Freshman Luis Lopez said the class he is most excited about is Calculus II because it will include more difficult material for him to work with.
“Somebody told me that it was like really challenging,” Lopez said. “And I like challenges.”
Lopez decided to attend the University of Idaho despite having multiple options in other states, because the in-state tuition was a better financial option, he said.
While having lived in Idaho for the majority of his life, Lopez spent five years living in California as well. His parents came from an indigenous community in southern Mexico, and said he immediately noticed the difference in the communities upon moving to Twin Falls.
“Where I was from there”s not a lot of people who look like me, like my color of skin,” he said.
Lopez said he isn”t going to let that negatively impact his time at UI though. He plans on getting involved with multi-cultural groups on campus and has already become a new member of a UI fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau.
Luis Lopez
Going Greek wasn”t something Lopez said he always wanted to do, but when he got the chance to visit some UI fraternities during last year”s Vandal Friday, he said he observed how unified some of the brotherhoods were and wanted to be a part of it. He thinks being a part of a fraternity will positively influence his experience in Moscow.
“(My brothers) might help me meet new people, like maybe in other fraternities that are multi-cultural,” he said.
As a double major in computer science and math, Lopez said he is excited to challenge himself but is worried about his ability to manage his time well. In high school Lopez said time management was easier, but now he has college courses and a social life to balance. He said he is also looking to get a job at Wal-Mart.
Lopez said his goals for the semester include maintaining a good level of attendance in his classes and ending the semester with a 3.5 GPA. He is especially looking forward to meeting new people who make up the Moscow community and building connections to prepare himself for life after he graduates from UI.
“I like building connections and all that stuff,” Lopez said. “I”m trying to work up to get a good job after college or build a really strong connection with people within my field.”
Erin Bamer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ErinBamer