I applied to the University of Alaska Anchorage and was admitted into the Pre-Nursing Program in 2019. Five years later I am on the verge of graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a major departure from my original academic and professional plans. A lot has happened between then and now. I met amazing people, experienced so many new things, and accomplished so much.
Academically, I joined a storied program with rich traditions and history in Model United Nations of Alaska. I did scholarly work and earned top marks in my Senior Seminar in Political Science and Legislative Seminar.
Professionally, I served Alaska—its land, people, and wildlife—on the local and state level. Starting with Camp Fire Alaska's Rural Program, the Anchorage Assembly, the Alaska State Legislature, and the State Government of Alaska.
However, my collegiate journey was not without any difficulties or adversity. I experienced a global pandemic, felt aimless between my change in majors, stress from all my responsibilities, anxiety from the unknown, and impostor syndrome. I fully know that in the grand scheme of things, these are not life-or-death problems. I have the privilege and opportunity to pursue higher education and secure a future for myself and my family. Yet, it would be a disservice to myself and others if I only shared the greatest moments from my collegiate experience.
I want to end my reflection by sharing a personal story of mine. As a kid, I always imagined this ideal version of myself. This Caleb would be experiencing all sorts of things, be with incredible people, and have a purpose in life. But for a long time, it was just that, my imagination. For most of my childhood, I was shy and I didn't apply myself outside of sports and video games. So for a long time it was this dissonance between my imagination and my reality. As soon as I entered my first semester at the University of Alaska Anchorage, I changed and matured for the better. I started to apply myself and pursue all sorts of opportunities. I kept pushing myself out of my comfort zone and did things I would have been uncomfortable with just a few years before. I became a leader even though I thought it was something I could never do, that it just didn't suit me.
With a chapter of my life coming to a close, I learned something very important: you can change who you are at any given time in your life and develop into an ideal version of yourself. I know that there is more work to be done if I wish to fully fulfill that childhood dream of mine, but I can say with certainty that I am living out a life younger me would be proud of.
- Caleb Anthony Enriquez Yabes
University of Alaska Anchorage
April 2024