The Student Newspaper of Highline College

Anita Wambui

  Jun 09, 2022
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Anita Wambui

Training student finds she’s fit for success in college

For Wambui, the Personal Fitness training programs and the work at student government are not totally different things, but they are connected. 

“In fitness, it’s all about being able to work with people on their personal journey in fitness. It needs empathy, advocate, and needs to understand people. The job at student government and personal fitness complement each other.” Wambui said.  

Wambui is going to graduate Highline this June. Her plan for the near future is to gain more work experience in the US to build her experience. She got a job offer for her Optional Practical Training (OPT) in a fitness club in Washington. 

“The pandemic robbed me of the opportunity to connect with people, to have in-person experiences, so I would like to have that,” Wambui said.

Rika Deveney • Staff Reporter

Anita Wambui, once going to be a business person, found her physical passion instead of fiscal passion. 

Anita Wambui, an international student from Kenya, has studied the Personal Fitness Training program in Highline since the winter of 2020. She also worked as a vice president of the student government to represent international students. 

Wambui got her Bachelor’s degree in international business in Kenya. However, when she got a job in a marketing department, which was mostly sitting down and using the computers, she thought it was not for her, Wambui said. 

“I used to be more active because I grew up as a dancer. I was looking for a job where I can be active. I realized my passion for fitness and decided to go for it and do the program in Fitness Training,” Wambui said.

Wambui decided to come to Highline because they have multicultural communities that have many people from different cultures. 

“I was interested in being in a community that I can learn from different backgrounds,” Wambui said.

However, Wambui faced several challenges when she came to the United States. After three months she came to Highline, the COVID-19 hit the world. 

“It was already tough for me to adjust to the new environment, and I could not socialize.  It was a huge mental and financial damage,” Wambui said.

Moreover, it was right after Wambui came to the United States when the Black Lives Matter movement grew.  

“By watching many videos on social media, I thought this is what it means to be black in America. It means you are discriminated against, it means you are not valued, and when you see a police officer maybe I should be scared,” Waubui said. 

“When I came here, it was not a normal time,” Wambui said with a smile. Her genuine smile doesn’t show people that she overcame many challenges.

Wambui decided to take the Personal Fitness Training program in Highline because she wanted to get a job where she can stay active and enjoy being a coach. 

“I definitely like how the lecture is supportive as an individual and supports my fitness journey,” Wambui said.

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