Ysa Perez (she/her)

Ysa Perez smiling at camera

Interests

I love to get cozy with some matcha or coffee and read or journal. When I go out, I love to try new restaurants and find good places to eat!

Major

English Creative Writing
Sociology

Hometown

Seatac, WA

What I like most about Western

Besides the beautiful campus and Bellingham area, I really love the culture of this school. Everybody is on their own path, and to me, that kind of academic freedom really enables me to grow as both a student and a person. Resources don't feel competitive or unattainable. Instead, everybody I've met, from staff to professors to friends, is so supportive and genuine, and I really love that kind of environment. I also think that Western's community really offers something to everybody on campus. I love to see all kinds of academic interest and different identities represented here. It's one of the best places to grow in.

Why I chose my major

I've always enjoyed reading and writing, and I wanted to pursue it, but I wasn't sure exactly what path to follow. After looking at the variety of jobs that were related to writing, I realized that I could be an editor for books at a publishing house. That's my motivation for majoring in both subjects. I also think that English and Journalism together represent all the things about writing that I love. I enjoy writing poems and short fiction as a creative outlet, but I also like writing about social justice and other things that are important to talk about the world.