HUMANITIES Ambassador SPOTLIGHT | Maxine Baek-jette
Maxine Baek-Jette (she/her)
Major(s): Honors Chinese
Minor(s): Spanish
Q: Why did you choose to become an ambassador for the College of Humanities?
A: I became an ambassador for the College of Humanities because I wanted to represent the value of cultural understanding and linguistic diversity, helping students see how studying humanities builds bridges across different communities.
Q: What are your major(s) and/or minor(s)? Why did you choose them, what do you love most about them, and what do you hope to do with them once you graduate?
A: Chinese Major and Spanish Minor. I chose Chinese as my major because I've studied the language since I was five. I wanted to develop my linguistic abilities further while deepening my understanding of Chinese culture and literature. I chose Spanish as my minor after studying abroad in Spain. I love both Chinese and Spanish because being proficient in these two languages allows me to communicate with nearly 60% of the world's population. I aspire to attend law school after graduation and pursue a career as an immigration lawyer, where I can apply both of these languages in my practice.
Q: Where is the best place to go get food on or around campus?
A: Sawadee, best Thai food restaurant in Salt Lake City.
Q: What do you think your most unique hobby is? Why do you love it?
A: My most unique hobby is reading Wikipedia articles, as I find joy in expanding my knowledge on a wide range of topics, equipping myself with diverse insights that enhance my ability to argue.
Q: What is the earliest or latest class you've ever had? What about that class made it worth getting up so early/staying on campus so late?
A: The earliest class I've ever had was at 9:40, am, and the latest was at 6:00 pm. I prefer class later in the day.
Q: On a regular day, what does your commute to school look like? Do you enjoy it? If not, what are some ways you make it more bearable?
A: I live on campus, so my commute is relatively short. I enjoy living on campus because I would be incredibly late to all my classes if I didn't live there.
Q: What do you feel like is the most underrated building or place on campus?
A: The Rock Building - Frederick Albert Sutton Building (FASB)!
Q: If you could study abroad anywhere on earth, where would you go and why?
A: If I could study abroad anywhere, I would choose Kazakhstan. I'd love to enhance my Russian proficiency and explore the country's vast natural landscapes. There are so many horses in Kazakhstan, and I love horses.
Q: If you could go back and tell just one thing about your college experience to your past self on your first day at the U, what would you tell yourself?
A: I would tell myself to “never enroll in classes prior to 10 am because you are not going to attend.”
Interested in learning more about our Humanities Ambassador program?