What school did you transfer from?
I transferred from Bellevue College
What is the name of your hometown, city (also country if outside US)?
I call home Ethiopia.
Tell us about your background – what drew you to apply to UW as a transfer student?
I planned to get my A.A. from Bellevue College and transfer to a university out of state-maybe an HBCU. I was drawn to HBCUs because I thought it was the only place that offers more than just education: they provide a nurturing environment, a strong sense of community, and a cultural experience that affirms your identity. For students like me, especially those from diverse backgrounds, belonging means everything.
That changed after a simple drive around the UW campus with my dad’s partner, who’s a proud alum. I wasn’t expecting much, but as we walked the campus and I saw the “Hate has no home here – You belong here” banner, it moved me harder than I expected. Coming from Ethiopia and moving multiple times, I know how important it is to find a place where you don’t have to start over again. That banner- and the history you can feel on campus- reminded me that belonging isn’t just about who you are; it’s about feeling valued, supported, and inspired to be yourself. That’s when I realized UW could be that place for me. After that visit, I started researching UW’s programs and found myself completely drawn in.
Why did you choose Real Estate as a major?
When I was exploring UW’s majors, I got curious about what was Real Estate and what it really meant (It is an open major,no application required- so exciting). I took the intro class and realized it was what I love to do- something related to finance, economics, business, city development, and shaping the cities we live in. Real Estate combines everything I’m passionate about in one field, and it’s a major that truly prepares you for a wide range of careers, from finance and asset management to urban development and beyond.
So far, what has been the greatest lesson/s you have taken away from your time at UW as well as with the Real Estate program?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned at UW is to never restrict your potential- Be Boundless. Plans can change, and that’s okay. Keep exploring, stay open-minded, and do what you love because UW has so much to offer, and whatever you’re passionate about is likely already here. I’ve realized that I don’t need to have everything figured out right away. It’s okay to take your time and trust the process.
From the Real Estate program, I’ve learned to never judge a field by its title. At first, I thought real estate was just about getting a license and jumping into the housing market. I assumed it was something I could learn outside of college. But once I got into the program, I saw how complex and layered it really is. It’s not just about buying and selling; it’s about how entire communities are shaped, how markets function, how developments are financed, and how we plan for future growth. I also learned how big of a role networking plays in any industry, and how important it is to build real relationships.
The lesson was: don’t make assumptions. Go deep into something before you decide what it is. Real Estate showed me that when you take the time to truly understand something, you begin to see its real value and you start to see where you fit within it.
Now that you are currently studying Real Estate, what would you say is the biggest misconception about the Real Estate Major?
The biggest misconception is that its often assumed Real Estate is only commission based job like selling houses and making money. In reality, it’s much broader. Real Estate is about finance, development, and even shaping the economy. For example, in one of my development classes, I worked as a site planner on a real-world project with a team. It felt like being in a real office, solving real problems, and getting ready for the real world. So it is not about selling houses, it is more.
How has life at UW been different from your previous institution? What adjustments did you have to make as you transferred from one school into another?
Life at UW has been very different from my previous schools, mainly because of the size and pace. Classes are farther apart, and the campus is much bigger, so I had to learn how to manage my time better. Just getting from one class to another takes planning, and balancing academics, work, and involvement needs real focus.
It was a big adjustment to learn to navigate the system– finding classes, registering on time, and keeping track of deadlines. At my previous colleges, everything felt more compact and simple. At UW, I had to become more independent and take the initiative to stay organized and try to stay on top of everything.
What advice would you give a prospective student looking to transfer into UW
Use the resources! Before you even start the school year, check out club events, talk to people, and connect early. There are literally a thousand clubs here. Also, read the little book UW sends you-it’s more helpful than you’d think. Keep all your syllabi from previous classes; it’ll save you a lot of stress when transferring credits. Reach out to advisors and attend Transfer Thursdays or webinars to get your questions answered.
Where is your favorite go-to spot on campus, to relax, study, hang out, eat, etc?
- To study: Gould Hall basement library
- To eat: Cultivate and Pagliacci
- To work out: IMA
- Must-visit RE majors: Suzzallo Library-the architecture is inspiring!
As you look ahead to your future, post UW, what are some of your career aspirations, and how will your Bachelor of Science in Real Estate lead you to achieve them.
Before UW, I thought life after college was just about getting a job. Now, I’m dreaming bigger and I am boundless. I want to build something meaningful-whether that’s through development, investing, or working on projects that shape entire cities. I believe the Real Estate major at UW is giving me the vision, skills, and network to do just that. With Bachelor of Science in Real Estate degree, it allows me to pursue careers in finance, asset management, development, urban planning, and more.