As an international student pursuing her computer science degree, Merra Migora is a hardworking student that shows us the power of possibility. Through determination and her openness to adaptation, Migora has officially completed her time at Highline with a degree in STEM.

Compared to her hometown, Welkite, Ethiopia, Migora believes that transferring to Highline was a major change in not only schooling, but in environment. While she began her time here slightly worried about the unknown, she, nonetheless, chose to direct her focus and efforts in pursuing her educational goals. 

As someone who had yet to experience the complexities of technology, the community, and schooling system here at Highline, Migora acknowledged that pursuing computer science as her major was simply scary, as she was “unfamiliar with a lot of things.” 

In spite of the obstacles Migora faced in navigating through an entirely new environment, she continued to find inspiration in meeting new people she was glad to find similarities with. 

Through bringing a sense of belonging to the community and showing her desire to help others, “she stands out as a story of hope because she is not daunted by how difficult her path may be,” says Dr. Aleya Dhanj, a physics professor at Highline College.

During her time working at Highline as an entry advisor, she came to find that most undergraduate students she consulted were, according to Migora, a lot like her in a variety of ways. She recognized that these students were facing challenges similar to her own, and found it rewarding to ease the same obstacles she had encountered. 

While Migora’s time here has taught her the importance of perseverance and commitment, she says that her family and friends have helped make much of that possible for her. From her uncle and parents supporting her through every step of the way, to meeting new people and making new friends, Migora believes that becoming a part of the community has inspired her to be a better person everyday. 

In her quest to one day become a software programmer, Migora also aspires to transfer to the University of Washington to complete her bachelor’s in computer science. While this is something she’s looking forward to in the near future, she says it all comes down to going back to her home country to build a programming school for students in Wilkite.

Looking back on her time here, Migora has come to learn that simply getting involved has helped her in nearly every challenge she had to face to get where she is today. From working on campus to joining clubs or other extracurricular activities, she encourages intending graduates to connect and be brave when it comes to experiencing something new.

While getting out of her comfort zone has been beneficial to her programming and communication skills, Migora also says that through learning the importance of exploration, her overall experience as a student at Highline had broadened. 

Congratulations on graduation Merra! On to your next new environment, in which you are no doubt going to be equally as successful in conquering.