HUMANITIES HOUSE SPOTLIGHT | Amaya Ryujin-sung

Q: What do you think makes Utah/Salt Lake City so unique?
A: Salt Lake City has a lot of different activities that appeal to a wide range of people. We have a lot of outdoor activities that are not too far away from the city. You can go from downtown to the mountains within an hour. We also have a lot of performing arts in the city, like ballet, opera, theatre, and the symphony. I think the amount of different things you can do makes it unique.

Q: What is a pleasant surprise you discovered while living in the Humanities House?
A: The community surprised me, and getting to know my roommates has been very fun!

Q: How long have you been at the University of Utah?
A: 3 years

Q: What would you say is the biggest advantage to living in the Humanities House (perhaps compared to other on-campus housing)?
A: The biggest advantage is the community; it is easier to make friends living in the house.

Q: Why did you apply to live in the Humanities House? (If you didn’t apply directly, are you glad you ended up here?)
A: I applied to meet other people and make new friends.

Q: What are most people’s first impressions of you? Are they right, or does it take a little more time to know you better?
A: Most people think that I am more introverted at first, which is right. I tend to be quieter in new situations, and I like to observe things.

Q: If you had all the time and money to pursue another major or area of study in addition to what you are already studying, what would you choose and why?
A: Probably something in theatre, like theatre education, because I think teaching is a very cool career, especially teaching theatre.

Q: What is the most fun thing you’ve done as part of the Humanities House so far?
A: Honestly, it's more of the mundane things, like studying in the living room, baking, or watching shows together.

Q: Quick! A witch is going to turn you into an animal for a year, and you have 30 seconds to decide which animal. What would you pick and why?
A: A sea otter, they are very cute and intelligent animals.

Q: Who is your greatest role model, and how have they influenced you to get where you are now in life?
A: My greatest role model is probably my 11th grade literature teacher, she was the one who made me more interested in writing. She was also just a very chill, cool teacher, who was kind to all of the students.

Q: What is your favorite place on campus? What about it makes it special to you?
A: My favorite spot is probably the library, it is a nice space with different places to study and work. They also have a Lego table 🙂 and other creative tools.

Q: What Humanities House amenity are you most grateful for or find most useful? (Kitchen, library, dining room, in-house laundry, TV room, etc.)
A: I like the living room, it is a very nice gathering space for everyone.

Q: If you had the chance to talk to your future self from the day after graduation, what would you hope to hear from them? What are you doing now in your life to make what your future self would say come true?
A: I would hope to hear that they had fun with their major and had fun outside the classroom too. Right now to do that I am taking classes that intrigue me and also joining clubs that are interesting and different.

Q: Anything else you'd like to share about your experience?
A: The Humanities House has been one of the most fun experiences of college so far!