School of Physical Sciences
Isabelle Tran
Major(s): Mathematics
Hometown: Garden Grove, CA
Extracurriculars
* UCI CalTeach Publicist (2024-2025)
* UCI Math Learning Assistant
* Digital Artist & Club Member of Anteater Artists!
Why do you love UCI?
I love UCI because it has been a second home for me. When I first came to UCI, I was anxious about what I would be doing for the next 4 years at this university. I worried I might feel uncomfortable or lost with who I wanted to be. However, I have met incredible individuals, from the professors who have taught me and guided me to my fellow peers who support me. I found people I felt safe talking to and sharing many happy moments with. UCI is a beautiful campus with many spaces to study & enjoy nature as well as many events to participate in. I believe UCI has given me the opportunity to truly think about the person I want to be in the future and the impact I want to have.
How can you be a successful Anteater?
I can be a successful Anteater by taking the time to develop and grow as a person. Although we are all students, it is important to recognize we are all also humans. I used to believe success was defined by how I performed in my classes and whether I did better than the rest of my classmates. However, I found that this was difficult to keep up with, and had failed a few tests with grades that I was not always happy with. I’ve come to learn that being a UCI Anteater isn’t about if we are constantly at the “top”. I believe being an Anteater is being someone who is excited to learn about new subjects and topics. I am not a math major because I am good at math. I am here at UCI to learn math and become better at it. I’ve learned that success is how I define it. As long as I am trying my best to help others, going out to learn more than I did before, and putting in my best effort, I am successful.
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I enjoy drawing digital art on my iPad! I love to draw original characters and make scenarios about them in my head. I also draw a lot of fan art like Alien Stage, League of Legends, Pokémon (which I also collect cards for), etc. Recently I have been getting into drawing food based on pictures of delicious food I have eaten!
