
Hometown: Abudhabi, United Arab Emirates
The Best thing about UCSC: The best thing about UCSC is the ability to wake up and be in nature throughout the day. It is one of the prettiest campuses I have ever seen. In addition, the exposure that the campus provides due to its cosmopolitan student body is nice as you get to meet people from all around the world and learn something new every day. The research opportunities that the university has is top-tier and offers research for any field an individual is interested in.
Dream Job: Still exploring but I would love to do something that is related to software engineering.
Favorite Movie: Mamma Mia
Favorite place to go in Santa Cruz: Davenport Landing Beach
Best Place to eat on campus: Food Trucks
Why Baskin Engineering? I chose Baskin Engineering and that is because the curriculum that is present is exactly what I was looking for which is critical thinking and problem-solving. The ample amount of research opportunities that are present in the engineering school and the accessibility to the research opportunity is so straightforward hence encouraging individuals to do research. There is an opportunity for everyone depending on what they want to do research in. The community is so warm and welcoming and the people that I have met are one of a kind.
Julian Serrano
Pronouns: he/him/his
Major: Intended Computer Science: Game Design BS, Cognitive Science BS
Year: 2nd Year
Hometown: Santa Ana, CA
The Best thing about UCSC: The most fascinating thing about UCSC is its location. Being able to walk outside and be surrounded by such tall trees and fresh air always fills me with a sense of freedom. The proximity to the beach is certainly a bonus as I can experience sunsets that are just breathtaking. By far, the best thing about UCSC is its wonderful student body and beautiful surroundings.
Dream Job: I cannot guarantee what the future holds but I would definitely love to work in a field that allows me to apply the knowledge I learned as a CSGD and Cognitive Science student to create a more accessible world to those in the deaf and hard of hearing community as well as other underrepresented communities.
Favorite Movie: Moana
Favorite Performer/Band: Joji, Conan Gray, Bad Bunny
Favorite place to go in Santa Cruz: Bookshop Santa Cruz
Best Place to eat on campus: Oakes Cafe
Why Baskin Engineering? I chose Baskin Engineering because it provided me with both a better sense of community and a curriculum that would enable me to want to work harder and actively absorb and apply the knowledge I gain. While I was nervous at first, being a part of the Basking School of Engineering has provided me with many different resources that have expanded my knowledge of computer science as well as allowed me to create better connections with my peers.
Thanh To
Major: Computer Science Game Design
Hometown: Fountain Valley, CA
The Best thing about UCSC: The banana slugs!
Favorite Movie: Hercules
Clubs: I’m on the GraceHacks tech team and am a member of VSA
Favorite Performer/Band: Olivia Rodrigo, Frank Ocean
Favorite place to go in Santa Cruz: Marianne’s Ice Cream
Best Place to eat on campus: Stevenson Coffee Shop
Why Baskin Engineering? I really enjoy the problem-solving aspect of computer science. Meticulously combing through my code feels more like putting a puzzle together, and once that last piece is in and the code runs, I feel a sense of fulfillment that I haven’t found with any other paths. Additionally, the game design aspect of my major introduces me to many passionate professors with industry experience and keeps students engaged throughout their courses. Being a part of the Baskin community, I’ve found that TAs and professors are very encouraging, and provide much-needed help during office hours.
Rishita Wairagade
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Computer Science BS
Minor: Technology Information Management
Year: 3rd Year
Hometown: San Ramon, CA
The Best thing about UCSC: The best thing about UCSC is definitely the student body! When I lived on campus there was no doubt that I would converse with someone new every day while walking or riding the loop bus. Every student with their own unique life story. And of course, UCSC’s location where students get the best of both worlds: the beach and the redwoods!
Dream Job: My dream job is to work where I can lead using my analytical and critical thinking skills from being a Computer Science student.
Favorite Movie: Avatar
Favorite place to go in Santa Cruz: Firefly Coffee House
Best Place to eat on campus: Iveta Cafe
Why Baskin Engineering? I chose Baskin School of Engineering because it caught my attention that there were so many research opportunities for undergraduates in the scope of Engineering. I always wondered how I could apply my Computer Science knowledge to research and UCSC was the right platform for me. I knew I made the right choice choosing BSOE as I was able to land myself a position in a lab as a first year at UCSC.
Sabrina Yone
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Computer Science BS
Minor: Language Studies
Year: 4th Year
Hometown: Yangon, Myanmar
I am a member of: SASE
The Best thing about UCSC: I would say the best things about UCSC are the tall trees and the cold fresh air in the early mornings. I’ve never seen a campus so intertwined with nature, I think it’s great for when things start to get a little stressful. I would also say that the types of people you get to meet on campus and around it are the coolest bunch!
Dream Job: I’m not sure yet but it would definitely involve helping people and traveling whenever I can.
Favorite Movie: Ready or Not
Favorite Performer/Band: Harry Styles, Hozier, Sufjan Stevens, Taylor Swift
Favorite place to go in Santa Cruz: Natural Bridges
Best Place to eat on campus: Oaks Cafe
Why Baskin Engineering? I chose Baskin Engineering because as someone who comes from a developing country, technology has always fascinated me. The courses that are offered are incredibly interesting and taking the Computer Science course load has helped me expand my skill set and meet really cool people!