Alumni Story: Gavin Wee, Singapore
By Gavin Wee, March 29, 2018
"When I first arrived at Green River in the fall of 2012, I was 17 years old, and out in the world by myself for the first time. I quickly transitioned to the new way of life, with the help of various programs and events like the quarterly orientation, Peer Mentors, and the International Programs (IP) office. Also, through the school's Host Family program, I was quickly integrated with a family in the area, and still remain good friends to this day.
Initially, I was working on my High School Completion Certificate, while taking college level classes. However, being from Singapore, I had to take a break for about 2 years to serve in the Army back home. Soon after that, I returned to Green River for a short while before transferring to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona to complete my Bachelor's of Science in Aeronautical Science (Fixed Wing). Here at ERAU Prescott, I find myself comparing various things with GRC and finding them very similar, which affirms my decision to transfer here. After all, when you've experienced something good, why would you settle for something else?
While in school at Green River, the class sizes were pretty small, and it allowed for more interaction between the instructors and students, and between classmates as well. This, along with various school events, allowed me to quickly make friends with people from all over the world, as well as students from the local area. Some time in 2013, I even helped start up a Photography Club with a group of friends. I also got pretty involved with volunteering on campus.
I feel that Green River is a place where students are given a safe place to study, and are given many opportunities to learn, grow and explore. For me, it all started with a dream of being a commercial pilot. Then, I moved to Green River, where the academic advisors in the IP office helped me craft out a plan to achieve that goal while receiving a good education in the process. Overall, my experience at Green River has been very positive. Even with all the ups and downs of being a young student in a foreign land, I felt that there would always be someone at the school to listen and help. Go Gators!"
